Kristyne Sheets Kisov ’09

SOFTBALL

Bedford, Michigan

Krissy started in every game of her Adrian College career and still sees her name etched prominently in the Bulldogs’ softball record book.

She garnered National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-Central Region First Team at-large selection twice and was a three-time All-MIAA pick.

Krissy’s best season was during her 2007 sophomore year, after transferring from Monroe County Community College, sweeping most of the team awards, batting .510 for a No. 3 national ranking and school record that still stands today, stealing a MIAA-second-best 21 bases to set another school benchmark with a .536 on-base percentage to earn first-team all-conference.

In 2008, she slugged a career-best .540 and set the school record with 38 runs scored.

A year later, Krissy was named the Adrian College 2009 Outstanding Senior Female Athlete after leading the ‘Dogs with a batting average of .407 and 14 doubles.

Krissy still owns Adrian College records for all-time batting average (.431) and on-base percentage (.477), plus she is third with 109 runs scored, fourth with 30 doubles in only three seasons.

Today, Krissy plays in various co-ed slow-pitch softball leagues as well as in a volleyball church league. She also remained competitive in fast-pitch softball for a travel team after graduation until 2015.

Krissy is employed at Hospice of Northwest Ohio as a licensed social worker. She graduated from Adrian College with a degree in psychology, then was conferred a master’s in social work.

She is married to her husband, Alex, and the couple has two children, Levi (6) and Lexi (3).

“My time at Adrian College taught me a lot about the importance of a support system. No matter how hard you work, there is always room for improvement! The support I received from my husband (then, fiancé), family, and friends was key to keeping me going at times during my career, as things weren’t always easy. My coaches not only taught me new mechanics but had a confidence and belief in my abilities that I didn’t have myself. My driving force from the beginning was my best friend Vanessa Rae Pirrone, who begged me to play softball with her on our high school team. She was killed in a tragic car accident our junior year. From that moment, I knew I had to play in her memory. Every moment was a steppingstone to where I am now. I am incredibly grateful that Adrian College chose me to receive this honor and allowed me to continue to play the sport I love so much.”

Jeffry Nokovich ‘07

BASEBALL/BASKETBALL

Flint, Michigan

Jeff was a four-time All-MIAA standout, including three first-team certificates, as the first dominant pitcher in Adrian College’s baseball history.

He was voted the league’s 2006 most valuable pitcher after posting a 7-3 MIAA-mark only with a 1.83 earned-run average and 92 strikeouts in 68.2 innings. As a senior, he ranked fifth in NCAA Division III with 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings and 30th in ERA.

As a junior, Jeff was third in the nation with a 13.2 strikeouts/9 figure – which is a school single-season record, set in 2005.

Jeff is Adrian College’s career record holder in strikeouts (297), strikeouts per nine innings (10.79) and lowest opponent batting average (.213). He also is the MIAA all-time leader with 232 strikeouts and a 1.60 ERA.

Jeff was a senior member of the 2006 unit that won 20 MIAA games for the first time, sharing the championship with a 21-7 mark.

Jeff not only excelled on the diamond but also on the hardwood as a three-year basketball team captain who made All-MIAA three times. He was twice voted the Bulldogs defensive player of the year and was a three-time recipient of the George Burke Award for pride, hustle and desire. He led the MIAA in steals and assists in 2006.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in business.

Jeff, who is employed by Candela as a senior territory manager, lives with his wife, Jillian, and children, Jaylen (13), Kendall (11), Tatum (8) and Nolan (4).

To my coaches: “You invested in me as a player and person and it was my pleasure to have played under and learn from you.

To my teammates: “This is an individual award but so many played a part in getting here.  Thanks for believing in me.

To my family: “Thank you for the love, support, hours spent.  I played sports because I loved it and you made it fun by supporting it.”

To my hero: “During my time here, I played for the name on the front of the jersey for Adrian College. I played for the name on the back of my jersey for you grandpa… We did it! I know you would be so proud!”

