[Spirit Squad] 2018 Grand View Hall of Fame Inductees

Des Moines, IA – Five individuals were inducted into the Grand View Athletic Hall of Fame along with the induction of the Robert L. Mahaffey Community Service Award as part of the annual Homecoming weekend festivities Saturday evening.

Family, friends, past and present student-athletes, GV staff and faculty filled the room. "Being able to honor student-athletes and recognize their athletic accomplishments is something we feel is very important as an Athletics Department and University, " said Director of Athletics Troy Plummer. "This group of individuals played a key role in setting a standard of success and promoting the current positive culture for Grand View Athletics."

Meet the inductees …

Kendra (Miller '04) Ely: (VIDEO) Ely was a four-year member of the women's soccer team and a two time All-American, which included becoming the first player in the program to earn NAIA All-American honors in 2000. She earned All-Conference and NAIA All-Region honors all four years as the Vikings won the programs first Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) title in 2003. Ely holds the program record in career assists and is third in career goals. She currently serves as the chairman on the board of directors for the Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands.  

"This award is a true testament to Ventsi and my teammates. Ventsi gave me the opportunity to finish my career and end my senior year in a way many student-athletes only dream of. I have never had a coach who loves the game more than he does and truly cares about his players both on and off the field, probably almost to a fault," said Ely. "I am incredibly humbled to have even been considered as a nominee and to have been a part of the birth of the Grand View women's soccer team."

Colleen (Brady '04) Sobocinski:(VIDEO) Sobocinski was a two-year member of the women's soccer team. She was named the Conference Player of the Year and NAIA Region VII Player of the Year in 2003 along with being a two-time All-Conference and NAIA All-Region selection. Sobocinski holds the program record in single-season goals scores along with being second in the program for career goals. She earned MCC Academic All-Conference both years as a Viking.

Todd Thomason '00: (VIDEO) Thomason was a four-year baseball pitcher for the Vikings. He was named an NAIA All-American while receiving first-team all-region honors and being named the Regional Pitcher of the Year. He also earned first team All-Conference honors as a pitcher. Thomason holds the program record with 12 wins in a season. After college, Thomason played professionally in the Independent Frontier League for the Cook County Cheetahs before playing overseas in Antwerp, Belgium for the Borgerhout Squirrels.

Carrie (Norman'04 ) Lowry: Lowry was a two-year member of the women's basketball team and named Conference Player of the Year during her time as a Viking. She earned NAIA All-American honors along with holding several program records. Lowry holds the program record in assists in a single season along with second for assists per game and third in career steals. She helped lead the Vikings to the Round of 16 at the NAIA National Tournament after claiming the 2002-03 MCC Regular Season Championship along with the Conference Tournament Championship.

Garey Smith, women's basketball head coach: (VIDEO) Garey Smith was hired to lead the Vikings in 1999 and after 18 seasons as head coach of the Grand View women's basketball program, Smith holds an overall record of 340-235 and an overall record of 576-475 in 36 years of coaching collegiate basketball.

Under his leadership, the Vikings women's basketball team made five trips to the conference championship game and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in 2003, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2018. The Vikings had their most successful seasons in program history in 2009-10 and 2011-12, advancing to the Elite 8 of the NAIA Championships.

Smith has coached 10 All-Americans at Grand View along with over 50 All-Conference athletes and four Conference Players of the Year. He was named Midwest Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 2002-03, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

In 2012 Coach Smith coached National NAIA Division II basketball player of the year and CoSIDA National Student-Athlete of the year, Jen Jorgenson.

Throughout Smith's career, he has coached eight NCAA Division III All-Americans, twelve 1,000-point scorers, one 2,000-point scorer, and ten NAIA All-Americans. He was honored in 1986, 1988, and 1989 with the Converse Regional Coach of the Year Award.

Robert L. Mahaffey Community Service Award – Amedeo Rossi '93: (Video)

The Robert L. Mahaffey Community Service Award was introduced in 2017 and is given annually to a former Grand View student-athlete who have made significant contributions to their community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication.  The honoree selected should serve as a role model for compassion and service, and strive to make the world a better place. "I want to thank Grand View

Best 50,000$ the city ever invested – for 80/35. Rob was on the city council that help fund the first 80/35

The award's namesake, Bob Mahaffey '58, played basketball and baseball at Grand View. He went on to dedicate much of his life giving back through the East Des Moines Chamber, East High School Alumni Foundation, Ward 2 Des Moines City Councilman and served as a loyal member of the Grand View Board of Trustees.

A 1993 Grand View graduate, Amedeo Rossi was a standout men's soccer student-athlete. Amedeo is a founding member of the Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), serving on its first three Board of Directors as Treasurer and now serves as the Project Manager of the 80/35 music festival held annually in Des Moines.

Also a successful entrepreneur, Amedeo is co-owner of SA Presents, which produces the Nitefall on the River Series at Simon Estes Amphitheatre. He is the managing partner for other businesses including The Lift in downtown Des Moines and Vaudeville Mews.