2019 Athletic Hall of Fame

List of 8 items.

• Bill Wilson

  Gonzaga Coach and Counselor
  
  Click here to watch a tribute video about Bill, and click here to watch Bill's acceptance speech.

  
  Since 1970, just one year after his graduation from Catholic University (CUA), Bill Wilson has helped mold countless young men on Eye Street. During his time at Gonzaga, Mr. Wilson has worked as both a college counselor and guidance counselor and has served as chair of the Counseling Department. All the while, he’s also been a staple of the basketball coaching staff.
  
  

  CUA inducted Bill into its Hall of Fame in 1997 for his tremendous basketball achievements. In the spring of Bill’s senior year, he was awarded the Harris Cup Trophy, the most prestigious athletic recognition CUA offers to its graduating seniors. During his time at CUA, Bill scored over 1,200 points and twice netted over 30 points in a game—once versus Johns Hopkins and once versus the College of the Holy Cross.
  
  At Gonzaga, Coach Wilson has humbly taught the game of basketball for nearly 50 years. For over a decade, he partnered with Hall of Fame coach Dick Myers on the varsity staff. He then transitioned to focus on younger Eagles by coaching hundreds of young men on our JV and freshman teams.
  
  

  Many call Coach Wilson an expert “shooting coach” due to his gifted abilities in teaching athletes the art of shooting. However, Bill says his real passion is coaching the defensive end of the court. As beloved as any educator in our school’s tradition, Bill’s induction into the Joe Kozik Athletic Hall of Fame is truly a celebration of his commitment to our Jesuit mission, educating the whole student—mind, body, and spirit.

• Dr. Gil Ascunce '93

  Gonzaga Class of 1993
  
  Click here to watch a tribute video about Gil, and click here to watch Gil's acceptance speech.
  

   

  With the help of his fellow teammates including Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Waughn Hughes ’93, Gil Ascunce led the Gonzaga soccer team to the 1992 Metro Conference Championship. That year, the team racked up an impressive record of 20-1-3, which included a 14-game winning streak to open the season. Gil was a team captain and was named first team All-Metro Midfielder as well as second team All-Met by the Washington Post.

   

  Gil matriculated to Georgetown University where he was a four-year starter for the soccer team and won a Big East Championship. Gil remains in the top ten for career assists at Georgetown University and he holds the record for total assists in one game: four versus Seton Hall in 1994.

   

  Professionally, Gil is an internal medicine physician with a focus on gastroenterology.

• Jeff Clay '94

  Gonzaga Class of 1994
  
  Click here to watch a tribute video about Jeff, and click here to watch Jeff's acceptance speech.
  
  Jeff Clay was a star offensive football player who excelled as a receiver, runner, and return specialist under former Gonzaga Head Football Coach Maus Collins. Jeff’s gifted abilities helped transform the Gonzaga football program, especially when Gonzaga finally triumphed over DeMatha in the fall of 1993—a hard-won victory that gave the Gonzaga football program confidence in the ensuing years.
  
  

  Jeff had 900 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in the 1993 season. Jeff always hustled to get open in order to make great plays; he will always be remembered for his game-winning touchdown catch in the November 1993 WCAC semifinals versus Bishop McNamara.
  
  

  After Gonzaga, Jeff went on to be an All-American at Catholic University (CUA) where he earned a degree in communications in 1998. He then continued on to earn a master’s degree in management and public leadership from Johns Hopkins University. He now works as a detective in the Washington Metropolitan Police Department.

• Kenny McFarland '94

  Gonzaga Class of 1994
  
  Click here to watch a tribute video about Kenny, and click here to watch Kenny's acceptance speech.
  

   

  As a senior in 1994, Kenny averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks per game while leading his team to a 28-6 record. He was a three-year star under Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame coach Dick Myers.

   

  During his high school basketball career, Kenny was named First Team All Met by the Washington Post, First Team All-WCAC, MVP of the Gonzaga DC Classic, and a McDonald’s Capital Classic team member.

   

  Kenny earned full scholarship offers at several universities and ultimately selected St. Bonaventure University in New York. He started on the basketball team there as a sophomore and was the team’s second leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker.

   

  His junior year, Kenny transferred to Division Two American International College and was second on the team in scoring and first in rebounding and blocks. He was an all-conference player who led the team to NCAA tournament, marking the team’s first appearance at the tournament in over ten years.

   

  After college, Kenny continued his basketball career overseas, playing in Ireland, England, France, Romania, Czech Republic, Turkey, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. During Kenny’s tenure in Ireland, he won two Ireland Professional Basketball League championships while leading the league in both scoring and rebounding.

   

• Raheem Walker '96

  Gonzaga Class of 1996
  
  Click here to watch a tribute video about Raheem, and click here to watch Raheem's acceptance speech.

   

  Raheem Walker is widely considered one the finest defensive football players to ever wear Gonzaga Purple. Raheem played under legendary coach Maus Collins and was an All-WCAC starter as a sophomore.

