Kim Eisiminger ’80, a four-time basketball team MVP, led the Presidents to a 49-15 record during her career from 1976-1980. W&J also claimed three consecutive Pennwood West Conference Championships starting in her sophomore season. Eisiminger was a two-time All-Conference selection and ended her career with 1,333 points in 64 games for an average of 20.8 points per contest. She still holds the W&J single-game record for rebounds in a game with 28. Her 1,333 career points places her third on the W&J all-time scoring list. She is also second in career rebounds (886) and single-season rebounds (304). Eisiminger also played one season with the W&J volleyball team.
Pete Gulden ’61 was considered one of the best all-around basketball players in the east during his years at W&J. He was named to the All-PAC squad in both 1960 and 1961. Gulden was a solid playmaker and a tenacious defender who was assigned the task of guarding Bob Mlkvy, a high school teammate and University of Pennsylvania All-American. In an era in which colleges were classified as Small (W&J) and Major College Divisions, Gulden once received Honorable Mention All-America honors in the Major College Division category.
Buddy Jeannette ’38 was a man who was nationally recognized as a basketball player, coach and general manager in both the college and professional ranks. Jeannette led the Presidents to a 41-19 mark during his career. A four-year letterwinner and leading scorer, Jeannette captained the 1937-38 squad to the Tri-State Championship. He earned All-America laurels and was named to the District Silver Medal Team, while also being named to the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph All-Star Team. Jeannette also played in three different professional leagues and was named the NBL Rookie of the Year following the 1938-39 season. He was widely regarded in his first 10 seasons as professional basketball’s top backcourt player. Jeannette played on six championship teams and was named league MVP four times. He was also the first-ever player/coach to win a professional championship and led the Baltimore Bullets to the city’s first professional championship.
Don Kasperik ’72, a record-breaking quarterback for the W&J football program, led Washington & Jefferson to a 12-4 record in his final two seasons. Kasperik formed one of W&J’s all-time top passing combinations with end Rich Pocock during his career. At one time, Kasperik owned eight single-game or season records at the College, including the records for completions in a game with 24 and attempts in a game with 52 versus Allegheny in 1969. He led the Presidents to the PAC Championship in 1970 and was a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-PAC selection. In 1971, he ranked eighth in the nation in total offense.
Dave Krivus ’83, considered one of W&J’s greatest wrestlers, ranks second in the W&J record books with 80 career wins. He was a four-year letterwinner, three-time team MVP and two-time team captain, who began his stellar career in the 1979-80 season by being named to the All-PAC team. In his sophomore season, Krivus earned All-America status and became the first W&J wrestler to qualify for the Division I National Championships. As a junior and senior, Krivus was once again named to the All-PAC and was also honored as an NCAA All-American.
Paul Reardon, a pioneer in the W&J athletics department, became involved with the College first when Pete Henry hired him to serve as the head coach for swimming and track and assistant coach for football. Reardon made his biggest impact at the College after being hired as the athletic director in 1954. During his tenure, W&J added new tennis court surfaces and renovated the former College Field and the Henry Memorial Center. Fields for baseball, field hockey, softball and soccer were also added to the campus. In his 33 years as athletic director, Reardon also found time to coach swimming (22 yrs.), track (12 yrs.), football (eight yrs.) and the first cross country team in school history. He was honored with the “Master Coach Award” by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America in 1964, the W&J Alumni Association Distinguished Award in 1986 and an honorary doctorate from the College in 1987.
Becky Donaldson Shellem ’83 is considered one of the greatest student-athletes in W&J’s rich history. A four-year letterwinner and three-time team MVP for the Washington & Jefferson swimming program, Shellem owned the school record book until the early 1990’s. She earned All-America status in the 1650-yard Freestyle event in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Shellem was also named an All-American in the 500-yard Freestyle as a sophomore and the 200- and 500-yard Freestyle as a junior. In all, she earned All-America laurels an outstanding six times.
Bill Span ’50, 2001 Murphy Award Honoree, was a four-year letterwinner as a starting offensive center and defensive lineman for Washington & Jefferson. He never missed a quarter in four years of football playing both sides of the ball. Span was a main reason for the success of W&J’s talented backfield duo of “Deacon” Dan Towler and Walter Cooper. During the 1948 season, Span helped Towler lead the nation in scoring. His teams won 17 games during his four years, including a 5-3 mark in 1948.
Matt Szczypinski ’96 was a four-year letterwinner for the W&J football team and a team captain in his senior season. In 1993, he was named a Champion Third Team All-American after posting 83 tackles and nine sacks, both third on the team. The defensive unit led the nation in total defense, rush defense and scoring defense. Following his senior season, Szczypinski was named to the AFCA/Schooner’s, Associated Press and ECAC Division III All-America teams. In addition, Szczypinski was awarded as a CoSIDA Academic All-American. He was also a finalist for the Gagliardi Award, given to the top player in all of Division III. He played on two squads that advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in 1992 and in 1994.
