Pittsburg State Gorillas

Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

1994 Softball Team
NCAA-II Tournament Qualifier
The 1994 Pittsburg State University softball team posted a school record 48 victories while advancing to the 16-team NCAA Division II National Tournament for a second straight season under head coach Brad Horky. The Gorillas captured the program’s first MIAA regular season title and Pitt State finished as the MIAA Postseason Tournament runner-up at Shawnee, Kan. The Gorillas advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional at Joplin, Mo., where Pitt State posted a 1-2 record in postseason play. The Gorillas finished the season with a 48-15 overall record..


Zac Dickey, 2009-11
Pittsburg, Kansas
Football Athlete
Zac Dickey earned honorable mention NCAA Division II All-America honors at quarterback as a senior for the Gorillas in 2011. Dickey helped Pitt State post a 13-1 record and capture the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship. He passed for 2,290 yards and 17 touchdowns and carried the ball a team-leading 1,165 yards and 10 more scores. Dickey completed 240 of 436 passes (.550) for 3,282 yards and 23 touchdowns during his two seasons as the Gorillas’ starting quarterback. He also rushed the ball 354 times for 2,066 yards and 17 scores to compile 5,348 career yards of total offense.


Dennis "Coach Fran" Franchione, 1985-89
Seven Mile Corner, Kansas
Football Coach
Dennis Franchione served for five years as head football coach for the Gorillas from 1985-89. Coach Fran compiled an amazing 53-6 record for his alma mater, leading the Gorillas to five straight conference titles and five consecutive postseason playoff appearances. He was twice named the NAIA Division I National Coach of the Year. His 1986, 1987 and 1988 squads each won 11 games and reached the semifinals of the NAIA Division I national playoffs, while his 1989 squad won 12 games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II national playoffs..


Lizzy Jeronimus, 2012-15
Lenexa, Kan.
Women's Basketball Athlete
Lizzy Jeronimus became the first player in the history of the Pitt State women’s basketball program to earn NCAA Division II All-America honors in all four playing seasons. Jeronimus finished her decorated career as the program’s all-time leading scorer (2,226 points) and rebounder (838 rebounds). She also set the Pitt State single season record by scoring 626 points as a senior in 2015. A four-time first-team All-MIAA performer (2012-15), Jeronimus earned MIAA Freshman of the Year honors during her rookie campaign. She also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors as a senior in 2015.


Gretchen (Clark) Love, 2011-12
Cozad, Nebraska
Women's Track & Field Athlete
Gretchen Clark finished her decorated career with the Gorillas as a four-time NCAA Division II All-America performer in the high jump. Clark placed third in the discipline at both the 2011 NCAA Division II Indoor and Outdoor National Championships her senior season. She also registered a pair of eighth place All-America performances as a junior for the Gorillas in 2010. In 2011, Clark set new school record marks in the high jump with an indoor personal best of 5-8.75 and an outdoor PR of 5-10.


Phil Schepens, 1992-95
Kingwood, Texas
Football Legacy Athlete
Phil Schepens finished his decorated career as a two-time NCAA Division II All-America offensive lineman for the Gorillas. Schepens earned second-team All-America honors as a junior in 1994 and first-team All-America accolades   as a senior in 1995, as Pitt State secured the MIAA Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game en route to a 12-1-1 season. A three-time All-MIAA performer (1993-95), Schepens helped the Gorillas post a 44-6-1 record, win three MIAA titles and secure a pair of national runner-up finishes (1992, 1995).


Leah (Shireman) Smith, 2003-05
Walnut, Kansas
Women's Track & Field Athlete
Leah Shireman became just the second woman in Pittsburg State history to earn NCAA Division II All-America honors in the javelin in three seasons. Shireman garnered NCAA-II National Runner-up honors in 2004 and she completed her career ranked No. 2 all-time in Pitt State history with a personal record throw of 155 feet, 11 inches. She also recorded a pair of fifth-place All-America finishes (2003, 2005). Shireman claimed the 2005 MIAA title in the javelin and she earned All-MIAA honors on five occasions: javelin (2003-05) and heptathlon (2004-05)..


Shane Tafoya, 1990-91
Roy, Utah
Football Athlete
Shane Tafoya finished his illustrious career as a two-time NCAA Division II All-America linebacker for the Gorillas. Tafoya earned second-team All-America honors as a senior in 1991 when he recorded a team-leading 123 tackles while helping Pitt State to the program’s first NCAA Division II National Championship. He also earned second-team All-America honors as a junior in 1990. A two-time first-team All-MIAA selection, Tafoya also garnered 1991 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year accolades..