Donald W. Boya, Class of 1950
An all-around athlete, Don Boya played both football and basketball at Lawrence. In football he was a four-year starter at quarterback and defensive back. The Vikings earned three Midwest Conference titles with Boya at the helm, and he won recognition as the team's Most Valuable Player in 1947 and all-conference honors in 1949. In basketball, despite his comparatively small (5-foot-7) stature, he was a guard to be reckoned with and often sparked the Vikings to victory. As a senior he served as team captain and received all-conference honors.
Edward L. Grosse, Class of 1954
Ed Grosse was a three-sport athlete at Lawrence, competing in football, basketball, and tennis. In football he could play the entire 60 minutes of a game at various positions on both sides of the ball and on special teams. His Lawrence records for the best season punting average (42.8%) and best career punting average (42%) still stand, and he was named to the 1954 All-Midwest Conference football team. As a forward in basketball, he led the Vikings in scoring for three consecutive seasons, earning second-team all-conference honors in 1953 and 1954. He also won three consecutive conference tennis championships in both singles and doubles.
Gerard J. Hecker, Class of 1936
Winner of four Midwest Conference individual titles in track, Jerry Hecker was also a three-time Wisconsin Collegiate champion in the half-mile and mile runs, helping the Vikings to the 1936 Wisconsin Collegiate Championship. In addition, he was a three-time recipient of the Ellis Memorial Track Trophy, given to the leading point-scorer on the track team. In football, halfback Hecker was elected captain and earned second-team state college all-star honors in 1935. Hecker died on May 19, 2000.
Thomas G. Hughes, Class of 1977
Wrestler Tom "Pickle" Hughes amassed in four seasons a 61-16 record, which places him third in the Lawrence record book for all-time wins. He wrestled in the NCAA Division III championships in 1975 and 1976, placed second at the Midwest Conference tourney in 1975 and 1976, and won the 1977 conference title. He was elected most valuable wrestler in 1975 and was team co-captain three times. In football, as a defensive specialist, Hughes was the top tackler in 1975, when he earned second-team all-conference standing. He still holds the Lawrence single-season record for kicks blocked, with three.
William E. McNamara, Class of 1988
A three-sport athlete, quarterback Bill McNamara owns three single-game and three single-season football records that remain unbeaten, including 1986 season marks for attempts (332), completions (171), and yards gained (2,124). He was both an all-conference and all-America selection. McNamara started in 44 games for the basketball Vikings, leading his team in three-point shots and assists while running the offense for two seasons. In baseball, he was a two-year starter at second base, earning all-MWC honors in 1988.
Joseph F. Patterson, Jr., Class of 1969
A sportswriter once called offensive tackle Joe Patterson "the Vikings' best football player." He was a three-time all-Midwest Conference selection, was picked for the Delta Tau Delta National Team, and earned 1969 Kodak All-America honors. He was a mainstay of the 1967 Vikings team that won the conference championship on top of a perfect 8-0 record. In 1969 he was a 13th-round National Football League draft pick by Vince Lombardi and the Washington Redskins.
Julie Wick Sonneborn, Class of 1986
Julie Wick was arguably the best runner of her era in the Midwest Conference, despite a knee injury that interrupted her cross country and track career. She was the Wisconsin Small College cross country champion as a freshman and sophomore and, with an outstanding performance at the NCAA regional meet, became only the second woman from Lawrence to qualify for the NCAA nationals. In track, where she was twice named Most Valuable Runner, her school records in the 800-, 1,500-, and 3,000-meter runs still stand.
Kenneth B. Urbanski, Class of 1982
Offensive tackle Ken "Buffy" or "God" Urbanski was part of a Lawrence football team that led the NCAA in total offense, passing offense, and scoring offense and won Midwest Conference titles in 1980 and 1981. The 1981 team was ranked as high as fifth among NCAA Division III football teams, and Urbanski was twice named to all-conference teams. In 1980, he was an Associated Press Little All-America honorable mention. In track Urbanski threw shot put, discus, and javelin and was a three-time shot put and two-time discus conference champion.
