Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

Congratulations to the 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees!

​This year, the inductees will be honored at the Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, October 24 during Lancer Days 2025. 

1975, 1976 & 1977 Volleyball Teams

Head Coach: Judi (Hood) Faunce

Mount Marty University proudly inducts the 1975–1977 Volleyball Teams into the Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring one of the most dominant and foundational eras in Lancerette history.

Under the leadership of legendary coach Judi (Hood) Faunce (Hall of Fame Class of 2006), these three consecutive teams achieved unprecedented success, compiling a combined record of 103–39. They captured three straight Io-Kota Conference Championships, three SDAIAW State Titles, and in 1977, a crowning achievement: the program’s first District Championship. These teams  also qualified and played in 3 AiAW Regional Tournaments.. 

The 1975 team posted a remarkable 31–8 record, dominating in-state opponents with a 15–1 mark (the only loss coming to South Dakota State University). They went undefeated in the SDAIAW State Tournament, outscoring opponents 1173–744, and claimed Co-Champion honors in the Io-Kota Conference with a 12–2 record. Their season featured multiple winning streaks of 6, 10, and 11 matches—testament to their consistency and excellence.

The 1976 team raised the bar even further. Their 39–12 record included a 13–1 conference mark. The 39 wins remain a Mount Marty volleyball single-season record and tie the all-sport school record, matched only by the 2010 baseball team. This squad enjoyed a 16-match win streak and defeated  South Dakota State  in a three-set thriller at the state tournament final. The team’s depth stood out—they leaned on an undefeated “B” squad (6–0) for key victories against schools like USD/S and South Dakota Tech.

In 1977, the Lancerettes reached new heights with a District Championship, a level of postseason success not previously available. The team’s toughness, adaptability, and unity became hallmarks of the Lancerette program.

Individually, this era saw the emergence of standout athletes such as Janet Jager ‘77 (Volleyball/Basketball – HOF Class of 1986), Kathleen (Velder) Sobotka ’76 (Five-Sport Athlete – HOF Class of 2019), Enola Reynolds ‘78, and Jan (Zelones) ‘78. Each earned accolades and All-Conference recognition while embodying the Lancerette spirit of pride and excellence.

Together, these three teams built the cornerstone of Mount Marty Volleyball—a tradition forged through grit, teamwork, and championship-caliber play. 

Jim Thorson 

Men’s Basketball Coach from 1995-2013

A steady leader, master teacher, and builder of men’s basketball at Mount Marty University, Jim Thorson served as head coach of the Lancers for 18 seasons, leaving behind a lasting legacy both on and off the court.

Thorson amassed 465 career wins over 31 seasons as a college head coach, including 253 victories at Mount Marty, ranking him among the top 10 all-time in NAIA Division II coaching wins at the time of his retirement. Known for his disciplined, defense-first style and his ability to develop players, Coach Thorson earned respect across the Midwest and shaped the lives of countless student-athletes.

During his first season leading the Lancers, Thorson produced immediate success by winning the South Dakota Iowa Conference (SDIC) Championship with an overall 18–12 record. He repeated this feat during the 1997–98 season, guiding the Lancers to another SDIC title as the team finished with a 23–9 record. Over his career at Mount Marty, Thorson won 18 or more games in a season on seven occasions.

His greatest coaching triumph came during the 1997–98 season, when he led Mount Marty to the NAIA Division II National Tournament semifinals. That team, which received an at-large bid, made one of the most storied postseason runs in program history—defeating three opponents on the national stage before falling to eventual champion Bethel (Ind.).

Coach Thorson’s impact went far beyond wins and losses. He was renowned for mentoring players with tenacity, care, and integrity, helping many overlooked athletes become all-conference and All-American talents.

Before joining Mount Marty in 1995, Thorson built a strong coaching career at the high school and collegiate levels in South Dakota. A native of Willow Lake, he coached in Sisseton, Gettysburg, and Webster before serving as an assistant coach at South Dakota State University (1977–79) and later as head coach and athletic director at Yankton College (1979–84). He returned to SDSU as head coach from 1985–93, guiding the Jackrabbits to a 1992 North Central Region title.

John Meiser '73

Men’s Basketball

Mount Marty proudly inducts John Meiser, Class of 1973, for his foundational role in establishing Lancer men’s basketball and his standout career as a dynamic guard and leader.

