St. Bonifacius, Minn. – The Crown College Athletics Department is excited to announce the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The class of 2024 includes the first ever teams selected with the 1976, 1977, and 1978 men's soccer teams being inducted. It also includes three individuals: Dean Jaderston '89 (men's basketball/men's tennis), Truman Shetler '15 (men's soccer, men's basketball, baseball, cross country), and Tom Messner '16 (men's golf, men's basketball). The class will be inducted at a ceremony in the Chapel of Crown College on the evening of Thursday, September 19th at 6pm.
"We are extremely excited to honor and celebrate this class of inductees," said Athletic Director Steve Tebbs "We are honoring both individuals and teams who achieved great success in their sport and represent some of the very best to have worn a Crown jersey. Congratulations to this class of inductees!"
1976-1978 Men's Soccer Teams were the first teams in Crown College history (St. Paul Bible College at the time) to win national championships. SPBC was a part of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (formerly known as the National Little College Athletic Association) during that time period. The 1976, 1977, and 1978 men's soccer teams brought home three consecutive USCAA National Championships.
Joe Tewinkel, Crown College Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2001, wrote about the team's success in a Bridge article in 1976. An excerpt from that article said, "St. Paul has been able to combine the skills of the sons of missionaries who learned their soccer overseas, the athlete who played soccer in the increasingly strong American high school programs and the natural athlete who learned his soccer on the St. Paul Bible College campus. Ask any of the squad members how it feels to be 'number 1' and you'll get the answer… "Praise the Lord!"
Carl Lightbody, a team captain, was a key member of these teams anchoring the defensive effort as the goalkeeper. When asked about these team Carl said, "We had a solid group of players during those years as many of them grew up as missionary kids playing soccer overseas. Most of the teams we competed against did not have this edge. Without them we would not have had the success we did."
John Teichroew, a key offensive player for the squad, when asked about his experience at Crown said, "So many wonderful memories—where to begin? … Those years at Crown were chock full of spiritual enrichment, starting with daily chapel sessions. Deeper Life. Prayer Band. Christian Service assignments. And many off-campus events and powerful testimonies."
Dave Larson, an influential member of the 1976 and 1977 teams, when asked about his faith said, "This two-year SPBC chapter is a key period on my lifelong faith walk. Professors, chapels, role models, a few life-long friends and being able to break a few boarding school-type rules - all helped me continue to form and shape my values, character commitment to Christ and ultimately prepared me for a career of serving the Kingdom in the public square."
Dean Jaderston '89 led the Polars early efforts (Crusaders at the time) in men's basketball and men's tennis. Upon the conclusion of his basketball career Dean totaled 1,716 points (13.2 ppg), 1,417 rebounds (10.9 rpg), 793 steals (6.1 spg), and 546 assists (4.2 apg). He earned NICC all-conference honors, NICC all-tournament teams, as well as NBCAA all-american and NBCAA academic all-american honors. In Tennis he earned 2 NICC Singles and 3 NICC Doubles championships.
Dean went on to become a basketball coach totaling over 300 career collegiate wins in over 30 years of coaching. He earned two KCAC Coach of the year honors and has led many young men and women to live a Christ centered life. Jaderston and his wife Julie have been married for 34 years and are active in youth and camping ministries. They currently serve as executive directors of a summer Christian family conference called Northern Pines of Minnesota.
When asked about how he has seen his relationship with Jesus Christ and faith impact his life he said, "I've followed Jesus as long as I can remember. From relationships, falling in love, raising kids, my career, and everything else I've done has been impacted by that relationship. He has provided for me and met all my needs. I coach the way I do because I want to glorify him and help others enter and experience the kingdom. I direct camp the way I do because I want families to experience what I have experienced. I have hope and joy during hard times because I trust in him."
Truman Shetler '15 competed in four different sports over his four years at Crown these being men's soccer, men's basketball, baseball, and cross country. Truman earned three UMAC first team all-conference awards in men's soccer and the 2014 UMAC men's soccer offensive player of the year. He holds the career record for points, goals, and shots. Shetler was also named to the UMAC All-Decade team in 2019.
Truman was also a four-time UMAC honorable mention all-conference selection once in men's soccer, two times in men's basketball, and one time in baseball. In men's basketball Shetler totaled 1,135 career points and a UMAC record 220 career steals. Following his time at Crown he opened a painting business and started coaching high school girls' soccer and girls' basketball.
When asked about his faith and the impact Jesus has had on his life he said, "My faith has played a big role both in my life, both while at Crown and as well as after graduating. I have put my trust in God to be able to provide in all aspects of life. I know that so long as I am doing my best and giving it my all no matter what I do that everything is in God's hands, and it will all work out in His timing. I also am now honored to be able to Coach both girls' soccer and girls' basketball at the high school level and help impact kids' lives the same way I was impacted with coaches throughout high school and college."
Tom Messner '16 finished a decorated career with four UMAC first team all-conference selections and the 2015-16 UMAC Individual Champion/UMAC player of the year award. Messner set eight school records and helped lead the Polars (Storm at the time) to two UMAC Championships and two bids to the NCAA tournament. He was named to the UMAC All-Decade team in 2018.
He totaled 4 UMAC Championship top 10 finishes as he finished seventh in 2013 with a score of 241 (+28), 3rd in 2014 with a score of 233 (+17), first in 2015 with a score of 221 (+5), and ninth in 2016 with a score of 239 (+23). Messner earned six career individual tournament victories, scored a low individual round of 70 three times, and has a career golf scoring average of 77.27.
When asked about his faith and the impact Jesus has had on his life he said, "I've seen my faith grow tremendously since attending Crown College. Through the entire staff, mentors, friends/family, and coaches I've had (Mike Gmetro and Luke Herbert to name a few) being great examples for me. From that, I took the next step in my relationship with Jesus Christ, getting baptized at my church, Branch Church, where my family and I attend and serve."
