Joseph W. Alexander
Rodeo, 1968-69

Known as "Alexander the Great", Joe Alexander is regarded by many as one of the most flamboyant bareback riders ever to compete for Wyoming, and is the first rodeo participant to be inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame. The Cora, Wyo., native competed for Wyoming Rodeo Club team as a bareback rider in 1968 and 1969. In 1968, he place third at the National College Finals Rodeo in bareback riding, and ranked in the Top 10 in bareback riding in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association standing both years at UW. Joe transferred to Wyoming from caper college where he won a National College Finals Rodeo Championship and led the NIRA in bareback riding in 1967. After graduating from Wyoming with a degree in Agriculture business, Joe won a record five consecutive world bareback championships from 1971 to 1975. He also owns the world record for the best score ever in bareback riding with a 93 at the Grand Daddy of `Em All, Cheyenne Frontier days in 1974. Over his illustrious career, Joe competed in 13 National Finals Rodeos, and was selected to the Professional rodeo cowboys Association hall of Fame.

Inducted September 19, 1997

Honors and Awards

Stig Hallingbye
Skiing, 1974-1977

Stig Hallingbye is the first skiing inductee into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame. The Slependen, Norway native earned All-America honors three times during his career at Wyoming in the Nordic events, including First-Team honors his freshman and sophomore seasons. Over his four year career at UW, Hallingbye won two National Championships in cross-country and helped guide the Pokes to two second place finishes, one third place finish, and one fourth place finish in the NCAA Championships. After earning his degree in Agriculture Economics, Stig returned to the slopes as an assistant head coach for UW. Over the next four years, Hallingbye would coach both the men's and women's cross country teams and the jumping team. During his tenure as an assistant coach, he would guide four national champions in cross country and jumping. Hallingbye also earned a master's degree from UW in Agriculture Economics.

Inducted September 19, 1997

Honors and Awards

Ronda K. Munger
Volleyball, 1984-87

Ronda Munger was one of the greatest homegrown volleyball players in Wyoming history. As a four-year starter for the Cowgirls at her outside hitter position, Munger led Wyoming to its first ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1986. She also led the team in kills with 365, and received second team High Country Athletic Conference honors. As a senior, Munger would become the first Cowgirl volleyball player ever to be selected all-West Region by the American Volleyball coaches Association. During her senior campaign, Munger would once again lead the team in kills with 515. For her efforts her senior year, Munger earned the honors of First Team High Country Athletic Conference and Defensive Player of the Year in the HCAC. For her career, ronda recorded 1,536 kills and 1,108 digs. Both records still stand today at the University of Wyoming. Munger also holds school records in kills in a single match with 42 in five games. She played in 415 games in her career to be ranked sixth all-time.

Inducted September 19, 1997

Honors and Awards

Joseph N. Nzau
Track, 1977-1982

Often referred to as the pioneer of Kenyan running, Joe is perhaps the greatest track athlete ever at the University of Wyoming. A four-year letterman from 1977-82, Nzau was a six-time All-America and voted Wyoming's Most Valuable Track Athlete all four years he competed. As a freshman at UW, Nzau finished 21st in the country in cross country and helped Wyoming finish third NCAA Championships. That year he earned his first All-America honor. As a sophomore, Nzau was two-time All-America in the 10,000 meters and fourth in the 3,000 meter steeple chase. As a senior, Joe would round out his collegiate career with his sixth All-America honor, with a fourth-place finish in the 10,000 meters. After graduating from UW with a degree in engineering, Joe competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif., for his native Kenya. In the `84 Summer Games, he would finish sixth in the marathon and 10th in the 10,000 meters.

Inducted September 19, 1997

Honors and Awards

1967 Sugar Bowl Team
Football

As the only undefeated major college team in the nation in 1967 at 10-0, the Wyoming Cowboy football team was invited to participate in the 1968 Sugar Bowl, against Louisiana State in New Orleans, La. After winning their second straight Western Athletic Conference Championship, and four previous bowl victories, the Cowboys of 1967 were on the threshold of greatness. Led by captains Mike Dirks and Jim Kiick, Wyoming would outscore its opponents 276-99 during the 1967 season. On New Year's Day, 1968, Wyoming would take a commanding 13-0 lead into halftime of the Sugar Bowl, and make their claim as one of the premier college programs in the country. Unfortunately for Cowboy fans, LSU would outscore Wyoming 20-0 in the second half to win 20-13, and hand the Pokes their only loss of the season. In that illustrious season, the 1967 Sugar Bowl Team would climb through the rankings all season before peaking at No. Five. That No. Five ranking is still the highest any Cowboy Football Team has ever been ranked.

Inducted September 19, 1997