|
Quiet, reserved basketball artist Tony Windis was one of the finest shooters ever to play at the University of Wyoming. Windis averaged 21.2 points per game for the cowboy career, ranking him second in UW history. He is ranked fifth in single-season scoring average with 24.4 points per game tallied during the 1958-59 season, his senior year. With a career total of 1,465 points, Windis was on Wyoming’s top ten career scoring list. He is ranked tenth in career field goals made (345), as well as in several single game categories, including second for points scored in a game with 50 vs. New Mexico on Jan. 10, 1958. Windis is also tied for second in field goals made (19) in that same game vs. New Mexico, and first in field goals attempted (38) vs. Montana on Feb. 5, 1959. He was all-conference for three years and was named Player of the Year in the Rockies for two consecutive years, 1958 and 1959. In 1977, after leaving the University of Wyoming, Windis became the first coach in all sports’ history to win both a boys’ and girls’ state basketball championship in the same year while coaching in Mountain View, Wyo.Inducted October 1, 1999 Honors and Awards
|
Category Archives: Player Profile
Paul Toscano
|
The first Cowboy quarterback in history to lead the nation in total offense, Paul Toscano was considered the University of Wyoming’s “storybook” player. Toscano earned his first two Cowboy letters as a defensive safety. When the quarterback situation was questionable in 1967, the coaching staff asked Toscano to step in. All “Pitchin’ Paul” did was lead the Cowboys to a 10-1 record, a WAC title, and a berth in Wyoming’s biggest bowl ever, the 1968 Sugar Bowl. Toscano ended the 1967 season as the greatest single season and single game passer in Cowboys’ history. He set or tied eleven passing records as he led the Pokes to their second straight WAC title and third undefeated season. He led the WAC in total offense and was second in passing. Nationally, Paul was sixth in passing. He was named Player of the Year in the WAC by United Press International, was a unanimous first team All-WAC selection, and finished in the balloting for the Heisman trophy.
Inducted October 1, 1999 Honors and Awards
|
Galand Thaxton
|
One of the greatest defensive players in the history of the University of Wyoming, Galand Thaxton is the Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler. With the strength to play on the inside and the quickness to play outside, Thaxton was the anchor of the Cowboy defense. As a redshirt freshman, he started every game at outside linebacker and was named the WAC Rookie of the Year. In 1986, his junior year, Thaxton was the only Cowboy named to the All-WAC First Team. In 1986 and 1987, he was voted defensive captain by his teammates, making him the only Wyoming player in history to be selected as captain twice. He also was selected as an Associated Press Third-Team All-American in 1987, as he helped lead the Cowboys to a WAC title and an appearance in the Holiday Bowl. When Thaxton left the University of Wyoming he had a record 467 career tackles, giving him a first place ranking in UW history.
Inducted October 1, 1999 Honors and Awards
|
Paul Roach
|
Paul Roach is the only man in the history of the University of Wyoming to serve in the dual capacity of athletics director and head football coach. As UW Athletics Director from 1987 through 1996, Roach guided the department through one of its most successful eras, and his vision established the dream of the Athletics Center. As head football coach, Roach led the Cowboys to back-to-back WAC championships in 1987 and 1988, going undefeated in league play both season. He earned WAC Coach of the Year honors in both 1987 and 1988, was named Kodak Region V Coach of the Year in 1987, and was a two-time finalist for National Coach of the Year. In his four-year tenure as Wyoming’s head coach, Roach guided the Cowboys to a 35-15-0 record and led them to three bowl games–Holiday bowl in 1987 and 1988 and the Copper Bowl in 1990. In addition to his experiences as head coach, he also served as an assistant coach at Wyoming from 1962 to 1970, under Lloyd Eaton. During that era, the Pokes won three WAC titles in 1966,1967 and 1968 and competed in two bowl games–the 1966 Sun Bowl and the 1968 Sugar Bowl. Therefore in his two coaching appearances at Wyoming, Roach was involved in six of Wyoming’s ten bowl appearances in the school’s history, and six of its seven WAC championships–three as assistant coach (1966,1967,1968), two as athletics director/head coach (1987,1988), and one as athletics director (1993).
