Three former student-athletes and a coach, all of whom made huge impacts in their sports, are the Class of 2020 inductees into the Western Washington University Athletics Hall of Fame. 

The three athletes are Audrey Coon Schwind, a National Collegiate Athletic Association Woman of the Year finalist in 2010 and a three-time national champion in rowing for the Vikings; Jodie Kaczor Berry, a standout point guard in women's basketball for Western who has gone on to become a top Division I assistant coach; and Michael Koenen, who played professionally for 10 years in the National Football League after an amazing career as a punter and placekicker for the Vikings.

Rounding out the foursome is Art Phinney, who in 1998 coached Western softball to the school's first national team title in any sport. He will be inducted posthumously with team co-captains Jen Brandolini Register and Cathy Johnson Evans speaking on his behalf.

"This is an outstanding group we are inducting into the Western Athletics Hall of Fame," said WWU Director of Athletics Steve Card. "Three student athletes who all had great careers at Western and continue to achieve, and a legendary coach who produced the first national championship for our school. They are all deserving of our most prestigious honor."

The induction ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 16 (1 p.m.), on Whatcom Educational Credit Union Court at Carver Gymnasium. There is no admission charge and parking for the event is free.

On Friday, May 15 (5:30 p.m.), the inductees will be recognized at the WWU Alumni Association Awards Celebration in the Performing Arts Building and Wilson Library.

The foursome brings the hall's membership to 153 over the 118-year history of athletics at Western.

The induction ceremony is the 45th for WWU. Its hall of fame is the second oldest among Pacific Northwest colleges and universities. The inaugural WWU hall of fame ceremony, which had seven inductees, was held in 1968 at halftime of a Viking men's basketball game.
  On Oct. 17, 2010, Audrey Coon Schwind represented WWU and Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the 20th Annual NCAA Woman of the Year Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, Ind. She was one of 30 finalists out of nearly 500 nominees, 10 coming from each of the NCAA's three divisions of competition.

The NCAA Woman of the Year award, one of the most prestigious the NCAA bestows, was established in 1991 to honor female student-athletes who have completed their eligibility and demonstrated excellence in academics and athletics while showing extraordinary community service. No other Western female student-athlete has been a finalist.

As a rower at Western, Schwind helped the Vikings to three consecutive national titles from 2007 to 2009 and was a first-team Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American in 2009. During her three years seated in the varsity eight shell, WWU did not lose to a non-Division I school. She was the team captain in 2009 and assistant captain in 2008.

"Audrey represented our philosophy at a very high level," said her head coach John Fuchs, who is in his 22nd season at Western. "She was an excellent student, formidable athlete, a great leader and continues to be well respected by her former teammates. She was an integral part of the program during our stretch of success (seven straight national titles) at the NCAA Championships and more so a bright energetic young woman."

Academically, Schwind maintained a 3.96 (4.0 scale) grade point average at Western, earning a degree in Spanish and Elementary Education and graduating Magna Cum Laude in December of 2009. Among her academic awards, she twice earned College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America honors and was three times a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection for District 8 (includes Canada and states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington) and a Great Northwest Athletic Conference academic all-star.

Schwind was Western's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009. And she shared the school's Female Athlete of the Year award in 2009 and was WWU's co-Female Athlete of the Decade for 2000 to 2009. 

Throughout her Viking career, Schwind was active in numerous community service and campus projects, serving on the WWU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and working on the WWU Women's Rowing Annual Food Drive.

Schwind threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game on June 25, 2009, and received Faces in the Crowd recognition in the August 18, 2008, issue of Sports Illustrated.

"My undergraduate experience at WWU was simply wonderful," said Schwind. "I loved my coursework and felt challenged and supported at every step of my academic career. I consider my time on the Women's Rowing Team to be one of the most formative experiences of my life and an opportunity I feel incredibly grateful to have enjoyed. I am so honored to be inducted into the WWU Hall of Fame and wish to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me on this amazing journey."

Following graduation from Western, Schwind was the novice rowing coach at NCAA III Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., for one year; and a graduate assistant and assistant coach over two seasons at NCAA I University of Portland while taking post-graduate courses. She also worked part-time at the Portland Park & Recreation Department's Adaptive and Inclusive Program, working one-on-one with children having special needs. 

In 2013 and 2014, Schwind was a finalist for the NCAA Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, receiving a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship in 2014.

Schwind then attended Boise State University where she earned a Master of Science degree in kinesiology. She won the 2015-16 Boise State Distinguished Master's Thesis Award for her submission, "Predicting College Women Rowers' Motivation and Persistence: A Self-Determination Theory Approach."

Schwind also obtained a certificate in college teaching at Boise State and was an adjunct instructor in its kinesiology department, teaching exercise psychology.

Schwind has now gone in a different direction. After taking a ceramics class at Boise State, she now operates a small pottery business, having a home studio and displaying her work at shows.

