GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay Athletics is set to induct five former Phoenix greats to the Athletics Hall of Fame on June 10, 2023. This will be the 22nd induction class in the Hall of Fame's history. The announced 2023 class includes men's soccer player Joe Hoffmeyer '82, women's basketball standouts Kayla Karius (Tetschlag) '11 and Celeste Ratka (Hoewisch) '11, long-time university administrator Dan Spielmann, and men's basketball standout Keifer Sykes '15. These five inductees will be recognized for their athletics achievements, contributions and accomplishments during their successful time at Green Bay.

This year's class of inductees brings membership in the Athletics Hall of Fame to 88 honorees. A complete list of the current Hall of Fame members can be found HERE. The most recent induction class came in 2020, with Lisa Boeser, Zach Hansen, Marilyn McCarey, Joshua Okoampa, Santiago Ocariz, Katie Stauber, and Julie Wojta being inducted.

The class will be forever enshrined on Saturday, June 10, 2023 with the ceremony taking place at the Weidner Center on the campus of UW-Green Bay. Tickets for the ceremony can be purchased online HERE for $30. Tickets will include social hour with a cash bar, dinner, and induction ceremony program.

Social hour will start at 4 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 p.m., and the induction will begin at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Those planning to attend must reserve their spot online HERE. The deadline to RSVP is June 1. NO WALK-UPS.

Biographical sketches on the 2023 inductees can be found below:

Joe Hoffmeyer – Men's Soccer '82
Joe Hoffmeyer created a legacy of greatness from 1978-82 on the Phoenix men's soccer team. In 1982, he was tabbed to the United Soccer Coaches All Region Team, WSCA All-Wisconsin Team and was given the Hagemeister Leadership Award. During his time with the Phoenix, GB went 59-20-7. Known as one of the best defenders in program history, an award named in his honor was given out from 2000-2012 to the best defender on the team. Hoffmeyer led the defensive line for one of the best defenses in program history in 1981. That season, Green Bay gave up just 0.64 goals per game, which is the second-lowest mark in program history.

Kayla Karius (Tetschlag) – Women's Basketball '11
Karius left a remarkable legacy at Green Bay after her four-year career on the women's basketball team from 2007-2011. She initially broke out during her sophomore campaign, winning Horizon League Sixth Player of the Year. As a junior during the 2009-10 season, Karius set an individual season record with 214 rebounds and garnered three Horizon League Player of the Week selections. She is one of 37 members in program history to eclipse 1,000 career points, joining the exclusive club on December 31, 2010, with a bucket against Detroit Mercy. Karius ended her Phoenix career with 1,372 points, the ninth-most by any player since the program transitioned to Division I.

Celeste Ratka (Hoewisch) – Women's Basketball '11
Celeste Ratka ranks ninth all-time for most points scored in program history, racking up 1,425 career points from 2007-11. Her senior season ranks among one of the best single seasons by a Phoenix player ever, garnering Horizon League Co-Player and Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. She was also named Horizon League Tournament MVP after the Phoenix won the title in 2011. She still ranks in the top-10 in career free throws made and attempted, assists, steals and games played.

Dan Spielmann – Athletics Administration
Named one of the top-50 most influential leaders in Green Bay Athletics history, Dan Spielmann served in multiple roles for UW-Green Bay over a 40-year span. His duties included Athletic Director during the program's rise to NCAA Division I, University Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Policy Advisor to five different Chancellors. During his time as the Athletics Director from 1985-1994, he helped propel the program to new heights in the early years of the Division I status, finding University support for tuition waivers for student-athletes and community support to develop the Phoenix Fund. Spielmann was also instrumental to adding seven sports to meet the requirements of NCAA Division I membership.

Keifer Sykes – Men's Basketball '15
Keifer Sykes is one of the most prolific players in Green Bay men's basketball history, leading one of the best runs the program has seen from 2011-15. He was a Bob Cousy Award finalist after a spectacular season in 2013-14, helping the Phoenix upset the Virginia Cavaliers (led by 2006 Green Bay Hall of Famer Tony Bennett) while being named Horizon League Player of the Year. Sykes finished his Phoenix career as one of just two players to ever eclipse the 2,000-point mark at 2,096, just under 200 points shy of the all-time leading scorer, Tony Bennett. Sykes also ranks in the top-10 in free throws made, assists, steals, and games played. After playing overseas from 2015-2020, Sykes joined the Indiana Pacers' G-League team in 2021 before being elevated to the professional team during the 2021-22 season. Sykes is currently on the Detroit Pistons' G-League team, the Motor City Cruise.

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