OverviewAbout Hastings, NebraskaAcademicsArboretumAwards & RecognitionBoard of TrusteesCampus Map & PhotosEmployee DirectoryJob OpportunitiesOur HistoryOur MissionPresbyterian ConnectionPresident's Office
Press & Media» Identity Standards» Press Releases·· 2012 - 2013 Releases·· 2011 - 2012 Releases·· 2010 - 2011 Releases·· 2009 - 2010 Releases·· 2008 - 2009 Releases·· 2007 - 2008 Releases·· 2006 - 2007 Releases·· 2005 - 2006 Releases·· 2004 - 2005 Releases» Speakers BureauStudent SatisfactionSustainability at HCTraditions
2005 - 2006 Releases
January 25, 2006 - Former Broncos selected for Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame; Alumni Coach of the Year named
January 25, 2006 - Former Broncos selected for Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame; Alumni Coach of the Year named
Two former Bronco athletes and the 1996 men’s tennis team will be inducted into the Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame, Saturday, Feb. 18. Inductees are Matthew Helm, Denver, Colo.; and Rebecca Wilson Cunningham, Gordon, Neb. Members of the 1996 tennis team being honored include: Helm, Dr. Russell Johnsen, Glendale, Ariz.; Jeramie Benson, Hastings, Neb.; R. Douglas Hartley III, Parker, Colo.; Robert Miller, Windsor, Colo.; Justin Bigsby, Fremont, Neb.; and Boardman Bajefestus, Nigeria.
Kathy Mettenbrink, Grand Island, Neb., will be recognized by the Hastings College Alumni Association as Alumni Coach of the Year. Inductees will be introduced immediately following the 2 p.m. women’s basketball game against Dana College in Lynn Farrell Arena at the Osborne Family Sports Complex. The men’s team plays at 4 p.m. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by a banquet and induction ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. To make reservations for the event, call the Office of Marketing and Communications at (402) 461-7757, by Thursday, Feb. 9. The Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 1989, honors and preserves the memory of athletes, teams, coaches and those who have contributed meritorious service to Hastings College and its athletic programs. A committee of college officials and alumni make selections based on submitted nominations.The 1996 men’s tennis team, coached by Dr. Richard Lloyd, vice president for academic affairs, went undefeated in conference play. Winning eight of nine tournament flights, the team compiled a 98-1 record, and placed in the top 30 at the national tournament.
Helm, a 1997 graduate, was a four-time NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) national tennis qualifier, and in 1996 and 1997, was named an NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete. Helm was NIAC (Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference) singles champion for two years, and second in singles for one year. For three years, he was first in doubles. During his four years at Hastings College, Helm won seven conference titles (singles and doubles). Helm was named Freshman Male Athlete of the Year and received the Frank Price Memorial Athlete of the Year Award in 1997. Helm and teammate Craig McGee, Omaha, Neb., were the first Hastings College students to participate in an NAIA national tennis tournament. Helm is head tennis pro at the Denver Country Club. He previously was head pro and tennis coordinator at Health Plex Racquet Center in Grand Island, Neb. Helm, certified as a USPTA and USPTR teaching professional, is married to Michelle Carpender. A native of Waukegan, Ill., Helm graduated with distinction in communications and a minor in small business and entrepreneurship.
Cunningham, originally from Elba, Neb., graduated from Hastings College in 1995. She participated in volleyball and softball. During her senior year, the volleyball team competed at nationals, and the softball team placed fifth at the NAIA national tournament. Cunningham was named to the NAIA All-Tournament Softball Team. With a year of eligibility left following a side-lining knee injury during volleyball season, Cunningham returned to Hastings College in 1996, enrolled in master of arts in teaching program, and competed in her final softball season. That year, she was named to the All-America Team and was an All-America Scholar-Athlete. Cunningham remains the school’s career leader in batting average, homeruns and RBIs (runs driven in by the batter). Cunningham graduated with a degree in health promotion and management, and leisure studies with a coaching endorsement. She is a customer service agent with BW Insurance Agency, Inc., in Gordon. Her husband, Sean, is also a Hastings College graduate. They have three children. The Alumni Coach of the Year award, established in 2004 by the Hastings College Alumni Association, is presented to a graduate who has shown outstanding achievement in an athletic coaching profession.
Mettenbrink, from Grand Island, Neb., has taught and coached at Centura High School for 25 years. She led the girls’ basketball team to 10 conference championships, eight conference second place finishes, 10 district championships, and 10 state tournament appearances. In 2000 and 2001, Mettenbrink’s team was state runner-up. In December 2005, she recorded her 400th win. In 1998, Mettenbrink was named State Farm Insurance Coach of the Year, and in 2000, was cited as Grand Island Independent Coach of the Year.
Mettenbrink was one of the original Hastings College women’s basketball players, and as senior, earned honorable mention All-American honors.
