A three-sport athlete who excelled in track, a member of Western’s All-Century basketball team, Western‘s Female Athlete of the Decade for the 1990s and a football linebacker who set a school record for tackles.  

These were the talents inducted into the Western Washington University Athletics Hall of Fame on Feb. 6.

Jerry Joyce, Dwayne Kirkley, Gina Sampson (Stienauer) and Jim Sterk joined other former student athletes in the hall, bringing the total membership to 113.

It was a day to embrace old friendships, to share memories and experiences, to laugh and to cry, but most importantly it was a day to celebrate the accomplishments of these four former Western student-athletes.

“The ceremony was overwhelming,” Sampson said. “Western was like a second family to me and it was so neat to see all those in attendance and the support they still continue to show.”

The first inductee of the afternoon was Gina Sampson. Sampson was a star center for the women’s basketball team from 1992-1996.

As a senior she led the team to a 26-7 record and the quarterfinals of the 1996 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Tournament.

Women's basketball head coach Carmen Dolfo introduced Sampson, saying she did not realize the impact Sampson would make on the team and to her, and she was a true leader.

In her acceptance speech, Sampson repaid Dolfo’s words, saying of her experiences with Dolfo, “She cared about who we are as people first, and athletes second.”

The second inductee was Dwayne Kirkley, who unfortunately was unable to attend the ceremony, as he is currently coaching basketball in Hong Kong.

Kirkley, a former point guard for the 1994 men’s basketball team was captain his senior year, leading the team to a 24-7 record and into the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament where they lost in overtime to Oklahoma Baptist University.

“That last year was a very special year to me. It was just too bad that it came to an end during the first game of the national tournament,” Kirkley said in a statement sent in his absence.

Introducing Kirkley was assistant coach of the men’s basketball team, Rob Visser, who filled in for an ill Brad Jackson.

Visser called Kirkley an amazing basketball player. He said Kirkley practiced hard and the bigger the game, the better his game.

“I would like to thank the fans, student body and the alumni for always being that sixth man at every game,” Kirkley said. “I accept this induction for everyone involved on and off the court. Thank you.” 

The third inductee of the afternoon, Jerry Joyce, passed away in 2004 at the age of 64.

Joyce was a three-sport athlete at Western, winning the 1960 Western Athlete of the Year, but track was his main game.

In 1959 Joyce had a personal-best time of 9.8 seconds in the 100-yard dash and 22.1 seconds in the 220-yard dash as a sprinter in track.

Joyce went on to a 30-year career as a teacher and coach, spending 19 of those years at Puyallup High School.

Introduced by his friend Mike Rich, Joyce was remembered as a teacher and mentor to many young athletes.

Joyce helped to create the Washington State Cultural Exchange Program, which takes Washington high school student athletes to foreign countries.

“It was the experience of young athletes seeing how the rest of the world was. This is what Jerry lived for,” Rich said.

LaVerne Joyce proudly accepted the honor in memory of her late husband. She spoke of how Jerry always set high goals for himself, how he loved what he did and how he loved coaching.

The final inductee of the afternoon was Jim Sterk. Sterk was born and raised in Whatcom County and is a graduate of Nooksack Valley High School.  He is currently the athletic director at Washington State University.

In 1977 Sterk was credited with 164 tackles. He was a first-team NAIA District 1 All-Star, team captain and Most Valuable Player in helping the Vikings to the district championship game.

“My memories of playing here at Western are special,” Sterk said.

Sterk was presented by his friend, former teammate and fellow hall of fame member, Scott Stokes, who ribbed his friend but also praised his work ethic and the full intensity he put into everything he did.  

“His hard work is why he has been so successful in his professional career; he is as fine a man as one would want to know,” Stokes said of his friend.

“It was fun,” Sterk said of the induction ceremony. “I wasn’t quite sure what Scott Stokes was going to say about me, though.”

The four former Western student athletes were honored twice more that day, during the halftimes of the women’s and men’s basketball games that evening.

“What an honor to be inducted with so many amazing student-athletes, including those inducted with me today,” Sampson said. “This is a day I will never forget.”

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