Schwind and husband Adam have a daughter, Eloise, eight months.
 
Jodie Kaczor Berry is in her sixth season as an assistant coach with the University of Oregon women's basketball program. A long-time assistant under head coach Kelly Graves, Berry serves as the Ducks' post-player coach and helps in opponent scouting and recruiting. 

Prior to the 2020 NCAA I national tournament being cancelled because of COVID-19, the Ducks were 31-2 overall, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press national poll, and had swept the Pac-12 regular-season and tournament titles for the second time in three years.

In 2019, Berry helped guide the Ducks to a second consecutive Elite Eight showing, and the program's first Final Four appearance.

Berry joined the Oregon coaching staff in 2014 after working with Coach Graves at Gonzaga University for 11 seasons.

Berry served as the director of women's basketball operations at Gonzaga for two seasons before becoming an assistant coach for the 2005-06 campaign. She served as Graves' top assistant for her final six seasons with the Bulldogs, starting in 2008. 

Working with the offense, Gonzaga led the nation in scoring during the 2010-11 season, averaging 85.3 points per game. The Bulldogs also shot 49.4 percent from the floor that season, good for second-best in the NCAA. 

Gonzaga won the West Coast Conference regular season title in 10 of Berry's 11 years on the bench and advanced to the NCAA Tournament seven times. At Gonzaga, Berry coached five All-Americans, 14 all-WCC performers and five Women's National Basketball Association draft picks. Berry was instrumental in signing the WNBA No. 3 pick overall in 2011, Courtney Vandersloot out of Kent.

In her own playing career, Berry, then Kaczor, earned four letters at Western. She finished her career as WWU's career leader in three-pointers (210) and free throw percentage (81.9) and earned first-team all-conference honors in 2001 and 2002. 

"I am thrilled Jodie is being inducted," said WWU Head Coach Carmen Dolfo, who is in her 29th season. "It is such a well-deserved honor. Jodie was one of the smartest point guards I have ever coached and understood the game like no other. She was a great shooter and wanted the ball in pressure situations." 

The Vikings posted a 95-24 record during Berry's four-year career and made trips to the NCAA II Tournament each season, Western reaching the national semifinals in 2000. 

As a junior, Berry received Little All-Northwest honorable mention, and was ranked seventh nationally in three-point percentage (42.7, 79-185) and ninth in three-point makes per game (2.7).

"My time playing for Carmen (Dolfo) will forever be a defining experience in my life, both on and off the court," said Berry, a 2003 WWU graduate. "I had the privilege to have incredible teammates throughout my time there. The growth and success we enjoyed during my years at Western opened so many doors throughout my career, and it's an honor to be recognized. I will remain forever grateful, and forever in debt to the Western community."

Berry and her husband Eric, who were married in 2005, had a son Tyson in 2010. They added a second son to the family, Kyson, adopted in 2016.
 
Michael Koenen had a 10-year professional career as one of the top punters and kickoff specialists in the NFL. He played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2005 to 2010 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2011 to 2014.

Koenen entered the NFL in 2005 as an undrafted college free agent. He signed a contract in April of 2005 and spent six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before inking a free agent contract with Tampa Bay in 2011 that made him one of the highest-paid punters in NFL history. His long kickoffs also contributed to the high salary.

In Atlanta's Oct. 9, 2005, game against New England, the Falcons had the ball on New England's 41-yard line with six seconds remaining in the first half. Since regular placekicker Todd Peterson's range was insufficient to attempt a field goal from that distance, Atlanta's head coach Jim Mora turned to Koenen, who was handling the team's punting and kickoff duties. 

Keonen actually attempted the kick, the first field goal try of his pro career, twice. Prior to the initial snap, Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel called a timeout. Koenen heard the referee's whistle but still kicked the field goal. It landed right of the goalpost. A few moments later, Koenen attempted the kick again, and this time made a 58-yard field goal. It was the longest field goal of Koenen's career at any level, tied for ninth longest in NFL history and was the third longest in history by an undrafted kicker. 

Koenen is depicted on a statue, entitled "Rebirth," which was unveiled on July 27, 2012, in front of the Superdome in New Orleans. It shows Steve Gleason blocking a punt into the end zone for a Saints' touchdown on Sept. 25, 2006, the night the rebuilt Superdome and the city of New Orleans hosted a NFL game for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. The play became a part of Saints lore and symbolic of the city's resilience in the face of disaster.

Koenen finished his WWU career as the school's most prolific kicker and punter, topping the record books in almost every category. He was WWU's co-Male Athlete of the Decade for 2000 to 2009. 

"We were so fortunate to have Michael on our team," said his head coach Rob Smith, who directed the program for 17 years. "He was a true 'triple threat' when it came to kicking as he performed all three roles of punter, placekicker and kickoffs at an All-American level. As a coach it's an incredible luxury any time you have a weapon like that. And he was such a great athlete he probably could have helped us out at a number of other positions too. A very deserving honor for Michael, a true Viking legend."

