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PURPOSES

To help preserve, strengthen, and add distinction to the athletic program at Houghton College. To honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who--either through participation, support, or interest--have made outstanding contributions to the College's athletic program. To recognize those whose lives evidence the distinctive personal qualities of discipline, sacrifice, steadfastness, cooperation, commitment, and Christian Witness. To recognize those who have demonstrated both on campus and in succeeding years the worth of athletics, who have provided mature leadership, and who have had an impact on society. 

HOUGHTON COLLEGE HALL OF HONOR BIOS

DR. GEORGE WELLS

DR. MARVIN H. EYLER

E. DOUGLAS BURKE

Inducted 1994

Coach E. Douglas Burke arrived at Houghton College in 1958 after completing his Master’s of Education at Syracuse University and teaching and coaching for four years at Chazy Central School in Chazy, N.Y. During his extended tenure, Burke served as a professor of physical education, teaching most of the skill classes and numerous lecture courses. Burke also served as Director of Athletics for nine years, and was instrumental in establishing the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, a group of staff and students which meets to discuss athletic policy.

In 1967, Burke helped to initiate the establishment of the men’s soccer program. As head coach from the team’s inception until 1994, Burke’s final career record was 289-139-49. He led his teams to 13 seasons in the District playoffs, eight seasons in the Area playoffs, three NAIA national tournament appearances, and three National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) titles. Burke is hailed in the NCCAA and NAIA for his coaching longevity and his dedication to sportsmanship and ethics.

Aside from his impressive coaching accomplishments, Burke was active with the NAIA Soccer Coaches Association, serving as the organization’s president from 1982-83. In 1990, Burke was inducted into the NAIA Soccer Hall of Fame. In 1999, Houghton College dedicated its soccer field in the newly-renovated Alumni Athletic Complex to Coach Burke and his wife, Esther. Burke has continued to stay active at Houghton, leading a senior citizens workout group that meets in the mornings at the Nielsen Physical Education Center.

STEVE BURKE

Inducted 1994

Steve Burke began his career at Wheaton College before transferring to Houghton, graduating in 1980 with a degree in education. He was a two-year standout for the Highlander soccer program, guiding the team to a 34-4-1 record and being named team most valuable player both years. He was Houghton’s first NAIA All-America First Team selection. In 1979, he helped Houghton to an NCCAA National Title, earning tournament MVP honors in the process. His 35 career goals rank third all-time, while his six goals scored in a game is the second most in Houghton history.

He moved to the sideline following his playing days and has excelled as an NAIA head coach. In more than 20 years at Judson College, he has recorded more than 350 wins, ranking among the top five in NAIA history. He led Judson to five NCCAA Championships and has been named NCCAA Coach of the Year three times. He has also earned conference, NAIA and NCCAA regional coaching honors.

DARLENE ORT AXELSSON

Inducted 1994

HAROLD SPOONER

Inducted 1994

1979 MEN’S SOCCER TEAM

Inducted 1995 

Arguably one of the finest teams in Houghton history, the men’s soccer team of 1979 finished 18-2-1 and captured the NCCAA National Championship. The Highlanders knocked off Eastern College, Messiah, Central Wesleyan, and Trinity College to earn the title. Steve Burke was named tournament MVP, while Jon Ortlip was voted Most Valuable Defensive Player. Burke, Ortlip, Peter Fuller, Kevin Austin, and Doug Johnson earned all-tournament honors.

PAUL STEESE

Inducted July 18, 1996 

A graduate of the Class of 1927, Paul Steese was instrumental in the organization of Houghton’s intramural program. He lettered three years in basketball, two years in baseball, three years in tennis, and was high-point man in track and field as a sophomore. He also served as president of the Houghton Student Athletic Association.

PAUL E. VOGAN

Inducted July 18, 1996 

A graduate of the Class of 1932, Paul Vogan was another multi-sport performer. He lettered three years in varsity basketball, four years in baseball and track, and two years in tennis. In track he set school records in the 100 and 220-yard dashes, the long jump, and the pole vault, and was a member of the record-setting Gold relay team. He served as a varsity captain in 1931 and as president of the Houghton Student Athletic Association.

