SAN ANTONIO –– The University of the Incarnate Word Athletics Department announced the 2025 Hall of Fame class Wednesday evening.
 
Volleyball All-American Shelly (Snook) Tompkins, men's cross country All-American Shayn Weidner, three-time men's basketball All-American Kenneth Watson, softball All-American, Allison (Britt) Briseno, former volleyball coach and UIW Athletics Director, Mark Papich, and the 2009-10 men's swimming & diving team make up the illustrious class. In addition, UIW will recognize two-time UIW alumnae, Tracy Avery, as this year's Order of Merit recipient. The Order of Merit is presented to an individual that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of intercollegiate athletics UIW. This year's Hall of Fame weekend will coincide with UIW's annual Homecoming festivities. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 30 in the Bennack Concert Hall on the UIW campus.
 
NAIA All-American, All-Region, and two-time All-Heart of Texas Conference volleyball player, Shelly (Snook) Tompkins led then-Incarnate Word College to its first NAIA National Tournament in 1997.
 
Shayn Weidner earned All-American, Academic All-American, and All-Heartland Conference honors for UIW, as well as being named the conference runner of the year in 2009. Shayn will be the first cross country student-athlete inducted into the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
A standout on the basketball court, Kenneth Watson garnered 3 NAIA All-America citations, four All-Heart of Texas Conference Team selections and was named the conference's Most Valuable Player in his senior season.
 
Softball All-American Allison (Britt) Briseno, led the 2006 squad to a record 46 wins, a Heartland Conference Championship and a berth into the NCAA Division II Regional tournament – the first in UIW history. Allison will be the first softball player inducted into the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
The name Mark Papich has become synonymous with UIW Athletics having served as the head volleyball coach for seven seasons from 1996-2002. Papich's 1997 team made its first trip to the NAIA National Tournament and turned-in a record 31 wins. In that same season, Papich was named regional American Volleyball Coaches Association, NAIA Southwest Region, and Heart of Texas Conference Coach of the Year. Additionally, Papich served as UIW's Athletics Director from 2001-2015, an era that saw UIW add football and make the move the NCAA Division I.
 
This year's Honor Team is the 2009-10 men's swimming & diving team. The 2009-10 squad were named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Champions and finished a program-best 2^nd at the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving National Championships. Head Coach, Phillip Davis was named conference and Division II National Coach of the Year.
 
Order of Merit recipient, Tracy Avery, is one of the most steadfast supporters and dedicated alums. Tracy is a two-time UIW graduate and was instrumental in the earliest days of the Cardinals Club, is a charter member of the Tartan Society and served as president of the UIW Alumni Association.
 
The Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend is set for October 30 through November 1. The Athletics Hall of Fame Awards Reception & Induction Ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday October 30, at the Bennack Concert Hall on the UIW campus. Tickets can be purchased for $35 per person. Reservations only accepted and must be made by calling the Cardinals Club office at 210-805-3596. The deadline to make reservations is Friday, October 17. The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the UIW versus Lamar Homecoming football game on Saturday, November 1.
 
2025 UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
Allison (Britt) Briseno, Softball,  2005-2008
Mark Papich, Volleyball / Athletic Director, 1995-2015
Shelly (Snook) Tompkins, Volleyball ,1995-1997
Kenneth Watson, Men's Basketball,1991-1994
Shayn Weidner, Cross Country/Track and Field, 2007-2010
 
Order of Merit: Tracy Avery '96 '12

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