CSULAA Hall of Fame
The CSU Men’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame honors some of the greatest Rams, established in 2008 with five charter members. Since then, we have continued to recognize exceptional contributors to the CSU Lacrosse family by honoring them with a place in our Hall of Fame.
The Men’s Lacrosse team hosts an annual Hall of Fame Game in the spring to honor that year’s inductees.
Part of one of the best defenses in MCLA history, Tyler Zabor was an unquestioned leader from day one on campus at Colorado State. His on-field tenacity was measured with his off-field kindness and combined to make a complete defender who excelled in the classroom and on the field.
As a back-to-back national champion in 2012 and 2013, Tyler represents the best of CSU men’s lacrosse. He was an MCLA All-America member in 2012 and 2013, an All-Conference member from 2011-2013, and captain in 2013. Tyler was also elected to the MCLA All-Tournament team 3 times. The team went 70-7 during Tyler’s time on the team and also won 4 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference Championships.
Hayden Porter was a pillar in what was one of the most dominant defenses in MCLA history. He was a lockdown defender, often paired up against the best attackman in the country, and a key piece in back to back MCLA National Championships. He was awarded with back to back 1st Team All America seasons in 2012 and 2013, on the All MCLA Tournament team twice in a row, and 1st Team All Conference Defense three of his four seasons at CSU. His career was capped off with a 21-0 season in 2013 and a National Championship in which he was awarded player of the game with the rest of the close defensive unit. Hayden will long be remembered as one of the most feared defenders in the history of the MCLA and helped anchor a four-year record of 70-7. He’s remained heavily involved in the Alumni organization since graduation.
Originally from Langley, VA, Alex Devlin folded into the culture at CSU very quickly. His ability to play on both ends of the field made him one of the most dangerous and versatile midfielders in the entire MCLA during his career. Alex was a captain on the 2013 National Champion Team. Alex was one of the cornerstones of the 2012 and 2013 national championship teams. Alex was a 3x All American and 3x All Conference player. Alex finished his CSU career with 63 Goals and 40 Assists, good for 17th All-Time on the CSU Men’s Lacrosse scoring list.
Austin Fisher (Fish) was a standout the second he hit the field his freshman year. Austin was a four-year starter on attack, racking up massive numbers during his four-year tenure at CSU, including 4 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference Championships and 2 National Championships. Austin sits at 3rd on the CSU Men’s Lacrosse All-Time points list with 205 goals (2nd All-Time) and 89 Assists. Fish was as crafty and dynamic as they come from the attack position. Fish would score in various ways, from winning 1v1 matchups regularly against top defensemen and using his high lacrosse IQ to find himself open off-ball. Austin won the Godekeraw Award in 2013 during his senior season, which is awarded to the top scholar-athlete in the MCLA.
Andrew Stein was a close defender playing from 2006-to 2010. Stein epitomized a lockdown defender during his playing career at CSU. Stein regularly matched up and neutralized the opponent’s best attackman; this included 7 All-Americans from the 2010 season. Stein was a Caused Turnover machine during his tenure at CSU. Stein was also a captain during his Junior and Senior seasons.
Class of 2007. Currently the fifth all-time leading scorer in CSU lacrosse history, Stevens came from Suffern HS in Suffern, NY and was a captain of the 2006 national championship squad. Prolific production as a player combined with great toughness and a humble and selfless personality made Stevens one of the best in the MCLA during his generation.
Class of 2013. Perhaps the most athletic goalie ever to play at CSU, Smith was one of the premiere goalies in the MCLA for two of his years. After starting in the nets for the 2003 national championship team, he went on to play and coach professionally for the Denver Outlaws of the MLL. Smith is currently the head coach at CSU and the only person in history to be a part of six MCLA national championship teams.
Class of 1998. Heth’s athleticism and speed always made CSU lacrosse look good and he helped greatly in the transition to MCLA play. He is perhaps the best natural face-off man to ever play at CSU. The fact that he was a three-time captain says a great deal about who he is and what he meant to the team. Heth has remained extremely active with the program after his retirement and can still be seen honing his craft in men’s club games across the state.
