Daily Pioneer News

Former Pioneer sports stars Jim Bunch, Tom Jakubowski and Kelly (Fatzinger) Meyers will be honored with induction into the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame Oct. 30. Last year's induction class, honored at half time of a Pioneer football game, included (from left) Sherri Batterman, Steven Behl, Jerry Ring and Greg Wiest.

PLATTEVILLE - Three former Pioneer athletes will join the likes of Bo Ryan and Lester "Butch" Leitl when they are inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, Oct. 30. This year's inductees, who will join more than 130 others in the hall of honor, are Jim Bunch, football, class of '71; Tom Jakubowski, football, '82; and Kelly (Fatzinger) Meyers, softball, '86.

Bunch, who played on the Pioneer football team from 1968-70, is the only UWP player in history to be selected in the NFL draft. The San Francisco 49ers tabbed him in the 12th round in 1971, before the draft was reduced to seven rounds. Graduating in 1971, Bunch played offensive tackle in 1968 and defensive tackle in 1969 and 1970. The Pioneer team went 26-3 during that time, winning the Wisconsin State University Conference all three years. Bunch was named first team all-conference in 1970.

Jakubowski established eight UWP records as a running back from 1973-75. Over 25 games, Jakubowski averaged 95 rushing yards a game. He was an honorable mention for the NCAA Division II All-American team in 1973. Jakubowski majored in physical education, and furthered his education after UW-Platteville, earning a master's degree in special education from UW-Eau Claire and a master's degree in athletic administration from the University of Dubuque. Three of his Pioneer records still stand, including his 1,232 rushing yards in a season (1974). He remains fourth all-time in total yards gained in a career with 2,387.

Meyers joined the UWP Pioneer softball team in its first year as an intercollegiate varsity sport. She was named a first team all-conference player all four years she played, from 1982 to 1985. Meyers showed leadership on the team, being named team most valuable player three times, in 1982, 1983 and 1984, and serving as team captain for three seasons as well, in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Meyers was selected as a Mid-West All-American in 1984. She also played field hockey and basketball one year, and was named a Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference scholar athlete in 1985.

The three honorees will be inducted into the UWP Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 30 in the Velzy Commons area of the Ullsvik Center. The inductees will also be honored later that day during half time of the Pioneer football game versus Eau Claire. Kickoff at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium is set for 1 p.m.