Hall of Fame Class of 1997

Irene Arguelles, Volleyball (1988-92)

Completed a stellar four-year career as a Regis women's volleyball player in 1991. As the Ranger's setter, she amassed a NCAA Division II record with 6,951 assists and set the national standard for service aces with 465. Her NCAA record for assists has since been eclipsed, Arguelles still ranks second all-time. In addition, her 163 service aces during the 1988 season remains a NCAA record.

Arguelles was the catalyst for some of the best teams in the rich history of Regis Women's Volleyball. She played on four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and led the Rangers to Regional Tournament victories, and subsequent Elite Eight appearances in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
Selected all-conference four times, Arguelles was named First Team All-American following her senior season.
 
Dennis Boone, Men’s Basketball (1956-60)

Finished his career as a Regis men's basketball player in 1960. Over the course of four seasons, Boone became the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,901 points and a 20.7 per game scoring average. Boone also established records for most field goals made in a game with 19 and field goals made in a career with 765.

Following his senior season, Boone was named to the Catholic Digest All-America team, joining stars like St. Louis University's Bob Ferry and Notre Dame's Tom Hawkins, amongst others. Boone was also selected First Team Little College All-America, honoring top players for the nation's small colleges. After his stay at Regis, Boone went on to star for area AAU teams and for the Denver-Chicago Truckers of the National Industrial Basketball League. Was a high school All-America player in 1956.
 
Waverly Dodrill, Women’s Basketball (1981-85)

Ended her career as a Regis women's basketball player in 1985. In addition to placing herself among the top ten in many career records, Dodrill led the Ranger to one of the only two 20-win seasons in 1983-84. Dodrill still ranks third in career points with 1,266, second in career field goals with 467, third in career free throws and 292 and has the sixth-ranked career scoring average at 12.3 points per game.

Dodrill earned numerous awards for her on-court achievements. She was a two-time First Team All-Continental Divide Conference selection and was selected Kodak All-District and All-NAIA District VII in 1983-84. Dorill also was honored for her work in the classroom. She was named First Team NAIA Academic All-District VII twice, Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-America in 1984-85 and earned a prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship in 1985.
 
Arnie Herber, Football (1928-30)
 
Spent two years at Regis after transferring from the University of Wisconsin in the late 1920s. Despite his short stay at Regis, Herber would become one of the most decorated former Rangers. His records at Regis may be lost, but his subsequent accomplishments are well documented. After leaving Regis, Herber went on to play quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1930-40 and for the New York Giants from 1944-45.

Herber led the National Football League in passing in 1932, 1934 and 1936; while taking the Packers to four NFL titles. In his career, Herber threw for 8,033 yards and 66 touchdowns. Herber was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1966. He died just three years later on October 14, 1969 at the age of 59.
 
Clarence (Lou) Kellogg, Administrator/Coach (1966-88)
 
Came to what was then known as Regis College in 1966. Prior to that, he had served as a coach at Regis High School for 29 years. In his storied high school coaching career, Kellogg won 35 championships in football, basketball and baseball. Kellog was originally hired as Regis College's director of athletics and men's golf coach.  He held his post as athletic director until 1978, and coached the golf team until his death in 1988.

Kellogg was a star football player in his own right, playing at St. Mary's College, a national gridiron power at the time, in the 1930s. Kellogg played one season in the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals in 1936. Kellogg was recognized for his contributions to the state's collegiate and high school athletics with his induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1979.
 
John Henry McGee, Football (1938-42)
 
How fitting that McGee would spend his career as a coach and teacher after playing football and graduating from Regis-where Jesuit ideals of providing your best effort and serving the community are the main focus-in 1942. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, McGee came to Regis in 1938 to play quarterback and end for the Rangers. It was following the 1938 season that McGee was named as quarterback on the Catholic All-American Team. McGee was captain of the 1940 Ranger grid squad, and in 1941, was selected to play in the College All-Star Football Game at Chicago's Soldier Field. Of all the Regis football players, only Arnie Herber--a member of the NFL Hall of Fame--was more decorated than McGee.

McGee's exploits and friendly personality earned him the adoration of his fellow Regis students. The prime example of this came when McGee left Regis to enter the U.S. Navy in 1942. When he got to Denver's Union Station to board his train, he was surprised by all of the residents of Regis' Carroll Hall. McGee will never forget his classmates who came there to see him off.

McGee was a large part of the re-building of the Regis football program at the end of the Great Depression. If you ask him, though, he'll likely tell you that the credit goes to his teammates and to Father Joe Ryan, the school's athletic director at the time. John McGee was a "team player" before the term was even used.

Throughout his career as an educator, McGee coached at the high school level in both Wisconsin and California, and at Marquette University in Milwaukee. For John McGee, the Jesuit ideals aren't simply theory--they're a way of life. 
 
Bill Newland, Athlete/Contributor (1940-92)
 
His life-long passion for sports was evidenced by his many achievements in high school, collegiate and professional athletics.

Newland was one of the biggest stars in the "glory" years of Regis football. Playing quarterback and halfback for the early 1940s Ranger squads, Newland was always a threat to score.  In 1941, he crossed the goal line three times as Regis set a school record with a 68-0 rout of Adams State. Newland also played baseball at Regis and hit over .300 for his career.

Newland's later success as owner and founder of Hercules Industries and Colorado Metal Supply Company allowed him to contribute time and money to his alma mater and to get involved in professional sports. He served as vice chairman for the Denver Nuggets in the late 1970s and funded a renovation of the Regis Baseball Field a decade later. Newland passed away in 1992.
 
Larry Varnell, Men’s Basketball (1946-51)
 
It took only five seasons as Regis men's basketball coach to bring unparalleled honor and glory to the program. From 1946-51, Varnell won 103 games and posted a .708 winning percentage, the best in team history.

Varnell is perhaps best remembered at Regis for the accomplishments of his 1948-49 team. That year, the Rangers set NCAA records that still stand with 36 victories and 39 games played. In addition, the team won the Catholic Schools National Championship and was runner-up at the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament.

After leaving coaching, Varnell made a successful career as a banker in Denver. His state-wide achievements in athletics were recognized by the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame by his induction into its membership in 1997. He was also inducted into the Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame. 
Growing up in Tennessee, Varnell played baseball and basketball earning All-American honors in basketball at Milligan College. Varnell’s military career eventually lead him to the Navy’s V-7 program at Colorado College where he came in contact with the AAU Denver Nuggets. Varnell died in early 2008 of complications from Alzheimer's.

It is difficult enough to reach the professional level in one sport, but Varnell decided to go for two! The Adamsville, Tennessee, native attended Milligan College from 1935 to 1939. In basketball, he was the only player in Smoky Mountain Conference history to be named All-Conference all four years and lead his team in scoring every year. Oh yeah, and he was also All-Conference in baseball! After graduation, Varnell signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and was assigned to their Johnson City team and later to their Springfield, Massachusetts, ball club before he entered military service.
 
1948-49 Men's Basketball Team

No Regis team has amassed the level of success attained by the 1948-49 men's basketball squad. The 1948-49 Rangers amassed an astounding 36-3 overall record and won the Catholic National Championship. The team also finished runner-up at the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball championships.

The team's 36 wins and 39 games played remain NCAA records to this day and its championship remains the only national title ever won by a Ranger team in any sport. Coached by Larry Varnell, the team members included Tom Waters, Bryce Heffley, Jerry Simon, Bob Fisher, Harvey Moore, Dick Petry, Phil Antonelli, Pete Berney, Bob Wallace and Jerry Coursey.