2020 Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame Class Announced

Photo Courtesy of Knox College

Share

GALESBURG, Illinois – The 2020 Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame Class has been announced. The Hall of Fame Committee voted in four outstanding individuals in May. Joe Metzka ’96, Derek Mortensen ’14, Michael Smith ’96, and Mary (Whiteside) Groll ’92 will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, October 23 as part of Homecoming. Individual profiles of each 2020 inductee will be released starting this Friday and then each Thursday for the following three weeks.

“What a tremendous honor for these four individuals to be selected for the Hall of Fame,” said Director of Athletics Daniella Irle. “These four embody the athletic excellence of the Prairie Fire. Welcome to the Hall of Fame family.”

“This group is a wonderful addition to the Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame,” said K Club Coordinator Crew Keller. “From what I have seen and heard, the Hall of Fame is an extremely talented group and these four are no exception. Congratulations!”

Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame

Joe Metzka

Joe Metzka is one of the most dominant kickers and overall athletes in Knox football history. He graduated in 1996 after a spectacular career on the gridiron.

Joe was named All-American in 1993, 1994, and 1995 as well as Preseason All-American in 1994 and 1995. He holds the Knox record for most field goals in a career (22), most field goal attempts (37), most field goals in a game (5), longest field goal made (53 yards), most punts in career (220), and most punt yards in a career (7,627). He also holds the single season record for extra point percentage (1.000). He appears in the football record book 54 times. Joe was also named All-Midwest Conference a total of five times, three times as a punter and twice as a kicker. He was named first team All-Conference for four of the five.

Joe was also a four year letter winner on the track and field teams, where he threw javelin and spent time as a sprinter.

Derek Mortensen

Derek Mortensen finished his career as the all-time leading rusher for the Knox football team. He graduated in 2014 following a fantastic career as a running back.

Derek accumulated 4,016 rushing yards in his career and rushed for a Knox record 43 touchdowns. He holds the high-water marks in average yards per game (97.3), rushing attempts, most games over 100 yards (19), consecutive games over 100 yards, and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. Derek also set single season marks for rushing attempts, rushing touchdowns, and most games over 100 yards. Altogether he holds 18 rushing and scoring records and ties for three more.

Derek was first team All-Midwest Conference in 2012 and 2013 and Honorable Mention in 2011. He was the Harley Knosher Male Athlete of the Year and voted Most Valuable Offensive Player in 2012-13. He was also named Midwest Conference Performer of the Week and Prairie Fire Performer of the Week multiple times. He was awarded the Tom Dean Award, the Most Valuable Player in the Turkey Bowl against Monmouth, in 2012-13 as well. He ran for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns at Monmouth.

Michael Smith

Michael Smith ’96 was a major dual-sport threat for the Prairie Fire in the mid-90’s. He graduated in 1996 and still holds records in both men’s basketball and track and field.

Michael is the all-time assists leader for the Knox men’s basketball team with 323. He is also third all-time with 140 assists in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1995-96. Michael was named first team All-Midwest Conference and Midwest Conference All-Tournament in 1996. He also won co-MVP, co-Most Valuable Senior, and was a co-winner of the Harley Knosher Award during his senior season when he led the team in assists and steals.

As a member of the track and field team, Michael was a three-time Midwest Conference Champion in Triple Jump and also was a member of the Outdoor Conference Champion 4x100m relay team in 1994. He still holds the school records in the indoor Triple Jump (45′ 7 1/2″) and Long Jump (22′ 7 ½”). Michael also finished in second place in the Long Jump at the Midwest Conference Outdoor Meet in 1994 and 1996. He was named team MVP in 1993 and 1996 as well as Greatest Contributor in 1996.

Mary (Whiteside) Groll

Mary (Whiteside) Groll was an exceptional all-around member of the Knox volleyball team. She graduated in 1992.

Mary was a team leader in hitting percentage, digs, passing percentage, kills, and block assists in her time on the volleyball team. She returned from a significant injury early in her career to become one of the strongest members of the team. Her ability to play multiple positions and be among the leaders in a wide variety of categories made her an extremely valuable asset on the court.

Mary was named to the All-Midwest Conference team in 1990 and 1991. She was also a team captain in 1990 and 1991, and co-Most Valuable Team Member in 1990. She helped lead the team to the semifinals and a fourth place finish at the Midwest Conference Volleyball Tournament in 1990 and 1991. The team also finished second to St. Norbert in 1989 in the Championship Pool.

***Report Courtesy of Knox College***

Spread the word

Trending Now

Featured News Podcasts

Subscribe to our Community Newsletter

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Communications, 55 Public Square, Monmouth, IL, 61462, https://977wmoi.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Choose a Category

Continue Reading

Students Unlocking Opportunities at Sandburg

A variety of scholarships are available to Sandburg students each year, based on academic excellence, financial need, residency, leadership, programs of study, and others. Stacey Rucker, Assistant Manager of Alumni