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
Produced a remarkable administrative career at the University of Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Department for over 20 years. Bill Young came to the University as its Sports Information Director in 1960 from Southern Illinois University. He served in that capacity for 16 years while reaching the top of his profession. During that time Wyoming enjoyed some of its greatest athletic successes. An innovator who was considered one of the very best in his field, Young was president of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in 1968. In 1972, he was the recipient of the group’s highest honor, the Arch Ward Award. He was elected to the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 1970. From 1969 through 1972, he was chairman of the NCAA Public Relations Committee. He was a three-time Wyoming Sportswriter of the Year. In 1973, he was information director for the U.S. teams at the World University Games in Moscow, USSR. In 1978 The Wyoming chapter of Sigma Delta Chi honored him with the Frank Norris, Jr., Award of Merit, given in recognition of distinguished service in journalism through the practice of media relations. He was named Assistant Athletics Director at UW, in April of 1975. He served in that capacity until 1981. Twice during that time he was named Acting Athletics Director (1980 and 1981). In 1982, Young moved to the UW News Service, and retired as its director in 1995. A 1955 journalism graduate of Southern Illinois, he earned his master’s degree in American Studies from UW. Prior to entering the sports information profession, he was a newspaper reporter, and a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Inducted September 12, 2003
Wyoming’s first two-time All-American, and one of the most prolific receivers in Cowboy football history. Ryan Yarborough finished his career as the nation’s leader in receiving yards, most 200-yard receiving games, and most games catching a touchdown pass. He remains as Wyoming’s career touchdown-reception leader with 42. In 1992 Yarborough was selected to the Football Writers of America First team as a junior after leading the nation in receiving yards with 1,351 yards. He finished that year with 86 receptions and 12 touchdown catches. As a senior in 1993, Yarborough again led the nation in receiving with 1,584 yards. That season he caught 75 passes for 16 touchdowns. His totals broke the NCAA career receiving yardage record with 4,357 yards. He established or tied five NCAA records during his senior year. That season he caught 75 passes for 1,584 yards and 16 touchdowns. For his efforts he was named to the Associated Press and Football Writers of America first team. He tied the NCAA record for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a career with three, only the fourth player in history to accomplish that. His Cowboy records for career and single-season touchdown receptions still stand. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference first-team receiver after his junior and senior seasons. Following his career at Wyoming, Yarborough was a second-round draft choice of the New York Jets. He played professionally for the Jets, the Baltimore Ravens, and the New Orleans Saints.
Inducted September 12, 2003
John Wodny was the most dominating distance runner in the Western Athletic Conference during his years at UW. Wodny is the only athlete to ever win three WAC individual cross country titles, in 1986, ’87 and ’89. He earned All-American honors in 1986 and 1989. In 1986, Wodny had one of the greatest seasons in Wyoming history, leading the Pokes to a WAC cross country team title and a berth in the NCAA’s where Wyoming finished 16th. He finished 15th in the nation which is the highest finish in school history. He also led the Pokes to another WAC championship in 1987. He was named WAC cross country athlete of the year three times, in 1986, ’87 and `89. On the track Wodny was a specialist in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races. In 1988 he won the 5,000 WAC title and qualified for the NCAA’s in the 10,000 meters. He holds the Cowboy all-time record in the 2-mile run with a time of 8:49.50. He was awarded the 1990 Admiral Land Trophy as UW’s top student athlete
Inducted September 12, 2003