Class of 1989. Mike showed his talent on the field as a team captain and high scorer. But his greatest contribution may have come off the field. Arthur served as the president of the club for two years as a student. He has been active with CSU Lacrosse Alumni Association as well, serving as president for two terms and providing countless opportunities for CSU lacrosse to grow. Arthur’s son Ryan plays lacrosse at Mercer University in Georgia.
Tom Skillman was the very first lacrosse coach in CSU history. Tom was the editor of CSU’s alumni magazine. He had played Lax when he was younger and he became interested in what was being started at Colorado State.
The team had no support from CSU or the Athletic Dept., Players had to run the entire program until Tom stepped up and helped to coach the team. He also arranged practice fields and made game field arrangements for the team in those early years. Tom was very involved in getting CSU Lax off the ground and giving it the foundation to become the great program that it is today.
Tom made it possible for some players to work out with the football team in the winter, he contacted the athletic director to discuss what we were doing and to encourage him (Thum McGraw) to support the Lacrosse team. He pushed for student legislation to advocate for club sports. Tom Skillman still lives in Fort Collins and supports CSU lacrosse.
Yochanan AKA Jared “The Rabbit” Katz has taken CSU Lacrosse to the world in a most wonderful way. After graduating from Colorado State in 2003 Jared pursued his dream to go to Israel, where he now lives, to study Hebrew and Judaism, and to become a Rabi, which he now is. Yochanan coaches youth and grows lacrosse in Israel, and is currently Captain of the Israeli National Lacrosse team that will compete this July in Denver at the 2014 World Lacrosse Games. The Ram family looks forward to welcoming the entire, always supportive Katz family back to Colorado this summer. Not to mention we will all get to watch the rabbit from Minnesota run again.
Between 2000 and 2003 Jared Katz played midfield on two National Championship Ram teams at CSU. He was Captain in 2002, 2003, and voted Team MVP in 2003. His elusive bursts of speed earned him the nickname “Rabbit”. His skill was so special and distinctive that at some point the word “Rabbit” became part of the team vocabulary, and everyone understood the urgency of the moment and what the team was doing when the right person yelled “Rabbit!” at just the perfect time. Everything happened quickly, rabbit style. Jared ‘completed’ every team he was part of with his versatility and his ability to make those around him better. He worked hard every single day.
Jared’s many awards included several appearances on national tournament all-star teams and his Ram teams were in the final Championship Game all four of his years, but maybe his greatest leadership and highest level of play may have been in 2003. As the team entered that season, the 2002 graduation had taken its toll, and a third National Championship might have seemed perhaps a long shot going into the 2003 campaign. That fairly young team had to go on a march of sorts, with a killer schedule, weather issues all over the place, and guerilla practices part of the everyday landscape.
Pete Jokisch came to CSU in 2003 from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, glad to be in Colorado, and eager to be part of Colorado State lacrosse. With many talented goalies in the Ram program upon his arrival, it was hard for any new goalie to get noticed, but Pete did, and by 2006 he was a CSU Captain. Twice an All American, his career save percentage is fantastic at 66.7%, and the Jokisch record of 49 wins and only 6 losses as a Ram starter in the goal cage is another number that certainly stands out.
Pete came with ‘refuse to lose’ built in his character, his fiber, and he brought that to practice every day. Many of Pete’s ‘saves’ were hard to record, because often he was making the opposing shooter mess up and miss, or somehow otherwise intimidating or calming the offensive threat the other team posed. Much of Pete’s goaltending greatness came from his determination and his daily, disciplined work habits. Getting better every day was never an option for Pete. It was just what he did, what he had to do. He was ‘in it to win it’ from day one of anything. The on-the-field leadership that he brought in 2006 led to him being voted by teammates as team MVP on that 2006 National Champion, the so-called “Vindication” team, and it was beautiful to watch him lead that team and during that time. The 2006 team showed its team greatness at every stop on that very testy ‘tour’ de MCLA. They had no choice as they were challenged all season long, but Pete never doubted the outcome for a minute.