ERMA ANDERSON

Inducted July 18, 1996

Erma Anderson graduated in 1929 after excelling in basketball and tennis. She lettered four years in basketball—serving two seasons as captain—and lettered three years in tennis, where she served as varsity captain. She served as an assistant in physical education.

MARGARET ROORBACH SHRUM

Inducted February 14, 1998 

 “Peg” graduated with honors from Houghton College in 1978. She was an all-around standout in the area of athletics, participating and lettering in three varsity sports.  Peg earned eight varsity letters, lettering in basketball for four years from 1974-78, in volleyball from 1974-76 and in field hockey from 1976-78.  She is remembered as a team leader, not only as an athlete and student, but also as a spiritual leader who set the tone for the priorities given to using athletics as a platform for ministry.

She set a school field hockey record with five goals in a game.

In her latest endeavor Peg and her husband, Jeff Shrum, are serving as missionaries with SIL in Mozambique, South Africa. 

DARLENE WELLS

Inducted February 14, 1998 

Darlene graduated from Houghton with Senior Honors in physical education in 1975 after completing a stellar athletic career. She was a two sport varsity standout in volleyball and basketball who also found time to excel in the club softball program.

Darlene was a four-year letter winner in basketball and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in her senior year. She also lettered for four years in Volleyball and was named to the Private College Athletic Conference All-Conference Team as a senior.

Darlene was honored by her peers when she was presented with the Houghton College Senate Excellence in Athletics Award and by the Athletic Department when she received what their highest award presented to a student/athlete- the Houghton College Sportsmanship Award.

She demonstrated dedication, compassion and a commitment to excellence in her college career and more importantly has carried these qualities over into her professional life where she continued to share her love for people through sports as a high school coach for over 20 years, earning several coach of the year awards.

KENNETH HECK

Inducted February 14, 1998 

A graduate of the Class of 1979, Ken was one of the last true “team players” in a sport that has moved into an age of specialization. One coach even referred to Ken as, “a one man track team.” It was not unusual for Ken to enter 5-7 events in a meet and win most of them. A typical day might have included appearances in the high jump, long jump, several sprints, a sprint medley relay and his “specialty” 110 meter high hurdles. 

Ken’s school record efforts in the 110 meter high hurdles (14.9) and the 400 meter intermediate hurdles (55.3) still stand as Houghton College bests. At the time it was established Ken was ranked as one of the top collegiate hurdlers in the Northeast. 

Upon completion of his degree, Ken continued on at Houghton College as an instructor and Athletic Trainer, a program that he essentially built from the ground up. He served the college in that capacity from 1979-1991. He also served as the school’s Track and Field coach from 1984-1991, often demonstrating what one colleague described as his “nearly perfect biomechanical form” for his student/athletes along the way. Ken has played an indispensable part in what Houghton’s Athletic Training and Track programs are today. 

Since 1991 Ken has served in the Athletic Training program at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., where he works with student-trainers in both the clinical and classroom settings. 

ROGER ROBINSON

Inducted August 8, 1998 

Roger Robinson was a two-sport standout for the Class of 1973. He excelled in track and field for four years and in basketball for three years. Roger was a regular and important contributor to the basketball program where he excelled as a forward, tallying 259 points and 231 rebounds in 59 career games. An athlete remembered for his explosive speed, he at one time held the school record in the 100-yard dash. Roger still holds the Houghton College school record in the following events:

                                -Triple Jump                          46’ 5.25”

                                -4X110 Yard Relay               43.4 seconds

                                -220 Yard Dash                     21.6 seconds

STEVE BABBITT

Inducted Fall 1998 

A member of the class of 1971, Steve Babbitt was an active participant in Houghton athletes, lettering four years in basketball and track, two years in soccer, and one year in cross country. He played in 70 games for the basketball team, scoring 743 points. He averaged 10.6 points in his career, with a high season of 12.4 per game as a junior. He also pulled down 328 rebounds for a 4.7 per game career average.

