Messiah College Sports InformationPhoto GalleryGrantham, PA - The Messiah College Falcons inducted three new members into the athletics Hall of Honor on Friday, with Dave Brandt, Mike Helm, and Jen (Wenger) Thuma being elected into the prestigious group.
The celebration, held at the West Shore Country Club in nearby Camp Hill, included over 110 guests on hand to see the official induction of the three Falcons' greats.
"We're very honored to have a tremendous class of inductees," said Messiah College Director of Athletics
Jack Cole. "Our athletics department has a long history of excellence and outstanding accomplishments, and these three inductees stand towards the center."
The evening began with a welcome from Cole and Dr. Kim S. Phipps, President of Messiah College. After the dinner period, inductions began with Mike Helm. Former Messiah College wrestling coach Neil Turner-- and Helm's collegiate coach, spoke on behalf of Mike before Mike received his plaque.
"There's no transition in sport like going from high school wrestling to collegiate wrestling," said Turner. "Mike was a very competitive and dedicated student-athlete who has the support of his teammates, coaches, and family."
Helm, who became Messiah's first-ever national champion—individual or team— in any sport when he took first place in the 157 lb. weight class in the 2000 NCAA Championships, was a three-time NCAA All-American (2000; 1999, 7th; 1998, 6th). He currently ranks 4th all-time in career wins with an overall record of 112-26.
Helm was also a MAC champion in 2000, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Hall of Fame in March of 2006. He now works as a science teacher at West Carteret High School in Beaufor, NC. Mike's wife, Heather, was unable to attend the ceremony as she remained at home with their daughter, Faith, son, Noah, and newborn son, Adam.
"I never wrestled just to win, but winning was goal," said Helm. "Bringing glory to God was my main concern, and I'm humbled to have had so much sucess while wearing 'Messiah' across my chest. Athletics really provided me the opportunity to build a purpose in college, and bring God's witness to those I came in contact with."
After Mike received his plaque, Cole introduced current Falcons' softball coach
Amy Weaver as the presenter for Jen (Wenger) Thuma.
Thuma, a two-time NCAA All-American (1995, 1998) for the Falcons softball team, was a four-time Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) All-Star and part of MAC Championship teams in 1996, 1997, and 1998. The 1998 team advanced to Messiah's first-ever College Softball World Series, where Thuma led the tournament in batting average (.636). Her outstanding play landed her on the all-tournament team in 1998.
Thuma also is 1st all-time in Messiah softball history in single-season at-bats (160), single-season hits (72), and single-season on-base percentage (.594). She also holds career records for runs scored (137), hits (231), and stolen bases (92). She is 2nd all-time in career on-base percentage (.486), at-bats (513), and batting average (.450).
"Jen was as competitive a player as we've ever had-- and she still is," said Weaver. "She was such a mature person and player in our program, which really impacted the other women on our team and the coaches. She's very deserving to be recognized as one of the best players we've ever had."
"It's been a privilege to be included with Mike and Dave as inductees," said Thuma, who has worked as an assistant coach with the Falcons' softball program for the past 13 years. "I'm privileged, also, to be a part of the Messiah athletics tradition. The Falcons are about more than just playing the game. My memories and relationships will last a lifetime."
Thuma attended the event with her husband, Michael.
The final presentation of the night was given by Layton Shoemaker, speaking as the presenter of former Messiah men's soccer coach Dave Brandt. A former standout for the Falcons' soccer team, Brandt is arguably one of the most accomplished coaches of any sport in NCAA history. Brandt took the reigns of the men's soccer team in 1996, beginning a 12-year journey that would include six NCAA Division III National Championships ('00, '02, '04, '05, '06, '08) eight appearances in the Final Four ('01 and '07 in addition to Championships) and eight Commonwealth Conference Championships ('97, '00, '01, '02, '03, '05, '07, '08). Over his 12 years leading the Falcons, Brandt collected an overall record of 246-25-14—a winning percentage of .888 that was first all-time in NCAA Division I, II, or III men's soccer.
Over his coaching career, Brandt coached four National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Players of the Year, 17 NSCAA All-Americans, 40 NSCAA All-Region athletes, 81 All-Conference athletes, and 12 Conference Players of the Year. Brandt was a six-time Commonwealth Conference Coach of the Year and four-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year ('00, '02, '04, '08.)
"The two words anyone should use to describe Dave are 'focused intensity'," said Layton, who coached Brandt in the mid-1980's. "He was a leader as a player and established himself as one of the preeminent men's soccer coaches in the nation. He remains one of the most gifted coaches in the NCAA."
While playing under Shoemaker, Brandt set the program record for career assists with 35-- a record that stood until it was tied by Geoff Pezon in 2009. Brandt was also a four-time NSCAA All-Region player in his time on the soccer pitch for the Falcons. Also an All-Conference player in 1983 and 1984, Brandt was a member of the 1981 men's soccer team that won the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship.
Brandt currently works as the head men's soccer coach at the United State Naval Academy, a position he assumed upon his departure from Messiah College in 2008.
"It's special for me to come back and be with Messiah" said Brandt, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Diane, and their two children—daughter, Alex Brandt, and son, Danny. "The coach that I am today can be credited to the coaches, colleagues, and support staff that I had in my years at Messiah College.
"It's very easy to support such a tremendous group of inductees," said Messiah College President Dr. Kim S. Phipps. "We're delighted to honor these three exemplary alumni and induct them into the Hall of Honor. Each of these individuals embodies the core values of Messiah College and our athletics department.
"These inductees have pursued excellence in every aspect of their lives," added Phipps. "And they continue to do so."
Another highlight of the evening was a special presentation in the recognition of Jan Trapp, who recently retired from a 40-year coaching career with the Messiah Field Hockey program. Trapp served as the head coach of the Falcons for the past 39 years, becoming one of the most decorated and accomplished coaches in NCAA athletics.
"I know it was a special moment for our guests to see Jan honored for her ousttanding career," said Assistant Athletics Director Steve King. "Jan's impact as coach extend far beyond her championships and NCAA appearances. We were excited to take a moment tonight to publicly recognize her for the dedication and commitment she has given to mentoring student-athletes for four decades."
The weekend's festivities continue on Saturday when the inductees will be recognized at the halftime of the women's basketball game vs. Elizabethtown. The game is set to start at 2:00 p.m., with the men's game to follow.
Before their recognition on Saturday afternoon, Mike, Jen, and Dave will be celebrated by current members of their respective Messiah sports teams and their coaches in a reception at the Jordan/Kline center on the College campus.
The Messiah College Athletics Hall of Honor is sponsored through the Falcon Athletic Network (F.A.N.). The F.A.N. allows the Falcons to go "above and beyond" to Pursue Athletic Excellence and Develop Christian Character through missions trips, the funding of graduate assistant coaches, special fan receptions, and more! Not a member? Join today!
