2020 Skipper Hall of Fame Inductees
Brian Bowman
Brian Bowman arrived on the SC4 golf scene in a different way.
Following his prep career at Marysville High School, Bowman headed to Ferris State University to continue his education.
“Even though I played four years of high school golf at Marysville, I began playing for the SC4 golf team as an older student, already having graduated from Ferris State,” Bowman said. “So coming back gave me a renewed love for the game.”
“I played two years (1994 and 1995) and was able to help my team achieve the title of conference champions for both years.”
“If it wasn’t for playing golf at SC4, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.”
And what an SC4 career Bowman enjoyed. He qualified for back-to-back trips to the NJCAA Nationals. Both years Bowman came within a few shots of earning All American honors.
“Some of my favorite courses included, Egypt Valley in Grand Rapids, TPC of Dearborn, Elk Ridge in Atlanta, Mich., and my all-time favorite, Bryan Park in Greensboro, North Carolina,” Bowman said.
Bowman’s brother, Gary, also qualified for the golf nationals as a Skipper. He was an assistant coach with the 1994 SC4 baseball team, which won the conference title and a member of the 2020 Skippers Sports Hall of Fame class.
Bowman is currently the Port Huron Elks Golf Club professional and boys golf coach at Marysville High School. He lives in Marysville with his wife, Cindy, and two sons, Ben and Chase.
Mike Branaugh
The SC4 men’s basketball teams in the 1960s thrilled Blue Water Area fans with their high-scoring wide-open offense attack.
But it was no secret that whenever the Skippers needed the rim protected with a blocked shot or defensive rebound, Mike Branaugh delivered.
“Mike was a good one,” said Robert “Sam” Kromer, the SC4 Hall of Fame coach. “He was a force around the basket. We really didn’t need scoring out of him. He knew his role and followed it every game.”
Branaugh, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Toledo, led the Skippers to a 27-1 record during the 1966-67 season. He helped SC4 capture back-to-back state championships.
“My years at SC4 (Port Huron Junior College) were the most enjoyable and overall productive of my basketball career,” Branaugh said. “I would like to thank the people that were most responsible for whatever success I was able to achieve in my time at SC4: First of all, Dick Groch in basketball and the man in charge of the defense. He was the person responsible for getting me to attend the college.”
“Next was Sam Kromer, our head coach. He was one of the nicest and most genuine people I ever met. Then Dr. Roy Rogers, my teacher at the college. We still keep in touch 54 years later. And lastly, that 1966 team. It is my belief that if we would have stayed together over four years, we would have been something very special.”
After his time at SC4, Branaugh continued his basketball career at Indiana University, playing in 27 games for the Hoosiers from 1968-70.
Branaugh lives in Indianapolis and runs a very successful tree trimming business.
Troy Dean
Troy Dean had quite a year in 1994.
The two-sport star was a member of two conference championship teams that year at SC4, playing for the baseball and golf teams. Each team won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association that year, and both teams are being inducted into the Skippers Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Troy was a great (baseball) player,” Rick Smith, who coached the 1994 baseball team, said. “So many times, he would lead off a game with a home run. He was not only a tremendous baseball player but a very good two-sport athlete with the golf career.”
Dean spent both of his years at SC4 playing on the baseball and golf teams, meaning he was playing two sports at once, all while juggling his academic schedule.
In 1994, he won the MCCAA Eastern Conference golf championship.
“It was the only golf tournament I won in my career – obviously I was just as surprised as probably anyone on the team,” Dean said. “Both years (in baseball) were pretty special with the talent we had. Making the playoffs in 1994 was great, and coach Smith was low-key and let us play. I still keep in touch with a lot of the guys. It was really a great time, and I was lucky to be part of two really great teams.”
After his time at SC4, Dean transferred to Grand Valley State University, where he continued his baseball career. In 1995, Dean led the Lakers in batting average (.374).
After his collegiate career, Dean spent several years working as the assistant golf professional at Port Huron Golf Club.
Dean lives in Florida with his wife, Candice, and his daughters, Chloe, Alivia and Vivian.
Jeremy Denha
Jeremy Denha was a force on the basketball court at SC4.
Denha was the team leader in points and rebounds for the Skippers in both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. As a sophomore, he earned National Junior College Athletic Association Third-Team All-American honors.
