Athletics trailblazer to be remembered; Hall of Fame welcomes eight members

Joan Boand, an instrumental figure in women’s athletics at Grand Valley and the state, will be remembered during a Celebration of Life ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m. on October 22. 

Boand, who died on January 27 at 88, was a pioneer for women’s athletics, coaching basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field soon after her arrival on campus in 1966. 

Athletics honored Boand’s accomplishments in 2020 by unveiling a Wall of Champions in the Fieldhouse named for her. 

“Her accomplishments are extraordinary, and so was she," said President Philomena V. Mantella. “Her reach has extended long past her career with lasting effects on women in sports and her dedication to GVSU’s programs.”

Following her coaching career, Boand became associate director of Athletics and senior women’s administrator, continuing her push for Title IX advancement. She also served on a variety of GLIAC and NCAA committees at the state, regional and national levels.

Upon her retirement in 1999, she created the Joan Boand Athletic Scholarship, which assists a student athlete in the fifth year of their academic career after the completion of their four years of eligibility. 

To contribute a gift in her memory, visit the Grand Valley Development webpage.

Eight of Grand Valley’s best heading into Hall of Fame

Eight former Laker student athletes will be inducted into the Grand Valley Athletics Hall of Fame on October 21 during the 41st Annual Charles H. Irwin Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony.

This year’s inductees are:

Lauren (Buresh) Buter, Track & Field 2009-12 

Buter was a four-time NCAA Division II national champion in shot put, winning back-to-back individual titles in indoor and outdoor national meets in 2011 and 2012. Her personal-best throws in indoor and outdoor competitions rank among the best in Grand Valley history. Buter’s performance at the 2011 and 2012 national meets helped the Lakers claim their first team NCAA indoor and outdoor titles.

Chris Hammer, Track & Field/Cross Country 2006-09

A four-time All-American in the steeplechase and an All-American in cross country, Hammer has represented the United States in three Paralympic Games (London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, Tokyo 2020). He’s a 12-time medalist at the World Paratriathlons and a three-time Paratriathlon National Champion. 

Dan Karpanty, ’74, Administration

Known as “Mr. Laker,” Karpanty worked in every area of the athletics department — concessions, parking, ticket sales, grounds maintenance, game management and sports information — during his 27-year career. He worked for all six of Grand Valley’s athletics directors and mentored more than 1,600 students through his time in the athletics department

Monica (Kinney) Mulder, Track & Field/Cross Country 2009-13

Mulder’s 2011 season was sensational, helping Grand Valley to become the first program to sweep the cross country and track and field national titles in the same academic year. At the Division II Indoor National Championships, she was a two-time champion, winning the mile and 5,000-meter events and becoming a three-event All-American.

Scott Mackey, Football 2000-03

Mackey was an integral part of the Lakers teams that won national titles in 2002 and 2003. As a cornerback, Mackey was a foundational piece of the defense, finishing as a second-team All-American as a junior and a first-team All-American as a senior. He led the Lakers with six interceptions and 96 tackles in 2003. 

Mike McFadden, Football 2003-06

McFadden ranks as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in GVSU and Division II history. The Lakers were 52-4 and won three national championships during his four years. He was the first two-time winner of the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award, earning the honor in 2005 and 2006, as well as being named an All-American by the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association.

Kristin Moleski, Softball 2005-08

A four-year starter for the Lakers, Moleski was one of the program’s top offensive performers. In her 195-game career, she hit .347 with 19 home runs and 122 RBIs. Moleski was selected to first-team All-GLIAC three times and was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s All-Midwest squad twice. 

Jenna Wenglinski, Soccer 2007-10

Wenglinski led the program to its first two national championships in 2009 and 2010 as one of the best defenders to ever play for the Lakers. During her four-year career, Grand Valley compiled an incredible 87-3-7 record. The Lakers defense had 21 shutouts in 25 games her senior season and didn’t allow a goal in the NCAA Tournament. She became the second Laker to receive Division II Player of the Year honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.