When Pete graduated he went on to play professional lacrosse in the NLL for the Colorado Mammoth from 2006-2008. Currently he is the goalie coach for the Czech National Lacrosse team that will compete in Denver this summer in the World Games. He started his own business, Teakoe, he lives in Denver and is recently engaged.
Pat Bird. Midfielder, came to CSU lacrosse from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California. It was the Ramily’s good fortune when the Bird landed in Fort Collins in 2004. Birdie was a force to be reckoned with on the lacrosse field, unforgettable to watch if you ever saw him play the game. Pat had size, but that was not what made it easy to pick him out from a distance. The way he moved or even just stood there told the world who he was. He had presence and charisma all over the place.
As a player he was aggressive, exciting to watch, athletically impressive, and Pat had a sudden impact on any and every game he ever played in. Pat was one of the signature CSU players from his era. Other teams had the utmost respect for him and what he might do to them as an opponent. In 2006 Pat was a very big part of the 4th Ram MCLA National Championship team. Others around the country noticed that Bird was the word, too. Along with being a first team MCLA All-American midfielder in 2006 and 2007, Pat was selected to the All-Decade MCLA Team, and he was the midfielder who had the most votes of any middie that had played in those first 10 seasons of Club Lacrosse National Championships.
Pat’s great abilities as a lacrosse player not only benefited the team during his illustrious career, but the family also put its wing around a young and somewhat untamed Bird Boy when he first got to Colorado State. He was far from home and California, and the team really became his family and as a group they were supportive and instrumental in Pat’s early growth as a player at State, and he left the program truly having become a Bird Man. Birdie also brought his sharp wit and intellectual curiosity with him and to the ‘family’ every day, to practice, before games, or at lunch, and always in the most refreshing ways. He was and is a Renaissance man. He currently lives back home near to his relatives in Oakland, he works in San Francisco, and is aspiring to become an Oakland police officer.
Another offensive star, Nick Stanitz-Harper was a starter from his first day on campus at Colorado State. Playing as a midfielder early in his career before moving to attack full-time later on, Stanitz-Harper was a physical presence who could shoot the ball with velocity and accuracy. His size and strength, along with his knack for timely goals, made him a tough match-up for any defenseman as the burly right hander from Aurora, CO rang up over 200 points in his career.
Overlapping slightly with Coy, Ryan Davis was part of perhaps the most well-rounded and feared attack groups in the history of the program, lining up alongside fellow Hall of Famers Mike Roth and Mike Napolilli. A slick playmaker with a no fear attitude, Davis also graced the cover of Lacrosse Magazine after CSU won their second title in 2001. Davis currently sits at #8 all-time on the CSU modern stats list with 173.
Pat Coy burst onto the national scene just as the MCLA was blooming into what it has become today. One of the most physical and intimidating defenders in the country during his time at CSU, Coy was a multi-year All-America and All-Conference player and helped lead the Rams to two national championships in 1999 and 2001.
As a red-shirt freshman transfer from Mount San Antonio College, where he played football, Mottram made quite an impression in the (then) Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Association (RMLA), when he led the league in scoring as a freshman.
Opposing teams were designing their defensive schemes around Mottram before the end of his first season. A dominant player who seemed to be able to score at will, Mottram was the type of competitor who could simply take over a game. He definitely broke the mold of the typical attackman. At 6’2” and 240 lbs, he had power but also incredibly quick feet and athleticism for a man his size. His drive from behind the goal combined with an ability to shoot and score seemingly with no angle, was for the most part unstoppable. His off ball play and accurate passing (usually while drawing a double team) made everyone around him better. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do on the field, including winning face-offs and playing long pole in man-down situations.
Mottram was elected Team Captain for the ’95 and ’96 campaigns, and served as an inspiring leader and role model. He played during the era of CSU lacrosse that predated the standardization of uniform and consistent protective equipment for the players. Teammates will certainly remember Mottram’s red Sport Helmet, just as opposing defensemen will never forget it. Since graduation, Mottram has played post-collegiate club as well as indoor, and currently resides in New York where he works for IBM.