“SC4 is a wonderful place,” Denha said. “The experience I had at SC4 was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. I was challenged both as an athlete and a student. I was held accountable both in the classroom and on the court. I realized nothing in life was going to be given to me, and that I would have to work for it.”
The 6-foot-6 forward went on to play at Wayne State University, where he played a big role for the Warriors in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. In his first year at Wayne State, Denha played in all 27 games, starting 16 at center. He averaged 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and was fifth in the GLIAC in field goal percentage (.569).
In his senior season, Denha started 12 games and was named to the GLIAC All-Academic team.
The Sterling Heights native and Utica Ford graduate majored in physical education at Wayne State, and began teaching and coaching following his playing days.
He is currently the health and physical education teacher at West Bloomfield High School, where he also serves as the varsity basketball coach, a position he has held since 2010.
“Jeremy was a very talented basketball player,” SC4 basketball coach and Athletic Director Dale Vos said. “He could score inside and outside and was a great rebounder. But the thing that really stands out for me was his work ethic. He was very dedicated to the game and to his schoolwork. He was also a great teammate.”
Dana Duskocy
Dana Duskocy was a force at the plate for the SC4 baseball team, and now he’s teaching younger generations how to get there, as well.
Duskocy, a right-handed hitter, patrolled the outfield at Sanborn Park. He went on to earn National Junior College Athletic Association Third-Team All-American honors for the 1996 season with the Skippers.
He is now the Sports Administrator and Hitting Instructor at Pinnacle Fieldhouse Training Academy in Stratford, Ontario.
“Playing baseball at SC4 was a great experience,” Duskocy said. “Coach (Rick) Smith and his staff did an amazing job; taking a very hands-on approach to coaching. There was a real sense of comradery amongst my teammates and I’m still in contact with some of them today.”
“After my time at SC4, I went on to play baseball for the University of Pittsburgh and came to appreciate SC4 on a whole other level. Due to the smaller class sizes at SC4 it enabled my professors to get to know me personally, something not always possible at a university.”
“As I look back at my time at SC4, I realize how much it influenced and prepared me for my career as a Sports Administrator. SC4 served me very well, and I’m proud to have had the opportunity to represent the Skippers on the field.”
Duskocy played at Pitt in 1997 and for Point Park University in 1998, where he earned Second-Team All-American honors in the NAIA.
“Dana was one of those players that would go through a tough BP (batting practice) session and come out and go 4-for-4 in the game.” Rick Smith said. “When the game was on the line, he would always come up big. Throughout his career, he was a player we consistently plugged into the middle of the batting order.”
Ross Green
Ross Green built the SC4 golf program into a state power in the early 1990s. Green recruited top players from around the Blue Water Area, state and Ontario.
During his coaching career, Green sent numerous players on to the National Junior College Athletic Association nationals.
“Coaching golf at SC4 was an outstanding experience,” Green said. “Being an instructor as well as a golf coach gave me the opportunity to coach and work with a lot of great individuals over the years.
“I was able to develop a lot of great relationships with our players and also with coaches from all around the state. I enjoyed getting out and recruiting golfers to become Skippers. There were a lot of great memories traveling to big-time tournaments, especially with our players competing at the Nationals.”
The Skippers won three consecutive Michigan Community College Athletic Association championships under Green, starting with the 1994 season. The Skippers captured another conference title during the 2001 season.
In addition to coaching golf, Green taught business classes at the college for 29 years and also served as the athletic director.
Members of the 1994 championship team were Michael Leavitt of Marysville; Matthew Achatz, St. Clair; Jason Bednarek, Port Huron; Brian Bowman, Marysville; Troy Dean; Brad Hitchings, Cros-Lex and Ronald Miller, Walled Lake.
“There are many lessons in life I learned with Ross Green and my time at SC4,” said Matt Achatz, a caddy on the PGA Tour. “The most important to me was to always maintain a great attitude and great work ethic.”
“Thanks coach, for helping me along the way.”
Green is entering his 15th season working Golf Association of Michigan events. He has been a member of the Board of Governors for nine years.
Green lives in Marysville with his wife, Jacquie, and remains active in golf as a member at Port Huron Golf Club and as a GAM tournament official.
Taleesha Hardy
Taleesha Hardy spent just one season at SC4, but she made it a memorable one.