   

  During his final two seasons on Eye Street, Raheem averaged over 100 tackles each season, a dozen sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was named first team All-WCAC his junior year and in the fall of 1995, Raheem was named USA All-American, First Team All-Met by the Washington Post, Team Captain, MVP, and first team All-WCAC.

   

  Raheem matriculated to the College of William and Mary on full scholarship, where he became a two-time All-American and in 2012, was enshrined into William and Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Following his stellar college football career, Raheem played for the Greensboro Prowlers Arena 2 Football League where he led his team in sacks, forced fumbles, and tackles for loss.

• The 1987 Gonzaga Track and Field Team

  Click here to watch a tribute video about the 1987 Track & Field Team, and click here to watch the team's acceptance speech.
  
  After losing the 1986 WMAC Championships by one point, the 1987 Gonzaga Track and Field team entered the season laser-focused on defeating defending champion DeMatha. Gonzaga's team was led by four senior captains: Charlie Daniels ’87, Joe House ’87, Will Simmons ’87, and Marty Cates ’87. Coaches Alvin Maddox and Joe Jackson credit the Class of 1987 seniors for their commitment to achieving greatness and inspiring future Eagles to compete to win at each and every event.
  
  

  In the WMAC Championship meet at O’Connell High School, Gonzaga won a clean sweep in the discus competition with Ken Miles ’88 placing first, Chris Brown ’88 placing second, and Shawn Berger ’88 placing third. The relay events saw Gonzaga capturing a fourth, a third, a second, and a first, when the team of William Simmons ’87, Greg Holmes ’87, Lorenzo Perez ’88, and Win Sheridan ’89 took the 4 x 800 meter race. William Simmons ’87 also placed first in the 800 meter individual race. Derek Brown ’88 accumulated his share of points as he placed fifth in the high jump, second in the triple jump, and second in the long jump.

    

  Because of their exemplary finish to the season, the 1987 Track & Field Team deserves its rightful place in the Joe Kozik Athletic Hall of Fame.

• The 2002 Gonzaga Football Team

  Click here to watch a tribute video about the 2002 Football Team, and click here to watch the team's acceptance speech.
  
  The 2002 Gonzaga Football Team went into its season with one goal and one word to motivate them: redemption. The 2001 season had ended with a heart-breaking six-point loss to DeMatha in the WCAC Championship game.

   

  Unfortunately, at the start of their season the team was deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Mr. Casey Donahoe, who served as the team’s equipment manager and was a grandfather figure to the players. The players dedicated their season to Casey by wearing patches and stickers bearing his name for the remainder of the year. 

   

  In their second game of the season, the 2002 Football Eagles trailed St. Alban’s by 14 points at the start of the final quarter. The Eagles had lost to St. Alban’s the previous year 34-0. The team rallied to score five times and redeem their loss from the previous season, beating St. Albans 48-28. This outfit was on a mission, and they proved it with their fourth quarter come-from-behind victory over St. Alban’s.  

   

  Just as the Eagles began to show signs of success, the DC Sniper attacks began. Practices were altered and momentum slowed, but the team bonded and continued to earn victories. Credit for this perseverance can largely be attributed to the leadership of second year head coach Kenny Lucas, his staff, and the senior Class of 2003.

   

  In the seminal playoff game, Gonzaga beat St. John’s 3-0 on a rain-soaked Buchanan Field. A late field goal by senior Jeff Furnary ’03 propelled the Eagles into the WCAC Championship. Defending champions DeMatha were their final test. The 2002 Gonzaga Football Team completed their goal—a perfect ten wins and zero defeats—with a hard- fought victory, 12-7, over DeMatha!

   

  This team was led by captains Kory Gedin, Pat McConnell, Brendan Callahan, and John Warring. The Washington Post ranked the Eagles #2 in the final rankings while Kory Gedin was named First Team All-Met, Doug Dutch was named Second Team All-Met, and John Reardon, Brendan Callahan, and Pat McConnell earned Honorable Mention All-Met honors.

• The 2004-2005 Gonzaga Hockey Team

  Click here to watch a tribute video about the 2004-2005 Hockey Team, and click here to watch the team's acceptance speech.

   

  Through their incredible hard work and dedication, the 2004-2005 Gonzaga Hockey team created a culture of winning that still defines Gonzaga’s hockey program today. The team beat a talented DeMatha squad, 4-1 to claim its first MSHL league championship. That championship win started the fire that now includes nine varsity and two junior varsity championship titles over the last 14 years. The team ended the season with a record of 20-3-2 under head coach and Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Famer Paul Tilch ’97.

   

  Washington Post All-Mets for 2005 include Paul Tilch, Coach of the Year; Michael Haring, 1st Team; and Ryan Holley, Michael Clemente, Patrick Cullen, Keith Hall, and Spenser Smallwood, Honorable Mentions.

   

  The 2004-2005 Gonzaga Hockey Team is credited with creating the championship hockey reign on Eye Street, making their Hall of Fame induction all the more fitting.