ALUMNI NEWS
2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Denny Jerome
Jerome became chair of the Hall of Fame committee which began evaluating a list of star studentathletes, teams, coaches, and boosters who had contributed greatly to Warrior athletics, and in 1997 the Waldorf Hall-ofFame opened with the induction of Helen Asp, Robert Bungum, Cathy Kammin-Braathun, Rolf Lund, Obed Michaelson, and Harold "Gabby" Pierce. Since then, there have been 22 other induction ceremonies and 90 more Warriors honored with induction.“Since we established it, it’s just been so rewarding to see the appreciation from people that have been inducted,” Jerome said, adding, “and it publicized some of our strong traditions as well, so it’s been a strong addition.” For 23 years, Jerome led the discussion regarding which of Waldorf’s distinguished alumni and athletic contributors would be honored, then stood behind
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a podium for 22 of those years, announcing each name and honoring each Hall-ofFame class, year after year. With so many student-athletes and other distinguished Warriors to honor, the task was never easy, but rewarding. “It feels good to know that each year we get somebody else in,” said the veteran Waldorf coach and A.D., “but each year you graduate 70some athletes, but you’re only putting one or two or three or four in each year, so it’s really difficult to get everybody in there that deserves it. But we’re plugging away at it.” This fall, the Waldorf Athletic Hall-of-Fame will grow by just one inductee for only the second time in its history with an extremely worthy addition, as Denny Jerome becomes the newest member of the Hall-of-Fame he helped create.“Any time I would call and let the inductees know that we wanted to induct them into the Hall-of-Fame they were just flabbergasted, totally honored,” Jerome recalls. “Often saying ‘Me?, am I deserving?’ “I sort of feel the same way,” Jerome added. “It really is such an honor to be in the Hall-of-Fame and to know that you’ve done something special for our University in whatever way I could. “So, it’s an honor to be where I’m at.” A very well-deserved honor as Jerome, a 1970 graduate of Waldorf, served his alma mater as Director of Athletics
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2021
Denny Jerome 1973
Back in the mid-1990s, Denny Jerome and his colleagues in the Waldorf Athletic department saw a need for a special way to recognize nearly 75 years of excellence in Warrior Athletics. “We just saw hall-of-fames in other locations, whether it be other universities, high schools or whatever and we just said we have such a strong tradition here at Waldorf we thought we needed to start recognizing some of these people that had given to the institution,” said Jerome, then Waldorf’s Director of Athletics and head women’s basketball coach.
for 33 years, and as head women’s basketball coach for 42 seasons. During that time, Jerome not only helped create the Hall-of-Fame but also guided Waldorf through the challenging transition from 2-year junior-college status to being a successful 4-year NAIA athletic department. All while continuing to set the bar high for a women’s basketball program that he also started as he won 786 games, coached 18 All-Americans – 10 of whom are in the Waldorf Hall-of-Fame – was named NJCAA Region XI Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year seven times, Midwest Classic Conference Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year in 2003-04, and inducted into the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015. “Denny’s impact at Waldorf University cannot be overestimated,” Waldorf president Dr. Robert Alsop said. “From chartering the
women’s basketball program to spearheading the transition to four-year athletics to his commitment to Waldorf’s mission, Denny has been at the forefront of navigating the institution through pivotal moments in Waldorf’s history.” Alongside Jerome for 26 years 15 as assistant athletic director - was Kristi Osheim who adds: “I’m not sure anyone can fully describe the impact Denny Jerome has had on Waldorf University. His entire career was spent serving Waldorf in many capacities but those he will be remembered for most would be as coach and as athletic director. His priority was always the students: His student-athletes. His integrity garnered him immense respect from his players, as well as his athletic staff and co-workers. “DJ poured his heart and soul into Waldorf University and left a legacy few will ever echo.” JEROME continued page 30
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