Koenen's position coach was Terry Todd. Both Smith and Todd are members of Western's Athletics Hall of Fame.

"He was always a great talent, it was something we never took for granted, but he also worked very hard," said Todd. "Kicking and punting are two completely different skills … And he stayed positive. He knew the next opportunity was right around the corner. You have to be able to do that as a kicker."

Koenen redshirted his first season at WWU. When he debuted in 2001, it did not take long to show what he could do. In his first game, he kicked a school-record 54-yard field goal against the University of Central Oklahoma. The next year, he set another school standard with a 73-yard punt. 

Koenen completed his four years of eligibility at Western as one of the most decorated kickers in Northwest small college history. He finished as the Northwest small college, GNAC and school record holder in kick scoring with 272 points. He also set school career records for made PATs (points after touchdown, 143), kickoffs for touchbacks (73), punting average (43.1) and yards punted (8,228), while being second in PAT attempts (150) and third in both field goals made (43) and attempted (74). 

Koenen was named WWU Male Athlete of the Year for 2004-05, following an outstanding senior season. That year, he was a second-team Daktronics, Inc., third-team Don Hansen's Football Gazette and D2football.com honorable mention All-America choice as a punter as well as D2football.com and Northwest Region Special Teams Player of the Year. Koenen set school and GNAC season records for PATs (40-41, .976) and field goals (12-17, .706) percentage, while ranking No.3 nationally in punting average (43.5) and No.11 in field goals per game (1.20).

As a sophomore in 2002, Koenen led the nation in punting with a 44.9 average. That season, he was a first-team Daktronics, D2football.com and Football Gazette All-American and second-team Associated Press Little All-America selection as a punter. He was also Football Gazette Specialist of the Year.

"I can't say enough good things about my time at Western," Koenen said. "I got to meet some of the most amazing people! … I was initially a verbal commit to Eastern Washington but switched to WWU so I could be close to home and play for Coach Terry Todd, the special teams coach. 

"My parents always pushed me to be the best I could possibly be and my dad drove into me the discipline of working hard. The coaches at Western continued that drive and work ethic to prepare me for whatever was next in life, which for me happened to be more football." 

"I am most grateful for meeting my wife Devin, who was also a student-athlete at Western. Together God has blessed us with five amazing kids. 

"Western provides opportunities for young men and women in our community to follow their goals and aspirations as part of an outstanding athletics program. I'm very proud to be a part of that history." 

Koenen was a first-team Washington Prep Football Report Class 3 All-State pick as a senior at Ferndale High School. He helped the Golden Eagles to a 12-1 record, the Northwest League title and the semifinals of the state playoffs. He booted a school-record 47-yard field goal in a 17-14 win over Anacortes.

Koenen started and lettered three years each at Ferndale in football, basketball and soccer. He was twice a first-team all-league choice in football, and twice a second-team pick in basketball as well as being a second-team pick and team MVP in soccer as a senior.

Koenen and wife Devin (formerly Dykstra), who earned two letters at Western in both basketball and softball, have five children. They are Malachi 11, Markus 10, Mia 8 and twins Madeleine and Makenna 5. 

Koenen, who lives in Blaine, is co-owner of Locker Room Fitness in Ferndale.
 
Art Phinney, who in 1998 directed the Western Washington University softball team to the first national team championship in school history, passed away from a heart attack on Monday, July 15, at Vancouver, Washington.

Phinney coached the Vikings for seven seasons from 1995 to 2001, posting a record of 186-110-1. Western won 30 or more games in each of his last four years at the helm.

In 1998, the Vikings made a remarkable run to win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national title after receiving the seventh and final at-large berth to nationals.

Phinney received NAIA National Coach of the Year honors for that achievement.

"Coach had a way of recruiting the perfect mix of athletes, competitors, and amazing personalities - ultimately fine tuning The Cinderella team of 1998," said Jen Brandolini (Register), a team co-captain that season.

Brandolini and Cathy Johnson (Evans), another 1998 co-captain, will speak on Phinney's behalf. Both are members of Western's Hall of Fame. 

Phinney was named Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 as Western won the PNWAC title. He also was the Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 when the Vikings took that league's West Division crown.

Prior to Western, Phinney was the head coach at Skagit Valley College for three years (1985-88), directing the Cardinals to a 74-40 record and three runner-up finishes at the Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament.

For the eight years prior to his death, Phinney was the Sports Ministry Director at Living Hope Church in Vancouver, Washington.

A 1985 graduate of Skagit Valley College, Phinney directed numerous coaching, hitting and pitching clinics for club, high school and college teams. He was a 1978 graduate of Burlington-Edison High School.