QU INDUCTED THE FALL 2023 SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS

Fall 2023 Individual Inductees:

Shane DeSherlia earned his Business Management degree from QU in 2003. He spent four seasons on the Hawks football team as the quarterback. He was also as much a threat running the football as he was passing it. His freshman year, DeSherlia passed for 9 touchdowns and ran for 1 touchdown. His sophomore year, DeSherlia threw 7 touchdowns and ran for 4. He had 8 passing TD’s and 3 rushing TD’s his junior season. DeSherlia’s numbers excelled his senior year, throwing for 13 touchdowns and running into the end zone 12 times. His total yardages also stood out – passing over 800 yards his first season, over 1300 his second season and over 1000 his junior year. DeSherlia threw for almost 2000 yards his senior year. In his two best rushing seasons, he ran for 440 yards his sophomore year and 786 yards his senior year. DeSherlia’s career totals were compelling. He totaled 37 passing TD’s and 20 rushing TD’s. His total yards were 1,494 rushing and 5,133 yards passing. He averaged 250 yards per game his senior year, which ranked him as No. 24 in NCAA Division II that season.

Julie LeMaire earned a physical education degree in 2004. She was a four-year starter for the Hawks as a pitcher and an outfielder, starting every game every season. At the close of her career, LeMaire held the single season hits record, both single season and career records for home runs, as well as ranking third in single season RBI and runs scored. As a senior, LeMaire secured the best season of her career, leading the team in nearly every offensive category with a .374 batting average, 46 runs scored, 65 hits which set a single season record, 13 doubles, 9 home runs, 48 RBI, .626 slugging percentage and .412 on-base percentage. LeMaire also finished her senior season as the team-leading pitcher in wins, starts, appearances, and shutouts. She led the conference in slugging percentage, runs scored and total bases, while ranging 2^nd to 4^th in batting average, hits, RBI, and home runs. LeMaire was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, and All-GLVC selection, a Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region selection, and the recipient of the Brother Clete Van Ackeren Award for Academic and Athletic Achievement. She is entering her ninth season as head softball coach at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Jamie Oitker graduated from QU in December of 2000 with a degree in physical education. She was a member of the women’s basketball team from 1994-1999 and a student assistant from 2000-01. Oitker was a menace all over the court throughout her time at QU. When she ended her college career, she held QU records in steals in a season with 82 and in career steals of 278. Oitker’s still 3^rd in career steals and 5^th in season steals. Upon graduating, she was 3^rd all-time in scoring with 1,324 career points, and she held a season best free throw percentage of .815.  Her game stats also stand out. Oitker currently holds records in most points in a game with 41, most field goals in a game with 20, most field goal attempts in a game at 27. She is still tied for first in most steals in a game with 9. Oitker earned several awards including the team’s defensive and MVP player during the 1998-99 season and was a 1999 Mart Heinen Award winner. For two seasons, Oitker was named All-GLVC. 

Kevin Reller graduated from Quincy University in 1990 with a marketing degree and had two standout seasons on the basketball team. In the 1988-89 season, Reller shot 45.9 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from 3-point range, and 82.8 percent from the free throw line. He scored a total of 373 points that season – 13.3 per game. His rebounds and assists were also strong with 169 rebounds for the season, which is 6 rebounds per game, and 59 total assists which is 2.1 assists per game. In the 1989-90 season, Reller stepped it up shooting 50.8 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from 3-point range, and 76.3 percent from the free throw line. Reller scored 140 more points than the previous season for a total of 513 points – 18.3 per game. His rebounds and assists also increased for a total of 212 rebounds for the season, 7.6 rebounds per game and 66 assists. 

Don Wente graduated from Quincy College in 1970 with a degree in sociology. He was well known for his toughness on the basketball court and his tenacious rebounding. As a freshman, Wente led the JV team in scoring and rebounding. His junior year, he started all varsity games. He led the team in rebounding with 10.5 rebounds per game and was second leading scorer with 15.2 points per game. 

