Sports Hall of Fame

List of 54 items.

• Douglas C. Albers '97 (2020)

  Doug Albers of the great Class of 1997 was a staple on the Rockhurst golf team during his time at The Rock.  Doug was a four-year letterman who helped push Rockhurst to the State Tournament all three years.  As a junior he placed 5th individually, while the team took 2nd.  As a senior he battled to a 3rd place individual finish and Rockhurst was runner-up again, coming up one stroke short.  Doug was an All-State medalist both seasons.

• Paul D. Ammatelli '82 (2012)

  Paul Ammatelli is universally remembered as one of the top players for the Soccer Hawklets as the school's program matured in the early-80's in a time when teams from the eastern side of the State were often dominant. "Ammo" was a three-year letterman who was All-District as a junior, while leading the first ever soccer team from outside the St. Louis area to compete in the State Tournament - where the Hawklets placed 8th. Although Paul was lost to injury during his senior year, he was praised during his leadership career at The Rock for performance, persistence, and pride that echoes today, serving as Co-Captain.

• W. Robert Aylward '45 (2006)

• L. Robert Bauers '63 (2003)

  A three-year letterman in basketball, Bob Bauers of the Class of 1963 developed into one of the most feared and respected big men in Kansas City. As a junior and senior, he accounted for a strong portion of Hawklet scoring and rebounding, despite being double-teamed or even triple-teamed in games. During his junior season, Bob led the Rock to a 22-5 record and compiled an average game stat line of 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He was given postseason honors of an All-District player. In Rockhurst’s 19-7 season of 1962-63, Bob padded his stats even more. He punished opposing teams for 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He deservingly earned All-District, All-State and Catholic All-American recognition. After his decorated Rockhurst career, Bob continued to play at the University of Colorado where he earned Second Team All-Big 8 honors and Academic First Team All-Big 8.

• Eric Berg - Coach (2012)

• E. Anthony Blevins '93 (2018)

  Tony earned his spot on the football field as just a sophomore. Considered “undersized” by appearance, he was said to be the hardest hitter on the field, pound for pound.
  Tony was a highlight reel on both sides of the ball; breaking off big rushes at running back and intercepting passes at cornerback. In Tony’s senior season Rockhurst earned a national ranking of 12th in the USA Today Super 25, while averaging more than 31 points per game.
  Garnering countless accolades during his high school career, Tony was named Player of the Year in Kansas City, a Simone Award Finalist, and a USA Today All-American.
  Tony stayed close to home at KU, despite having Division 1 offers from across the country. He would then go on to play his way into the NFL for three seasons.

• Daniel L. Boyd '03 (2021)

  Dan Boyd of the great Class of 2003 stood out on the football field in many aspects. At 6’3 and 280 pounds, Dan intimidated defensive linemen from his tackle position. But Dan was also technically sound and opened huge holes for the likes of Tony Temple and Marcus Perry who recorded monster rushing seasons.  Dan earned himself All-District, All-Metro, and 1st team All-State honors both his junior and senior seasons.  The offenses both years averaged 37 points per game, and Rockhurst won by an average margin of 27 points. Dan was a catalyst to The Rock’s success from 2000-02, when the team went 36-2 and had two undefeated championship seasons. Dan went on to play football at Northwest Missouri State University.

• Paul E. Brooks '93 (2020)

  Ted Brooks of the great Class of 1993 was a feared defensive lineman who made a name for himself throughout the state as a junior, as he recorded a school-record 15 sacks and earned 2nd Team All-State honors.  Senior year, on a Rockhurst team ranked as high as #12 in the country, Ted anchored a defense that gave up less than a touchdown per game and held eventual State Champions Blue Springs to 0 and 3 points in the team’s two matchups.  He was honored with 1st Team All-State recognition.  Ted was also a contributor on the basketball and baseball teams, earning two varsity letters in each sport.

