By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn University Athletic Department has announced its six-member 2021 Hall of Fame class, which will be enshrined on Oct. 9 in a morning ceremony prior to the Ichabods' MIAA football game against Fort Hays State.
The Hall of Fame class of six accumulated nine All-America awards earned during their combined 29 years competing for Washburn teams.
The induction class Kate Hampson, Matt Cahill, Joe Hastings, Zach Watkins, Sam Sissom and Logan Stutz will join the 149 former student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have been honored for their contributions to Washburn Athletics.
The six former Washburn greats will also be recognized at halftime of the Oct. 9 football game against the Tigers.
Washburn Hall of Fame capsules:
Matt Cahill – Football – 1979-82
Matt Cahill finished his career as WU's all-time leader in total tackles and assisted tackles on the Ichabod charts. In 1982 his 120 total tackles were the highest single-season tally in school history and his 69 assisted tackles were second that same season. He had a career-high 16 tackles against Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 13, 1982. As a sophomore in 1980, he was fifth on the team in tackles with 65 total stops adding a fumble recovery. His junior season he recorded 64 tackles which was the second-highest total on the team, leading to his outstanding senior campaign.
Kate Hampson – Volleyball 2006-09
Kate Hampson became the fourth player in Washburn history to earn multiple All-American awards when she earned AVCA third-team honors as a senior in 2009 after earning second team accolades from Daktronics in 2007. Hampson finished her career as Washburn's all-time leader in assists with 5,897. That number also ranks second all-time in MIAA history. She concluded her career first in school history in assists per set (11.75) and service attempts (2,203). Hampson was a first-team All-MIAA selection in 2009. Her 73 assists against Pittsburg State in 2007 is second on the Washburn single-match chart. Hampson's 1,928 assists in 2007 are first on the Washburn single-season chart as she led the Lady Blues to the NCAA National Semifinals played in Lee Arena. Hampson recorded 55 double doubles, which was the third most in school history at the end of her career, and she recorded 113 matches with at least 30 assists. Hampson was a first-team all-region pick in 2007 and 2009 and earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2009 and was a three-time all-MIAA selection.
Joe Hastings – Football – 2005-10
Joe Hastings was an All-American and four-year Letterman at wide receiver for Washburn University. He appeared in 34 games, collecting 119 receptions for 2,033 yards and 17 touchdowns. He set Washburn's all-time single season catch record with 87 in 2010 to go along with 1,546 yards which was second in the NCAA and MIAA single-season charts. His 15 receiving touchdowns in 2010 also placed him second in single season touchdowns at Washburn. Hastings finished his career sixth all-time in career receiving yards (2,033), ninth all-time in receptions (119) and seventh in career receiving touchdowns (17). Hastings' 13 receptions against Colorado Mines tied a school record. He was honored with three All-American awards his senior season including becoming only the eighth Associated Press Little All-America selection and was an all-MIAA selection in 2010.
Sam Sissom – Football - 2002-06; Baseball – 2003-06
Sam Sissom's name is all over not one, but two record books at Washburn. On the football field, Sissom is the Ichabods' all-time leader in both receptions (191), receiving yards (3,288) and receiving touchdowns (40). His 4.15 receptions per game is third all-time at Washburn. In 2004, he recorded 1,198 receiving yards adding 15 touchdowns. His 231 receiving yards against Colorado Mines was the second-highest total in school history. He also ranks fifth in career all-purpose yards with 4,118 and in scoring with 250 points. He finished his career with 3,288 receiving yards which was fourth in MIAA history and currently ranks sixth. He was a second team all-region selection in 2004 and named the 2002 MIAA Freshman of the Year and was a three-time all-MIAA selection. On the baseball field, Sissom finished his career as the all-time leader in base hits (229), at bats (662) and was second in walks (123), in stolen bases (90). He was a four-time all-MIAA selection.
Logan Stutz – Basketball – 2008-11
Logan Stutz earned honorable mention All-American honors from the Division II Bulletin after leading the MIAA with a 20.0 ppg scoring average while recording 7.1 rebounds per game and first team all-MIAA honors and first team all-district honors from the NABC. Stuts scored 38 points against Grand Canyon, hitting 12 of 14 shots from the field. He appeared in career 82 games, starting 49 in his three-year career while scoring 982 points and averaging 12.0 per game with 5.1 rebounds per game. He finished his career second in all-time field goal percentage hitting 63 percent of his shots and 10th in all-time free throws made (275) and free throw attempts (387). Stutz was selected to play in the NCAA Division II all-star game after his senior season. Stutz signed a one-year contract to play with the BG Leitershofen/Stadtbergen Red Kangaroos in Germany. Stutz was named the NBL Canada MVP in 2015-16 and has been the general Manager and head coach for the Sudbury Five in the NBL of Canada and now is part of the Boston College men's basketball staff.
Zach Watkins – Football 2006-09
Watkins was a four-year starter at linebacker for Washburn from 2006-09. He put together a historic career for the Ichabods, registering 100 or more tackles in each season, compiling a school record 473 for his career. That mark also placed him third all-time in NCAA Division II history at the end of his career. Watkins was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2006 following a season which saw him earn honorable mention all-MIAA and second team all-region honors. From there, Watkins went on to earn first-team All-MIAA in each of his final three seasons. Watkins would go on to be named the MIAA and Daktronics regional Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 following a stellar senior season. He was also a first team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association in 2009 and a second team selection by Daktronics. In addition, Watkins was a three-time All-American selection by Don Hansen's Football Gazette. His accolades go beyond the field as well as Watkins was a three-time selection as both Academic all-MIAA and as an MIAA Scholar Athlete. He was also an ESPN The Magazine / CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2008 and a Ken B. Jones MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year Award finalist in 2010.
