One of the most recognized names and voices in broadcasting history, Curt Gowdy has been one of his native state’s most vocal ambassadors. Before he began his broadcasting career, Gowdy played forward on the Wyoming basketball team from 1940-42, earning three varsity letters. He also lettered three times in tennis before graduating from UW in 1942. Gowdy began his career at radio station KFBC in Cheyenne and as a sportswriter for the Wyoming Eagle, then worked as a broadcaster in Oklahoma before joining the New York Yankees’ broadcast team. He later worked for ABC Sports, creating and hosting “The American Sportsman”, a weekly hunting and fishing show. He is a member of the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Sports Writers and Broadcasters Hall of Fame. As a broadcaster Gowdy has covered eight Super Bowls, 16 World Series, 12 Rose Bowls, eight Olympic Games and 22 NCAA Final Four Championships. Seven times Gowdy has been named the National Sportscaster of the Year. He has covered more major sporting events than any other broadcaster in history.
Inducted September 25, 1998
Honors and Awards
- Seven-time National Sportscaster of the Year
- Three-time Basketball and Tennis Letterman
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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
- 1988 High Country Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year
- Holds Wyoming single season kills record (595)
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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
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
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
