John R. Davis, Class of 1976
John Davis was the epitome of consistency and excellence in three sports, football, swimming, and track, at Lawrence. Davis helped the Lawrence football squad to a Midwest Conference title in 1975 and was a first-team all-conference selection and the team's Most Valuable Player. He led the team in receiving from his tight end position as a junior and senior. Davis also paced the team in rushing as a sophomore running back before making the switch to tight end. In the pool, Davis was part of the winning 400-yard medley relay team at the 1974 conference championships. He was a three-year letter winner and the team captain and Most Valuable Player as a senior. Davis also lettered four times in track and was team captain as a senior.
Richard W. Gast, Class of 1955
Dick Gast is one of the rarest of college athletes, a 12-time letter winner. He was a standout performer in three sports, football, basketball, and tennis, over four years at Lawrence. As a freshman in the fall of 1951, Gast helped the Lawrence football team to the Midwest Conference title. A four-year starter at defensive back, he also was part of the 1951 and '52 teams that won 14 consecutive games. During his three years as a starting guard on the Lawrence basketball team, Gast was one of the conference's top players and earned all-conference honors as a senior. He played singles and doubles on the tennis team and helped the Vikings to the Midwest Conference titles in 1953 and '55. Gast won both the No. 3 singles championship and the No. 1 doubles title with Dick Rine in 1955. He also teamed with Ed Grosse to win the No. 2 doubles title in 1953, clinching the league championship in the process.
Carl F. Giordana, Class of 1948
Although he played little more than two seasons of football at Lawrence, Carl Giordana is remembered as one of the best to have ever played for the Vikings. He led the Vikings to Midwest Conference titles in 1942 and '46 and was a two-time all-conference selection before a knee injury cut short his playing career in 1947. As a sophomore in 1942, Giordana was a threat running and throwing the football from his left halfback position. He also played defensive back and led the Vikings to their first unbeaten season since 1901. He then served in the United States Army Air Corps before returning to Lawrence in the fall of 1946. In the first three games that season, Giordana accounted for nearly every Lawrence touchdown by running for five scores and throwing for four more. He capped his football career with a win over Beloit College that clinched the league title for the Vikings. A guard on the basketball team, Giordana played one season of varsity basketball and helped the Vikings to the conference championship in 1942-43.
David C. Mulford, Class of 1959
David Mulford proved difficult to catch during his career at Lawrence. As a halfback on the football team, Mulford had a knack for scoring touchdowns. On the track, he was practically unbeatable in the 880-yard run. In 1957, Mulford earned All-Midwest Conference football honors and set the school record for touchdowns in a game with four against Knox College. Mulford also served as co-captain of the 1958 football squad. Dubbed the "Rockford Rocket" by John Paustian of the Appleton Post-Crescent, Mulford was one of the conference's top runners in the late 1950s. Over the course of his career, Mulford rarely lost in his specialty, the 880, and went unbeaten in the event in 1958. He ran to the conference title in the 880 in 1958, smashing the school and track records in the process. Mulford also competed in basketball for two seasons and wrestling for one campaign.
James O. Schulze, Class of 1961
Jim Schulze excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at Lawrence. On the gridiron, Schulze was a three-year starter and letter winner at quarterback. He earned first team All-Midwest Conference honors in 1958. Schulze was the team's Most Valuable Player in 1959 and earned honorable mention on the all-conference team. A knee injury forced him to miss nearly all of his senior year in 1960, but the co-captain returned against St. Olaf College to throw three touchdown passes in what the Appleton Post-Crescent called "the upset of the year" in the conference. On the hardwood, Schulze was known for his floor leadership, defensive pressure, passing, and brilliant floor play. He was a three-year starter and letter winner at guard. Baseball was in its infancy during Schulze's time at Lawrence, and he won three letters and was a starting pitcher and infielder.
Tracie A. Spangenberg, Class of 1990
A stellar all-around athlete, Tracie Spangenberg starred in volleyball, basketball, and softball at Lawrence. She is a ten-time letter winner and still holds 11 school records in basketball and softball. Softball was Spangenberg's best sport, and she was the team's Most Valuable Player in 1987 and team captain in '90. She earned All-Midwest Conference first-team honors in 1987 and '90 and was named to the All-WIC WAC first team in 1987 and '88. On the hardwood, she was team MVP twice and team captain in 1990. Spangenberg was an All-Lake Michigan Conference first-team performer in 1989, as the Vikings won the league title. She was named to the All-MWC team in 1987 and helped the Vikings to the league title in 1990. Spangenberg was the volleyball team's MVP in 1988 and '89 and team captain in 1987 and '89. She earned honorable mention All-MWC honors in 1986, was a first-team All-WIC WAC choice in 1986 and '87, and earned first-team All-Lake Michigan Conference honors in 1988.