Matt Smith grew up in the Denver metro area where he attended Kent, and helped the lacrosse program that won a state championship his Junior year. He was named to the All-State lacrosse Team as a Defenseman. What Matt thought would become a D3 college football career turned into two years at Division III lacrosse powerhouse Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. The lure of returning home to Colorado was strong, and in 1996 Matt transferred to CSU and he found his ‘family’ at CSU lacrosse.
As its Vice President & President for many years Matt was a huge part and loud voice in building the foundation for and guiding the Alumni Association (CSULLA) from its inception in the late nineties until 2012. He helped start the tradition that is the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Sports Authority Field Mile High, the CSU vs. CU game played every April. Matt wishes he could have been here and sends love and thanks to the Family that he helped create.
Matt is unable to be here due to a long planned trip to the far east, accepting on his behalf is President of the CSULAA Joe Glischinski
Kale bleeds green & gold. He came to State from Rangeview HS in Aurora, CO. The fact that KALE was elected team captain 3 straight years at CSU says everything about his enormous playing and leadership abilities. As a star player he manned every position for the Rams. Kale was recognized nationally for his individual excellence as a college athlete when he was selected to the MDIA All America team in 2002. He was also chosen as an RMLL all-star in 2001 and 2002. From 2004-2010 he was an assistant coach at CSU.
He was a huge part of the development of the CSU summer lacrosse camp, now called Ram Camp, that has been so great and is so integral to the vitality of the lacrosse program. Kale was a part of 3 CSU National Championships as player and coach, and was associated with 6 different CSU teams that played in the finals of the National Championship tournament over the span of just seven years. Kale Erick Robert Nelson credits his success to his parents Jan and Gary Nelson and his Brother Dac for their support on and off the field. Kale lives in the Denver area with his wife Shawna and kids Alexis, Kendell and Violet.
Rob was a high school star at Brien Mcmahon HS in Norwalk, Connecticut, earning All-State honors in 1983. He went on to play for HOF Lax coach Dick Garber at UMASS Amherst. In 1989 Rob transferred to Colorado State where he played on some great teams and alongside fellow CSU Lacrosse Hall of Famers J.D. Doyle and Frank Smith.
After finishing his playing days at CSU, Rob stayed in Fort Collins and guided CSU to two winning seasons as the Head Lacrosse Coach in 1992 and 1993. His work eventually settled him in Denver. He coached at Thunderridge High School in Littleton for 2 years. Rob was named to the Vail Shootout Masters Division All-Tournament team just this past summer of 2011. Rob was one of the founding members of the CSU Lacrosse Alumni Association that has been instrumental to the inception of the Rocky Mountain Showdown and the CSU Lacrosse endowment fund. Rob owns and operates Perella’s east coast pizzeria in Roxborough with his wife Kelly and coaches his 9 year old twins Matthew and Christopher lacrosse team.
A Colorado lacrosse product, Charlie played two years in the early days of the Overland HS (Denver, CO) Lacrosse program, making the 1983 Colorado HS all-state team his senior year. Charlie was a Ram for 4 years here at CSU and was recognized as a member of the RMLA all league team in 1987.
His very successful college career was followed by many years of high-level club ball. He also played lacrosse in Northern California with Capital Lacrosse Club, and where he was chosen defensive MVP of that NCLA Club league. The Vail Lacrosse Shootout was a frequent high level lacrosse tournament stop for Charlie, playing there for both Team Colorado and for Team Texas over the years.
In the latter part of his very distinguished career he played annually in the Vail Masters for Team Colorado, and played well into the 1990’s in that division. Charlie is a captain for Southwest Airlines and lives in the Dallas area with his wife Kris and 11 year old twins Andrew and Megan.
As a junior transfer from Chapman, Ferrin immediately became an impact player for CSU and one of the preeminent attackmen in the (then) USLIA. A fierce competitor with a “refuse to lose” attitude and a clutch performer under pressure, Ferrin was the type of complete player that made everyone around him better. During his tenure at CSU, Ferrin scored 60 goals and tallied 53 assists, good for 12th on the all-time stats list. Perhaps most impressive, is that he accomplished this in only two seasons.
