Wittenberg Welcomes 1999 Class Into Athletics Hall of Honor

Oct. 10, 1999

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Four former Tiger athletic greats were added to Wittenberg's Hall of Honor during Homecoming weekend ceremonies, October 8-10, 1999. The new inductees were Herman Rearick (posthumously) '31, Harold Theis '66, Lloyd Ball '74, and Pam Evans Smith '82.

Herman Rearick (posthumously), '31

Herman Rearick was a standout athlete during his time at Wittenberg in football, basketball and baseball. He began his successful athletics career on the basketball court and was an All-Ohio selection in his senior year. That same year the Lutherans went 18-2 under the direction of head coach Allen Compton.

Rearick was also a member of Kappa Phi Kappa, education honorary and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity during his days at Wittenberg.

After graduation from Wittenberg, Rearick returned to his hometown Dover, Ohio where he began a successful coaching career. In his second year as a head coach, Rearick guided his team to the state championship. Rearick remained at Dover before accepting a position at Canton McKinley High School in 1938. He, then, continued his successful coaching career in both basketball and football taking several teams to the state championships in both sports.

In 1961, Rearick retired from coaching and became the assistant principal at McKinley and was named to the "Memorial Wall" at the collegiate football Hall of Fame at Rutgers University in 1964.

Rearick passed away November 9, 1956 and will be honored posthumously with this award by his son William Rearick.

Harold Theis, '66

A 1966 graduate, Hal excelled on the baseball diamond during his time at Wittenberg. A team captain and most valuable player in his senior season, Theis compiled a 13-2 career record and was a part of two Ohio Athletic conference championships and one NCAA Mid-Eastern Regional Championship.

In his senior season, Theis had a 6-0 regular season record and an ERA of 0.16. He also set a conference record of consecutive shutout innings. Theis was honored on the All-OAC first team, the NCAA Regional first team and the Regional All-Tournament first team in 1966, but his greatest honor was being selected to the College Division All-America first team, the first Tiger to be so named. He was also honored in Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd" in 1966 for his outstanding senior season.

After graduation, Theis earned his master's degree from The Ohio State University and his doctorate from Bowling Green State University in sociology. He spent several years teaching at various higher education institutions, and is currently employed by the McDonald's Corporation and is responsible for the delivery of all training.

He and his wife Karen, reside in St. Charles, Ill. and have one son Matthew, a 1993 Wittenberg graduate.

Theis will be presented for induction by his brother Thomas Theis.

Lloyd Ball, '74

A member of the one of the most successful football teams in Wittenberg history, Lloyd Ball was a major contributor to the success of the 1973 National Championship team.

Voted the most valuable player in his senior season, Ball played quarterback for the Tigers during one of the most storied years in history. Turning the program from a 5-4 season in 1972 to an unbeaten 12-0 season in 1973, Ball provided key leadership for Wittenberg at the quarterback spot. He provided his best performance in his final collegiate game scoring four touchdowns and completing eight of 12 pass for 125 yards in the national championship game.

Aside from football, Ball was also a member of Phi Mu Fraternity and Blue Key during his days at Wittenberg.

A special education work study coordinator with the Columbus Public Schools, Ball and his wife Eve reside in Canal Winchester, Ohio with their son Whitman.

Ball will be presented for induction by his former teammate, Randy Demont.

Pam Evans Smith, '82

Pam Evans Smith has made her mark at Wittenberg not only as an outstanding player on the basketball court, but also a coach on the sidelines.

On the court, Evans Smith was a three-time most valuable player for the Tigers and the team's leading scorer all four years. Ranked in the career leaders list for points and rebounds, several of her records are still unbroken. A second team Academic All-American her senior season, Evans Smith was also a member of Pick-n-Pen, Ivy Ring, Omicron Delta Kappa and Gamma Phi Beta during her days at Wittenberg.

After earning her master's degree from Ithaca College, Evans Smith returned to the sidelines in 1986 serving as the new head coach. She has since turned the program into one of the winningest programs in Division III.

A 248-104 record in her 13 years as head coach Evans Smith has been selected NCAC Coach of the Year three times and District Coach of the Year one season. During her tenure, she has led the Tigers to six NCAA Division III appearances and six NCAC championships.

Evans Smith also serves in the role of associate athletics director and the University's senior women's administrator. She is an instructor in the department of health, fitness and sport. She and her husband Roger reside in Springfield.

Evans Smith will be presented for induction by former classmate Beth Swanson.