HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Ken German '61 and the 1998 Field Hockey Team are the latest inductees into the Houghton Athletics Hall of Honor after a luncheon ceremony among friends, family and Houghton staff on May 3.

The honorees of this induction class join a Hall roster that now totals 71 alumni, coaches, teams and contributors.

Ken German, Class of 1961
Described by his friend and classmate, Paul Mills, as "…the epitome of a scholar-athlete", Ken German excelled in four sports during his years at Houghton College, while studying pre-med and zoology. In athletics, German was best known for his accolades on the baseball field and the basketball court, but he also participated in football and track & field. As sophomore, German led his class in scoring in basketball, then two years later, led his class to a 6-1 record and was one of eight Purple/Gold players selected for the varsity.  That year he was named captain alongside Paul Mills. They defeated the alumni, 54-52, and the freshman team, 57-48. In baseball, the left-handed German once threw a combined no-hitter with classmate Ron Johns, and as sophomore, he led Purple to a 4-2 series win over gold, winning the final game on the mound, while hitting a game-winning home run in extra innings for a 3-2 win. 

A native of nearby, Cuba, New York, German studied pre-medicine under Dr. George Moreland, an experience that former students have described as the "equivalent of intellectual bootcamp."  While at Houghton he would also serve as Vice-President of the Pre-Med Club, Business Manager of the Lanthorn, and as a member of his class cabinet and student senate.  German would eventually graduate with honors in the spring of 1961. Following graduation, German earned his medical degree from Temple University and practiced orthopedic surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He and his wife Elaine eventually moved to LaGrande, Oregon, where he retired from a private medical practice in 1997. They had three children: Brian, Laura, and Robert. 

1998 Field Hockey Team
The 1997 team, which produced an upset win over Bloomsburg University, set the stage for the successes of the 1998 team. Heading into the 1998 campaign, Head Coach Donna Hornibrook labeled her young squad as talented, fast and well-balanced, but she was anticipating a rebuilding year. Though she lost some key contributors, the team returned Susan Ventresca from injury, the offensive firepower of forwards Judy Johnson, Kristen Dorsey and Laura Chevalier, the leadership of Kristen Embich at midfield, the defensive presence of Linda Peric and the stalwart in goal Liz Sherwood.
 
The team opened with a 4-1 preseason win over defending DIII champion William Smith, and knocked off Ithaca and Juniata to open the regular season. The third game of the year brought in DII Lock Haven, a team that had won three national championships over the previous six seasons and would go on to finish as national runners-up in 1998. The Highlanders got the 4-2 upset win with Judy Johnson tallying three goals. Houghton would win nine-straight games to open the season before losing to eventual DII national champion Bloomsburg, then closed the year with six more wins to finish with a 15-1 overall record.
 
How did a program that did not compete in the NCAA and offered no possibility of postseason play, accolades or championships bring in players who could compete with and beat the best teams in NCAA Division II? Coach Hornibrook said she found players who believed in the mission of Houghton and wanted the academic and spiritual experience it provided. "My assignment as a coach was to make sure the field hockey program reflected this excellence," says Hornibrook. She brought in players who were ready to put in the work and commitment required to compete successfully with these top programs. "The humility and selflessness of this team was special," Hornibrook adds. "It's rare to have a group compete as hard as they did without the intrinsic motivation of competing for a championship."
 
Team members will point out that the team culture, dedication to Christ and commitment to hard work were hallmarks of the program and that team. Laura Chevalier Beer said: "We practiced hard, had fun together, supported each other and loved to compete and win while honoring Jesus. Coach Hornibrook expected so much from us and really drew it out of us. She would not accept anything but our very best every practice and every game."
 
Dana Basnight Brown remembers a team that was intense and motivated, but very much grounded in an encouraging, family-like atmosphere. The support of older players who came alongside her – literally – when she had to stay for post-practice running drills is something she remembers. "I was so humbled by their sacrifice and leadership… it sums up what the team culture was like. The grit, endurance, and hard work needed to put into field hockey practices helped me prepare for life after graduation as I pursued professional goals that required a similar level of tenacity and endurance."

Houghton 1998 Field Hockey Roster
Sarah Oblender
Liz Sherwood
Judy Johnson
Susan Ventresca
Laurie Van Ormer
Denise Dunkle
Kristen Embich
Kristen Dorsey
Christy Ware
Linda Peric
Laura Chevalier
Heidi Martinez
Dana Basnight
Amy Wilson
Megan Mann
Heidi Sedley
Mechele Souder
Katie Gallup
Carrie Thompson
 
Coaches: Donna Hornibrook and Bill Sortore
Managers: Jennifer Gossner and Kristen Cook
Trainer: David Marshall

About the Hall of Honor
Established in 1994 the Athletic Hall of Honor is charged "To help preserve, strengthen and add distinction to the athletic program at Houghton University." The 'Highlanders' Hall of Honor recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the program, through participation, support or interest. Induction into the Hall takes into account the lives of those honored, acknowledging evidence of discipline, sacrifice, steadfastness, cooperation, commitment and Christian witness. The Hall honors the men and women who have demonstrated—both on campus and in succeeding years—the worth of athletics by their mature leadership and their impact on society. Additionally, inductees may have exemplified courage and tenacity having applied the disciplines learned in athletics to significant life challenges or championed a significant cause that has benefited others. A plaque commemorating each member hangs in the foyer of the Nielsen Center.
 
See our current Hall of Honor list.

Nominate a Candidate
Do you know an individual who has made outstanding contributions to athletics through participation and/or support of athletics? The Hall of Honor Committee of the Houghton University Athletic Advisory Board is inviting the Houghton community to be a part of the nomination process and use the online nomination form to nominate candidates for consideration!

See our criteria details and submit a nomination.