Dakota Wesleyan University Hall of Fame Baseball Inductees

Craig Cheeseman ‘92

Athlete 1987-92

Inducted 2005

Craig Cheeseman launched his Dakota Wesleyan University athletic career the fall of 1987 and climaxing in 1992 by becoming the only athlete in school history to receive 15 letter awards. Craig’s distinguished career covered four sports that included football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a three year starting quarterback for the Tiger football team, winning offensive most valuable player honors in 1990 as well as being selected Honorable Mention All-Conference. He was a two years starter in basketball and was elected co-captain of the team his senior year. Winning the team’s most valuable player honors twice and a 1991 NAIA District 12 Honorable Mention selection highlighted Craig’s four year baseball career. His track competition was capped by winning All-Conference honors in 1990 and 1991 by placing in the triple jump in the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference meets. Craig not only excelled with his athletic ability but also as a team leader. He was instrumental in leading the Tigers to six conference championships spanning over three sports. Craig spent a three year period (1995-98) as the DWU head baseball coach and assistant football coach.

Jeff Larson

Athlete 1985-1989

Inducted 2013

Jeff Larson was a two-sport varsity athlete at Dakota Wesleyan University and excelled at both sports. He was a four-year starter at cornerback for the Tiger football team. He is tied for the school record for interceptions in a game (3) and career (18), and held the record for interceptions in a season for several years after picking off eight passes his senior year. His eight interceptions was good for second in the NAIA that year. He was a three-time All-Conference performer, and earned NAIA District 12 honors as a senior. He helped DWU to a conference title in 1987, and earned the team’s Hustler and Defensive MVP awards. The Mitchell native also started four seasons at second base and shortstop for the Dakota Wesleyan baseball team, and he was named the team MVP twice in his career. As a senior, he was named the KMIT Student-Athlete of the Year. After graduating with a double major, he was an assistant football coach at Dakota Wesleyan for two seasons.

Troy Loundenburg ‘88

Athlete 1983-86

Inducted 2007

Troy Loundenburg began his Dakota Wesleyan University athletic career in the fall of 1983. Troy was a four-year letterman in football at DWU. He was a four-year starter at running back from 1983-86. He began his career in 1983 by being named the team’s rookie of the year. Troy went on to be a two-time All-SDIC performer in football in 1985 and 1986. His best season came in 1986, when he had more than 1,000 rushing yards during the year. Troy was named the conference, district and NAIA National Player-of-the-Week after gaining 488 all-purpose yards in a single game in 1986. He still holds the school record for total offense in one game with 400 yards. Troy was a two-time team offensive MVP and was the team co-captain. He finished this standout football career with more than 2,000 rushing yards to rank in the DWU career top-10 rushing chart. Besides his standout football career, Troy was also a member of the DWU baseball team. He was selected to the All-SDIC Team in baseball in 1985. Troy was also named the homecoming king.

Todd Sprang

Athlete 1994-1998

Inducted 2009-10

During his outstanding four-year career with Dakota Wesleyan University football team, Todd Sprang established himself as one of the best defensive backs to ever wear the Tiger uniform. A four-year starter, Sprang was honored as an All-SDIC First Team selection following all four seasons. In 1997, he was an NAIA All-American Second Team selection and a three-time All-District 23 pick. Sprang received the team’s Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year award in 1994 when he helped the Tigers win the SDIC Championship, and he was named DWU’s defensive MVP in 1995 and 1997. No Tiger has been more prolific in pass coverage, as Sprang graduated with 18 career interceptions and three interceptions in a single game- both school records. In addition, Sprang racked up 456 total tackles and 30 pass defenses, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks and two safeties during his career. Sprang’s athletic excellence also extended to the baseball field, where he enjoyed an outstanding three-year career. In fact, Sprang’s career .422 batting average is believed to be one of the best ever at Dakota Wesleyan.

Zach Wipf ‘24

Athlete 1918-22

Inducted 1979

Zach Wipf, a very talented football and baseball player, came to Dakota Wesleyan University in the fall of 1918. In football Wipf had outstanding receiving and passing skills, which made it quite difficult for his coach to decide where he would be the most valuable to the team. Wipf started at end for most games during his career and filled in at quarterback when needed. Wipf also was a talented runner and made many long gains after pass receptions. He played on two undefeated South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference championship teams in 1919 and 1921. Wipf was named All-Conference as an end his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also was a very talented baseball pitcher and led the team to a 10-0 record and a conference championship in 1919. Wipf was named to the All-Conference baseball team that same year.

Bob Zimmerman

Athlete 1991-94

Inducted 2010-11

Bob Zimmerman graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University as one of the best outfielders to ever wear a Tiger baseball uniform. He started for four seasons in center field for Dakota Wesleyan, and gained conference and district recognition in three of his four years with the Tigers. Zimmerman, a 1994 DWU graduate, earned First-Team All-Conference honors in 1992, 1993, and 1994, and also earned NAIA All-District honors in each of those three seasons. He was also named Dakota Wesleyan’s MVP in 1993 and 1994. During his four-year tenure Zimmerman set school records for batting average, RBI’s and home runs in a season. His home-run record stood until 2002, and his batting average and RBI records remained until the 2010 season.