Ferrin played a significant role in the program’s first (then) USLIA National Championship in 1999. Following the 99 season, Ferrin was elected Team Captain for the 2000 campaign, which celebrated a RMLC Conference Championship in which Ferrin received tournament CO-MVP and 2nd team all RMLC honors. Since graduation, Ferrin has continued to give back to the program through his participation in the CSU Lacrosse Alumni Association as well as to the sport through coaching at the youth level.
Mike Reiter, a talented and gifted athlete, transferred to Colorado State University in the fall of 1987 after having spent his freshman year at the University of Tulsa on a full tennis scholarship. He had been a standout player in the state his senior year at Cherry Creek High School and in the spring of 1988 he picked up where he had left off.
From the spring of 1988 until his senior year of 1990, Mike Reiter established himself as the dominant midfielder in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Association (RMLA). In a competitive environment that included the NCAA Division I, II, and III varsity programs of the U.S. Air Force Academy, University of Denver, Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines as well as the ‘virtual varsity’ programs of both Colorado State and University of Colorado, Reiter was cited as an “All RMLA” selectee all of his three years at Colorado State, and named Midfielder of the Year in both his junior and senior seasons.
After completing his senior season, Mike returned to Colorado State lacrosse in the spring of 1991 as an assistant coach on the offensive side of the ball. One of the many highlights of that 1991 season was Colorado State’s only recorded win against NCAA Division I Air Force Academy. Post collegiately as a player Mike continued as a perennial member of Team Colorado competing yearly at the Vail Tournament and against such notable teams as the United States Men’s Team and the English National Men’s Team, all this done with a CSU green and gold emblazoned helmet and stick for years after his CSU playing days. Many agree that Reiter could play with anyone and he is a deserving member of the Class of 2011 Hall of Fame.
Dean was an All Star player from Denver’s Thomas Jefferson High School. He brought his imposing and physical game to CSU in 1981 and was a stand-out on the defensive half of the field for the next four years.
As a close defenseman, he was extremely athletic for his size and excelled at handling the opponent’s top attackman. His stout defensive play helped the Rams dominate the league on an annual basis. Though he played at a time before statistics were recorded, his remarkable skill at coming up with ground balls was a sight to behold. Ottenbreit would often “play hockey” with the ball to open space before he would pick it up to start a fast break. While serving as team Vice President in 1984 and 1985, he was also an all-league selection and named to Team Colorado in 1985.
After graduating from CSU, “Deano” took his tenacious play to the Denver Shots Lacrosse Club and was the captain of the defense. Ottenbreit was an instrumental part of this dominant Denver club team that went on to win five club lacrosse championships. He currently resides in Parker, Colorado with his lovely wife Dorna (CSU ’85), his daughter Kendall and his son Tanner.
1996 – 2018. Last, but certainly not least, Flip Naumburg rounds out the Hall of Fame Class of 2010. Arriving in the fall of 1996, Naumburg took a good lacrosse team and turned them into a great program during his 14 years as head coach. During the stretch of years from 1999-2004, Naumburg led his team to the national championship game in each season, winning three in 1999, 2001 and 2003. He won his fourth national championship with CSU in 2006, becoming the only coach in league history to have done so and still tops on the all-time list. Naumburg won over 150 games during his 14 year career, coaching numerous All-Americans and winning the National Coach of the Year award in 1999. As leader of the CSU program, Naumburg is by far and away the greatest financial contributor of the program and helped establish the CSU Lacrosse Alumni Association. He spearheaded the CSU Lacrosse Ram Camp, which is now in its eighth year as the primary fundraising device for the program. Naumburg is also famous for having invented the Rock-it Pocket and being the co-founder of the Vail Lacrosse Shootout. He was inducted to the Colorado Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2006.
1999-2002: As a freshman, Mike Napolilli instantly became one of the premiere players in the (then) USLIA. A left-handed sniper from Heritage High School, Napolilli rounded out an attack unit that was one of the best in league history. During his tenure at CSU, the player affectionately known as “Napi” racked up 170 goals and 160 assists, good for second all-time and over 100 points more than the next player on the list. Napolilli played for the USA West team in 2002 that competed against Team USA and others and was drafted by the Colorado Mammoth of the NLL. He played in four national championship games during his career, winning two in 1999 and 2001. Napolilli was a national player of the year in 2001 and a first-team All-American in both 2001 and 2002.
