Rod Popp
Inducted in 1996
Men's Basketball

Rod Popp was a fiery, intense, man-with-a-mission. Never was that more evident than at Viterbo College where he assembled some of the finest men's basketball teams the region was ever to see. In six seasons, from 1986 to 1992, Coach Popp, a formidable recruiter and proponent of unselfish team play, carried the V-Hawks to the pinnacle of basketball success.

The Popp record stands on its own merit and needs no embellishing: Five conference titles in six years, two prestigious National Catholic Basketball Tournament crowns and four 20+ game-winning seasons. Overall, the V-Hawks posted a phenomenal 139-56 record during his tenure and Popp-led teams garnered unparalleled media exposure including rankings as high as 7th in national NAIA polls.

"I believe a person has to have a strong vision and needs to dream," he once said in explaining his philosophy. "I believed we could draw large crowds. I believed we could play with the best. I believed we could win championships."

Excitement and intensity were never in short supply when Rod Popp was in the coach's corner. He established the intra-city rivalry between Viterbo and UW-L and proceeded to rack up three straight victories for the V-Hawks. Time and again, the underdog V-Hawks were matched against highly touted UW system opponents. Eventually Viterbo victories became so regular they were no longer regarded as upsets.

Popp also served in a dual capacity as Director of Athletics during his years at Viterbo and established a legacy few will forget.

 
 
 
VHawks Wall of Fame
YearInducteeSport(s)Graduated
2011Krystal (Check) PetersonSoftball
2011Chad BabcockBaseball
2011Lisa SaluzziWomen's Basketball
2010Brian BehnkeMen's Basketball, Baseball
2010Sandy HotvedtAdministrative Assistant
2010Nicki RobinsonVolleyball, Women's Basketball, Softball
2009Mike BrudosMen's Basketball
2009Shawn PeckBaseball
2009Eric WerketMen's Soccer
2008Kara BrandauWomen's Basketball
2008Craig DavisMen's Soccer
2008Ryan LiumBaseball
2007Heidi BehnkeWomen's Basketball, Softball
2007Roddy HjortBaseball
2007Missy Slinde-GordonWomen's Soccer, Women's Basketball
2006Luke MaherMen's Basketball
2006Chris SwensonMen's Soccer
2006Beth VacekWomen's Basketball
2005Kim Hendricks'Women's Basketball
2005Mike MurphyMen's Basketball Coach
2005Rich RustMen's Basketball and Baseball
2004Jill BrandtWomen's Basketball
2004Chris LeeBaseball
2003Jason EmerickMen's Soccer
2003Pat LauerMen's Soccer
2003James VacekMen's Basketball
2002Doug SeigleMen's Soccer
2002Brian SollerMen's Baseball, Men's Basketball
2002Troy WagnerMen's Basketball
2001Scott ArenzMen's Basketball, Baseball
2001Gerald BaldnerViterbo Benefactor
2001Damian MillerBaseball
2000Bruce EricksonSoccer
2000Dave LeeBaseball
1999John MazzolaMen's Soccer
1999Tiffany OrwanVoleyball
1999Wayne WagnerMen's Basketball/Baseball
1998Adrian BoydMen's Basketball
1998Cheryl HansonWomen's Basketball
1998Mark SkogenMen's Basketball
1997Mike BotickiBasketball Manager
1997Denise MartinSoftball
1997Herman SmithMen's Basketball
1996Terri (Wiesner) ServaisVolleyball
1996Robert GibbonsViterbo College President
1996Aaron GibbonsMen's Soccer
1996Kenny KoelblMen's Basketball
1996Rod PoppMen's Basketball
1995Mark BotterillMen's Soccer
1995Larry WinterMen's Basketball
1994Sally Davis-MasseyVolleyball, Women's Basketball
1994Mary Jo KrouseWomen's Basketball
1993Richard BrostromMen's Basketball
1993James GlasshoffAthletic Director
1993Daniel HutchensMen's Basketball Manager
1992Audrey AndersonWomen's Basketball, Volleyball
1992Todd ButzmanMen's Basketball
1992Jorge EspatMen's Soccer
1992Marv FriedewaldMeritorious Service
1992Laurie JohnsonWomen's Basketball, Volleyball, Softball
1992Scott KoenenMen's Basketball
1992Sherry LookerWomen's Basketball
1992Mike SmithMen's Basketball
1992Bruce ValkMen's Basketball
 
 
 
 
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