Western Edge: Winter 2012: Athletics
Eighth annual Wolves Hall of Fame
The WOU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics inducted their eighth class into the WOU Hall of Fame. Kevin Boss, Judy Lovre, Renne Lambrecht and Marv Hiebert were welcomed in front of family, friends, and fellow Hall of Fame members at a dinner the Friday evening before Homecoming. Each inductee was introduced by a guest presenter and spoke about what being inducted into the Hall of Fame meant to them.
Marv Hiebert ’50
Hiebert was an outstanding three-sport student-athlete for the Wolves in the late 1940s and early 50s. He helped lead the 1949 football team to an undefeated season where he was a dominant performer on the offensive line. Hiebert would go on to be named OCE’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year in 1950 and was inducted into the NAIA District 2 Hall of Fame. He took the football knowledge he learned at Western and transition it into a successful coaching career at both David Douglas High School and Mt. Hood Community College.
Renne Lambrecht ’80
A standout performer for the Wolves on both the track and the basketball court during the late 1970s, Lambrecht’s name can still be found atop many Western Oregon record books. She still holds the mark for career rebounding average (9.8) and rebounds in a game (24. Lambrecht was also a four-time top 10 finisher in the javelin at the NAIA National Championships and WOU’s all-time record holder in the event (168-11). She was named OCE’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1979 and went on to play basketball professionally in France.
Judy Lovre
The winningest coach in Western Oregon athletics history with 489 career victories, helped lead the Wolves’ volleyball program to its most successful run in school history. During Lovre’s 17 years at the helm, the Wolves won the NAIA District 2 title nine times, including playing for the national championship in 1987, 1988 and 1994. Lovre coached 18 All-Americans and her teams won 16 conference and district titles.
Kevin Boss ’07
Perhaps the most recognizable name in modern Western Oregon football history, Boss played for the Wolves from 2003-06 where he was a two-time All-American as a tight end. Boss ranks in the top 10 at WOU in career receiving yards, catches and touchdowns. He was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the New York Giants. The Philomath native helped the Giants earn a Super Bowl in his rookie season after hauling in a 45-yard reception early in the fourth quarter to set up New York’s first touchdown. Boss joined the Kansas City Chiefs during the off season after playing with the Oakland Raiders last season.
