GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Athletics proudly announces the jersey retirement of four basketball legends, including three men's players and one women's player. Dennis Woelffer (No. 54), Ron Ripley (No. 50), Tom Anderson (No. 40), and Chari Nordgaard (No. 33) will have their jerseys hung in the rafters. Each of these former players represented what it means to be a Phoenix while ranking among the best in Green Bay Basketball history.
The men's ceremony will coincide with Alumni Day on January 27 when the Phoenix host Detroit Mercy at the Resch Center at noon, while Nordgaard's ceremony will take place the following day on Alumni Day when the Phoenix women host Wright State at the Kress Center on January 28 at 1 p.m.
All Green Bay Basketball alumni are welcome and are invited to RSVP to their respective alumni weekends. Tickets will be provided for alumni and their immediate families for any games taking place alumni weekend. Men's alumni click HERE to RSVP, while women's alumni can click HERE. Additional questions can be directed to Rahmon Fletcher (fletcher@uwgb.edu) for the men and Meghan Pingel (pingelm@uwgb.edu) for the women.
MEN'S BASKETBALL ALUMNI WEEKEND INFORMATION
Thursday, Jan. 25
- 1 p.m.: Shootaround at the Resch Center
- 6 p.m.: Green Bay vs. Oakland (Resch Center)
Friday, January 26
- TBD: Practice at the Resch Center
Saturday, January 27
- 12 p.m.: Green Bay vs. Detroit Mercy (Resch Center)
- 2 p.m.: Post game social at Legacy Hotel
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ALUMNI WEEKEND INFORMATION
Sunday, Jan. 28
- 8-9 a.m.: Attend shootaround and enjoy coffee and donuts
- 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Social hour at Black Sheep Pub & Grill (food and 1-2 drinks provided)
- 1 p.m.: Green Bay vs. Oakland (Kress Center)
JERSEY RETIREMENTS
DENNIS WOELFFER (1969-1973)
Dennis Woelffer was an integral part of some of the first Phoenix basketball teams from 1969 to 1973. Woelffer's name is scattered across the Green Bay record books and was inducted into the Phoenix Hall of Fame in the inaugural 1993 class. Woelffer is currently second in career rebounds, third in career field goals, and third in all-time scoring with 1,916 points. Dennis was named a second-team NAIA All-American after the 1972-73 season. A few years ago, he was tabbed as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Leaders in Green Bay Athletics. The Phoenix went 88-24 during Ripley's tenure. Green Bay made the NAIA Second Round during the 1970-71 season and 1971-72 season, and reached the NAIA quarterfinals during the 1972-73 season.
Woelffer also ranks in Phoenix history:
- 1st in free-throw percentage in a game (1.000, 15-15)
- Tied for 5th in points per game in a season (20.3)
- 2nd in career rebounds (947)
- 2nd-most rebounds in a single game (20)
- 2nd in career free throws made (462)
RON RIPLEY (1975-1979)
Ron Ripley is another Phoenix basketball legend and Hall of Famer that played for Green Bay men's basketball from 1975-1979. Ron currently has the highest field goal percentage for a career at 64.7 percent, is third in career rebounds at 852, and fifth in career points with 1,751. He was named to the NCAA Division II NABC All-America first team in the 1978-79 season. Ripley is also a part of the Top 50 Most Influential Leaders list in Green Bay Athletics. The Phoenix racked up 101 wins during his four seasons, and made two trips to the NCAA Division II National Championship. He also ranks in Phoenix history:
- 1st in field-goal percentage in a season (.678)
- 1st in career field-goal percentage (.647)
- 3rd in career free throws made (459)
TOM ANDERSON (1974-1978)
Tom Anderson played for Green Bay men's basketball from 1975-1979. Anderson is also part of the Green Bay Phoenix Hall of Fame. Tom is 10th in career points with 1,505. He was named to the NCAA Division II NABC All-America First Team in the 1977-78 season. Anderson is listed as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Leaders in Green Bay Athletics. During Anderson's time at Green Bay the team reached the NCAA Division II Regional round twice and was the NCAA Division II runner-up in 1977-78. GB won at least 21 games in each of his final three years, including 30 wins during the '77-78 campaign. Tom is also:
- 1st in assists in a season (193)
- 2nd in career assists (560)
- 7th in career free throw percentage (.812)
CHARI NORDGAARDÂ KNUEPPEL (1995-1999)
The all-time leading scorer in Green Bay women's basketball history, Chari Nordgaard played for the Phoenix from 1995-1999. Chari is also part of the Green Bay Phoenix Hall of Fame. Nordgaard racked up 1,964 points in her career and was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year during the 1998-99 season. Chari is part of the Top 50 Most Influential Leaders in Green Bay Athletics. Nordgaard led the Phoenix to two conference championships and two NCAA Tournament First Round appearances. She also ranks in Phoenix history:
- 1st in points in a single game (38)
- 1st in free throws made in a season (235)
- 1st in career scoring average (16.8)
- 3rd in field goals made in a game (14)
- 3rd in career field goals (709)
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