A long-time proponent of Wyoming Athletics, Ken Cook has devoted years of his life to the improvement of athletics, as well as the University, to achieve this induction to the Hall of Fame for Special Achievement. Cook came to UW as a student-athlete from Riverton, Wyoming and lettered in football from 1938-1942. His tireless devotion to the University is evident in so many areas. Cook was on the UW Alumni Association Board of Directors for seven years and president from 1983 to 1984. In 1987 he received the UW Alumni Association Medallion Service award. He also has been actively involved with the Cowboy Joe Club as an executive board member, and as its president from 1984 through 1986. He recieved Cowboy Joe’s White Hat award in 1986, and helped launch the Steer-a-Year Program in 1995. He has chaired the Albany County Blitz and has consistently broken the club’s donation goals. Cook was Vice Chairman of the football Centennial Celebration and has been an intricate member of the Hall of Fame Committee since its 1993 inception. He has proven to be a best friend to the University of Wyoming through his devotion to athletics and commitment to the success of the University.
Inducted September 28, 2001
Jumpin’ Joe Capua was a tremendous sparkplug for the Cowboy basketball team from 1954 through 1956. The wiry guard from Gary, Indiana was referred to by media as, “a ball of fire all over the court, passing, shooting, dribbling, defending, and stealing the ball.” Capua was an All-Skyline Conference selecition for two seasons and received honorable mention honors on the United Press International All-American team. In 1956, he was a unanimous All-Skyline choice, and Wyoming’s leading scorer averaging 24.5 points per game. He was also the Skyline Player of the Year that season, and recieved the prestegious Admiral Land Award. That season he shattered the Skyline Conference record for most points scored with 51 against Montana. That mark remained the Memorial Fieldhouse record as well as the school record. Capua also holds the record for free throws made and attempted in a season and free throws attempted in a single game.
Inducted September 28, 2001
“Quick, mobile and an overpowering blocker,” describes three-year starter and letterman Nick Bebout. The native of Shoshoni, Wyoming was a pre-season PlayboyAll-American selection and Chris Schenkel’s Sportscene All-American as an offensive tackle his senior year with the Cowboys. He also was a team captain that season. The first offensive lineman inducted into the Hall of Fame, Bebout was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round and played with them from 1973 to 1975. He played for the Seattle Seahawks from 1976 to 1980. The fact that offensive linemen are often overlooked speaks very highly of his ability and the contributions he made to the Cowboy football tradition.
Inducted September 28, 2001
Wyoming’s all-time leading rebounder and one of its greatest players of all-time, Reginald Slater was a dominating player. He is the first player in WAC history to win three consecutive rebounding championships. Named a first-team all-WAC selection for three years, the power forward continuously proved himself on the court. He was the 1992 WAC Player of the Year, as well as an Associated Press Honorable-Mention All-American his senior year. During his junior season, Slater led the WAC in field-goal shooting and was second in scoring. He posted the nation’s best single-game rebounding effort of the year with 27. The “Big Cat” finished his career shooting .585 from the field and was named a Sports Illustrated College Player of the Week as a senior. He was selected All-District 7 by the United States Basketball Writers and was named WAC player of the week on five separate occasions throughout his career. After leaving Wyoming, he became a successful professional player with a number of teams.
Inducted September 13, 2002
All-American George “Moe” Radovich led his team to tremendous success during his years as a Cowboy. In 1952, he led the Cowboys to the second round of the NCAA tournament, scoring 13 points in the first game and 18 points in the second. For his performance, he was named the Most Valuable Player for the West Regional NCAA Tournament. The two time All-Skyline Conference player was a UPI All-American his senior year. He was selected to play on the All-America team that played the Harlem Globetrotters touring the country. He was also selected to play for the 1952 All-Star team which played the world champion Minnesota Lakers. Following his success wearing the brown and gold, Radovich played professionally for the Philadelphia Warriors for a year before entering the Army. He returned to the Cowboy State as head coach of the UW men’s basketball team in 1974.
