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U-Mary Inducts Four Into Marauders Hall of Fame
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Oct. 4, 2008
Bismarck, ND--The University of Mary, America's Leadership University, honored outstanding alumni of its basketball, softball, and wrestling programs and a beloved, highly respected former coach with induction into the Marauders Hall of Fame Friday, Oct. 3. The accomplishments of Sarah Leer Cornell, '04; Tacy Riddle Duncan, '02; Dan Hughes, '98; and Dave Godfread, 1976-1983 U-Mary associate basketball coach, were celebrated at the University of Mary's annual Alumni Recognition Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner.
'The University of Mary Athletics Department takes great pride in honoring these outstanding individuals as they take their rightful place as inductees into the Marauders Hall of Fame," says Roger Thomas, U-Mary athletic director. "These former U-Mary student athletes are the 'best of the best' and will serve as exceptional examples to future Marauders student-athletes. I congratulate all of them for their outstanding contributions to University of Mary."
2008 Hall of Fame Inductees
Sarah Leer Cornell, Basketball
A highly recruited basketball player from Williston High School, Williston, ND, Sarah Leer began what was to be one of the most outstanding careers in U-Mary women's basketball history her freshman year with the Marauders. During her sophomore season, Leer helped lead her team into the NAIA National Tournament, where they advanced to the final Elite Eight, losing by one point to Concordia, NE.
Emerging further as a leader, Leer was instrumental in the Marauders returning to the NAIA tournament her junior year under Coach Roger Haug and her senior year under Coach Fred Fridley. As a senior, Leer helped take the team to the NAIA Final Four, finishing with a still-unmatched 32 wins and only three losses. Leer set an NAIA national record at that tournament, scoring seven three-point baskets. Currently, Leer is sixth in all-time scoring at U-Mary, with 1,618 points. She also ranks 22nd all-time in rebounding and 12th all-time in assists. Her other Marauders records include the most points scored in a season (673 senior year) and the most three-point field goals in a season (127 as a senior). Leer and her 2003-2004 teammates set seven offensive school records and were named NDAPSSA Female Team of the Year. Leer also was DAC-10 Conference Player of the Week six times, First Team All-Conference twice, and DAC-10 Senior Athlete of the Year. At the NAIA national level, she was honored as a First-Team All-American. Leer was also on the DAC-10 Academic Scholar Team every semester during her four years at U-Mary and was named First Team NAIA Academic All-American.
The daughter of Wade and Belva Leer of Williston, Sarah has two brothers, Matt and Andy, who currently are Marauders baseball players. A 2004 graduate with a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in radiologic technology, Sarah lives with her husband Joe Cornell, a former Marauders athlete, in Bismarck.
Tacy Riddle Duncan, Softball
Tacy Riddle Duncan arrived at the University of Mary by way of Sonora, CA, and Iowa State University. Following her transfer to U-Mary, with two years of eligibility remaining, this great left-handed pitcher immediately became a dominant force in DAC-10 and NAIA Region 3 softball competition. Between 1999 and 2002, Riddle helped lead the Marauders to two DAC-10 titles, two Region 3 titles, and two appearances in the NAIA National Softball Championship Tournament. During the same two years, the Marauders logged 87 wins, 46 of which were credited to Riddle's stellar pitching--a 46-7 career record. While playing for U-Mary, Riddle struck out 477 hitters and averaged 1.5 strikeouts per inning. Her earned run average was an amazing 1.6 and she also boasted a .342 batting average. Her pitching victories included triumphs over NAIA No. 1-ranked Oklahoma City University and No. 1-ranked NCAA Division II North Dakota State University. Riddle's "winning ways" earned her honors for both years including: All-DAC-10 Conference Selection, DAC-10 Pitcher of the Year, All NAIA Region 3 Selection, NAIA Region 3 Pitcher of the Year. She was also First Team NAIA All-American. Her last year at U-Mary, Riddle served as an assistant softball coach under Brad Walsh.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physical and health education with minors in coaching and health education, Riddle went on to serve as a graduate assistant in softball at the University of Redlands, where she earned her master's degree in educational counseling. She is currently head softball coach at NCAA Division II California State University in San Bernardino. Tacy and her husband, Shannon, and their twin one-year-old daughters, Madison and Jordana, live in Riverside, CA. She is the daughter of Kim and Clint Riddle of Winnemucca, NV.
