UIW Inducts Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Athletics program has a long history that has been enriched by many dedicated individuals who believed in its potential to leave a lasting impact on student-athletes and athletic supporters. Today, UIW Athletics is home to 14 sports, 23 men's and women's teams and is the only Catholic NCAA Division I athletics program that's a part of the Southland Conference. With the program growing through the years to reach new and innovative heights, it is only fitting that UIW recognizes the remarkable individuals that supported the program through its Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Since its establishment in 2005, the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame strives to recognize outstanding athletic achievements and extraordinary contributions to intercollegiate athletics at UIW. As of this year, the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame is celebrating its 20th anniversary - two decades of honoring the individuals and teams who have shaped the legacy of UIW Athletics. This year's event was hosted by the UIW Letterwinners Association, a "community of alumni comprised of former student-athletes and student support staff who have earned a letter by participating in a varsity sport at UIW/Incarnate Word College" (uiwcardinals.com).

The 2025 Hall of Fame Class honored a number of impactful athletes, coaches and supporters that have helped to showcase the exceptional quality of the program.

"Tonight, in addition to celebrating our honorees, our student-athletes and our Cardinal spirit, we also celebrate the growth of a program that began as a small, independent program, then moved to NAIA, then Division II's Lone Star Conference and ultimately became the dynamic Division I Southland Conference program that we are today. We have many people with us this evening who contributed to that trajectory," acknowledged University President Dr. Thomas M. Evans.

Approximately 300 attendees came out to celebrate this year's honorees, including their spouses, children, parents, friends, colleagues and other members of the Incarnate Word community.

Among the honorees, Mark Papich, former Volleyball coach and Athletics director, was recognized for his years of dedication to nurturing UIW Athletics to the state that it is in today. Papich has a record 124 wins under his belt as a coach, and devoutly served as athletics director from 2001-2015, ushering in incredible growth for the program by adding six sports and making the move from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I.

Although the evening was dedicated to honoring him, Papich found it crucial to recognize the other staff members that helped support the program and get it where it is today.

"It's a humbling experience (to be inducted into the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame)," expressed Papich. "We had a small staff when we started- I'm going to say maybe 7 people. If it weren't for the people around me, we would never have gotten anything done. We would never have been able to complete the things we did. We had a good staff."

This year's Hall of Fame honored team was the 2009-10 Men's Swimming and Diving team. In just their third season of existence, the team earned the title of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions and finished second in the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving National Championships. In addition to the athletes, their coach, Phillip Davis, was also recognized. Having helped support the team to victory, he also was named the NCAA Division II National Coach at the championships. The team, from both athletes to leadership, was comprised of remarkably dedicated and talented individuals.

"It's incredibly special that our team is being inducted into the UIW Hall of Fame," shared Teofilo Reyes, Jr., member of the 2009-10 Men's Swimming and Diving team. "This event happened almost 20 years ago, so to be able to be notified of this and go down memory lane about everything that we went through, practices, meets, competitions, ups and downs. It's really cool to see that even years later that experience was valued, not only within our UIW Swimming community, but even outside."

Also honored was Tracy Avery, a two-time UIW alumna and steadfast supporter of Cardinal Athletics. Avery has been instrumental in the development of UIW Athletics' Cardinal Clubs, not only in planning events but putting boots on the ground to help ensure that all event details were carried out. She's presently a charter member of the Tartan Society and has served as the President of the UIW Alumni Association.

Many friends and colleagues, including Dr. Evans, spoke on Avery as a person, but many noted details remained consistent. To all, Avery is an individual that exhibits passion in all that she pursues, is a skilled philanthropist and has been a tremendous agent in helping UIW Athletics flourish into its current state.

Her years of service and quality of character led her to be presented with the 2025 UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Order of Merit. This honor is given to a notable individual that has "made (a) significant contribution(s) to the advancement of the intercollegiate athletics program at UIW" (uiwcardinals.com/sports).

"I think getting to see everything grow has been great," remarked Avery with a proud smile. "It's not a single memory. It's kind of an evolution of the whole program. That's really been the best part of it."

The evening also had a surprise with the announcement of the Stephen J. Heying Leadership & Service Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship was named in honor of Stephen J. Heying, who served as both coach and mentor to numerous student-athletes as assistant baseball coach and later as head baseball coach at UIW. Former players that were coached by Heying, his colleagues, friends and family generously established this endowed scholarship in his honor to be awarded to deserving students who meet the University's academic standards and demonstrate financial need.