Inducted October 1, 1999 Honors and Awards
|
John Pilch
|
John Pilch was considered one of the greatest “big men” in Wyoming athletics’ history and a part of the glory years of the Half-Acre Gym. Recognized as a power player, Pilch became one of the Cowboys’ most prolific rebounders of all time and his team’s leading scorer from 1947-50. In his best year, 1949-50, Pilch averaged 11.5 points per game. Selected as an All-American in 1950, Pilch won admiration throughout his career with his remarkable defensive work and famous hook shot. He was best known however for his rebounding abilities. In 1949, he was considered the best rebounder in the Rocky Mountain region, perhaps even the nation. His coach and fellow Hall of Famer, Ev Shelton believed Pilch was the greatest offensive and defensive rebounder he had ever seen. Inducted October 1, 1999 Honors and Awards
|
Darcy Cudaback White
Darcy Cudaback made the transition from the rural farming community of Exeter, Neb., to the campus of the University of Wyoming, to become an All-American volleyball player and dominate the High Country Athletic Conference. In 1988, Cudaback was named the HCAC’s Offensive Player of the Year, was a member of the its All-American team, and was selected first-team All-HCAC. She led the 1989 team to its best season on record at 24-7 and winning the HCAC Championship with an 11-1 record. The team earned a berth in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament , Wyoming’s second appearance ever in post-season. In 1988, Cudaback set the Cowgirl record for kills in a season with 595, and still ranks first in UW history. She is also ranked second in career kills with 1,533 and second for the most games played in a career at 446.
Inducted October 1, 1999
Honors and Awards
|
Curtis and Marian Rochelle
Curt and Marian Rochelle are honored for their tremendous generosity in the special achievement category. The Rochelles donated an historic $4.2 million gift to the University of Wyoming Athletic department and made the dream of a new student-athlete center a reality. Their gift is the largest in the UW’s history and this new student athlete center will be appropriately named the Curtis and Marian Rochelle Athletics Center, also know as the RAC. Curt Rochelle is a UW graduate and a former trustee. Marian is a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, Co. The Rochelle’s have given much more to the University than just the $4.2 million contribution to the student-athlete center. In 1992, the Rochelles established the Curtis and Marian Rochelle Professorship in Animal Science in memory of John Hill, Curt’s advisor and college dean when he majored in animal science from 1937-1941. The Rochelles have also been honored as Outstanding Donors to the College of Agriculture. Including the contribution to the student-athlete center, the Rochelles have donated over $5.5 million dollars to the University of Wyoming.
Inducted September 15, 2000
Larry Nels
Fondly known as “Bo,” Larry Nels became one of the most feared defensive linemen in Wyoming history as he terrorized opponents from 1967 to 1969. Nels was a key component as the Cowboys earned a bid to the 1968 Sugar Bowl, and was instrumental in a cowboy defense that was best in the nation. Nels was well known for his quickness, toughness, and blocking ability. He had 511 total tackles in his career. Nels was an All-American candidate and as a member of the nation’s number one defense let the cowboys to their second WAC Championship. Nels also earned All-WAC honors in 1969. Following his career at Wyoming, Nels went on to play with the New York Giants and the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian League. Nels will be remembered as one of the best defensive players in Cowboy Football history.
Inducted September 15, 2000
Lee Kizzire
One of the great athletes in Wyoming pre-war history Captain Lee Kizzire was a four-sport letterman for the Cowboys in football, wrestling, track and basketball. Kizzire was a Wyoming native and was most decorated for his outstanding efforts in football and wrestling. An All-American football player from 1933-1937, Kizzire was also All-Conference and went on to play professionally. Kizzire, a fullback on the football team, also was a talented wrestler. He was named the rocky Mountain wrestling champion. His athleticism was such that he excelled in all he did. In addition to his football and wrestling career, Kizzire also lettered on the varsity track and basketball teams. Following his award-winning career at the Wyoming, he went on to play professional football, and later to coach at Riverton High School. In 1941, kizzire entered the United States Air Corp and was commissioned as an officer in 1942. In November 1943, he was shot down on a mission near the island of Wewak in the Pacific , and was never found.
Inducted September 15, 2000
Bill Ewing
The finest hitter ever to play for the University of Wyoming, Bill Ewing set the national home run record in 1976 with 23. That same year, Ewing was named to both the College Baseball Coaches All-American Team, and the Sporting News All-American Team. This Wyoming great was the first Cowboy baseball player in twenty years to be named to an All-American team and twice earned All-WAC honors,. In addition to this All-Conference and All-American awards, Ewing was also named to the All-District VII Team. For the 1975-76 season, Ewing received the Admiral Emory S. Land award for Outstanding University of Wyoming Athlete. Bill Ewing will remain in the memories of Wyoming fans for years to come.
Inducted September 15, 2000