Several people with ties to Indiana University South Bend athletics were honored Saturday at the inaugural “Athletics Hall of Fame” dinner. Tremone “Timothy” Williams, Amie Burger, Mary Wisniewski and Jerry Jones were all honored for the distinction they have brought to themselves and to the university through their accomplishments in athletics and their contributions to their community and society.
The university also presented the inaugural Bruce Family Legacy Award to women’s basketball coach Steve Bruce and his family. In future years, this award will honor those who shape the Titan identity and contribute to the prestige of IU South Bend athletics.
“We are excited to honor these individuals for helping build the university’s athletics program into what it is today,’ said Executive Director of Athletics Scott Cooper. “They are an example to the next generation of Titan athletes as they work toward their dreams and goals.”
As a student athlete at IU South Bend, Williams was the first men’s basketball player in campus history to receive All-American honors, receiving the distinction in the 1998-99 season. That same year, he was also named Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Player of the Year, the first Titan to receive the honor and only the second of all time. Williams hold several school records in blocked shots in a single season with 75, blocked shots per game in a single season and blocked shots in a career at 149.
Burger played for the women’s basketball team, competing in back-to-back national appearances and became the first women’s basketball All-American in school history. During her 1997-98 season, Burger not only earned 3rd Team All-American honors, but was also named national Player of the Week. She helped lead the Titans to 45 wins and two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) tournament bids. Burger holds two of the top five spots in points scored in a single year, as well as the top two spots in three-point field goals made in a season. She holds the record for the most three-point field goals made throughout a career, a total of 269 in just two years.
Wisniewski holds the distinction of being the first NAIA women’s basketball coach on campus, serving in that role from 1993-2006. She ended her career with a record of 259-160. Her career highlights include five CCAC championships, five NAIA Division 1 Championship appearances and six CCAC Coach of the Year awards. Wisniewski coached three conference Player of the Year winners, five Freshman of the Year winners, 47 All-Conference players, 14 NAIA All-Americans, and six NAIA Academic All-Americans.
Jones was the first NAIA men’s basketball coach for IU South Bend from 1988-94. He helped move the Titans from the National Small College Athletic Association to the NAIA after winning 17 games as an independent, and gaining membership in the CCAC during the 1990-91 season. Jones helped lead the Titans to 97 total wins and 27 conference wins. He coached five different 1,000-point scorers and coached teams that hold score records in steals (366), points per game (92.74), total rebounds/rebounds per game (40.7 per game) and field goals made (1,055).
Bruce has served as the head coach of the Titan women’s basketball team since 2006 and was athletics director from 2014-23. During his time as athletics director, he helped expand the offering of sports on campus. The Bruce family has a long history of supporting athletics and education. They have provided transformational contributions that helped launch and sustain programs over the years.
