Western inducts 2026 Mountaineer Hall of Fame

On Oct. 30, Western Colorado University held its annual Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony to highlight exceptional Mountaineer athletes.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 included Derren Bryan, Tim Morrissey, Tyler Pennel, Larry “Zig” Ziegler, Bob Hofman, and the 1995 men’s cross country team.

City Councilor and Western track and field alum Loren Ahonen emceed the event. A brief introduction and update on enrollment, fundraising, and program launches were given by President Brad Baca.

Baca handed the stage over to Dr. Amber Burge, Western’s athletic director. Burge thanked the organizers, coaches, and selection committee and recognized the accomplishments of the Hall of Fame class. She shared her athletics vision, which centers around engaging alumni with the community, investing in student athletes, coaches, and opportunities, and winning with integrity by pursuing excellence while upholding character and accountability. She sees this as a way to honor Western’s athletic legacy, strengthen the experience of current students, and build a foundation for future generations.

Burge and Ahonen went on to present the Citation of Achievement awards. Track and Field alum Allison Beasley received the Western Colorado Athletics Paul W. Wright Award for her work in college sports communication and her achievements as 2025 RMAC Scholar Athlete of the Year, 2025 All American in Cross Country, seven time Colden Cross Country Coaches Association All Academic honors, and more.

Football alum Drew Nash received the Western Colorado Athletics Paul W. Wright Award for his time as quarterback for Western’s football team for his accomplishments, including the RMAC Football Offensive Player of the Year, Academic Offensive Player of the Year, reaching the top of Western’s record book in career touchdowns with 77 scoring passes, and more.

The Women’s Swimming and Diving Team was honored for earning the RMAC 2025-26 Brechler Award for their combined GPA of 3.822 last season, their fifth consecutive and sixth overall Brechler award, the most in Mountaineer athletics history. Similarly, the Men’s Basketball Team was recognized for earning the Brechler Award for their combined GPA of 3.712, their fourth ever and second highest.

Ahonen then inducted the Class of 2026 into the Hall of Fame.

Derren Bryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his career as a Western offensive lineman, including 49 consecutive starts, three RMAC championship seasons, and First-Team All-American honors. In his speech, he thanked his parents, coaches, teammates, wife, and Western for their support. Bryan reflected on how staying at school despite a difficult start helped shape his perseverance, work ethic, and sense of accountability.

Tyler Pennel was recognized as one of the most decorated runners in Mountaineer history, earning 11 All-American honors in cross country and track and field, including winning the 2012 NCAA Division II outdoor 10,000-meter championship. He also helped Western’s cross-country team win the 2011 national title and went on to compete professionally, including at the Olympic trials and World Half Marathon Championships. He thanked his teammates, coaches, and family, and reflected on demanding training, perseverance through injury, high expectations, and his team's support.

“You set your expectations, and you go for them,” said Pennel. “If we work hard, we can achieve big things.”

Tim Morrisey was honored for an outstanding wrestling career, including an NAIA national championship, All-American Honors at both NAIA and Division I levels, and never losing a match by fall. He recalled how he began wrestling as a child with his stuffed monkey, George, as his first practice partner. He described coming to Western as a skinny freshman, working through tough practices, and striving not to be “just another guy”. His message to current athletes was to keep showing up, work hard, and make the most of their opportunities.

Larry “Zig” Ziegler was honored for his exceptional track and field career, where he won four FMAC titles in two years, earned two All-American honors, and set the program record for the 110 meter hurdles. He credited coach Duane Vandenbusche and his teammates for believing in and supporting him and reflected on how setbacks shaped his resilience. The lessons he learned at Western influenced the way he supports athletes today and helped him become the father he is.

“I was confident because I made the decision that I was going to win, no matter what it took,” said Ziegler.

Bob Hofman, inducted posthumously, was recognized for his successful five-year tenure as Western’s men’s basketball coach beginning in 1995. He was the program’s winningest coach, earning 82 wins and a .598 winning percentage with a three-point-focused style that energized fans and helped lead the team to three RMAC postseason tournaments. His family accepted the honor and remembered his deep affection for his players, his confidence, competitiveness, and the close bonds he built with his teams.

The 1995 men’s cross-country team was inducted in recognition of Western’s first NCAA Division II national championship. Led by head coach Duane Vandenbusche and assistant Joe Winegardner, the team held the number one ranking through much of the season and won the RMAC and regional championships before nationals. Despite knee injuries to key runners, six Mountaineers earned All-American honors and beat Central Missouri State, their biggest competition, by 29 points. Vandenbusche credited their preparation, high-altitude training, leadership, and the team’s commitment to being good athletes, students, and people.