Dave Godfread, Former Marauders Associate MenÍs Basketball Coach
A graduate of Stanley High School, Stanley, ND, Dave Godfread has earned a place in the hearts of countless former athletes at U-Mary and throughout North Dakota, not only as a great coach, but also as a friend. A man who places honesty with himself and others above all else, Godfread is known for being gentle and empathetic, but also strong enough to show his feelings. During his career, he has given quietly and without reservation to many and received what has come his way with grace and gratitude.
Godfread attended UND on a basketball scholarship, playing from 1965 to 1969 while majoring in physical education and math. Upon completion of his eligibility, he served as UND's freshman basketball coach under Dave Gunther and pursued his master's degree. After a year as head coach at Garrison High School, he became head coach at Bottineau High School. Godfread joined the Marauders family in 1976, serving as associate basketball coach until 1983, when he left to put his talents to use in the administrative arena. After serving as principal of Bismarck's St. Mary's Central High School for two years, he moved with his wife, Judy, and their family to Grand Forks, ND, becoming an administrator at South Junior High School. Today, Godfread is the principal of Grand Forks Community High School and director of Adult Learning.
During Godfread's years of coaching at U-Mary, the Marauders won 166 games, averaging 23.7 wins per year. The 1981-1982 men's basketball team logged a 30-3 record, won the independent tournament, and won the NAIA District 12 Tournament, and entered the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City--the first time in more than 20 years a North Dakota team made it to an NAIA tournament. But Godfread is remembered as more than a winning coach; he was and always will be a great role model as well, inspiring student-athletes and his peers alike with his caring, concern, compassion, wisdom and guidance.
Dan Hughes, Wrestling
Hailing from Clearwater, FL, Dan Hughes made the sun shine for fans in two sports when he brought his talents north to U-Mary in 1993. His freshman year in addition to wrestling, he started at center on the Marauders football team. But from 1994 to 1996, he focused solely on wrestling under Coach Milo Trusty, earning significant honors. Then after completing his four years of wrestling eligibility, Hughes lived out his promise as a great dual-sport athlete by returning to the gridiron in 1997 as a Marauders starting defensive lineman.
During his outstanding wrestling career, Hughes qualified for the NAIA National Wrestling Championship all four years. As a senior, he won the NAIA National Championship. Hughes was a three-time All-American and an NDCAC-4 All-Conference selection. His team won the NDCAC conference title the four consecutive years Hughes competed. In 1995-1996 and 1996-1997, they were runner-up to the NAIA National Champions.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in social behavioral science education and a minor in history, Hughes was a member of the U.S. Secret Service from 1999 to 2004, and served as a secret agent in New York City. He received a Medal of Valor for his actions on September 11, 2001, and also was recognized with a Life Saving Award for providing medical attention to a gunshot victim. Returning to Bismarck in 2004, Hughes served with the Bismarck Police Department until 2007. A dog handler and patrolman, he represented Bismarck and North Dakota in the World Police and Fire Games in Indianapolis and the 2005 World Games in Quebec, Canada, winning gold medals in both. In 2007, Hughes established his own international business, Dogs for Defense, Inc., which has served clients including the U.S. Department of Defense and earned him recognition as a finalist in the Innovate North Dakota Entrepreneur competition.
Hughes resides in Wilton, ND, with his wife, Kristen Hayes, '00, and two children, Elizabeth, three, and Daniel, one. His parents are Mike and Dorothy Hughes of Port Orchard, WA.
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