William Penn to Induct 2013 Hall of Fame Class at Homecoming

Jim Goerss

Oskaloosa–William Penn University will induct five new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame at this year’s Homecoming celebration, October 3–5. During halftime of Saturday’s football game against St. Ambrose, the five former Statesmen athletes will be recognized for their athletic accomplishments.

Darren Cotton graduated in 2008 and was a four-time NAIA All-American for the Statesmen Wrestling Team. He is one of the only two athletes in school history to earn the honor all four years of his collegiate career. Darren was also ranked nationally as an individual all four years and was only one of two wrestlers to ever be awarded conference or regional wrestler of the year. He still holds six career school records.

Football player Jim Goerss, a 1978 graduate, was a three-time first-team all-Iowa Conference running back from 1975 to 1977. He also held nearly every rushing record at William Penn at one time. He rushed for 33 career touchdowns and has the fifth-longest touchdown run in school history. Jim also competed in track and field during his years at William Penn.

Cindy McCarthy played on both the WPU basketball and softball teams before graduating in 1986. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Women’s Basketball Team during a time when the program was one of the best in the country. She was awarded first-team all-Iowa Conference laurels in 1986 and still ranks in the top-10 for single-season free-throw percentage. As a softball player, Cindy was also named a first-team all-Iowa Conference performer. Currently in the education field, Cindy has been teaching for 22 years and has coached both basketball and softball for 15 years.

Ryan Norman, a member of the Class of 2007, was a three-year starter for the Men’s Basketball Team and was named first-team all-Midwest Collegiate Conference twice and voted by the coaches as the 2007 MCC Player of the Year. Also in 2007, Ryan was selected NAIA Second-Team All-American, and in that same year, he joined the 1000-point scoring club at William Penn.

Joe Robinson, who graduated in 2004, was a key contributor to some of the most successful wrestling teams in school history. He was a national qualifier at the 174 and 184 pound weight classes during his time at William Penn. He was a three-time All-American, placing as high as third in 2004. Joe was the only William Penn wrestler in school history to win the 2002 Gorriaran Memorial Trophy, given each year to the wrestler with the most pins at the NAIA Championships.

With this year’s inductions, the WPU Athletics Hall of Fame includes 150 members.

William Penn University staff, faculty and students would like to congratulate Darren, Jim, Cindy, Ryan, and Joe for being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at this year’s Homecoming events.