• Peter C. Brown '76 (2012)

  Peter and William J. Krizman `76 were without a doubt one of the most powerful tennis teams in the history of the State and Rockhurst High School. They claimed The Rock's first State Championship in tennis in 1976, as both men anchored the school's tennis program during their time at Rockhurst High School, earning multiple letters. Peter helped launch the modern era of tennis in 1975 and 1975 under Head Coach Ron Geldhof that resulted in 17 State Championships and average doubles winning percentages of 98%.

• Douglas A. Bruce '67 (2008)

  Former athlete, former basketball coach, former athletic director. Coach Doug Bruce left his imprint on Rockhurst High School in many ways - as an athlete, a coach, a teacher, and most recently as the athletic director. Those who spent time with Doug realized that he was passionate about Rockhurst and helping students maximize their talents and efforts. As an athlete Doug made his impact in many sports including baseball and basketball and then went on to St. Benedictine to star in both sports. Coach Bruce returned home to the Rock as a teacher and coach in 1978. He led the Hawklets to a 68% winning percentage and three State Championships. In the classroom Doug “coached” many students to their finest hours in Calculus -establishing a high level of performance in Advanced Placement Mathematics. In his final 17 years at RHS, Coach Bruce served as a very successful athletic director seeing programs expand, participation increase and State Titles multiply.

• Brad E. Budde '76 (2004)

  Brad is considered one of the top offensive and defensive linemen in Rockhurst High School history. He was a three-year letterman in football at Rockhurst, as well as a monogram player in both basketball and track. Brad reached his high school playing height and weight early in his junior year at 6’5”, 245 lbs., which contributed to his selection as an All-Metro, Second Team honoree at Offensive Tackle that year; he then earned First Team, All-Metro honors his Senior Year at tackle on defensive with 50 tackles, known for his quickness off the ball and powerful striking ability. Brad is one of the only a hand-full of two-year, two-way starters in Rockhurst history.

• Patrick J. Caldwell '61 (2007)

  Patrick was the ever-rare athletic big man. He was a 6’6” three sport athlete who, between football, basketball and track, never wanted to take a season off. On the football field, he was a blocking tight end who helped lead the Hawklets to a 19-6-3 record during his three years on the squad. He was rewarded with All-District honors as a senior. But on the basketball court is truly where Patrick shined. Despite constantly double-teamed as a junior and senior, he still managed to be The Rock’s leading scorer both years. He was a three-year starter, averaging 12 PPG as a sophomore, 20 PPG as a junior and more than 24 PPG as a senior, along with 13 rebounds per game. He accounted for 40% of the team’s scoring in the 1960-61 season. Other accolades included breaking the 10-year-old record for points in a game, when he scored 37 during his senior campaign. Patrick led the Hawklets to the State Tournament twice and was a constant name on the All-District list. He is also a member of the Rockhurst Basketball All-Time Team.

• Michael A. Chonko '88 (2016)

  Michael was a head above most players on the soccer field, in more ways than one. A towering defender, Michael rarely allowed opposing forwards to even have the opportunity to score. In his two years as a starter, Michael held a combined record of 42-5-2. The defense gave up just 17 goals in 1986 and only 15 in 1987, including 20 shutouts that season. He led Rockhurst to a 3rd Place finish at State in ‘87, which made The Rock the first Kansas City school to make it to the Final Four. Both years, Michael won All-District, All-Metro and All-State honors. He also took his height and talent to the basketball court as a two-year letterman, where he helped Rockhurst win the 1987 State Championship. His All-District senior season on the court, Michael averaged over 11 points per game and was described as a “dominating force on the boards”.

• Aaron R. Clevinger '00 (2020)

  Aaron Clevinger of the great Class of 2000 was an immediate impact player for the Rockhurst lacrosse program.  As just a freshman, Aaron was an All-State player.  He would earn that honor junior and senior seasons as well.  Each of his four years, Aaron helped lead the Hawklets to the State Semifinals.  In 2000 he was 1st in the state in assists and 2nd in points. Aaron was an All-American nominee in both 1999 and 2000. At the time of his induction, Aaron sits on the Rockhurst record board as 1st in assists in a season and career, 2nd in points in a season, and 1st in career points.