The Flint Northern graduate was the nation’s second-leading scorer in 2004, averaging 22.6 points per game, earning her National Junior College Athletic Association First-Team All-American honors.
“My experience at SC4 was remarkable with the college embracing me with open arms,” Hardy said. “I was able to excel on and off the court due to such great coaches and wonderful teammates. There was never a dull moment. I cannot express my deep gratitude and appreciation enough for the love given to me during my time at the college.”
Hardy came to SC4 to revitalize her career. She had enrolled at Shaw University in North Carolina in 2000, but an ACL injury cut her season short. After her time at SC4, Hardy transferred to Dodge City Community College in Kansas where she was the team leader in scoring, averaging more than 16 points per game.
Following her collegiate career, Hardy attended the Los Angeles Sparks summer camp, nearly making the preseason roster. She would later play semi-professionally overseas.
“Taleesha Hardy is one of the most athletic and fundamentally sound players I have had the opportunity to coach,” former SC4 and current Wayne State women’s basketball coach Carrie Lohr said. “She was a tireless worker, staying after practice to work on the little details of her game. Her basketball habits led to her being one of the best players to ever wear a Skippers uniform. Thank you, ‘Lady’ for the lasting memories, the leadership you provided on the court, and the excitement you brought to Skipper basketball.”
Morgan (Iloncaie) Fagerstrom
It’s been a memorable ride for the past 12 years for Morgan Iloncaie.
The outstanding student/athlete from Imlay City High School played two SC4 sports, earned national honors, landed a successful job and is busy raising a family of three in South Carolina.
“My experience at SC4 was a great one,” Iloncaie said. “Not only was I doing my two favorite things, softball and volleyball, but also creating a team bond. SC4 sports prepared me for the next level. The coaches were great and pushed me to the max and brought the best player I could be out.”
On the volleyball court, Iloncaie played a major role in the Skippers’ success. She earned First-Team All-MCCAA Eastern Conference honors.
The talented libero received NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors for the 2008 season. She was a two-time Michigan Community College Athletic Association Eastern Conference and All-Region selection.
Iloncaie also played two years of softball at SC4, seeing time at third base. She hit .360 her sophomore season.
Following her two years with the Skippers, Iloncaie played two years of volleyball at Olivet College.
“Today, I look back and remember what a great time it was traveling to tournaments and games,” Iloncaie said. “The moments that are forever engrained in my mind; wins, losses, sweat and tears.
“I’ll never forget the experiences I had and they truly have made me the woman I am today.”
Iloncaie lives in Hanahan, S.C., with her husband, Chris, and three children – Thorston, 8; Thayne, 4; and Theron, 3.
Marisa (Jensen) Pierce
Marisa Jensen was in no hurry to hang up her softball cleats and glove following a successful career at Deckerville High School.
The biggest challenge was finding the right fit for the Thumb Area student/athlete. That’s where SC4 came into play.
“Growing up in a small town, I wanted to keep that small-town feel at college and SC4 allowed me to do that,” Jensen said. “There was the smaller class sizes and a daily commute from home.”
“It allowed me a smooth transition to the next chapter in my life and opened many doors for me along the way both academically and athletically. Academically it allowed me to take all the core classes while playing softball and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.”
“Athletically, it allowed me to grow and develop physically into the player that I was able to become at the future level. Looking back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Jensen enjoyed two solid seasons on the softball diamond for the Skippers.
“Marisa was a great player and teammate,” SC4 softball coach Ron Matthews said. “She was a very hard worker.”
Following her SC4 career, the hard-hitting first baseman/catcher earned First-Team All-WHAC honors during the 2009 season at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She finished the season with 41 hits in 40 games with six home runs, 32 RBIs and a .964 fielding percentage.
During the 2010 season, Jensen claimed all-conference honors once again. She connected on 10 home runs, drove in 29 runs and compiled a .959 fielding percentage.
Marisa, her husband, Kenny, and two daughters, Eralin and Elyse, live in Kingston.
Darby Parsons
Darby Parsons shined on the diamond at St. Clair County Community College, but for much of his life he was a multi-sport athlete.
Parsons played on the 1996 and 1997 SC4 baseball teams under coach Rick Smith. The right-handed shortstop, who also filled in on the mound occasionally, was a Third-Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American in 1997.