Meiser transferred from Arizona Western and joined Mount Marty’s inaugural men’s basketball team in 1970–71 under Coach Rudy Gerstner. He immediately became a key contributor, averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 assists per game. He led the team in assists (101) and was named Best Defensive Player.

As captain in 1971–72, Meiser again led the team in assists (87) and was the second-leading scorer (14.4 ppg), while earning the Best Hustler Award and national recognition via the Outstanding Athletes of America Award.

In 1972–73, the Lancers achieved a school-record 15 wins. Meiser added 11.0 points and 4.2 assists per game, again topping the team in assists and earning a second Outstanding Athletes of America Award.

Upon graduation, Meiser held nine school records, including career marks for assists and points. A true program pioneer, his leadership and consistent excellence helped lay the groundwork for Mount Marty basketball’s future.

Jan (Zelones) Coday '78

Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field

Mount Marty University proudly welcomes Jan (Zelones) Coday into the Athletics Hall of Fame. A remarkable three-sport athlete, Jan excelled in volleyball, basketball, and track during a standout career from 1974–78.

In volleyball, she helped lead the Lancerettes to a combined 125–49 record, including three Io-Kota Conference titles, three SDAIAW State Titles, and a District Championship in 1977. A First Team All-Conference honoree, Jan was known for her poise, consistency, and clutch play.

In track, Jan set school records in the 100-meter hurdles, 440-yard and 880-yard relays. She was a regional qualifier, state bronze medalist in the hurdles, team MVP in 1976, and captain in 1977. Her versatility included events such as the 220-yard dash and long jump.

On the basketball court, Jan steadily grew into a leader and captain. Her scoring improved each year—99 points as a freshman, 224 as a junior—and she capped her senior season averaging nine points and 4.5 rebounds, guiding the Lancers to a fourth-place state finish.

Whether setting records, leading her teams, or anchoring winning efforts across three sports, Jan (Zelones) Coday defined the all-around athlete. Her legacy is one of passion, performance, and pioneering achievement in Mount Marty women’s athletics.

Randy L. Perry '96

Baseball

A dominant presence on the diamond from 1994–96, Randy Perry transferred from Huron University and quickly became a cornerstone of Mount Marty’s baseball program. A true “five-tool” athlete, Perry was a two-time team captain and MVP who helped lead the Lancers to an SDIC Championship in 1996, the program’s inaugural season in the conference. During his three-year career, the Lancers posted a remarkable 101–38 record.

Perry is also a member of the 1994 Hall of Fame Team, inducted in 2024. That team holds the distinction of the longest winning streak in program history with 23 consecutive wins.

As a versatile outfielder and everyday heart-of-the-lineup hitter, Perry rewrote the record books. He set and reset the single-season stolen base record with 25 in 1995 and 33 in 1996 (still the school record), while batting .419 and .443 in those seasons, respectively. His 1996 campaign also included a school-record 59 runs scored and 66 hits in just 43 games.

Known for his clutch performances, Perry delivered several memorable moments: a wooden bat home run at Dakota State, multiple playoff homers, two grand slams and two homers in the Metrodome, and a 4-for-4 effort in his final home game with two doubles and a grand slam.

For his excellence, Randy was named 1st Team to the NAIA Midwest Region North Independent All-Sectional Team in 1995 and 1st Team to the All-SDIC (1996). As mentioned previously, he was a member of the 1994 Lancer baseball team that was inducted into the Mount Marty Hall of Fame in 2024. After college, he played professionally in Minnesota (1996) and Europe (2002).

Off the field, Perry was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta and the U.S. Achievement Academy, reflecting his commitment to academic and leadership excellence. He earned four degrees, including a B.A. in Social Science from Mount Marty, an MBA, and dual master’s degrees in Management and National Resource Strategy.

A Bronze Star recipient and All-Army Gold Medalist, Perry served on the HQDA Staff at the Pentagon and was featured in The Wall Street Journal and Forbes in 2023. He was also recognized as a Top Regional Executive by Marquis Who’s Who.

Randy resides in Sterling, VA with his wife of 26 years, Susanne, a dual citizen of Germany. As he retires from a 25-year federal government career in April 2025, Perry remains active in his community as a mentor, coach, and 32nd Degree Mason, supporting causes like Tunnels to Towers and maintaining memberships in Alpha Chi, Golden Key, and Phi Alpha Theta.