Four Inducted into Ricks College Athletic
Hall of Fame

A former administrator and coach, along with three former athletes, have been inducted into the Ricks College Athletic Hall of Fame at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

They include former Athletic Director and head basketball coach Glen Dalling of Sugar City, Idaho, basketball players Lisa Rasmussen-Thueson of St. Anthony and Teresa Gemar Smith of Dietrich, Idaho, and wrestler Reynold Gardner of Junction City, Oregon. The Alumni Association awards were presented Friday, November 17, 2006, at a luncheon hosted by BYU-Idaho president Kim B. Clark.

Glenn W. Dalling served as Athletic Director at Ricks College from 1981 through 1994, following a successful 13 year career as head coach of men's basketball. Glenn came to Ricks in 1966 as an assistant basketball coach and two years later became the Viking's head coach. His teams recorded three ICAC championships and appeared in seven post-season tournaments. In 1984, Dalling was named the Men's Region 18 Director in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Much of the overall success of the Ricks College athletic program can be attributed to Dalling and his administrative efforts. Among those achievements was the creation of the Ricks College Athletic Hall of Fame and the Real Dairy Bowl post-season football game in Pocatello. Glen is married to the former Dorothy Heileson of Tetonia. They are the parents of nine children.

Lisa Rasmussen-Thueson (Class of 1995) was a two year standout on the Lady Vikings basketball team. She ranks sixth for best scoring average in a season in 1994-95 when she averaged 16.9 points per game. She scored 540 points that season, third best in Lady Viking history. As a freshman, she was named All-Region Second Team. In her sophomore year, Lisa was All-Region First Team, All American First Team, and was named to the NJCAA All Tournament Team. She completed her eligibility at the University of Utah. Lisa and her husband  R.J. have five children.

Lisa says, "Attending Ricks College provided me the opportunity to have remarkable mentors. I had terrific coaches who not only taught me the game of basketball; they educated me in the game of life.  They instilled in me confidence, and a sure knowledge that I could attain any goal I set, whether on the court or off and for that I am grateful."

Teresa Gemar Smith (Class of 1994) ranks among the top two year scorers in Lady Viking basketball history. In her sophomore year she scored 487 points and averaged 15.7 points per game. For her two year career at Ricks College, she scored 860 points with a 14.3 points per game average, ranking her sixth all time. In 1993 Teresa made the NJCAA All Tournament Team. In 1994 she was named the Region Most Valuable Player and was All American Honorable Mention. She completed her eligibility at Southern Utah University. She and her husband Ryan have five children.

"I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a part of Ricks College atmosphere and programs. For an incredible Coach (Woodland) who always believed in me and taught me so much, not just about basketball; but about the gospel and life itself, to never give up," said Teresa.

Reynold Gardner (Class of 1993) won the Region Heavyweight Championship in 1993. He earned NJCAA All American status 1992, and again in 1993 when he won the NJCAA National Heavyweight Championship. In 1993 he was named "Ideal Male Athlete" at Ricks College. Reynold continued wrestling at Oregon State University where he was PAC 10 Heavyweight Champion and was named "Ideal Male Athelete". He was named Alumni Athlete of the Year at Ricks College in 1995. Reynold and his wife Jennifer have two children.

Reynold says, "The spirit of Ricks glows in my life still today. That spirit embodied in everyone that I came in contact with while on my educational journey. Coach Bob Christensen and Fenton Broadhead are individuals who I must credit much of my success. They had an understanding and belief in the hidden talent in everyone they met."