• Jason L. Cole '99 (2019)

  Jason was instrumental in Rockhurst Soccer winning its first State Title in 1998 and helping build the program into the powerhouse it is today. Jason played his way onto the varsity squad as a freshman and began his consistent goal scoring over his four seasons.
  Following three successful underclassman seasons, Jason was named co-captain his senior year. Leading the team in scoring with 30 goals, Jason guided the Soccer Hawklets to their first ever State Title, going 27-0-1 on the season; still the only undefeated team in program history. Jason scored the game-winning goal in the 1998 State Championship game against Chaminade and was named All-State and the Metro Player of the Year. He would go on to play at SLU and was drafted to the MLS by the Colorado Rapids.

• David B. Cone '81 (2005)

  It’s weird to think that the most accomplished Major League Baseball player to ever come out of Rockhurst did not actually play baseball for the Hawklets. David attended The Rock when baseball was not a varsity sport at the time. He only played summer baseball in the Ban Johnson League. But David was an extremely gifted athlete in sports Rockhurst did offer. He was the starting quarterback for the football team and starting point guard for the basketball team his junior and senior seasons. On the field, he led the Hawklets to a combined 17-4 record as starting QB. On the hardwood, he led the basketball squad to an impressive 22-2 regular season as a junior and a 17-7 season during his senior campaign. After graduation, David was drafted in the 1981 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals in the third round.

• Sean T. Connelly '98 (2018)

  Sean was the first lacrosse star not just at Rockhurst, but also in Kansas City. Sean is a founding member of the lacrosse program, which was recognized as a varsity sport in 1996.
  In just the sport’s second year in existence, and Sean’s junior year, he put Rockhurst lacrosse on the map. Already the team’s leading returning scorer, he captained the squad that went 8-4 and reached the State Semifinals. Sean was named 1st Team All-Conference and All-State.
  Sean’s senior season, the Hawklets went 6-5, but had two one-loss games against St. Louis powerhouse DeSmet, which had been an established program for several years. Sean was again leading scorer for The Rock and was renamed All-Conference and All-State. He was also named the Missouri Player of the Year. Sean played collegiately at Boston College, becoming the first Rockhurst graduate, and player out of Kansas City, to play Division 1 lacrosse.

• John A. Cooper '87 (2011)

  John was absolutely vital in bringing back Rockhurst basketball dominance in the late-80s. A single-sport athlete, John was all basketball all the time. By his junior year, John was the go-to player for the Hawklets. He averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds per game during a 23-8 season that ended in a 2nd place finish in the State Championship. He was named to the All-District First Team, All-Metro Second Team and All-State Second Team that year. John’s senior year was monumental, both individually and for Rockhurst. Earning First Team All-Disrict, All-Metro and All-State honors, he averaged an outstanding 20.5 PPG and 10.1 RPG. Rockhurst went on to a school-record 29-2 on the season and won the school’s first State Championship since 1932. In the State final game, John set a 4-A record with 28 points.

• Jeffrey S. Crippin '76 (2004)

  Jeffrey was the athletic big man that Rockhurst coaches dream about. Along with his size and strength, Jeffrey was sports savvy enough to translate his athleticism to success in three different sports: football, basketball and track & field. While playing football on the offensive and defensive line, Jeffrey was All-Metro his junior year and All-State his senior year. He was a two-year starter on the Varsity basketball team. In track, Crippin was an All-State Discus thrower. More than just a terrific player, Jeffrey was a team leader who could get the whole team to rally around him. He was named the captain of all three teams his senior year. Jeffrey continued his football career after leaving Rockhurst, playing center for the University of Notre Dame.

• Jerome C. Culver - Coach (2006)

  Jerry Culver enjoyed a stellar football coaching career at Rockhurst. In seven seasons at the helm of the Football Hawklets from 1976-1982, Coach Culver and his teams combined for a record of 63-16. Rockhurst made it to the State Championship in his final two seasons, winning the program's second ever State Title in 1981. Coach Culver is also a member of the Missouri Coaches Hall of Fame.

