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Regis University Athletics

Home of the Regis University Rangers

Hall of Fame Class 2004


Melinda (Almazan) Parisi

Topping an impressive list of dominant Regis University setters during the mid to late 1990’s was Melinda Almazan, who suited up at Regis from 1995 to 1998.
 
Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Almazan first donned a Ranger uniform as a freshman in the fall of 1995. Following in the footsteps of former Ranger setters Irene Arguelles (1998-91; former NCAA career assist leader) and Renee St. Marie (1991-94; two-time Second Team All-America), Almazan began her collegiate career with, needless to say, the highest of expectations. By the time her last match was played in the fall of 1998, the legacy she left behind would become the new standard for excellence at Regis.
 
A four-time All-Conference and three-time All-Region selection, Almazan amassed the second-highest career assist total (5,297) in Regis volleyball program history. Twice named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s (RMAC) Volleyball Player of the Year, Almazan was also a First Team All-American selection in 1997 and 1998. Furthermore, Almazan was twice recognized as Regis University’s Female RMAC Honor Scholar-Athlete of the Year (1997-98 and 1998-99 season), the highest honor a student-athlete in the RMAC can achieve.
 
At the conclusion of her senior campaign, Almazan was selected as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). However, the most prestigious honor that Almazan would go on to receive was still to come.
 
In the summer of 1999, Almazan was selected to receive the 1998-99 Honda Award as the NCAA Division II Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Presented by the Honda Awards Program, the Honda Award is presented annually to the most outstanding collegiate women athletes in 12 sports.
 
In addition to her athletic success, Almazan had amassed a 3.914 cumulative grade-point average when she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Regis University in May 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in business. Highly respected by her classmates and the faculty at Regis, Almazan was named Regis University Female Athlete of the Year in 1998 and Regis University Crest Club Female Athlete of the Year in 1999. Almazan, a volunteer assistant coach with the Ranger volleyball team in the fall of 2002, garnered GTE Second Team Academic All-America honors her junior year and GTE First Team Academic All-America laurels as a senior. A four-year member of the Dean’s List at Regis, she also earned CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-American honors and was a three-time Academic All-Conference performer.
 
“Melinda was consistently the best of the best,” stated Barbara Schroeder, former Regis University Director of Athletics. “She not only left her mark at Regis, she left a legacy.”
 

Bob Fisher

Fisher played for the men’s basketball team from 1946 to 1950. During his time at Regis, he helped guide the team to a Catholic National Championship title and a National Intercollegiate Basketball Championship Tournament Runner-Up finish.
 
Fisher earned two All-America distinctions while leading the team to a 36-3 overall record through the 1948-49 season. In his junior season, Fisher led the team averaging 11.4 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field.
 
Fisher retired from the automobile business in 2004 and resides in Northglenn, Colorado with his wife Joyce.
 

Margie (Haller) Mara

Mara served as the head volleyball coach at Regis from 1979-1983 compiling a 123-74-1 overall record and remains the fourth winningest coach in program history. Mara also spent time at Regis as the Women’s Sports Director from 1977-79 and the Assistant Director of Athletics from 1979-84.
 
As a coach, Mara was influential in the formation of the first club-level volleyball team at Regis. Mara’s 1981 team captured an RMAC East Division Championship while also going undefeated through the conference season. Mara guided her teams to two NAIA District VII Playoffs, one NAIA Quaterfinals finish and two NAIA District VII Runner-Up performances. She was the first coach in program history to lead a team to postseason play.
 
As an administrator, Mara continued fighting for women’s sports as she was instrumental in the formation of women’s varsity sports at Regis.
 

Danny Newton

Newton played for the men’s basketball program at Regis from 1987-1991. He currently sits in the all-time top ten in 11 categories still recognizing him as one of the all-time Ranger greats. Newton played in 109 games while making 82 starts. His 28.1 minutes per game average led to a double-digit scoring average through three of his four years. His most productive season was 1988-89 in which he average 16.1 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from distance. Newton also pulled down a 2.7 rebound average that year.
 
Newton garnered numerous awards for both his play and academics throughout his time at Regis. He was twice named Regis College Athlete of the Year, a three-time team MVP, an All-CAC Second Team pick, a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete, a two-time Academic All-District VII selection and was named Academic All-CAC. Newton was also twice named All-Jesuit College and University Scholar-Athlete.
 
Newton currently ranks atop the all-time men’s basketball program records in three-point field goals made (207) and three-point field goals attempted (523). Newton also ranks second in field goals attempted (1,160), games started (82), minutes (3,058) and games played (109). He ranks third in the all-time scoring list dropping 1,380 points for a 12.7 career scoring average.
 

Sam Radovich

Radovich donned a Ranger uniform in 1972 and 1973 playing in 47 games with 176 at bats. Radovich was twice named as an NAIA First Team All-American, was a two-time NAIA All-District VII First Team selection and a two-time All-RMAC Mountain Division First Team pick. In 1974, Radovich was chosen as an Outstanding College Athlete of America.
 
Radovich produced a .424 batting average in 1972, which currently ranks him 13th all-time, and a .403 in 1973. He was the RMAC and NAIA District VII batting champion through both seasons. Radovich’s offensive production earned him the recipient of the Adirondack’s “Big Stick Award” which is given to the top hitter in NAIA. He also lead the NAIA District VII in doubles combining for 20. Radovich currently ranks 6th all-time in slug percentage with a mark of .808 in 1972.