James Nowaske ’83

FOOTBALL

Canton, Michigan

Jim was a four-year starter at defensive end for Adrian College from 1979 to 1982 when the Bulldogs compiled a 30-5-1 overall record for an .847 winning percentage.

The 1980 squad went undefeated at 9-0 and 5-0 in the MIAA to capture the conference championship — the fourth in team history. Jim also was a member of that team’s induction to the AC Hall of Fame in 2000.

A force on defense, Jim earned All-MIAA three times, including first team honors in his junior and senior seasons. He capped his senior campaign with a slew of accolades: third-team CoSIDA All-America, AC defensive lineman of the year, team defensive most valuable player and team captain.

As a senior, he helped the 1982 Bulldogs allow just 129.0 passing yards per game and a 231.1-yard average total defense.

After his collegiate career, Jim signed as a free agent with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns before embarking on a 21-year career in law enforcement with the Lincoln Park Police Dept. Currently, he is an ISS supervisor with the Lincoln Park Public Schools and educational coach for the Detroit Lions.

Besides serving as an educational coach for a professional franchise, Jim has remained active in youth sports by coaching baseball for six years, basketball for eight and football for 12.

Jim received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology.

Jim is married to his wife, Renee’ ’82, and the couple has two children, Hannah (23) and Trevor (20).

“One week before camp started, coach Lyall called my house and said if I was still undecided, there was room at Adrian for me. So, I threw some clothes in a bag and arrived on campus a couple days later. When I arrived, I didn’t know anyone or what to expect. Needless to say, this decision turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I got a great education, played some great football, and was a part of a championship team that to this day is considered one of the best teams to ever play here. I made some lifelong friends, met my wife, have two beautiful children, and now I’m getting inducted into the hall of fame!”

Lisa Scheid Wallbaum ’91

FIELD HOCKEY/SOFTBALL

Jackson, Michigan

Lisa excelled in two sports at the All-MIAA level and also lettered one season in women’s swimming.

She was a member of the Adrian College softball team from 1988-91 and field hockey squad in 1989-91, while competing in swimming in 1990.

Lisa found most of her success on the diamond as a member of the College’s Hall of Fame softball 1990 and ‘91 teams. She helped Adrian to MIAA softball championships in 1990 and 1991 when the Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA Tournament for their first two national appearances.

She was the 1988 AC rookie of the year after posting a 9-6 won-lost record in the circle. As a sophomore, Lisa had a 1.85 earned-run average in 94.2 innings pitched. As a senior, she was 8-6 with a 1.81 ERA in 81.1 innings.

A two-time CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-District pick, including making the 1991 Academic All-America Third Team, Lisa made second-team All-MIAA in 1989, then made the first unit in 1991. She also was the Bulldogs’ field hockey team most valuable player in 1990 during her second-straight year of receiving first-team All-MIAA in that sport. It was the last field hockey team at Adrian College.

After earning bachelor degrees in history and English, Lisa went to Eastern Michigan University to obtain her graduate degree in history.

She is currently employed as a teacher in the Hanover-Horton School District. She coached the school’s varsity squad for 12 seasons.

Lisa is married to her husband, Timothy, and the couple has a son, John (12).

“If you visit my parents’ house, you’ll find I already am a member of an athletic Hall of Fame celebrating out family’s athletic accomplishments. On the walls you’ll see displayed my old cleats, glove and home plate that my dad made out of plywood. These items represent countless hours of hard work and memories. Being inducted into the Adrian College Hall of Fame is an incredible honor that was made possible because of the support of my parents. It is a family honor and I am overjoyed that they are able to celebrate this achievement with me.”

NCAA Men’s Hockey Teams

2008-2009

In just its second year of existence, Adrian College raced through the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association schedule with a 20-0 mark en route to finishing 27-1-1 overall for the best record (.948) in the nation at any NCAA level. The Bulldogs led all Divisions with a 26-game unbeaten streak while outscoring opponents 175 to 35 during that stretch.