BILL GREENWAY

Inducted October 5, 2002 

William Greenway, retired professor and coach and avid supporter of Highlander athletics, was inducted in the category of meritorious service.

Greenway, who taught English for close to 40 years, began working with the athletics department in 1962 as an assistant coach to Doug Burke with the Purple/Gold football teams. He became head coach of that program in 1967 when Burke began Houghton’s intercollegiate soccer program. Greenway also served as assistant men’s basketball coach from 1967 to 1976 and was head coach for the women’s team from 1976 to 1979. He also served as the college sports information director until 1987.

Greenway may be best known to recent Houghton students for his work as the unofficial sports photographer. He has taken thousands of pictures over the years. Many of these have been displayed at home athletic contests and others have been given to appreciative athletes and their parents over the years.

Greenway was also an active participant in noon-hour basketball. He is still considered by many to be the “Commissioner of Noonball.”

TEDD SMITH

Inducted February 8, 2003 

A member of Houghton’s Class of ’82, Tedd had the privilege of using his basketball skills in Houghton’s intercollegiate program. Tedd continued the family tradition of excellence on the hardwood that his Dad had begun so many years before in Bedford gym. In four years of varsity play, Tedd left his name indelibly etched in the record books. He averaged 16.8 points per game over a career that spanned 110 games. He was named First team “All –PCAC” as a Freshman and was a two-time NAIA District 31 All-Star. Tedd had a personal high game of 41 points against Nyack College, which still ranks third best all-time at Houghton and his 19 field goals made in that game stands as the second-best ever. Tedd ranks as one of the top five rebounders, and his 1,770 career point is the second-best ever achieved by a Houghton College men’s basketball player.

Tedd went to work for YFC immediately following graduation from college. He became the Executive Director for the Greater Rochester area in 1987 and has continued faithfully serving God in that position to this day. 

NDUNGE KIITI

Inducted February 8, 2003 

A member of the class of 1988, Kiiti came to Houghton from Kenya, Africa. She participated in four years of field hockey and three years of basketball. She was a great multi-sport athlete who served as a team captain in both sports. Dr. George “Coach” Wells, her field hockey coach, remembers he as the “Number one player in the four years she was here.” He describes her as “a real team player.”  “She is what held the team together.” 

Kiiti set a school record for the most goals in one game with five. She was also a key team leader on the first Houghton women’s basketball team to make it to a National Tournament where she helped lead her team to the NCCAA Nationals in Chicago, Illinois.  She helped lead her team to an 18-6 record during her senior year when she shot almost 50 percent from the field and averaged 9.1 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. She had season highs of 18 points in games against both Geneseo and Geneva. She was recognized that year as a First-team All-District II player in the NCCAA.

Dr. Kiiti continues to live the “other-centered” life in her role as Director of Partnership Development for Africa and Latin America for M.A.P., which is an international Christian organization that addresses total health care issues.  Medical Assistance Programs makes a difference in the lives of millions in Africa and Latin America. 

JONATHAN ORTLIP

Inducted October 4, 2003 

Ortlip, a member of the Class of 1981, was also inducted into the Hall of Honor as part of that Men’s Soccer Team of 1979. He was a key contributor to the success of the team on the field where he was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player at the Christian College National Tournament and helped lead the Highlanders to two PCAC titles and two NCCAA National Championships.  The team’s overall record during his career was 55-12-10.

Jon was also a very important part of a core group of athletes from that team who have gone on to use the field of Sports Ministry to change the world.  Much of what Houghton College does today in the area of Sports Ministry is built on the foundation laid by Coach Douglas Burke and the ’79 Men’s Soccer Team, including Jonathan Ortlip and several of his like-minded teammates.

Jon founded a group called Ambassadors in Sport where he now serves as International Director from his home in Ohio. This ministry has grown to include offices in England, Spain, South Africa, the Czech Republic and the USA.

JOHN ROTHENBUHLER

Inducted October 4, 2003 

John is a graduate of the class of 1979. John kept himself busy while here at Houghton. Though he was a member of the men’s soccer team, his induction is in the category of Meritorious Service. He was one of those rare and unique individuals who, although not the primary star on the team, still impacted his teammates and those around him in a special way.  He was known as an individual who showed tremendous support for his teammates and was recognized by the Athletic Department with the Male Sportsmanship Award which is the highest recognition that a Houghton College Athlete can receive. 

