Hall of Fame 2026

1985-1986 Men’s Basketball Team

The 1985-1986 Men’s Basketball Team: The 1985-1986 Westminster College men’s basketball team posted a 23-7 record — the most wins in a single season in program history. The team captured a conference championship, went undefeated at home in the Historic Gym, and ended a 26-year postseason drought under legendary coach Jim McEwen, Ozark Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year.

Players set numerous individual records. Cory Hohnbaum holds the program record for most field goals in a season and ranks second all-time in single-season scoring. Brad Hilsabeck ranks in the top five for career scoring and rebounding. Ken Theroff ranked fourth in season assists, earned NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete honors, and, along with Hohnbaum and Craig Spratt, was named Academic All-Conference.

The team’s legacy of toughness, consistency, and unselfish play continues to define Blue Jays basketball.

Jim Bennett

Class of 1992 | MBB & Golf

Jim Bennett – Men's Basketball/Golf, Class of 1992: Jim Bennett is one of Westminster College's most decorated modern-era student-athletes, excelling in both men's basketball and golf. A four-year letterman in each sport, he earned multiple all-conference and all-district honors.

In basketball, Bennett finished his career third on the program's scoring list with 1,731 points and ranks fifth in career rebounds with 702. He played a record 118 games, holds the career free-throw record with 435, and set single-season records for points (647) and free throws (199) in the shot-clock era. He also ranks second and third in single-season field goals with 222 in 1989-1990 and 217 in 1990-1991, and he was first-team all-conference in 1990-1991 and 1991-1992. He tied the conference record with 17 free throws in a game against Maryville University on Jan. 13, 1991.

In golf, Bennett helped Westminster qualify for the NAIA National Tournament in 1990 and 1991. He was also a four-time Academic All-Conference selection and a two-time NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete, exemplifying excellence in athletics and academics.

Today, Jim is a partner at Dowd Bennett who serves as lead trial and appellate counsel in high-profile cases that are not expected to settle out of court. He has received numerous awards for his success and is consistently ranked is one of the top 50 lawyers in St. Louis. Additionally, Jim serves as Vice Chair of Westminster's Board of Trustees. His son, Andy, is a graduate from the Class of 2020, while his daughter, Lindsey, is a member of the Class of 2024.

Brad Marcks

Class of 1990 | MBB & Baseball

Brad Marcks – Men's Basketball/Baseball, Class of 1990: Brad Marcks is one of Westminster College's most accomplished two-sport student-athletes, excelling in basketball and baseball. He earned all-conference and all-district honors in both sports, was named Academic All-Conference, and was a two-time NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete.

Marcks holds the school record for career three-pointers made, with 234, and ranks among the top 10 all-time scorers in men's basketball with 1,189 points. His on-court performance included record-setting steals and assists, while his academic achievements reflected his commitment to balancing athletics and scholarship.

Through sustained success, postseason accolades, and record-breaking performances, Marcks' career remains a defining chapter in the history of Blue Jays athletics.

Danielle Smulczenski

Class of 2014 | WBB/XC/TF

Danielle Smulczenski-Diecker – Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Class of 2015: Danielle Smulczenski-Diecker graduated summa cum laude from Westminster College in 2015 with a double-major in accounting and business administration. She became the first female three-sport athlete in Westminster history to earn 12 varsity letters, competing in basketball, cross country, and track and field.

Smulczenski-Diecker was a five-time Dean's List honoree and a nine-time SLIAC All-Academic student-athlete. She helped the women's basketball program win three straight SLIAC championships (2012-2014) and was part of the historic 2011-2012 team that made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance. She also contributed to Westminster's first SLIAC cross country championship in 2013.

In track and field, she earned multiple All-Conference honors, set Westminster's javelin record, and was part of record-setting 4x400 relay teams. She also was named Westminster's 2015 Female Athlete of the Year.

Kori (Nance) Casey

Class of 1996 | Softball

Kori Nance Casey – Softball, Class of 1996: Kori Nance Casey earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Westminster College. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in accounting, corporate logistics, ministry, and youth leadership and currently works in the accounting department at Simple Modern in Oklahoma.

Casey married Jason Casey '98, and they have two children, Jackson and Sidney. Her career includes roles as senior tax accountant and transportation and purchasing manager at Nestlé Purina and Purina Mills. She also spent two years in Jinja, Uganda, serving as a family mentor with Amazima Ministries, helping launch a secondary school.

A former Westminster student-athlete, Casey played four years of softball, competed on the first women's basketball team her freshman year, returned to basketball her senior year, and played soccer as a sophomore. Known for her adaptability, optimism, and team-first mindset, she credits her athletic experiences with shaping her leadership style.

2011-2012 Women’s Basketball Team

The 2011–2012 Westminster College Blue Jays women’s basketball team delivered one of the most remarkable seasons in program history, finishing 22-5 overall and 14-2 in SLIAC play. Under Hall of Fame head coach Tracey Braden, the team captured both the SLIAC regular season and tournament championships, earning Westminster’s first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.