Inducted September 13, 2002
Margie Hunt McDonald, the 1979 Conference Coach of the Year, displayed both brilliance and dedication as she led the Cowgirl basketball teams to a 122-114 record during her nine year career at Wyoming. Admired and respected by her peers, it did not take her long to mold the Cowgirls into one of the top teams in the Rocky Mountain Region. By 1979 the Cowgirls were competing in the AIAW Regional Tournament with a 25-7 record. McDonald resigned from her coaching position at Wyoming to become the first Executive Director of the High Country Athletic Conference, which later merged with the Western Athletic Conference. She served as the Deputy Commissioner of the WAC and currently works as the Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials for the Mountain West Conference.
Inducted September 13, 2002
She has scored more points than any Cowgirl in history for a career. One of the most accurate shooters in Cowgirl basketball history, Christine Fairless still owns Cowgirl records in several categories. She is the best Cowgirl free throw shooter of all-time, averaging 87 percent for her career and 95 percent her senior year. She still holds the record for the most career field goals made, shooting 52 percent. She scored more field goals in a single game and in a season than any other Cowgirl. Fairless is second in Cowgirl history in points scored and field goals attempted in a single game; single season field goals attempted and percentage; and career field goals attempted. The 5’10” guard was named All-High Country Athletic Conference three times and was named to the All-High Country Athletic Conference Tournament team her senior year. She produced three of the top ten scoring seasons in Cowgirl basketball history. During her sophomore year, Fairless was 17th in the country in field goal percentage.
Inducted September 13, 2002
The 1989 and 1990 WAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mitch Donahue became the greatest defensive end in Wyoming history. He was named first-team All-American by the Football Writer’s Association, The Sporting News, and the National Football League Draft Report. As a senior, he finished fourth in the prestigious Outland Trophy Award balloting. During his senior year the two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Week led the nation in sacks with 21. The four time All-WAC selection owns the Wyoming record for most career sacks with 48, and is in the top ten in career tackles. Donahue was drafted in the 4th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He played for both the 49ers and the Denver Broncos during his professional career.
Inducted September 13, 2002
As a first team All-Conference and All-District performer, Greg Brock is one of the finest hitters the Cowboys ever had. He was an All-American selection his senior year, and still holds the Cowboy record for hits in a season, 86 in 1978. Brock was best known for his consistency at the plate. His career batting average was .389. He is Wyoming’s all-time leader in doubles with 57, and second in both hits (251) and walks (95). Brock is also fourth in runs batted in, home runs and at-bats. He signed with the Dodgers following his career at Wyoming and began playing at the Major League level in 1982, replacing first baseman Steve Garvey. While playing with the Dodgers, Brock went to the National League Championship Series two years. He also played for the Milwaukee Brewers during his professional career.
Inducted September 13, 2002
The 1959-60 Wyoming Cowboys became the first and only wrestling team in school history to finish in the top five at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. The Pokes won the Skyline Conference and finished the season with an impressive 11-1 dual record. The team boasted five conference champions; Dave Hanson at 123 pounds, Jerry Frude at 147 pounds, Dick Ballinger at 167 pounds, Lyle Brownlee at 177 pounds and Howard Colling at heavyweight. Carl Scott took second at 137 pounds, Herb French placed third at 130 pounds, and 157 pound Kent Davis took fourth. Seven Cowboys competed at the 1960 NCAA Wrestling Championships where the Cowboys came only 13 points away from the title finishing 3rd, the highest finish in school history. That season, Dick Ballinger won the National Championship at 167 pounds while Jerry Frude finished second at 147 pounds and Dave Hansen placed third at 123 pounds. Ballinger, Frude and Hansen all earned All-American honors. The Cowboys’ success earned head coach Everet Lantz 1960 NCAA Coach of the Year honors from the National American Wrestlers Association.
Inducted September 12, 2003