1994-1997: Will Smitham was an outstanding midfielder and inspirational leader on and off the field. He faced-off, played man-up and man-down and loved the big hit, but is perhaps better known for being one of the best ambassadors for CSU lacrosse. As an officer of the team during his playing days, Smitham was instrumental in bringing Hall of Fame coach Flip Naumburg to Fort Collins in 1997. He was one of the founding members of the CSU Lacrosse Alumni Association, which includes the financial responsibility of the association as well as helping organize the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Showdown. Will Smitham represents much of what it means to be part of the CSU lacrosse family and has been instrumental to the success of the program since the mid 1990s.
1981-1985: Considered by many to be the best player ever to play at Colorado State, Parietti, was a league leading scorer and dominant attackman who led the team during the early 1980s. He was the first professional lacrosse player from CSU when he suited up for the Denver Rifles from 1986-1988 and was a member of the prestigious Team Colorado for many years. In addition, Parietti continued his playing days with the Denver Shots lacrosse club, helping the team win five club championships. He was a key member of the CSU team that fostered the winning tradition still living on today. Parietti currently coaches at the youth level with the Panthers in suburban Denver and was an assistant coach at Arapahoe High School.
1965-1969: Considered a founding father of the program that exists today, Pollock was part of a group that played teams such as the University of Denver, Colorado College, Air Force and others and was instrumental to the development of lacrosse at CSU both on and off the field. Wally was a very talented offensive player at the attack position and a leader for his teammates who was targeted by opposing teams defensively. He was able to score seemingly at will and continually provided a positive influence on his teammates. Off the field, he recruited new members and helped develop their games, also working with the school to obtain financial support. The program is what it is today because of the influence and efforts of Wally and his teammates in the late 1960s.
Mark Plonkey is the youngest of the five inductees, having graduated in 2004. Stepping into a starting role early in his career, Plonkey quickly developed into one of the most feared long-poles to ever play in the MCLA. His stick handling and physical game aside, Plonkey was a natural leader and a bruising intimidator that got better with age.
His performance in the 2003 national tournament was one of the greatest by a long pole in the history of the league. Plonkey won national championships in 2001 and 2003 and played in four national championship games.
Mike Roth followed directly in the footsteps of Shanley, quickly becoming one of the most physical and dominant scorers in MCLA history. His 375 career points are tops all-time for the 2001 graduate and two-time national champion.
Roth’s signature game came in 2000 when he scored 9 goals and had 1 assist as the Rams defeated the California Bears in the national semifinals. Roth was a fearless competitor and captain for two years, retiring as one of the most respected players to ever don the Green and Gold at Colorado State.
Pat Shanley was one of the most prolific scorers in Colorado State University Lacrosse history. Graduating in 1998, Shanley’s numbers place him at 4th all-time with 206 points on 138 goals and 68 assists. The catch is that stats were only kept for his senior season, making this feat all the more incredible.
Shanley likely would lead the all-time points list by a long margin if stats were kept prior to his historic season in 1998. With incredible vision and field sense, Shanley single-handedly kept CSU in many games during his decorated career.
JD Doyle graduated from CSU in 1990 as a midfielder and long-stick midfielder. Since his graduation, he has gone on to officiate at every level, including both major indoor and outdoor professional leagues.
Doyle has been instrumental in continuing to grow the sport in the state of Colorado and is certainly the most accomplished referee to ever come out of the program. Still at it today, you can see Doyle in action refereeing for MCLA, NCAA, MLL and NLL contests.
Frank Smith was a defenseman for the Rams in the early 1990s and garnered national attention for his physical and intelligent style of play. He was also invited to play in the North/South All-Star Game, remaining the only player in the history of the program to do so.
Despite playing slightly before the “golden” age of CSU Lacrosse, Smith still holds his own in the annual alumni game and has all the skills of the prototypical modern defenseman.