Adrian defeated eventual national champion Neumann 10-1 — one of five double-digit scoring games on the season for the second-year Bulldogs.

Adrian College tied a school record set by the inaugural team just the season before with 70 power-play goals, leading Division III in power-play efficiency at 35.9 percent. The Bulldogs also were NCAA statistical champions in scoring offense (6.52 goals per game), scoring margin (+4.83), individual goals (Shawn Skelly – 30), individual points (Skelly – 65), individual power-play goals (Skelly – 20) and goalie wins (Brad Fogal– 25-1-1, .944).

The Bulldogs produced six MCHA all-conference standouts, including the 2009 Player of the Year (Shawn Skelly) and Coach of the Year (Ron Fogarty), as well as a MCHA-record 16 academic all-conference performers.

Other all-conference members were senior forward Adam Krug, sophomore forward Eric Miller, sophomore defensemen Chris Stansik, Quinn Waller and sophomore goalie Brad Fogal.

NCAA Men’s Hockey Teams

2009-2010

Juniors Mike Dahlinger, a forward, and Chris Stansik, a defenseman, both were named to the AHCA/CCM All-America Second Team to headline a Bulldogs team that sported records of 24-4 overall and 20-0 in league play. Dahlinger led Division III with 54 points and 41 assists while Stansik led national blueliners with 38 total points.

Freshman forward Zach Graham led Division III rookies with 29 assists and 45 total points to place on the MCHA All-Rookie Team.

Adrian swept the MCHA regular-season and tournament titles for the third year in a row and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in the process.

The Bulldogs boasted six all-conference honorees —  MCHA Player of the Year Dahlinger, junior forwards Sam Kuzyk, Shawn Skelly, junior defensemen Jeremy Klaver, Chris Stansik and junior goalie Brad Fogal, as well as 13 academic all-conference standouts.

The Bulldogs won their first 10 games and ended the regular season on a 12-game win streak en route to setting school records for assists per game (11.89), shots per game (43.61) while outscoring the opposition 188 to 66.

For the second year in a row, Adrian led the nation in scoring offense with 6.71 goals per game and scoring margin (4.25). The power-play unit also ranked second at 29.9 percent, but led the country with 46 goals on the man-advantage. The Bulldogs also were the national statistical champion in penalty-kill at 90.5 percent.

NCAA Men’s Hockey Teams

2010-2011

Senior forward Shawn Skelly became the first AHCA/CCM first-team All-American in program history after racking up 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points. He was third in the nation in total points and tied for eighth with nine power-play tallies.

The team finished with records of 25-4-1 overall and 18-1-1 in the MCHA, including conference regular-season and tournament sweeps and a runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament. Adrian College tied national champion St. Norbert for the most wins (25) and the best record (.850, 25-4-1) in Division III, but the Green Knights edged the Bulldogs, 4-3, in Minneapolis in the final game.

For the third-straight season, the offense paced the nation with 4.97 goals per game and a 2.73 scoring margin. And for the second time in three years, the power-play eclipsed the 30.0 percent mark at 30.1 with 46 goals in 153 extra-man chances.

Adrian recorded an 18-game unbeaten streak (17-0-1) —  in which it allowed more than three goals just once during that stretch — heading into the SNC showdown. The ‘Dogs were 6-2-1 versus nationally-ranked teams, outscoring those opponents 33-22. AC defeated No. 6 Elmira, 5-3, and No. 3 Oswego by the identical score to reach the title contest.

Five skaters and a goalie were tabbed All-MCHA: senior forwards Mike Dahlinger, Eric Miller, Skelly; senior blueliners Jeremy Klaver, Quinn Waller; and senior goalie Brad Fogal. In addition, 15 Bulldogs claimed academic all-conference honors.

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