• Christopher K. Cummings '72 (2009)

  After transferring in as a sophomore, Chris had to sit out. But he made up for it, earning two letters in both football and basketball. Standing at 6’5 and 220 lbs., Chris was a linebacker his junior year, and switched to be an unstoppable quarterback as a senior and helped win State. In basketball, he led the Hawklets to a third place finish in 1971. Chris did not limit himself to the sports he played in high school, though. After playing football at Missouri and Louisiana Tech, he got to try out for the Chiefs and the Royals, and eventually earned his PGA card in golf. 

• Christopher G. Damico '89 (2015)

  Chris was the last person opposing teams wanted to see when walking onto the soccer field. A three-year starter at goalie, Chris compiled 47 shutouts in 74 career starts. As a junior, he helped the Hawklets to a 3rd place finish at State and improved to 2nd place in Chris’ senior season, which made The Rock the first Kansas City team to ever play for a State Soccer Championship. Chris earned All-Metro and All-State honors both years, and was a member of the Under-17 United States National Team. He went on to play Division 1 soccer at the University of Akron and then 13 years of professional indoor soccer in the MISL.

• Matthew R. Darby '00 (2024)

  Matt Darby of the great Class of 2000 was pivotal in Rock Soccer winning the first State Championships in program history. In 1998, Rockhurst did not lose a match, going 27-0-1 en route to its first-ever soccer title. As a midfielder, Matt played both sides of the ball and the defense allowed just 10 goals all year. Matt’s senior year squad recorded 15 shutouts in 29 matches while the team went 27-1-1. In that season, Rockhurst defeated #1 nationally ranked Marquette University High School. Matt and the Hawklet defense went on to blank SLUH in the State Championship and Rock capped its repeat title with a #10 national ranking. Matt was named 1^st Team All-State and the Missouri Defensive Player of the Year and continued playing at Marquette University. He was named head coach of the program in 2019. Through five seasons under Coach Darby, Rockhurst is 103-14-3, winning State Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023, as well as the program’s first National Championship in 2023 after going 24-0-0.

• Samuel S. Davidson '01 (2021)

  Sam Davidson of the great Class of 2001 was at the heart of a dominant Rockhurst tennis program that won 10 consecutive State Championships from 1996-2005. Sam was instrumental in the 1999, 2000, and 2001 team titles, while earning 1st Team All-Metro and All-State honors each season.  As a sophomore he was a doubles State Champion, and a doubles State runner-up as a junior.  His combined doubles record was 48-8.  Then, in his senior season as team captain, Sam moved up to the number one singles player on the team and won the 2001 singles State Championship along with the team title.  His career postseason record was an incredible 36-1. Sam went on to play at DePaul University.

• Alton Davis, Jr. - Coach (1998)

• James C. Dorlac, Sr. '88 (2018)

  Jim was the conductor during the best two-year stretch in Rockhurst football history. After being thrown into the starting quarterback role with just two games left in his sophomore season, Jim led the Hawklets to consecutive wins. He would get used to the taste of victory. Over his junior and senior seasons, Jim orchestrated a high-powered veer offense that went 23-2 and won back-to-back State Championships for the only time in program history. Jim’s running ability, matched by his passing threat, kept Rockhurst rolling down the field every game. His decision-making was the key factor in a two-minute drill that put the Hawklets into field goal range for the game-winning kick in the 1986 State Championship. Named a team captain senior year, he earned 1st Team All-District and All-Metro honors, as well as 2nd Team All-State. Jim would go on to play at Benedictine College.

• Sean J. Doyle '99 (2017)

  Sean was a playmaker on both sides of the football who rarely left the field for Rockhurst for three years. As just a sophomore, Sean led The Rock in both tackles and interceptions out of his linebacker position. As a junior, he again led the team in tackles and also in points scored, with 103, as fullback. And of course, his senior year he led in points, as well as notching 139 tackles – still the 5th most in program history. Combined, he has the most career tackles of any Hawklet to put on the uniform. Sean was a three-time All-State selection, and his senior year won the most prestigious honor in Kansas City: the Simone Award. He was recognized by many as the best all-around football player in the city for two seasons, and still managed to play three years of varsity baseball. Sean continued his football career at the University of Missouri, where he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors and led the conference in tackling for a season.

