Aug. 9, 2003
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
A rowing coach who took the program to a new standard of excellence, a
basketball standout who fashioned the most successful career in school history,
and a volleyball player who had a key role in helping the Vikings to their
greatest season are the newest members of the Western Washington University
Athletic Hall of Fame.
The inductees are men's rowing coach Bob Diehl, women's volleyball setter Kim
Kolody-Bjorklund, and men's basketball guard Manny Kimmie.
In his six years as crew mentor, Diehl had varsity eight shells win Northwest
small college titles four times, a varsity four place fourth at the
Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship, and two rowers compete in the
Olympic Games. Kimmie finished his career as the school's all-time leader in
points (1,624), assists (430) and steals (282), being the only Western men's
basketball player to be a part of 100 victories (101-37) and four teams that
reached the NAIA District 1 finals. Kolody-Bjorklund helped the Vikings place
third at the 1990 NAIA National Tournament, setting a school single-season
record with 1,500 assists.
The trio, which brings the hall's total membership to 100, will be formally
inducted on Sat., Oct. 25 (10 a.m.) in a ceremony at the Viking Union on the
Western campus as part of Homecoming week. They also will be honored at halftime
of Western's Cascade Cup football game with Central Washington University.
The 64-year-old Diehl coached men's crew at Western from 1970 to 1976. In 1972,
he introduced the Viking Invitational Regatta, which included virtually every
Northwest rowing program and continued for 13 years.
Diehl was the coach when Western made its first appearance at the prestigious
Opening Day Regatta.
He directed varsity eights which won LaFromboise Cup (northwest small college)
titles in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975. Also, in 1973, Diehl's varsity four placed
fourth at the IRA national championships.
Two of his rowers, Chuck Rutherford and Darrell Vruegdenhil, went on to compete
in the Olympic Games.
Diehl, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1961 at the
University of Washington, rowed for the Huskies from 1958 to 1960 under coach
Fil Leanderson.
Diehl began rowing competitively again in 1992, winning several medals in
masters singles, doubles and quads competition. Highlighting those
accomplishments were gold medals at the 1993, 1995 and 1997 U.S. National and
Canadian National championships. He won a gold and two bronze medals at the 1994
World Master Games in Australia, and took silver and bronze medals at the 1998
World Master Games held in Portland, Ore.
Diehl is the third-generation president of the Diehl Ford Company in Bellingham,
which recently celebrated its 95th anniversary and is the third-oldest Ford
dealership in the world among 20,000 dealerships in 59 countries.
Currently, he is a member of the Viking Athletic Advisory Board and participates
in Western's Coaches Car program.
Diehl and wife Conni live in Bellingham. He has a grown son, Mike, and four
grandchildren. Mike and wife Tracy also rowed collegiately.
Kimmie, 35, was a third-team NAIA All-American, first-team Little All-Northwest,
and District 1 Player of the Year as a senior in 1989-90. He completed his
eligibility with nine school career records and two game marks. As a sophomore,
Kimmie helped the Vikings finish 28-8, the victory total still being a school
record, win the district title and reach the second round at the NAIA national
tournament.
Kimmie went on to play for an Ipswich Eagles club team in Brisbane, Australia,
as well as the Yakima Sun Kings in the Continental Basketball League (1992-93)
and the Calgary 88s in the World Basketball League (1993-94), each for one
season. He also competed at the 1991 U.S. Olympic Trials in team handball.
Kimmie, who earned a bachelor's degree in communications and youth work at
Western, is in his sixth year as an employee at ARCO/BP in Ferndale. He also
worked in the youth department at the Lummi Indian Business Council for three
years (1995-97), serving as head basketball coach.
Kimmie is a graduate of Timberline High School in Olympia where he was a
three-sport letter winner. He and wife Darlys have three daughters: Trela 11,
Talia 9 and Tatum 2.
Kolody-Bjorklund, 35, earned NAIA All-America honorable mention and second-team
NAIA national all-tournament recognition in 1990, helping Western to a 34-10
record, district and region titles, and the school's first national tournament
appearance. There the Vikings won five of seven matches, coming within two
points of playing in the championship match. Their third-place finish was the
best at nationals by any Western team up to that time.
A first-team District 1 all-star and district all-tournament pick, her
school-record assist total ranked second nationally. She also led the team in
service aces with 79, which ranked No.17 nationally, and was second in digs with
298.
Despite playing just two seasons at Western, Kolody-Bjorklund still ranks third
among the school's career assist leaders with 2,240.
Kolody-Bjorklund transferred to Western from Warner Pacific University
(Portland, Ore.) where she started two years. She was a two-time, first-team
all-league pick at Sehome High School, helping the Mariners to Class AA state
tournament appearances in 1985 and 1986. As a junior in high school, she toured
the British Isles with a Northwest Volleyball Camp all-star team.
Beginning her third season as head girls volleyball coach at Bellingham High
School, Kolody-Bjorklund was previously a Raider assistant coach for one season
and an assistant at Sehome High School for six years.
She and husband, Tom, have two daughters: Neva 9 and Olivia 6.
BOB DIEHL
Crew Coach
Men's rowing coach at Western from 1970 to 1976
Coached varsity four which placed fourth in finals at 1973 Intercollegiate
Rowing Association Championships
Directed varsity eight to four LaFromboise Cup (northwest small college)
titles
Coached two Olympic rowers - Chuck Rutherford and Darrell Vruegdenhil
Introduced WWU Invitational Regatta which continued for 13 years
Coached Western in school's first appearance at Opening Day Regatta
Rowed collegiately at University of Washington (1958-60)
Won gold medals in masters rowing at U.S. National, Canadian National
and World Master Games
MANNY KIMMIE
Men's Basketball (Guard)
Finished four-year career as school's career leader in points
(1,624), assists
(430) and steals (282)
Third-team NAIA All-American (1990)
NAIA District 1 Player of the Year (1990)
First-team Little All-Northwest (1990)
Only Western player to be part of 100 victories (101-37) and four district
finals
Four-year letter winner
Played one season each in Continental Basketball League and World Basketball
League
Competed in 1991 U.S. Olympic Trials in team handball
KIM KOLODY-BJORKLUND
Volleyball (Setter)
Honorable mention NAIA All-American (1990)
Helped Western to district and region titles and third place at
NAIA National Tournament
Second-team national all-tournament pick
First-team NAIA District 1 all-star and district all-tourney choice
Set school record with 1,500 assists, ranked No.2 nationally