“On the baseball field, I learned and improved a lot over my two years at SC4,” Parsons said. “Thanks to coach Rick Smith, and many of my teammates especially Dana Duskocy, Ryan Pettit and Damon Topolie.”
The St. Thomas, Ontario, native graduated from Parkside Collegiate Institute in 1996. Prior to coming to SC4, he played junior hockey for the St. Thomas Stars in the Western Junior B Hockey League.
“My time at SC4 was enjoyable and educational both in the classroom and on the baseball field,” Parsons said. “SC4 made for a smooth transition living away from home for the first time. I met a wide variety of people there, many that became good friends.”
After leaving SC4, Parsons attended Saginaw Valley State University, where he continued his baseball career. In 1998, he was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. He graduated with a degree in secondary education, majoring in physics and biology, in 2002.
Not long after, he showed off his skills on the golf course, becoming a member of the Great Lakes Tour from 2004-11.
He has coached in the St. Thomas Men’s Basketball League since 2011 and has been a player in that same league since 2004. He also coached the 2014 St. Thomas Minor Bantam baseball team.
“I still talk today with my team about Darby Parsons,” Smith said. “We worked on drills to get his top hand over and the proper space with his hitting hand.”
Rick Smith
Baseball has been Rick Smith’s love from the first time he laced up a pair of cleats and pulled on a ball cap.
“My dream in high school was to play at SC4 for (coach) Dick Groch,” Smith said. “I am so glad that dream came true, which really helped me move on to Grand Valley State University as an impact player. Dick had a way of getting players to be their best and could stretch your talents individually. I am truly grateful for the memories of being a Skipper.”
Smith, a Marysville graduate, played in the infield and outfield for SC4. In 1981 and 1982, following his career at SC4, Smith traveled to Grand Valley State University where he played for two years.
The hard-hitting outfielder earned First-Team All-GLIAC honors and was named a team captain. He helped the Lakers capture the GLIAC championship with a 32-11 record. Smith went on to Western Michigan University where he earned his sports administration degree.
He returned to SC4 and coached the Skippers for 16 years, winning the Michigan Community College Athletic Association title in 1994, and finishing as conference co-champions in 1992, 1993 and 1997. Smith, who lives on Sand Lake in Irish Hills at Onsted, Michigan, is in his 15th season as the Jackson College baseball coach. Between SC4 and Jackson, Smith has sent nearly 150 players to four-year schools.
“We tried to emphasize education first, which would bring good things to the table for our players. Moving players on to the four-year university ranks was important while developing their skills, which helped them become successful, like I was as a player at St. Clair. The network throughout the county and nearby counties was great and I now have a lot of lifelong friends while building relationships at St. Clair. I treasure the years as being the head coach at SC4.”
Smith’s son, Hunter is a senior pitcher at Tiffin University and will graduate with a management degree. His daughter, Laura, is a freshman shortstop at Tiffin. His wife Elly is the department head in criminal justice at Siena Heights University. She has been retired from the State Police for 16 years.
Tyler Shantz
Whether it was stepping into the batter’s box at Sanborn Park or anywhere around the state, Tyler Shantz was a nightmare for opposing pitchers.
Former SC4 baseball player/coach Rick Smith has plenty of praise for the talented Canadian. And he has watched a lot of good hitters over the years.
“There’s no doubt Tyler Shantz is the best hitter I ever coached” Rick Smith said. “He was just a pure hitter.”
Shantz, a right-handed hitter who excelled in the outfield and infield, earned NJCAA Third-Team All-American honors in 1992.
Following his career at SC4, Shantz went on to play at the University of Pittsburgh and helped the Panthers capture the Big East regular-season championship and earn a spot in the 1995 College World Series.
In Ontario, Shantz won five Inter-County baseball championships. He was a member of the Canadian Olympic Team in 1993 and 1994. He won a bronze medal in the Buffalo World Games.
“I loved my time at SC4 and met friends I still have to this day,” Shantz said. “I was recruited by Richard Groch and coach Smith. I owe a big thanks to those two for shaping my career. Thanks to coach Gary Bowman too.”
“I loved the city of Port Huron and a chance to play baseball in America. It was my dream come true. Loved the city and campus, and I’m very honored.”
1994 Golf team
- Matthew Achatz
- Jason Bednarek
- Brian Bowman
- Troy Dean
- Brad Hitchings
- Michael Leavitt
- Ronald Miller
- Coach Ross Green
The 1994 SC4 golf team started quite a run of success for the program.