• Justin M. Dro '97 (2023)

  Justin Dro of the great Class of 1997 was a name recognized throughout the state in both football and track & field. Justin became a starter on the football team as just a sophomore, eventually working his way to being an All-District, All-Metro, and 1st Team All-State offensive lineman as a senior. He also won Rockhurst’s Bukaty Award, the top recognition within the program, as well as the KC Star Scholar-Athlete for Rockhurst. In shot put, Justin was the State runner-up as both a junior and a senior, throwing further than 56-feet in both meets.

• William H. Dunn, Sr. '40 (2018)

  Bill is one of the longest lifetime supporters of Rockhurst High School. Now known more for his philanthropy, Bill was revered in the late 1930’s for his accomplishments on the athletic fields. He was the starting fullback who played a key role on the 1939 football team that went undefeated. But Bill really stood out on the baseball diamond, where he starred for the school’s first baseball team his senior year. The 1940 team played just six games, but won them all. Bill was the starting and winning pitcher for four of those games. After leading Rockhurst to an undefeated season, Bill and all of his other teammates, with the exception of one player, would play for the Murray Davis American Legion Team that ended up representing Kansas City in the State baseball playoffs. For the first game, they beat the defending State Champions from St. Louis, which had Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola as teammates before eventually getting knocked out of the tournament. St. Louis went on to win the 1940 American Legion National title. Combining the spring and summer seasons, Bill would go 13-1 as a starting pitcher.

• Michael S. Ertz '85 (2013)

  Mike was one of the Football Hawklets’ greats. As a junior starter, Mike helped lead the Hawklets to a 12-2 record and a State Championship. His senior season, although cut short by a loss in the playoffs, Mike anchored one of the greatest defense in program history, which allowed just 23 total points during the regular season. Mike was named 1st Team All-State Defense from his linebacker position. On top of his football abilities, Mike also lettered twice in track and once in basketball.

• Thomas H. Freeman, Sr. '83 (2010)

  With three varsity letters in both wrestling and track, Tom graduated with a successful athletic career at Rockhurst even without football. But Tom did play football, and he excelled at it. Starting as varsity lineman his junior and senior seasons, he made his mark as one of the greatest big men to ever wear the Hawklet jersey. Following an All-District junior bout on the offensive line and a State Championship, Tom switched over to the defensive side, where he made a living. As a defensive end, Tom raked in All-District, All-Metro, All-State, Adidas All-American honors and started in the MO/KAN All-Star Game. He went on to play at Notre Dame, where he swapped back to the offensive side.

• Zachary E. Frisch '05 (2022)

  Zach Frisch of the great Class of 2005 is the first Rockhurst athlete to win a State Championship for the Hawklets as both a player and as a coach. Zach was the Tennis State Doubles Champion his junior and senior seasons, and placed 2nd as a sophomore while helping the Hawklets win State Titles all four years of his career - bringing the program’s streak at the time to 10 consecutive titles. Zach was named to the KC Star’s All-Metro Team three times and still ranks 3rd in MSHSAA history for most doubles wins in a season, going 28-0 in 2004. His career varsity doubles record was 64-2 before playing college tennis. Frisch returned to The Rock as head coach from 2012-2017, winning three State Championships, two 2nd Place finishes, and one 3rd Place finish, while holding a career coaching record of 85-8.

• Robert K. Gamble '89 (2014)

  Robert might be the only Hawklet to win four different State Championships over two different sports. He was part of State title runs for basketball in ’87 and ’89 and football in ’86 and ’87. Robert was impressively named a starting cornerback as a sophomore among a team that now boasts 11 players on the Rockhurst All-Time Football Team. Junior and senior year, Rockhurst would need Robert’s talent on both sides of the ball. Individually, Robert went on to be an All-Metro, All-District and All-State football player, and also won the 1988 Bobby Dodd Back of the Year Award.

• J. Randall Gardner '72 (2011)

  Randy Gardner was a three-year letterman in football who was instrumental in the program's first ever State Championship in 1971. During that historic season, Randy's senior year, he was a force on the line, earning All-District and All-Metro honors while the Hawklets went a perfect 11-0 on the season.