Wente stepped it up even more when he was a senior and led the team in both rebounding and scoring, averaging 12.1 rebounds per game and 19.2 points per game. When he graduated, Wente held the school record for most field goals in a game and in a season and most points scored as a senior. Wente also earned awards including Honorable Mention All Conference and the  Zwick Rebounding Award his junior year. As a senior, he earned the MVP of the QC Tourney, 1^st team All-State Small College basketball team, NAIA District 20 2^nd team, and 1^st team Midland Conference. Don’s career stats are noteworthy. Wente totaled 1,059 career points and is among the top 15 players in career rebounds. 

Demetrius Young graduated from QU in 1992. While he was earning his history degree, Young made some historical contributions to the QU football team. He is ranked in the top three of the four most important rushing totals in school history – single-game rushing yards, single-game rushing attempts and career rushing attempts. When Young was in the backfield as a sophomore and a junior, he shared carries with another Hall of Fame running back, Jerry Ellerman, and took hand-offs from one of the best quarterbacks in school history, Brad Lemen. Young joins two QU running backs, LeVar Ammons and Rob Munson, who share similar career rushing rankings as Young and are members of the QU Sports Hall of Fame. Quincy University was not a member of a conference during Young’s career so he was unable to earn league awards. Bill Terlisner, who has been associated with the program as a player, assistant coach, head coach and booster since 1988, said Young is one of the most deserving football players to go into the Hall of Fame.

Fall 2023 Team Inductee:

The 1984-85 women’s tennis team was undefeated in their regular season with an 11-0 record. In the fall of ’84, Coach Ann Bergman’s team capped off the most successful season ever in QC/QU history by sweeping through the NAIA District 20 Championships with first place honors. The key to the team’s win was that all three doubles teams won their championships. While every player on the team won over 80% of their singles matches, the undefeated team was led by the lone senior and #1 singles player, Laura Gabriel. Laura received the Scholar Athlete Award from the Hawkettes Booster Club and the Scholar Athlete of the Year by the International Tennis Coaches Association (ITCA). Laura finished her two-year career at QC with a 65-9 record (combined singles and doubles). Jenni Kies broke that record the next year. At the District 20 Championships, Sharon Kluba in the No. 5 slot and Julie Fischer in the No. 6 slot both won their singles division.  No. 1 doubles team of Laura Gabriel and Dorise Thomas won their division. The No. 2 team of Sharon Kluba and Jenni Kies and the No. 3 team of Brenda Kluba and Julie Fischer also won their divisions. Of the Hawkettes 11 victories in the 1984-85 season, seven of them were by a score of 9-0. 

Fall 2023 Professional Achievement Inductee:

Bill Starkey graduated from Quincy College in 1970 with a history degree. As a Quincy native, Starkey stayed in the area after earning his degree and was the head coach of the Quincy Notre Dame High School volleyball and softball teams for 18 seasons. Starkey coached five state champions at QND, two in volleyball in 1978 and 1980, and three in softball in 1981, 1982 and 1984. His volleyball teams also had two second-place finishes in the state tournament and one third-place. In softball, his teams also had two third-place finishes. Coach Starkey had a 500-174 win-loss career record in volleyball, and a 433-98 win-loss career record in softball. This is a remarkable win-loss percentage of .774 for his career as head coach in two sports at QND. Starkey was named to the Illinois Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000 and to the Illinois Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002.

Fall 2023 Meritorious Service Inductee:

Kevin Steinkamp has been volunteering for QU Athletics and the Mart Heinen Club for 53 years. He spent the majority of his volunteer time at QU sporting events – selling and taking tickets and ushering at men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, football, sprint football and volleyball games. Steinkamp has supervised parking at men’s and women’s soccer games for 45 years. He has also helped with the Mart Heinen Golf Tournament, Chili Cook-Off, Holiday Basketball Tournament, and in the press box. Steinkamp was honored with the Mart Heinen Club Worker of the Year award. He has also helped QU for several years by making phone calls for the Advancement Office Annual Phone-a-thon. Steinkamp and his wife received the Quincy Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award in 2018 for their work in Special Olympics for over three decades. He is the president of the Quincy University Retirees Association.

For more information about the QU Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, contact the QU Advancement Office at 217-228-5227. 

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit ypdv.yingla.net or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@yingla.net. Quincy University. Success by Design.