The postseason showcased the team’s depth and excellence, with Rachel Backes named SLIAC Tournament MVP and Liz Klaffenbach earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. The Blue Jays also ranked 13th nationally in the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll, posting a 3.503 team GPA, reflecting the program’s commitment to academics.

This historic season ended a 26-year postseason drought and set a new standard for future teams, combining championship-level performance, individual accolades, and academic achievement.

Leigh Ann Harrigan

Women's Basketball · 2011–2012

Harrigan graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 in May 2014. Her senior year, Harrigan was honored with Westminster's Senior Female of the Year award. She was also given the Senior Female Athlete of the Year award by the Westminster Athletics Department and earned the NCAA and SLIAC postgraduate scholarship.

During her tenure at Westminster, Harrigan found a spot on the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) All-Conference team three times, including two First Team nods in her junior and senior seasons.

As a student, Harrigan was equally successful. She was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District First Team and went on to earn a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-America squad her senior year.

After graduation, Harrigan earned her Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Alderson Broaddus University, where she also graduated with a 4.0. She is now a PA at McLeod Orthopedics in Florence, South Carolina, where she lives with her husband Luke and their three boys — Huck, Homer, and Hampton. They are expecting baby #4 any day now.

Kirsten (Carney) O'Donnell

Women's Basketball · 2011–2012

Kirsten (Carney) O’Donnell is a 2013 graduate of Westminster College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English magna cum laude. A four-year member of the women’s basketball program, she received SLIAC Academic All-Conference honors three times and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma. Following graduation, Kirsten spent a year coaching basketball and tennis at NCAA Division II University of Illinois Springfield before completing a graduate assistantship in sports information at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She earned a Master of Science in Mass Communications in 2016. Kirsten returned to Westminster College as Sports Information Director, serving the Blue Jays for three seasons. She later led the sports marketing program for the Parkway School District before being named Director of Marketing and Communications for PayneCrest Electric in 2023. Kirsten is married to Tom O’Donnell, and together they have two children, Calvin and Kacey. They reside in St. Louis.

Hannah Kloster

Women's Basketball · 2011–2012

Hannah Kloster, a women’s basketball player from 2009-2013. After graduating with a degree in business and event management, Hannah moved to Kansas City to build a successful career in events for nearly a decade before getting married and staying home to raise her two boys, Rio and Miles.

Greg Martin

Men's Basketball · 1985–1986

Greg Martin is a founding partner of Avison Young's Florida operations and has been instrumental in growing the firm's presence since 2012, expanding from 8 partners and 30 employees to more than 150 employees across six offices.

Before joining Avison Young, he spent 16 years with Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, and Flagler Real Estate Services, developing expertise in building sales and tenant representation. With over 30 years in commercial real estate, Greg specializes in leasing Class A and B office properties throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. His team represents more than 3.5 million square feet of office space across South Florida.

His client portfolio includes major institutional and private firms such as TIAA-CREF, SunTrust Bank, Clarion Partners, TA Associates, Banyan Street Capital, Starwood, PGIM, and Stiles Corporation.

Greg has earned multiple industry honors, including NAIOP South Florida Broker of the Year (2005, 2013) and Brokerage Team of the Year (2021). He served as President of NAIOP South Florida in 2017 and was named National Chapter President of the Year. He holds a Business Administration degree from Westminster College (MO), where he was a four-year varsity basketball letterman.

David DeVeydt

Men's Basketball & Track · 1985–1986

David DeVeydt was a four-year member of the Westminster basketball program and competed in track and field for three years. He participated in the 400-meter dash, 400-meter hurdles, and javelin, placing third in the javelin at the Washington University Open.

After graduating, DeVeydt began his career with Dobbs International Services in Memphis as an IT program analyst. In 1992, he joined Comsys Information Services, contributing to major IT projects at Edward Jones. He later served as project manager for the firm's Y2K project, became an Edward Jones limited partner, and led risk and resilience initiatives.

He married his college sweetheart, Becky (Loebs) DeVeydt, in 1989. They have two sons, Jeff and Andrew, and daughters-in-law, Samantha and Amy.

DeVeydt earned a master's degree in project management from Keller Graduate School of Management in 1998. He volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America, serves as an assistant council commissioner, is a Silver Beaver recipient, coaches youth basketball, and supports church ministries.

Scott Nilsen

Men's Basketball · 1985–1986

Scott Nilsen has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry.

He spent 25 years with Aetna and CVS Caremark building expertise and client relationships across a range of services. He has worked at Lockton for the past 11 years, continuing to provide client-focused guidance and solutions.

Nilsen has been married to his wife, Paige (Allison) Nilsen, for 34 years. They have two children: Olivia, 29, and Jaden, 26. He values family and takes pride in the life they have built together.

Terry Pursifull

Men's Basketball · 1985–1986

Terry Pursifull was born in Mexico, Missouri, and grew up in rural Martinsburg, Missouri. Alongside his brothers, Tim and Colin, he spent much of his time outdoors playing sports — experiences that helped shape his competitive spirit.