It was an evening dedicated to celebrating UIW's remarkable Athletics community who have demonstrated the spirit and values of UIW.

"It was a privilege to honor the incredible achievements and lasting impact of our alumni, coaches and supporters at the Hall of Fame Class of 2025," said UIW Athletics Director Richard Duran. "We celebrated six amazing individuals and a team that achieved the best NCAA Championship finish in school history. Thank you to the selection committee and congratulations to the class of 2025!"

UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025

Honor Team - 2009-10 Men's Swimming & Diving:

This year's Honor Team is the 2009-2010 Men's Swimming and Diving team. In just its third season of existence, the team, coached by conference and NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year, Phillip Davis, was crowned Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions and finished in second place at the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving National Championships. Eleven student-athletes finished in the top eight of their events earning UIW an unprecedented 27 All-American certificates, including one individual national championship. A true reflection of the spirit of UIW's international nature, the team boasted athletes from places such as Ukraine, Brazil and Belarus.

Order of Merit - Tracy Avery '96, '12:

The UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Order of Merit is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of intercollegiate athletics at the University of the Incarnate Word. Avery embodies this spirit. She is one of the most steadfast supporters of Cardinal Athletics and dedicated UIW graduates. She was instrumental in the earliest days of the Cardinals Club, is a charter member of the Tartan Society, and has served as president of the UIW Alumni Association. Avery is an inspiration, and she reflects the UIW spirit through her passion, philanthropy and leadership. She is a two-time UIW alumnae, having earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design in 1996 and her Master of Business Administration in 2012.

Allison Britt Briseño '09 - Softball, 2005-2008:

Allison Britt Briseño was a standout on the softball diamond for UIW. Allison garnered National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America honors as well as being named to three All-South-Central Region and three All-Heartland Conference teams. She led the 2006 team to a record 46 wins, a Heartland Conference championship, and the program's first berth in the NCAA Division II regional tournament. Briseño still holds four career records for UIW. She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Mark Papich - Volleyball Coach/Athletics Director, 1995-2015:

The name Mark Papich is synonymous with UIW Athletics - first as a coach from 1995-2002 then as an administrator from 2001-2015. Papich began his UIW career in 1995 as an assistant volleyball coach and was named head coach the following year. Papich's 1997 squad reached a record 31 wins, were Heart of Texas Conference Champions, won the NAIA Southwest Regional Tournament, and made the program's first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament. He was named Regional American Volleyball Coaches Association, NAIA Southwest Region and Heart of Texas Conference Coach of the Year. In total, he sits atop the volleyball record book with 124 wins as a coach. Papich also served as UIW's Athletics Director from 2001-2015, an era that saw incredible growth in the UIW program by adding six sports and making the move from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I.

Shelly Snook Tompkins '98, '01 - Volleyball, 1995-1997:

Shelly Snook Tompkins was a standout volleyball player for UIW leading her team to its first NAIA National Tournament in 1997. Tompkins was named an NAIA All-America, All-Region, and Southwest Region Player of the Year while earning All-Heart of Texas Conference honors two times throughout her career. She is a double UIW graduate having earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in 1998 and her master's degree in education in 2001.

Kenneth Watson - Men's Basketball, 1991-1994:

A three-time NAIA All-America selection, Kenneth Watson was an outstanding basketball player for then Incarnate Word College. Among his other honors and awards, he was named to four Heart of Texas All-Conference teams and was the conference's Most Valuable Player his senior season. Watson still stands atop the UIW record books as the program's leader in career scoring, career scoring average and single game scoring. In addition, Watson ranks in the top seven in four other statistical categories.

Shayn Weidner '10, '14 - Cross Country/Track & Field, 2007-2010:

The accomplishments of Shayn Weidner as a UIW student-athlete speak to his Hall of Fame career. He was an ESPN The Magazine Third-Team All-America selection, selected to the Heartland Conference 20th Anniversary Cross Country Team, a two-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All-American, named to four All-Heartland Conference teams, and earned Heartland Conference Runner of the Year honors in 2009. He was also named the 2009-2010 UIW Student-Athlete of the Year. He is a double UIW graduate having earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 2010 and his master's degree in applied statistics in 2014.