UIW Inducts Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Athletics program boasts a proud history shaped by countless dedicated individuals who believed in its potential to make a lasting impact on student-athletes and supporters alike. Today, UIW Athletics encompasses 14 sports and 23 men’s and women’s teams, standing as the only Catholic NCAA Division I athletics program in the Southland Conference. As the program continues to grow and reach new heights, it is only fitting that UIW honors the remarkable individuals who have contributed to its success through its prestigious Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Since its founding in 2005, the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame has recognized exceptional athletic achievements and outstanding contributions to intercollegiate athletics at the University. This year marks the Hall of Fame’s 20th anniversary—two decades of celebrating the individuals and teams who have helped shape the proud legacy of UIW Athletics.
The 2025 Hall of Fame induction ceremony was hosted by the UIW Letterwinners Association, a “community of alumni comprised of former student-athletes and student support staff who have earned a letter by participating in a varsity sport at UIW/Incarnate Word College” (uiwcardinals.com).
This year’s Hall of Fame Class honored a distinguished group of athletes, coaches, and supporters whose dedication and accomplishments continue to elevate the excellence of UIW Athletics.
“Tonight, in addition to celebrating our honorees, our student-athletes and our Cardinal spirit, we also celebrate the growth of a program that began as a small, independent program, then moved to NAIA, then Division II’s Lone Star Conference and ultimately became the dynamic Division I Southland Conference program that we are today. We have many people with us this evening who contributed to that trajectory,” acknowledged University President Dr. Thomas M. Evans.
Approximately 300 attendees came out to celebrate this year’s honorees, including their spouses, children, parents, friends, colleagues and other members of the Incarnate Word community.
Among the honorees, Mark Papich, former Volleyball coach and Athletics Director, was recognized for his years of dedication and service to UIW Athletics. Papich has a record 124 wins under his belt as a coach, and devoutly served as athletics director from 2001-2015, ushering in incredible growth for the program by adding six sports and making the move from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I.
Although the evening was dedicated to honoring him, Papich made a point to acknowledge the many staff members whose dedication and support helped build the program into what it is today.
“It's a humbling experience (to be inducted into the UIW Athletics Hall of Fame),” expressed Papich. “We had a small staff when we started- I'm going to say maybe 7 people. If it weren't for the people around me, we would never have gotten anything done. We would never have been able to complete the things we did. We had a good staff.”
This year’s Hall of Fame honored team was the 2009–10 Men’s Swimming and Diving team. In only their third season of competition, the Cardinals captured the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship title and went on to finish second at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving National Championships.
In addition to recognizing the athletes, their coach, Phillip Davis, was also honored for his leadership and dedication. Under his guidance, the team achieved extraordinary success, and he was named NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year at the championships. From the athletes to the coaching staff, the team exemplified remarkable talent, determination and unity.
“It’s incredibly special that our team is being inducted into the UIW Hall of Fame,” shared Teofilo Reyes, Jr., member of the 2009-10 Men’s Swimming and Diving team. “This event happened almost 20 years ago, so to be able to be notified of this and go down memory lane about everything that we went through, practices, meets, competitions, ups and downs. It’s really cool to see that even years later that experience was valued, not only within our UIW Swimming community, but even outside.”
Also honored was Tracy Avery, a two-time UIW alumna and steadfast supporter of Cardinal Athletics. Avery has been instrumental in the development of UIW Athletics’ Cardinal Clubs, not only in planning events but putting boots on the ground to help ensure that all event details were carried out. She is currently a charter member of the Tartan Society and has also served as President of the UIW Alumni Association.
Many friends and colleagues, including Dr. Evans, spoke on Avery as a person, but many noted details remained consistent. To all, Avery is an individual that exhibits passion in all that she pursues, is a skilled philanthropist and has been a tremendous agent in helping UIW Athletics flourish into its current state.
Her years of service and quality of character led her to be presented with the 2025 UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Order of Merit. This honor is given to a notable individual that has “made (a) significant contribution(s) to the advancement of the intercollegiate athletics program at UIW” (uiwcardinals.com/sports).
“I think getting to see everything grow has been great,” remarked Avery with a proud smile. “It's not a single memory. It's kind of an evolution of the whole program. That's really been the best part of it.”
The evening also featured a special announcement: the establishment of the Stephen J. Heying Leadership & Service Endowed Scholarship. Named in honor of Stephen J. Heying, who served as both assistant and head baseball coach at UIW and mentored countless student-athletes, the scholarship was generously created by former players, colleagues, friends, and family. It will be awarded to deserving students who meet the University’s academic standards and demonstrate financial need.