Pursifull graduated from Community R-VI High School in 1984, where he was a four-year letter winner in baseball and basketball. He was recruited to Westminster College by head basketball coach Andy Fischer and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.

A four-year scholarship athlete, Pursifull played during one of the most successful eras in program history. He was a member of the 1985–1986 team that returned to postseason play after a 26-year absence and posted a 23-7 record. During his career, the Blue Jays compiled a 72-39 record, including a 36-game home winning streak. In 1986–1987, he earned Ozark Collegiate Conference Academic All-Conference honors. Terry and his wife Cindy (Paulus) Pursifull, will celebrate 33 years of marriage in July. They have three children: Brent, 31, Eric, 28, and Lauren, 25.

John Stringer

Men's Basketball · 1985–1986

John Stringer has more than 30 years of experience in transportation and logistics, with a focus on truckload, third-party logistics, and shipper logistics services.

He began his career at J.B. Hunt Transport, where he held several operational roles and later moved into sales, managing the Ohio market. In 2007, he joined Union Pacific Railroad in a leadership role to launch a greenfield initiative focused on building a wholesale, door-to-door intermodal service product. He developed key performance metrics and implemented a dedicated fleet that improved service levels and operating performance.

Stringer has also held leadership positions with BNSF Logistics, Central States, and Valmont Industries. He has spoken at professional events for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Intermodal Association of North America, and has served as a guest instructor in the MIT Master of Logistics program.

He and his wife, Nicole, have been married for 26 years and have three sons: Will, Jake, and Nathan. They live in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ken Theroff

Men's Basketball & Baseball · 1985–1986

Ken Theroff is president and CEO of Central Bank in Jefferson City, Missouri. A 1988 graduate of Westminster College, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is an honors graduate of the ABA Graduate School of Lending. He serves on the Westminster College Board of Trustees.

With 37 years in banking, Theroff has held executive roles at Central Bank and Jefferson Bank while being actively involved in civic and nonprofit organizations. He also has served on various boards and supported a variety of local events and athletic initiatives. He and his wife, Susie, live in Jefferson City and have three daughters: Emmi, Anna, and Grace. Emmi followed in her father's footsteps and graduated from Westminster College in 2020.

As a student-athlete at Westminster, Theroff played basketball and baseball. His basketball team posted a 72-39 record, and he set numerous assist records. He earned multiple honors, including three-time NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete recognition and Ozark Collegiate Conference All-Conference selections. He was a member of the 1985–1986 team that set a Westminster record with 23 wins and a 32-home game winning streak from 1984 to 1986. In baseball, he was a two-time NAIA All-District 16 first-team selection, and the 1987 team set a school record for wins.

Cory Hohnbaum

Men's Basketball · 1985–1986

Cory Hohnbaum is a nationally recognized trial lawyer comfortable in courtrooms across the country. He has successfully tried cases in multiple jurisdictions across a wide variety of subject matters, including products liability, securities, construction, patent infringement, and insurance coverage. As a partner in the Trial and Global Disputes practice, Cory has been the lead trial lawyer in over 65 cases and has served as lead counsel in more than a dozen trials in the last six years alone.

In addition to his broad trial practice, Cory regularly represents clients in securities and other financial services litigation, as well as handling regulatory matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He has also argued before the Second and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the Supreme Court of South Carolina, and the Courts of Appeals of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

Cory has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of America's Leading Business Lawyers and described as "an extremely accomplished trial attorney." He has also been ranked by The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial and Bet the Company Litigation, by Super Lawyers for Business Litigation in North Carolina, and by Legal 500 U.S. for Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense.

Mark Gant

Men's Basketball & Track & Cross Country · 1982–1986

Mark Gant participated in track and cross country from 1982 to 1985 and basketball from 1984 to 1986. Upon graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., to begin 38 years of sales success in the medical device industry, representing Fortune 500 companies including Johnson & Johnson, W.L. Gore, Cook Medical, and Covidien.

As a leader in the medical industry, Gant helped introduce revolutionary procedures and proctored surgeons in laparoscopic surgery and stent placement for abdominal aortic aneurysms, as well as abdominal wall and chest wall reconstruction. He has been recognized as a top performer, earning Rookie of the Year, Circle of Champions, and several Presidents Club awards throughout his career.

Mark married his college sweetheart, Lynnette Hayes (William Woods), and together they have two daughters, Haylee, 27, and Hannah, 24.

Tony Schnell

Men's Basketball · 1985–1986

Tony Schnell is the Vice President of Med-Search Recruiting, where he serves medical device companies across the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Westminster College and a Master of Business Administration from Christian Brothers University. Tony’s career includes significant tenures at some of the most respected names in healthcare — Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, and Stryker.

With more than 35 years of experience in sales, sales management, and training, Tony’s expertise naturally led him to a career focused on talent acquisition and leadership consulting.

Tony and his wife of 36 years, Pam, currently reside in St. Louis, Missouri. Tony enjoys golfing, hiking, and traveling with Pam, especially visiting their two children, Steven, who lives in Tennessee, and Katie, who lives in Utah.