• Merle L. Gardner '87 (2019)

  Merle is still revered as one of the best all-around athletes in Rockhurst history. Whether it was on the football field or around the track, Merle was going to outrun you. Merle was a three-year starter out of the backfield who led Rockhurst in scoring as a sophomore and junior. And the tandem he formed with Kenyon Rasheed in 1985 and 1986 was one of the most lethal backfields the state has ever seen. The duo led Rockhurst to the 1986 State Championship.
  Merle was just as impressive on the track. He was a rare four-year letterman and a three-time State qualifier as a sprinter. And Merle could not even play perhaps his best sport for the Hawklets: baseball. Rockhurst did not have a baseball program at the time, but he was drafted by the Royals in 1987.

• Christopher J. Garlich '75 (2004)

• James A. Gates '96 (2018)

  Jim made the switch from baseball to golf after his freshman year; a decision that would heavily affect the Rockhurst golf program. For the next three years, Jim would help lead the squad to three straight top-five finishes at State. Individually, he was the top Hawklet finisher as a sophomore, placing 14th out of 160 golfers. Junior and senior years he would put himself in the running for the best big class golfer in Missouri. In 1995, Jim won Districts and the Hawklets won the team title. At State, Rockhurst placed 4th and Jim was the individual runner-up. His senior year, coming off of a mid-season wrist injury, Jim returned for Districts. He again won the individual title and the Hawklets won as a team. Rockhurst played its way to a 2nd place finish at State; and Jim notched another runner-up finish of his own, earning individual All-State honors all three years. Jim continued his golf career at the University of Kansas.

• Ronald L. Geldhof - Coach (2004)

• Alex T. George '55 (1998)

  Alex was a four-year lettermen in baseball and a three-year monogram player in football and basketball He was a Catholic League All-Star player at quarterback in both his junior and senior years who sparked Rockhurst to a Catholic League Basketball championship in 1955 with his stellar play at guard. He was also a Catholic League All-Star in baseball in three of his four years at Rockhurst, spearheading the squad’s three-straight championship seasons from 1953 to 1955. Alex's incredible hitting and fielding skills led the highly successful Rockhurst Baseball Team to a 17-1 record his senior year, which brought Rockhurst a regional championship in baseball and qualified the team for State competition in 1955. Although he obtained an athletic scholarship to the University of Kansas at quarterback, signed with the Kansas City Athletics upon graduation from Rockhurst.

• James J. Gleeson '29 (1991)

• Mark J. Goodspeed '75 (2004)

  Rockhurst Football has a noted history of outstanding linemen, but Mark Goodspeed might just be at the top of the list. Even at 6'6 and 225 lbs., Mark was more athletic than most skill position players. He earned 1st Team All-State honors as a tackle his senior year, while opening holes for an impressive Hawklet backfield. In track & field, he was also one of the best throwers in the state and the country. He was the discus State Champion in 1975 with a throw of 188-0, which is still a school record. That 1975 team also won the first State Championship in program history.

• Joseph B. Groner '64 (2004)

• Louise Grovenburg - Parent (2006)

• Eddie Halpin - Coach (1991)

• Mark P. Hanrahan '76 (2013)

  Mark is considered one of the best golfers in school history. The scope of his game goes beyond champion level. Mark’s combination of tremendous physical ability and mental focus on the golf course allowed him to dominate the competition. His powerful shot-making and game management calculated every factor on the course to make him the game’s best of the day. Mark was a rare kind of competitor with a complete game package of golfing mastery in strategy, focus, and ability…his kind of play is unique even by modern standards for the game.

• Chris S. Heller '89 (2014)

  Chris was a basketball center that coaches dream about. At 6’11”, Chris bodied his way into a decorated Rockhurst basketball career. He played an important role as a sophomore in the 1987 State Championship, but was the key figure in the team’s title run during his senior year. He dropped a Sectional-record 43 points against Blue Springs en route to a championship victory over Vashon, a top-10 team in the country. Afterwards, Chris was chosen as the DiRenna Award Winner for the best player in the KC metro area, as well as the Gatorade and Naismith Missouri Player of the Year Awards. He would go on to a successful basektball career at the University of Missouri.

