020904

LMC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Slated for February 20

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - Continuing with its tradition of recognizing athletic excellence, Lake Michigan College's Athletic Department will induct Kathy Leitke, Beth Ann Reum, and Joan Aalf into the LMC Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, February 20. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium during the intermission between the women's and men's basketball games against Grand Rapids Community College. The event is open to the public.


Kathy Leitke played women's volleyball, basketball, and softball for LMC from 1980 to 1982. A former Dowagiac High School standout, Leitke was not only a first-team All-American in softball each year, but also earned All-Conference and All-Region awards in volleyball and basketball. Each year, her softball teams won conference and regional championships and made national tournament appearances, finishing second and third respectively.

After leaving LMC, Leitke transferred to Central Michigan University on a full softball scholarship and graduated in 1984. After graduation, Kathy taught for two years at Dowagiac High School and was an assistant softball coach at LMC. She spent the 1986-87 year as an assistant softball coach at Western Michigan University.

In 1987, she returned to LMC as the assistant athletic director and assistant softball coach and was promoted to athletic director and head softball coach in 1991. In her first four years as head coach, Leitke's teams won consecutive conference and regional championships, including a National Championship in 1993. Overall, her teams earned six conference, five regional, one state and the only national championship in LMC history.

Leitke's extraordinary success as an athlete and coach at LMC was rewarded in 2000 when she was named the head softball coach at Western Michigan University. She's currently still at WMU where, in just her third year, led the Broncos to a Mid-American Conference championship and a NCAA tournament appearance.


Beth Ann Reum played volleyball, women's basketball and softball for LMC in its inaugural season of women's athletics in 1974-75. She also worked for LMC as an assistant recreation supervisor at the Covert recreation program for two summers.

Most importantly, she was the LMC student who petitioned the Board of Trustees to start a women's program during her freshman year in 1973. Along with fellow hall of fame members Don Alsbro and Liz Miller, Reum had a vision for women's athletics at a time when Title IX was just gaining momentum. Her courage, leadership and organizational skills helped make the dream of college athletics possible for hundreds of female student athletes after her at LMC.

Currently, Reum resides in Berrien Springs and is employed by Bosch Packaging Technology. She is also pursuing a masters degree in Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.


Joan Aalfs, who lives in St. Joseph, is being recognized as the first Associate inducted into the Lake Michigan College Athletic Hall of Fame. From 1982 through 2000, she volunteered her time, talent and money to support the softball program.

As a volunteer assistant coach, Aalfs worked extensively with pitchers and catchers during an era where LMC softball earned 16 conference championships, 14 regional championships and a national championship. She also served on the tournament committee when LMC hosted the national tournament in 1986.

Nominees for induction into the LMC Athletic Hall of Fame are considered based on the following: Athletes who completed a minimum of one season on an LMC-sponsored intercollegiate team are eligible for consideration ten years after completing participation. Coaches who completed a minimum of three seasons coaching an LMC-sponsored athletic team; current coaches are eligible for selection after five years of involvement. Associates who have been affiliated with the LMC athletic program and made significant contributions to the LMC athletic program.

Those wanting more information about nominating individuals for future induction consideration should contact Doug Schaffer, LMC athletic director, at (269) 927-8165 or at schaffer@lakemichigancollege.edu .