Chippewa Valley Times

Six former student-athletes will be inducted into the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The group represents five sports and more than a decade of university athletic history. The new members include Mark Christensen (men's golf), Austin Crow (football), Chad Hoiska (football), Rhonda (Endres) Reis (volleyball), Elizabeth Faller (track & field), and Maria (Iaizzo) Garrity (women's soccer).

This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the Blugold Hall of Fame, which has now honored 271 athletes, coaches, and administrators since its establishment in 1973. The induction ceremony will take place on campus during Homecoming weekend, with formal recognition scheduled for Friday, October 3. The inductees will also be introduced at halftime during the football game against UW-Stout on Saturday, October 4.

The Hall of Fame was created to recognize former letterwinners, coaches, or administrators who demonstrated exceptional ability while at UW-Eau Claire and have distinguished themselves professionally or personally after leaving the institution. Eligibility requires athletes to wait at least 15 years after their final season before consideration.

Mark Christensen played men's golf from 2001 to 2004 and was a two-time NCAA All-American. He led teams that finished fourth and tenth nationally in consecutive years and graduated with one of the program’s lowest career scoring averages.

Austin Crow was a standout linebacker for Blugold football between 2000 and 2003. He earned multiple first-team All-Conference honors, was named Linebacker of the Year twice, served as team captain and defensive MVP in his senior year, and still ranks second in school history for career sacks.

Rhonda (Endres) Reis played volleyball from 1994 to 1996 as a setter. She achieved AVCA All-American honors her senior year while ranking among NCAA Division III leaders in assists per game.

Elizabeth Faller competed in track & field from 2004 to 2008. She won four WIAC hurdle championships and holds the school record in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.

Chad Hoiska contributed to Blugold football as a running back from 1994 to 1997. He was recognized as an All-American in his final season and continues to hold several top records within the program.

Maria (Iaizzo) Garrity played women's soccer from 2003 to 2006. She helped lead her team to two NCAA tournament appearances and received WIAC Player of the Year honors while recording one of the best offensive seasons in program history.

"Together, they include four All-Americans, six first-team All-Conference performers, three conference Scholar-Athletes, and multiple record-holders still etched in the Blugold books," according to university officials.

"This marks the 52nd year of the Blugold Hall of Fame and the 36th class of women's inductees," organizers said. "With the addition of this year's class, a total of 271 athletes, coaches, and administrators have been enshrined since Ade Olson and Bill Zorn became charter members in 1973."

The event is presented by Chippewa Valley Sporting Goods.