Western Illinois University Athletics announced its 2024 Hall of Fame class earlier this year, which includes four individuals and one team. Monzel Jackson (Men’s Basketball, 1950-52), Rich Lafnitzegger (Wrestling, 1974-78), Frisman Jackson (Football, 2000-01), Jennifer Alexander (Volleyball, 2003-06), and the 1978 Women’s Field Hockey team are all set to be inducted at a ceremony held on Friday, October 18, 2024.
In addition to the Friday night induction, members of the 2024 Hall of Fame class will be honored during the football game against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
To purchase tickets and or find more information on this year’s induction ceremony, click here.
Monzel Jackson, Men’s Basketball (1950-1952) – Posthumous Honor
Monzel Jackson was a member of the men’s basketball team at WIU from 1950-52. As a Leatherneck student-athlete, Jackson etched his name into the program record book. He remains in second and third for most rebounds in a single season (467 during the 1951-52 season and 417 during the 1950-51 season) and holds the single-season rebound average per game record (22.2 during the 1951-52 season). Jackson also ranks third in program history with 16.7 rebounds per game during the 1950-51 season and fifth for career rebounds (884).
Jackson was the Leathernecks’ leading rebounder during his freshman and sophomore years, and his 417 rebounds as a sophomore were not only a school record at the time, but also ranked him second among all small colleges. He was named WIU’s Most Valuable Player as a sophomore and junior. Notably, in 1951, Jackson also played with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Rich Lafnitzegger, Wrestling (1974-78)
Rich Lafnitzegger wrestled for the Leathernecks from 1974-78. During his time at Western Illinois, he was a three-time national qualifier, finishing third in 1977-78, when he earned All-American status at 167 pounds.
Lafnitzegger also earned All-Illinois honors twice during his career and won the Leatherneck Tournament in 1976 and 1978. He finished his career at WIU with a record of 50-17-3.
Frisman Jackson, Football (2000-2001)
Frisman Jackson is a former wide receiver for the Leathernecks from 2000-2001. He is the program leader in career yards per catch (20.0), and his 1,041 receiving yards during the 2001 season rank third all-time in program history. Against Indiana State in 2001, Jackson had 286 receiving yards and 14 receptions, ranking second-most in a single game in program history. He also has the third-most receiving yards in a single contest, hauling in 266 vs. Southern Utah in 2001.
While at Western Illinois, Jackson was a 2001 Football Gazette Honorable Mention, a 2001 All-Gateway First Team (as wide receiver), and a 2000 All-Gateway Newcomer Team (as quarterback).
Jackson played professionally for the Cleveland Browns from 2002-2006. Following his playing career, Jackson began coaching at WIU as a wide receivers coach. During his collegiate coaching career, he coached receivers at Akron, Northern Illinois, North Carolina State, Temple, and Baylor. Jackson has also coached professionally, serving as wide receiver position coach for the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He is currently the wide receiver coach for the Seattle Seahawks.
Jennifer Alexander, Volleyball (2003-06)
Jennifer Alexander competed as a volleyball student-athlete for WIU from 2003-06. Alexander had a record-breaking run at WIU, putting her name all over the volleyball program’s record book.
During her time in the purple and gold, Alexander became the all-time digs leader (2,343). She has four of the program’s top 10 all-time single-season dig records with the most (663 in 2004), second-most (628 in 2005), fifth-most (2006 in 578), and 10th-most (2003 in 474). Alexander’s 6.2 digs per set in 2004 remain the highest of all-time, her 5.98 digs per set in 2006 are third, and her 5.37 digs per set in 2005 are fourth in the record books. She also has the most digs in a match, notching 41 three times in her career.
In addition to her record-setting performances, Alexander was a named member of the All-Freshman team, as well as named Freshman of the Year for her efforts in 2003. She went on to be named First-Team All-Conference in 2004 and 2006 and Second-Team All-Conference in 2003 and 2005. In 2005, Alexander was also named Defensive Player of the Year. She earned Conference Defensive Player of the Week 11 times during her career.
1978 Women’s Field Hockey Team
The 1978 Field Hockey team, which was coached by Kathy Veroni, had the best season ever for the program. They finished the season with a record of 15-4-1 after starting the season with 13 consecutive wins. The team scored 40 goals on the season and posted 13 shutouts.
The team featured standout players such as forward Cheryl Novak, the all-time scorer in the history of WIU Field Hockey, and Vicki Sama, the all-time goalkeeper in the history of WIU Field Hockey. Sama had 121 saves and allowed just eight goals all season.
The team had regular-season victories over Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois State, Principia, Southeast Missouri, Northwestern, SIU-Edwardsville, Lake Forest, Northern Iowa, Graceland College, and Indiana State. In the Illinois Association Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) regional, the squad scored a victory over Wheaton College before losing to Northwestern in two overtimes, ending the postseason run.
Notably from the team, Assistant Coach Betsy Stephenson and athletic trainers Marsha Grant and Val Lindbloom, along with Mary Vacala, went on to become Olympic trainers for three Olympics.
Team members include: Jill Andrews, Margot Belanin, Kris Hansford, Vera Henneuse, Vera Henneuse, Barb Knapp, Carol Lindsey, Mary Ann McCormick, Janet McKinley, Kim Miller, Cheryl Novak, Vicki Sama, Sandy Steffens, Karen Strollo, Leslie Taylor, and Mary Vacala.
The 1978 team was coached by Head Coach Kathy Veroni, Assistant Coach Betsy Stephenson, and Volunteer Coach Kathy Orban.
***Courtesy of Western Illinois University***
