Vanguard University Athletics welcomed five individuals and one team as the seventh class of the Hall of Fame with the induction ceremony on February 2.
Started in 2004, the Vanguard Athletic Hall of Fame has honored former Southern California College and VU athletes, teams, and individuals who have given above and beyond to the Athletic Department. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to reestablish and maintain ties with former student-athletes, maintain the camaraderie of those associated with the Athletic Department, and elicit continued identity and support for Vanguard University and the VU Athletic Department.
The Class of 2024 includes Professor Ed Westbrook, the 2013-2014 NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship team, Kelly (Boeke ’02) Walters (women’s basketball), Jordan Davidson ’14 (women’s soccer), Matthew Hess ’05 (men’s soccer), and Heather (Sheeley ’11) DeJongh (women’s volleyball). Meet the inductees:
Professor Ed Westbrook, who started serving at the institution in the 1980s will enter the Hall of Fame as the eighth Meritorious Service honoree. Professor Westbrook began teaching a business law class in 1985 as an adjunct and slowly added classes until he was full-time. He served in various roles across campus outside of teaching and was famous for leading study abroad trips around the world. He helped shepherd students through the tough years of college with dedication, wisdom, and a deep knowledge of faith. His connection to the athletic department is encased in his commitment to student-athletes. He was intentional with all student-athletes and knew most of them on a first-name basis, attending most home games to cheer them on. helped student-athletes secure jobs during and after college and was always willing to serve as a voice for the faculty in various Athletic Department committees. He will join Dr. John Wilson as the only two professors in the Hall of Fame.
The 2013-2014 NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship team went 33-10 overall in their magical season, going 11-3 in Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) play. The team won the GSAC regular season and then picked up its first-ever GSAC Tournament trophy before sweeping through the NAIA Tournament in Kansas City. Preston Wynne was named the Championship MVP, and he and Chris Gorman were named to the all-tournament team. Setting the record for most wins in a season—along with other records collected at the team and with individual level—the 2013-14 men’s team will join seven other teams enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Kelly (Boeke’02) Walters was a four-year player on the women’s basketball team from the 1998-99 season to the 2001-02 campaign. Boeke averaged 12.7 points per game as a Lion in 121 games played and tallied 1,541 career points to put her fifth in program history, and second in both free throws attempted (665) and free throws made (417). She is second all-time with 988 total rebounds and holds the third-most rebounds in a single season, as she nabbed 330 in the 1999-2000 schedule. She was a part of two GSAC championship teams and helped VU win 89 games in four years for fellow Hall of Fame member Russ Davis.
Jordan Davidson ’14 might have only played two seasons for the women’s soccer team, but her speed and skill, combined with the offensive style of fellow Hall of Fame member Head Coach Randy Dodge, allowed Davidson to put her name inside the top 10 in program history in offensive statistics. Her 29 goals rank seventh all-time and her torrid pace of 0.74 goals per game over 39 matches is first in the record book. She is first in shots on goal per game at 2.79 and second in shots per game at 4.54. Davidson notched 75 points to end tied for sixth in program history while her 2012 season stands as a top-five season in all offensive categories. The Lions swept the GSAC in 2012, the first time in program history going undefeated in conference play, and won the GSAC Tournament, reaching NAIA quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Davidson helped VU to go 33-7-2 over the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Matthew Hess ’05, a four-year starter, enters the Hall of Fame as the men’s soccer program’s leading scorer. Hess struck for 86 goals in 80 games between 2001-2004, ending his time at Vanguard as the leader in points, goals, shots, shots per game, shots on goal per game, goals per game, and games started. Hess is also second all-time in game-winning goals and in games played, while sitting fourth in assists. His 2003 season was monstrous, scoring 29 goals in 20 games to tally 64 points. His 2003 campaign holds all single-season records for goals, points, and shots. Vanguard improved from seven wins in 2001 to 16 in 2004, and Hess helped Coach Dodge collect his first men’s GSAC championship in 2004.
Heather (Sheeley ’11) DeJongh, played for the women’s volleyball program from 2006-2009. Helping VU to 10-plus wins in each of her four seasons, Sheeley was not only an accomplished hitter, but one of the best blockers to play in The Pit. With 1,121 kills, she ranks sixth all-time and tallied a .275 hitting percentage in her career at VU, placing her seventh in program history. Defensively, Sheeley finished sixth in total block assists (234), total blocks (275), and total points (1,319). Her 2009 season was one for the ages and set single-season records in attack percentage (.374), kills (385), and kills per set (3.21). She also finished second in total block assists in a single season with 101 and fifth in total blocks with 118.
Watch the induction ceremony:
Continue to celebrate athletic excellence at Vanguard University by prayerfully considering a gift to support our more than 400 student athletes.
