QU To Induct 2019 Hall of Fame Class
This year’s Hall of Fame class represents the diversity of exceptional athletes and teams that have come through Quincy University. The following individuals and teams will be formally inducted during the honorary brunch.
· Coach Steve Hawkins, Men’s Basketball
· Gina (Ensalaco) Gasbarre, Softball & Women’s Volleyball
· Jim Eagan, Men’s Soccer
· Tim Bliefnick, Football
· Matt Steffe, Men’s Basketball
· Father John Ostdiek, Meritorious Service
· 1984 Softball Team
· 1984 Women’s Volleyball Team
· 1994-95 Men’s Basketball Team
Steve Hawkins’ men’s basketball teams amassed 137 wins during his nine-year coaching tenure (1991-200), which is the fourth-most in school history. He took the Hawks to three NCAA Division II Tournaments, including back-to-back appearances in 1994 and 1995. The Hawks were back in the tournament again in 1997 after going 20-9. Quincy went 3-3 in NCAA games under Hawkins, winning twice in 1995 and a triple-overtime thriller over Southern Indiana in 1997. The Hawks posted winning records in five of Hawkins’ nine seasons. He also helped the school make a smooth transition to becoming a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Hawkins is currently in his 19th year as the head men’s basketball coach at Western Michigan.
Gina (Ensalaco) Gasbarre ’85 was a setter on the volleyball team and an outfielder on the softball team during her four-year career at Quincy. Gasbarre was selected to the All-Tournament Team when the softball team won the NAIA National Championship in the spring of 1985, and she was voted the Most Valuable Player on the 1984 volleyball team as she led the Hawks to the NAIA National Tournament that season. She finished her softball career among the top 10 in career hits and finished her volleyball career with a .829 hitting percentage, along with 107 blocks. Gasbarre was named the Best Defensive Player on the 1983 volleyball team and earned All-Tournament Team honors in the 1984 Illinois Benedictine College Tournament. Gasbarre was also part of the 1985 Hall of Fame softball team inducted in 2007.
Jim Eagan ’95 was a member of the men’s soccer team during his four years at Quincy University. He was on the NAIA National Championship team in 1971, the year the men’s soccer team won their third championship in school history. Eagan was also part of the 1973 and 1974 NAIA National Championship teams, earning a spot on the NAIA All-Tournament Team in 1973. He completed his career with 41 goals scored, which is tenth all-time on the Hawks scoring list.
Tim Bliefnick ’05 was a linebacker on the football team and finished with 287 career tackles, fourth-best in school history. His 104 tackles as a senior in 2004 rank fourth all-time in a single season. Bliefnick was also named to the NAIA All-American second team and the Don Hansen All-Region first team that season. Bliefnick was named to numerous All-Conference teams during his career and was an NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete. Bliefnick was a four-time recipient of the Kevin and Sue Breheny Scholarship, and he received the Mart Heinen Award his senior year, which is given to the most outstanding male and female senior athletes at Quincy University.
Matt Steffe ’98 was a member of the men’s basketball team during his four years at Quincy University. He was part of the first-ever NCAA National Tournament team as the teams’ sixth man. Starting as a sophomore, Steffe averaged 10+ points per game and again led his team to an NCAA National Tournament berth as a junior while averaging 12.3 points per game. He was named All-GLVC and All-NCAA Tournament Team as a junior. Steffe was named to the All-GLVC first team and the NCAA DII All-American Team as a senior, averaging 17.5 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. He received the Mart Heinen Award and was named to the First Team NCAA Academic All-American Team that same year. After finishing his college career, Steffe played professionally in Croatia. He later returned to Quincy to be an assistant coach under Steve Hawkins. He left to be the assistant coach at Portland State for two years. Steffe left coaching to move to Texas to become a Corporate Executive Head Hunter. He is currently the co-founder and president of D1 Basketball DFW.
Father John Ostdiek will be honored for Meritorious Service. For nearly 60 years, Fr. John has served as the chaplain of Quincy University. Fr. John played a key role in bringing soccer to the University in the 1960s. He also served the University in many other capacities, including Professor of Biological Sciences, Chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences, Director of Admissions, and President’s Administrative Council. Fr. John was named Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences in 2018. Fr. John recently celebrated his 70th Anniversary as a Franciscan Friar, with most of those years including service to Hawk athletic teams.
The 1984 softball team, coached by Sharlene Peter, was one of the best in school history. With a 41-11 record, the team advanced to the NAIA National Tournament championship game, finishing as the runner-up. Those 41 victories are tied for the most in a single season in program history. The nucleus of that team returned in 1985 to win the national title.
The 1984 women’s volleyball team, also coached by Peter, finished the season with a 35-10 record, winning the first NAIA District 20 championship in school history. Those 35 wins are good enough for the third-best in a single season. The Hawks advanced to the 16-team NAIA National Tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri, winning their first game but losing their last three. The majority of the team’s roster included players on the 1984 softball team as well.
The 1994-95 men’s basketball team, coached by Hawkins, finished the season with a 23-7 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. Four of the top 30 scorers in school history were on the team. The Hawks also set school records for most 3-pointers made and attempted that season. The team was one of just 20 Quincy University teams to record more than 20 wins since 1940.
Tickets are available at $20 per person and reservations are required. For more information click here or contact Quincy University Alumni Services at qualumni@quincy.edu.