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BOOSTER CLUB HALL OF FAME 2000 INDUCTEES:
Shawn M. Bouwens ’97
Shawn Bouwens, a graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School, was
one of the most dominant offensive linemen ever to don a Nebraska
Wesleyan football uniform. In his years as a Plainsman, the four-year
starter earned a spot on the All-NIAC first team twice, received
NAIA Division II All-America honorable mention in 1988, made first
team in 1989 and was an Associated Press Little All-American his
senior season.
In 1989, his pass blocking allowed the Plainsmen
to rush for 216.2 yards per game, accumulate 421.8 in total offense
per game and score an average of 33.7 points, all of which rank
second on the NWU all-time charts. The Plainsmen also finished with
a stellar 9-1 record that year.
In 1990, Bouwens became only the second player in
NWU history to be selected in the National Football League draft
when the New England Patriots chose him in the ninth round. He then
spent four seasons with the Detroit Lions and played for the Jacksonville
Jaguars in 1995.
In 1997, after his stint in the NFL, Shawn returned
to Nebraska Wesleyan to complete requirements for his degree in
business administration. Shawn’s #69 is just the second number
to be retired in team history.
Ron L. Moran ’86
Ron Moran, a graduate of York High School, was a force on the track
during the mid-1980s at Nebraska Wesleyan. The seven-time All-American
wrote his name into the NWU record books, having broken three school
records individually and as a member of three record-setting, relay
teams.
Moran was named an indoor All-American four times
with outstanding performances in the NCAA Division III 1500, NAIA
Distance Medley Relay and twice in the mile. At the NCAA level in
outdoor track, he earned All-America honors in the 800 once and
the 1500 twice.
The 1986 graduate holds the school record in the
indoor 1000 yards (2:13.4) and mile (4:10.7). He was also a member
of the record-holding indoor 4x880 relay (7:44.2) and Sprint Medley
Relay (3:34.6). He ran the fastest outdoor 1500 ever at NWU (3:49.0)
and was on the record-setting Distance Medley Relay (9:52.0) in
1985.
Moran also guided the 1983 and 1984 cross country
teams to a birth in the NAIA national meet. In 1984, he placed 85th
out of 350 runners to lead the Plainsmen to a 25th place finish
overall.
Michele Anderson Mitchell ’86
Michele (Anderson) Mitchell led a string of powerful volleyball
teams at Nebraska Wesleyan in the mid-1980s. While she was playing,
the Plainswomen won the conference title twice, finished second
once and placed ninth in the nation when she was a first-year player.
The native of Sumner, Neb., was a two-sport athlete
having played both basketball and volleyball. During her three years
at NWU, she earned All-Conference first team in volleyball twice
and second team once. She was also a two-time Academic All-America
selection and currently holds the school record for career serving
percentage (.975) and serve percentage in a single season (.985).
In 1982, Michele led her team in blocks and kills.
In 1983 and 1984, she served as a co-captain and was voted the team’s
best offensive player after her sophomore year. On the basketball
court, Michele had 90 rebounds and averaged 4.4 points per game
during the 1982-83 season.
Diane Humphrey Bean ’89
Diane (Humphrey) Bean was not only a force on the softball team
at Nebraska Wesleyan, but also a dominating performer in the classroom.
The native of Fremont, Neb., graduated from Nebraska
Wesleyan with a 3.95 GPA while earning a Bachelor’s degree
in Math. Her outstanding grades along with her stellar performance
in the outfield earned her three GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America
awards.
The lefthander is ranked second all-time at NWU
in career batting average, third in career hits, third in career
runs and holds the school record in career and single-season stolen
bases. As a senior, she led the conference in steals and led her
team in hits, runs, batting average and home runs.
Michael D. Higgins ’88
Mike Higgins, a native of Grand Island, Neb., was one of the most
productive golfers ever to hit the links at Nebraska Wesleyan. He
became a two-time All-American by twice finishing in the top 25
in the NCAA Division III Championships.
When he made his first run in 1987, he finished
tied for 24th in the tournament by shooting a four-round 307. In
1988, he captured All-America honors again when he finished in a
tie for 25th with a three-day score of 233.
Not only was Higgins one of the top golfers in the nation, he was
also a champion in the classroom. He received Academic All-America
honors in 1987 and 1988.
Jo E. Bunstock
Spirit of the Plainsman Award
Since August of 1983, Jo Bunstock has served as a major
contributor to the success of Nebraska Wesleyan athletics. During
her 17 years with the NWU athletic department, she has offered her
support in numerous capacities. In 1983, she was hired as a secretary
for the department. She then became secretary for the athletic director
and later an administrative assistant. In 1991, she was named Assistant
to the Director of Athletics, and in 1999, she was appointed Senior
Women’s Administrator.
Bunstock has performed at a high level with everyday
tasks and has gone above and beyond the call of duty. In addition
to her ever-increasing list of responsibilities, Bunstock has served
on the task force for women’s issues and has assisted with
the booster club golf tournament. She is also on the President’s
Council for Cultural Diversity and plays a huge role in the VIP
(Ventures in Partnership) program with Huntington Elementary School,
in which she has led Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway and Red Ribbon
Day efforts.
Bunstock believes that she has given a female perspective
to the athletic department. She is a Nebraska Wesleyan graduate
and has always considered it “her school”. Bunstock
is thankful for having the opportunity to work with some of the
best college coaches at this level, and she is thankful for the
amount of professional growth she has been able to attain in her
career.
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