The event was a celebration of UIW’s remarkable Athletics community, honoring those who exemplify the spirit, dedication, and values of the University.
“It was a privilege to honor the incredible achievements and lasting impact of our alumni, coaches and supporters at the Hall of Fame Class of 2025,” said UIW Athletics Director Richard Duran. “We celebrated six amazing individuals and a team that achieved the best NCAA Championship finish in school history. Thank you to the selection committee and congratulations to the class of 2025!”
UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Honor Team – 2009-10 Men’s Swimming & Diving:
This year’s Honor Team is the 2009-2010 Men’s Swimming and Diving team. In just its third season of existence, the team, coached by conference and NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year, Phillip Davis, was crowned Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions and finished in second place at the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving National Championships. Eleven student-athletes finished in the top eight of their events earning UIW an unprecedented 27 All-American certificates, including one individual national championship. A true reflection of the spirit of UIW’s international nature, the team boasted athletes from places such as Ukraine, Brazil and Belarus.
Order of Merit – Tracy Avery ’96, ’12:
The UIW Athletics Hall of Fame Order of Merit is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of intercollegiate athletics at the University of the Incarnate Word. Avery embodies this spirit. She is one of the most steadfast supporters of Cardinal Athletics and dedicated UIW graduates. She was instrumental in the earliest days of the Cardinals Club, is a charter member of the Tartan Society, and has served as president of the UIW Alumni Association. Avery is an inspiration, and she reflects the UIW spirit through her passion, philanthropy and leadership. She is a two-time UIW alumnae, having earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design in 1996 and her Master of Business Administration in 2012.
Allison Britt Briseño ’09 – Softball, 2005-2008:
Allison Britt Briseño was a standout on the softball diamond for UIW. Allison garnered National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America honors as well as being named to three All-South-Central Region and three All-Heartland Conference teams. She led the 2006 team to a record 46 wins, a Heartland Conference championship, and the program’s first berth in the NCAA Division II regional tournament. Briseño still holds four career records for UIW. She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Mark Papich – Volleyball Coach/Athletics Director, 1995-2015:
The name Mark Papich is synonymous with UIW Athletics – first as a coach from 1995-2002 then as an administrator from 2001-2015. Papich began his UIW career in 1995 as an assistant volleyball coach and was named head coach the following year. Papich’s 1997 squad reached a record 31 wins, were Heart of Texas Conference Champions, won the NAIA Southwest Regional Tournament, and made the program’s first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament. He was named Regional American Volleyball Coaches Association, NAIA Southwest Region and Heart of Texas Conference Coach of the Year. In total, he sits atop the volleyball record book with 124 wins as a coach. Papich also served as UIW’s Athletics Director from 2001-2015, an era that saw incredible growth in the UIW program by adding six sports and making the move from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I.
Shelly Snook Tompkins ’98, ’01 – Volleyball, 1995-1997:
Shelly Snook Tompkins was a standout volleyball player for UIW leading her team to its first NAIA National Tournament in 1997. Tompkins was named an NAIA All-America, All-Region, and Southwest Region Player of the Year while earning All-Heart of Texas Conference honors two times throughout her career. She is a double UIW graduate having earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1998 and her master’s degree in education in 2001.
Kenneth Watson – Men’s Basketball, 1991-1994:
A three-time NAIA All-America selection, Kenneth Watson was an outstanding basketball player for then Incarnate Word College. Among his other honors and awards, he was named to four Heart of Texas All-Conference teams and was the conference’s Most Valuable Player his senior season. Watson still stands atop the UIW record books as the program’s leader in career scoring, career scoring average and single game scoring. In addition, Watson ranks in the top seven in four other statistical categories.
Shayn Weidner ’10, ’14 – Cross Country/Track & Field, 2007-2010:
The accomplishments of Shayn Weidner as a UIW student-athlete speak to his Hall of Fame career. He was an ESPN The Magazine Third-Team All-America selection, selected to the Heartland Conference 20th Anniversary Cross Country Team, a two-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All-American, named to four All-Heartland Conference teams, and earned Heartland Conference Runner of the Year honors in 2009. He was also named the 2009-2010 UIW Student-Athlete of the Year. He is a double UIW graduate having earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 2010 and his master’s degree in applied statistics in 2014.