John Rothenbuhler has been blessed by God as a success in life as a husband, father, son and businessman.  He has continued over the years to use his successes to bless others by faithfully supporting Houghton College Athletics as well as many worthy mission endeavors.

VIRNNA VIDAURRI SABINE

Inducted February 7, 2004

Virnna, a graduate of the Class of 1987, was the ideal example of the true Christian student-athlete. She excelled both in the classroom and as an athlete. As a student, she majored in biology and minored in both chemistry and math. Her many accomplishments in the classroom were highlighted when she was recognized at graduation as the valedictorian of her class. 

Her athletic achievements were also more-than-noteworthy. She was a two-sport athlete who participated in volleyball and track and field.  She established her place in the track and field annals when she set what was then a school record for the javelin with a throw of 116’ 8” in 1987. Her main claim to fame, however, was in volleyball where during her career the team established an amazing won-loss record of 100 wins, 55 losses and 2 ties. They appeared in the NCCAA District II Finals all four of Virnna’s years and won the championship twice. They also qualified for the National Tournament all four years, placing fourth in her junior year and fifth in her senior year. 

In addition to her many team accomplishments; Virnna was recognized as an outstanding player in her own right. She was recognized by the NCCAA as an All-District Player, an All-American and as an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. She highlighted her senior season by being chosen as the “Susan R. Hellings Award” winner, which is the NCCAA’s award for the National Player of the Year.

KEVIN AUSTIN

Inducted March 15, 2004

Kevin Austin, a 1981 Houghton graduate, has served God in many capacities, ranging from coordinating short-term sports ministry trips, to pastoring, to serving as a missionary with Wesleyan World Missions Global Partners. He was a pioneer in the field of sports ministry dating back to the Sports Life days in Tacoma, Washington.

During his years at Houghton, Austin was an outstanding two-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and soccer. His major accomplishments athletically came in his role as a key member of the men’s soccer program, helping lead the team to an overall record of 49-7-4, including two NCCAA National Championships, during his three seasons.

Austin’s individual accomplishments include playing 46 games in goal, where he recorded 21 shutouts.  He was a part of three Houghton school records – most consecutive shutouts (6), fewest goals allowed in a season (8) and most shutouts in a season (14). He was twice named to the NCCAA National Tournament First Team. He was also named All New York State, Second-Team and he was recognized by the NAIA as an All-American, Second Team in 1980. He was awarded Houghton’s highest honor for a student-athlete, the Houghton College Sportsmanship Award, in 1981.

Austin has spent the last 15 years serving God with Wesleyan World Missions as a key leader in both Germany and the Czech Republic. Although his work has extended well beyond sports ministry, athletics have always been a key tool in his repertoire. He has facilitated opportunities in missions for well over 100 Houghton College students over the years.

BRIAN DAVIDSON

Inducted March 15, 2004

Since graduating from Houghton in 1982, Brian Davidson has been deeply involved in both missions and sports ministry. He served for two years at Wesleyan Academy in Puerto Rico and has been a pioneer in the sports ministry field, beginning with his days with Sports Life, then through his time with Missionary Athletes International, and continuing with his current work with Sports Friends and SIM in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During his years at Houghton, Davidson was a key member of the men’s soccer program. A former team captain, he helped lead the Highlanders to an overall record of 57-14-7, including two NCCAA National Championships. Davidson scored 14 goals and four assists while playing in the field and recorded 12.5 shutouts in 30 games played in goal. He was a four-year letter winner and served as a member of the Houghton College Athletic Association. He was recognized by the NAIA as an Honorable Mention All-American in 1981.

Davidson has served God through soccer all around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, India and the Middle East. He has participated and coached from the high school to the professional level and is held in the highest regard as both a “soccer expert” and a “missionary.” He has provided numerous opportunities for Houghton College students and alumni to participate in sports ministry work both in the States and around the world.