Eugene Friesen & Tesha Werth to be inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame

 

HILLSBORO, Kan. – Former Tabor College athletes, Eugene Friesen and Tesha Werth, will be inducted into the Tabor College Athletic Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. Sat., May 16 at the annual sports banquet.

Tabor Athletic Director Rusty Allen says these two athletes are deserving of induction.

​”Our annual sports banquet seeks to recognize the achievements of our current athletes, coaches and teams, while honoring the outstanding accomplishments of those deemed worthy of going into our Athletic Hall of Fame,” Allen said. “They both demonstrated not only giftedness in competition, but have also made significant positive contributions to their families and communities. I look forward to honoring them.”​

FriesenFriesen was a four-year letter winner in basketball. As a freshman in 1958-59, he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. During his sophomore year, Friesen averaged 16 points per game and was the team’s Most Valuable Player. His junior year, he was again was named the team’s Most Valuable Player averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds per game. Friesen finished his basketball career averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds per game.

“I am grateful for the recognition that comes from having put a 9-inch ball through an 18-inch hoop with some success over 50 years ago,” Friesen said. “I am equally grateful for the camaraderie and support I found in the Tabor community that contributed to what honor also requires, a lifelong commitment to integrity and service to others.”

Friesen graduated from Tabor in 1962 with his bachelor’s degree in social science. From 1964-65, he attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota and studied international relations. Friesen received his master in divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1969. He later studied special education at Mankato State University in 1988.

After graduating from Tabor, Friesen taught social studies, math and science in Columbia for two years. He then moved back to the United States to teach social studies at Robbinsdale High School (Minn.). He pastored New Hope Mennonite Brethren Church in New Hope, Minn., from 1980-1985. The majority of his career was spent teaching American history, psychology and world religions at Armstrong High School in Plymouth, Minn., from 1985-2001. He has been active in the New Hope community serving as a chaplain, volunteer, Cub Scout leader and board member.

Friesen and his wife, Carol, have three children and six grandchildren.

WerthTesha (Ratzlaff) Werth attended Tabor College for three years and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social science in 2002. Werth was named Most Valuable Player in volleyball (2000-2002) and basketball (2001-2002), plus earned the Tabor College Female Athlete of the Year award (2000-2001). She was also named KCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention in basketball (2000-2001).

She earned the following honors while playing volleyball at Tabor: NAIA All-American Honorable Mention (2001-2002), KCAC All-Conference First Team (2000-2001), KCAC All-Conference Unanimous First Team (2001-2002) and KCAC Player of the Year (2001-2002). Werth was a member of the first Tabor volleyball team to win a KCAC Championship.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Tabor College athletics alongside so many other talented athletes in the Hall of Fame,” Werth said. “My experience at Tabor was unforgettable as I was blessed with amazing teammates and some outstanding coaches.”

Werth is an assistant volleyball coach at Tabor and has been since 2010. She is also a church youth sponsor at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. She is married to Cord Werth and they have five children.