New Class of Hall of Fame Members Inducted

Sam Davidson of the great Class of 2001 was at the heart of a dominant Rockhurst tennis program that won 11 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.

 

Sean O’Donnell of the great Class of 2001 helped Rockhurst’s running programs reach new heights. Sean was a middle distance staple for the track & field team, qualifying for State as a member of the 4x800 team as just a sophomore. His junior season the 4x800 team earned All-State honors with a 5th place finish and new school record of 7:57.26. Sean added a 13th place finish in the open-800. As a senior, Sean joined the cross country team after playing soccer for three years. As varsity captain, he helped lead the cross country team to its first State qualification since 1984.  Individually, he placed 14th and the team took 8th.  And in track, Sean broke both the 800-meter and 1600-meter records, running 1:56.29 and 4:19.56, respectively, and placing 6th at State in the 1600. Sean went on to run collegiately at the University of Notre Dame.

 

Kevin Kane of the great Class of 2002 helped anchor the defenses on some of the best teams in Rockhurst’s history. In Kevin’s three years as a linebacker and offensive guard, Rockhurst went 35-4 and made it to the State Finals twice. Known especially for his defensive work, Kevin earned 1st Team All-District, All-Metro, and All-State linebacker honors as both a junior and senior. He led the Hawklets in tackles both seasons, combining for 239 tackles while also leading the team in interceptions in Rockhurst’s perfect 14-0 season in 2000. After the 2001 season, Kevin was selected as the Metro Sports Defensive Player of the Year and won the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best lineman or linebacker in Kansas City. Kevin went on to play linebacker at the University of Kansas.

Tim Reidy of the great Class of 2002 helped establish lacrosse at Rockhurst, as it had only become an official sport at The Rock in 1997. Tim was a three-year starting defender who helped lead the program to a combined record of 38-15 over his three varsity seasons, including Conference Championships each year. The Hawklets advanced to the State Final Four all three seasons and took 2nd in 2001. In his senior season as team captain, Tim was 1st Team All-Conference and All-State, in addition to being named the first lacrosse All-American in Rockhurst history. He went on to a collegiate career at Mount St. Mary’s.  Tim returned to Rockhurst in 2012 as the head coach, and in his 10 seasons thus far at the helm, Rockhurst’s record is 130-47 with eight LAKC Final Four appearances, one runner-up, and three championships. He has twice been named the U.S. Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

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.

Kevin Sears of the great Class of 2003 continued the tradition of impressive linebackers at Rockhurst. As a junior starter for the 2001 team, Kevin recorded 71 tackles and six interceptions, which earned him 2nd Team All-District recognition.  Kevin led the defense as a senior, with the team going 13-0 en route to a State Title.  Kevin notched 122 tackles and four more interceptions, getting named 1st Team All-State, KC Prep Football’s Defensive Player of the Year, and an All-American honorable mention.  Kevin also earned two varsity letters in both basketball and baseball, and was named an All-Metro catcher for the Baseball Hawklets. He went on to play football at Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State.

Tony Temple of the great Class of 2004 was record setter at The Rock.  He became the first football player to ever play as a freshman under Head Coach Tony Severino. In his freshman season, Tony led Rockhurst with 1,122 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns as the Hawklets went 14-0 and were State Champs, and Tony received the first of his four All-Metro honors.  As a sophomore, Tony was 2nd Team All-State with 1,205 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns. Then there was his junior season in 2002.  Tony led The Rock to another undefeated season, running for the second most yards in a season by a Hawklet with 2,034.  He still holds the program record for points scored in a season with 214, as he found the end zone 35 times in 13 games, earning him USA Today’s honor of the top player in Missouri, and Player of the Year honors from Metro Sports, the KC Star, and KC Sports Magazine.  Injuries in his senior season limited Tony to play in only three full games, but he still tallied 979 yards and 9 touchdowns, and was named to the U.S. Army All-American Team. Tony still holds the career rushing and scoring records. He went on to play at the University of Missouri.

Coach John Morris of the great Class of 1974 has spent more than 40 years here at The Rock between his time as a student and faculty member and coach.  Coach Mo returned to Rockhurst as a Theology teacher in 1984 and has been working with Hawklet students and athletes ever since. Coach Morris joined Coach Tony Severino’s football staff in the ’84 season and remains on the Rockhurst sidelines today.  His work with the linemen has helped win 332 games and six State Championships. Coach Mo is also recognized for his work in the basketball program, where he has been a sophomore and JV head coach and varsity assistant since 1985, helping win three State Titles.  He also spent 25 years working with the throwers in the track & field program. Collectively, Coach Mo has coached nearly 2,000 football games, basketball games, and track & field meets for The Rock. His JV basketball coaching record is 482-120, and his JV football coaching record is 167-6, including a 71-game win streak from 1993-2004.