MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Nazarene University athletics had the honor of inducting five new members onto its Cougar Wall of Fame at halftime of the men’s basketball game on Friday, Nov. 12.
The five inductees were Jackie Albrecht (Now Jackie Bailey) of women’s volleyball, Catherine Hess and Kristi Brandolini of women’s soccer, Bryan Bumgarner of men’s golf, and Amanda Himes of women’s basketball.
Jackie Albrecht, as she was known before she was married, played on the women’s volleyball team at MVNU from 2007-2010 and during her time here, she helped the volleyball team to an astonishing record of 155-32. Here at MVNU, Jackie ranks third in all-time career kills with 2,399 and ranks ninth in both service aces with 180 and in digs with 2,130. During her junior year, she was a part of the team that finished as 2009 NCCAA National Runners-Up.
During her illustrious four-year career, she was awarded with multitudes of honors. These include 18 conference and national Player of the Week honors, 15 All-Tournament Team selections, six regional and conference Player of the Year honors, and most notably, she was a 5-time All-American selection across the NAIA and NCCAA. She was also named the NCCAA National Player of the Year her junior year and National Co-Player of the Year her senior year.
Kristi Brandolini played at MVNU from 2004-2007 and amassed a career record of 59-25-4. She played an integral part in the 2006 team that won the NCCAA National Championship. Kristi holds several records here at MVNU, including being the all-time leader in goals scored with 70 and also leading in total points with 189. In addition to these records, she is second all-time in the assists category, as she provided 49 assists throughout her four-year career.
In addition to her team success at MVNU, Kristi won numerous individual awards. She was named conference, regional, or national Player of the Week 15 different times, she was named to All-Conference or All-Region teams 15 times, was selected as part of three NCCAA All-National Tournament teams, and was named regional Player of the Year once. On the national level, Kristi was a 6-time All-American recipient in the NAIA and NCCAA and was named the NCCAA National Player of the Year in 2007. In addition to these honors, she was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” in the magazine’s December 17, 2007 issue.
Catherine Hess played on the women’s soccer team from 2001-2004. In those four years, the Lady Cougars had a record of 67-25-2 and won the NCCAA National Championship in 2003. Catherine holds several records at MVNU: she holds the record for most matches played with 91 and is the career leader in assists with 52. She ranks second in both career points with 186 and career goals scored with 67.
While at MVNU, Catherine gained many individual honors for her outstanding play. She was selected to ten All-Conference and All-Region teams, 12 times she was named Player of the Week in the conference, region, and nation, she was named to three All-Tournament teams, and was named the Conference Player of the Year and Regional Player of the Year once each. Hess was a 4-time All-American across the NAIA and NCCAA levels and was named the NCCAA National Tournament’s Offensive Most Valuable Player in 2004.
Bryan Bumgarner played on the golf team at MVNU from 2001-2004 and during his time here, he was the national Player of the Week twice, was named to two different All-Conference teams and three All-Tournament teams, was a medalist in four separate tournaments and invitationals, and was named Conference Player of the Year in 2003. Bryan was selected as a First-Team NAIA All-American and participated in the NAIA National Tournament in 2002.
The fifth and final Wall of Fame inductee honored was women’s basketball player Amanda Himes. Amanda played on the women’s basketball team at MVNU from 2007-2011 and while she was on the team, the Lady Cougars had an overall record of 87-40. In 2009, Amanda was part of the NCCAA National Championship-winning team. She currently holds the record for most career points with 2,189, highest points per game average at 18.6 points per game, most career field goals made with 854, and is also the all-time leader in rebounds with 1,287. In addition to this, she ranks third all-time in blocked shots with 113.
Himes also achieved a lot individually. She was named the conference or national Player of the Week 14 times throughout her career, was selected onto nine All-Conference and All-Region teams, as well as six All-Tournament Teams, and was named the region’s Player of the Year twice. Furthermore, Amanda was a 7-time All-American across the NAIA and NCCAA levels.
“We are very proud of our five 2021 Wall of Fame inductees,” said Director of Athletics, Chip Wilson. “We are thankful for their dedication to MVNU and their athletic teams. It was great to have them and their families back on the MVNU campus, and this honor is very well deserved.”