• Vincent V. Hodes '90 (2022)

  Vince Hodes of the great Class of 1990 helped Rockhurst football make its dominant run in the late-80s. Vince was a three-year member of the Football Hawklets, playing safety and doubling as the place kicker. In his three varsity seasons, Rockhurst went 32-5 and made the State Finals twice. As a sophomore in 1987, Vince was the hero by booting a 40-yard field goal in the waning seconds of the Semifinal game that ousted Jefferson City 18-16 on its home field, and Rockhurst went on to win the State Title. Vince was named 2nd Team All-State his senior year as a defensive back, and is second in program history with seven interceptions in a season. He went on to play at the University of San Diego. 

• Christopher S. Holmes '89 (2019)

  Chris was a do-it-all athlete at The Rock. In the fall, Chris stood out on the gridiron as a special teams player before taking over as the Hawklets’ leading receiver as a senior. Chris was part of the 1987 State Championship team and then in 1988 earned himself All-Metro and 2nd Team All-State honors from his wideout position. In his two seasons as a starter, Rockhurst went 22-2-1.Chris lettered in basketball as a junior before narrowing his focus to football and track. You can still find Chris’ name on the track record board today as a member of the 1988 State Champion 4x400 relay team, which ran a blazing time of 3:16. Between his junior and senior track seasons, Chris qualified for State in seven events. He would go on to play football at Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State).

• Donald J. Hord '05 (2022)

  D.J. Hord of the great Class of 2005 is still revered as one of the best athletes in Rockhurst history, whose speed made him feared on both the football field and on the track. He was a four-year letterman in track, who by his sophomore season had broken the school records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter. He still holds both records, with blazing times of 10.35 and 21.17. D.J. placed in the top-4 at State in both the 100 and 200 in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was just as talented as a slotback and wide receiver.  D.J. was a three-year starter and member of the 2002 undefeated State Championship team, scoring an 81-yard touchdown in the Finals, a state record at the time. He then led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2003 and 2004, averaging 20 yards per catch for his career, and went on to be named a US Army All-American and the Gatorade Missouri Football Player of the Year in 2004 before playing at Notre Dame.

• James T. Houston, III '82 (2020)

  Jim Houston of the great Class of 1982 was a dominant linebacker for the Hawklets. Jim led a defense that pushed Rockhurst to its second football State Championship in school history, winning the 1981 title.  That defense turned in one of the most impressive statistical seasons in Rockhurst history, tallying six shutouts in 13 games, and allowing just 5.2 points per game.  For his efforts, Jim was named 1st Team All-State Linebacker.

• Travis L. Huenfeld '97 (2016)

  Travis brought speed and power to the football field and baseball diamond. He was part of the 2nd place 1989 squad that beat Jefferson City in four overtimes in the playoffs, which is still noted as the greatest game in Rockhurst football history. His senior season, Travis rushed for 1,362 yards and 17 touchdowns in just 10 games. Those numbers earned his All-District, Metro and State honors. Travis also helped reintroduce baseball to The Rock, which returned as a varsity sport after more than 20 years in 1989. He played Varsity for three years, and the team improved its record each spring, ultimately reaching 13-4 and a District Championships his junior and senior seasons. Travis was an All-District, All-Metro and All-State selections his final two seasons, and was named the Gatorade Circle of Champions Missouri Player of the Year in 1991.

• John W. Hungerford '83 (2014)

  John was the face of the resurrection Rockhurst soccer program, which has since risen to be a national powerhouse. When the program came back to fruition in 1979, John was a catalyst even as a freshman. He lettered all four years and was recognized as All-Metro and All-District his junior and senior seasons. John was also the first Kansas City player to be named to the St. Louis-dominated All-State team. Playing centerback, John was the backbone of the defense and led as the team captain.

• Thomas W. Jantsch '77 (2004)

• Timothy C. Jantsch '77 (2004)