Kishwaukee College induction ceremonies for the Athletic Hall of Fame were held on Tuesday, January 31. Former Kougar stand-outs Monta McGhee, Brienne Ruschke, Matt Salveson, and Adam Shabala were honored for their achievements on and off the playing fileds and courts. Pictured are, L to R, Adam Shabala, Kougar Hall of Fame baseball inductee; Mike Davenport, former Kishwaukee College baseball coach; and Matt Salveson, Kougar Hall of Fame baseball inductee.
KC inducts four Kougars into Athletic Hall of Fame

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Kishwaukee College Athletic Department honored four of its former stand-outs during a Hall of Fame induction ceremony held Tuesday, January 31 between the women’s and men’s basketball games. Monta McGhee, Brienne Ruschke, Matt Salveson, and Adam Shabala were each given a Hall of Fame plaque bearing an etching of their likeness commemorating their achievements. The induction ceremony was followed by a reception on campus for inductees, their family, friends, faculty and staff of Kishwaukee College as well as other current and former members of Kishwaukee College Athletics.

Monta McGhee played men’s basketball for Kishwaukee during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. During his time at Kishwaukee, he was twice honored as the 1st Team All-Arrowhead Conference and Conference MVP; twice named to 1st Team All-Region; Regional All-Tournament Team; NJCAA All-American; and Male Athlete of the Year at Kishwaukee College. He set several Kishwaukee College records: 7th All-Time Leading Scorer (1,172 points); All-Time Rebounding Leader in Kishwaukee History (745) Rebounds; All-Time Single Season Rebounding Leader (441); and holds the 6th, 12th and 15th Place on the College’s Single Game Rebounding List (23, 22, 21, respectively). McGhee played basketball for Lewis University after graduating from Kishwaukee and then went on to play professional basketball in Europe for the past nine seasons. He was unable to attend the Hall of Fame ceremonies because he is currently playing in Belgium.

Brienne Ruschke played outside hitter for the Kishwaukee College women’s volleyball team in 1999- 2000. She was Kishwaukee College’s first ever Volleyball All-American in 1999 and was named to the All-Region Team and was the Arrowhead Conference MVP. At Kishwaukee College, she 2nd All-time Kills (598) and 2nd for All-time Hitting Efficiency (.421). She was the 1999-2000 Kishwaukee College Female Student-Athlete of the Year. She went on to play volleyball at Lewis University, setting several school records there. She currently coaches volleyball at Naperville Central High School, where she led her team to the 2008 Class 4A State Championship. She was unable to attend due to a previous commitment.

Matt Salveson played baseball for Kishwaukee College from 1998 - 2000 as a third baseman. He was a member of the 1999 National Championship team. At the College, he holds the following records: 2nd All-Time Doubles (23); 2nd Career Doubles (39); 1st All-Time Games Played; 2nd All-Time Hits in Season (89); 1st Career Hit Leader (171); 3rd All-time Home Runs (24); and 2nd Career RBIs (140). In addition, he was All Region 2nd team in 1999; All Region 1st Team in 2000; All-Conference in 2000; and All-American Honorable Mention in 2000. He was drafted by the White Sox in 2000 and played two years with the team.

Adam Shabala played baseball from 1997 - 99 as a center fielder for the Kougars. He holds the following records: 2nd All-Time Walks (42); 2nd All-Time Career Walks (76); 3rd All-Time Hits (141);

All-Region in both 1998 and 1999; and All-Conference in both 1998 and1999. He went on to play for the University of Nebraska and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2000 and played eight seasons in the Giants minor leagues.