KENOSHA, Wis. - Parkside Athletics is looking forward to celebrating the Parkside Athletics Hall of Fame presented by Legend Rings on Saturday, Oct. 29. The event, which will honor the history of women's sports at Parkside and the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, will be held in Alfred and Bernice De Simone Arena.

Leading up to the event, Parkside Athletics will be spotlighting each inductee.

Individual inductees in the Class of 2022 include: Shannon Becker Dopke '12 (WSOC), Naomi Fulton '08 (WXCTF), Amanda Gibson-Gwidt '10 (WBB), Jessica Lamp Monson '09 (WXCTF), Jadee Rooney Wesley '12 (WBB), and Kim Vanderbush Gauthier '90 (SB). Dr. Barbara Osborne '82 will be an inducted as an honorary member, and the 2008 women's soccer team will be inducted as a team.  

To register to celebrate the Class of 2022 and attend the Parkside Athletics Hall of Fame presented by Legend Rings, click here. 

Our next inductee spotlight is Kim Vanderbush Gauthier.

Kim Vanderbush Gauthier '89, Softball 
During her standout career as a first baseman for the Rangers, Vanderbush Gauthier helped the Rangers to an overall record of 166-94-2 with four district championships and three top-10 finishes in the NAIA National Tournament. She batted over .300 three times, including .391 in her senior campaign when she also stole a school-record 48 stolen bases. In her career, Vanderbush Gauthier batted .329 with an on-base percentage of .974 and a school-record 114 stolen bases. Vanderbush Gauthier also competed in one season of tennis for the Rangers.  

Vanderbush Gauthier – "Coming from a family of 8 children meeting basic needs and parents that did not drive, college wasn't necessarily the main focus post high school.  UWP softball Coach Linda Draft did some research in our conference, and someone mentioned my name as a player with potential.  Her phone call back in 1984 was a game changer.  An athletic scholarship (especially for a girl) opened a whole new world." 

Q&A WITH VANDERBUSH GAUTHIER
What about your time at UW-Parkside helped you transition into post graduate life?
I was teaching a lesson at Starbuck Middle School in Racine at age 19 for practicum experience.  Early in college, UWP allowed me to realize this is what I wanted to do.
 
What were some of your favorite things to do or spots on campus when you were a student-athlete?
Hands down, the caf and student union - night before stories were shared there, all plans were made there. They also offered really good food.
 
What was the most memorable sports moment you had when you were a student-athlete?
Taking 4th place in the National Softball Tournament in Pensacola, FL.
 
What does it mean to you to accept this recognition as an official member of the 2022 Parkside Athletics Hall of Fame class, and specifically, as the only all female class in Parkside Athletics history?
Athletics changed the trajectory of my path.  I am number 7 of 8 siblings, college wasn't a certainty.  I just retired from 31 years of teaching, 12 years of coaching.  This is directly related to a softball scholarship in 1985 offered by UWP Coach, Linda Draft.  It's crazy really!!  I am so proud of that.
 
What do you miss most about being a student-athlete?
What do I miss most?  The people, we slid into adulthood together.  All the shenanigans, the van trips to games, intense Euchre games, singing to Karen Carpenter, dorm parties.... all of this makes me smile wide!!
 
The Hall of Fame dinner and ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. For more information, contact Jake Sutter at sutter@uwp.edu.