The Skippers won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association championship, which wound up being the first of three straight under coach Ross Green.
SC4’s tournament performance was a dominant one, as they finished with a team score of 983 in the three-round tournament. Henry Ford CC was second with 1,008, while Mott was third at 1,010.
Sophomore Troy Dean and freshman Brian Bowman – who are both being inducted into the Skippers Athletics Hall of Fame as individuals – finished in the top two spots in the eight-team tournament. Dean finished first with a score of 235, while Bowman was second at 236. Each earned a spot on the All-Conference team for their efforts.
The Skippers also won the state tournament, and Bowman would go on to qualify for the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament.
Other members of the team were Michael Leavitt, Matthew Achatz, Jason Bednarek, Brad Hitchings and Ronald Miller.
Several of the team members made careers in the sport. Bowman is the PGA professional at the Port Huron Elk’s, Achatz is a caddy on the PGA Tour and Leavitt is the Superintendent at Kaufman Golf Course in Grand Rapids. Dean spent several years as the assistant golf pro at Port Huron Golf Club.
“They worked really hard,” Green said. “That team liked to practice, and they liked to do the things they needed to do to be good golfers. I really enjoyed the time I had with them.”
1994 Baseball Team
The 1994 SC4 baseball team featured plenty of talented players. But this group of Skippers had something special that separated them from their competition.
“The ‘94 players held each other accountable and had a special maturity to them on the diamond,” Coach Rick Smith said. “They always had the will to win in them and played with cocky confidence.”
“They were that team that you would want to coach but not play against – because of their toughness.”
The Skippers went on to capture the Michigan Community College Athletic Association title.
The pitching staff consisted of Ken Campbell, Ian Cosgrove, Kurt Hammond, Matt Mullen, Ken Orsi, Chris Owsianicki, Brett Rivers, Chris Utley and Matt Sperling.
Handling catching duties were sophomores Jeff Mason and Ryan McBride and freshman Rick Malinowski.
The infielders were Josh Zahller, Brad Twigg, Chris Smith, Don Seibert, Chris Pollock, Scott Logan and Carl Reams.
Troy Dean, Jamie Edwards, Matt Scheffler and Jason Winchester roamed the outfield.
“Oh yes, it did help that 11 of them went on to good four-year universities to further their careers. Three went (NCAA) D1, five on to D2, and three to NAIA.”
“We accomplished a lot of our goals in 94 and that’s why the season was so memorable for me and my staff.”
Assistant coaches on the squad were Gary Bowman, Bob Smith and Jan Prozorowicz.
“It was a fun season being a part of a great team with great players,” said Seibert, a Marine City grad.”
1996-97 Women’s Basketball Team
Two years removed from a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament and a runner-up finish, the 1996-97 SC4’s women’s basketball team enjoyed a special season.
And the Skippers pulled it off with a group of talented student-athletes from around the Blue Water Area.
The Skippers went 13-1 to win the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Eastern Conference and 22-10 overall.
SC4 opened the state tournament with an 89-88 victory over Glen Oaks in the semifinals. The Skippers captured the state title with a 79-67 victory against Lansing CC.
The Skippers’ bid for a regional title came up short with a 71-60 loss to Lansing Michigan College in the regionals.
“Playing basketball at SC4 was a great opportunity to further my education while also being able to continue competitively playing a sport that I grew up loving,” Val Durand said. “We were fortunate to have a close team of girls that enjoyed spending time together both on and off the court.”
The Skippers were coached by Chris Huss. Assisting Huss was Sandusky graduate Carrie (Hickson) Lohr. The Skippers’ backcourt was anchored by Yale graduate Kelly Falter, who was a First-Team All-Conference, All-State and All-Region selection. St. Clair grad Rachelle Baysinger and Traci Robinson of Capac earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors, while Georgette Kollmorgen, a St. Clair grad, landed Second-Team honors. Rounding out the roster were guards Erica Sopha, Jamie Ball and Jill Riedel, along with Durand, Lenora Becker, Erin Snyder and Carrie Robinet in the front line.
“The 1996-97 Lady Skippers basketball team was a special group of local talent,” Huss said. “We had a great combination of speed and depth.”
“The chemistry and teamwork transpired into a championship team.”
