Rockhurst University Athletics has announced five former student-athletes, one honorary inductee and one historic team as members of its 2027 Athletics Hall of Fame class. The newest inductees represent decades of success across the men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball programs, recognizing some of the most accomplished individuals, teams and contributors in Rockhurst history.

The 2027 class features Mark Scott (Men's Soccer), Ron Pimmel (Men's Soccer), Kasey Lierz (Women's Soccer), Ryan Bass (Men's Soccer) and Morgan Rietzke (Women's Volleyball). Ray Sonnenberg, a former men's soccer player and longtime supporter of Rockhurst Athletics, will receive an honorary induction in recognition of his decades of service to the university. The 2015 women's volleyball team, which captured the NCAA Midwest Regional championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals, will also be honored with a team induction.

"We are thrilled to induct this exceptional group of individuals and team into the 2027 Hall of Fame," said Kristy Bayer, Rockhurst Associate Vice President. "We look forward to welcoming them back to campus as we celebrate their outstanding accomplishments and lasting impact on our athletic tradition. Induction into a university Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors in athletics, and each of these honorees is truly deserving of this recognition."

Rockhurst Athletics will celebrate its newest Hall of Fame inductees during Hall of Fame Day on Saturday, February 6, 2027. The celebration will recognize the outstanding athletic achievements, contributions and lasting impact of this year's inductees on Rockhurst University and its athletics programs.

Tickets for the celebration are scheduled to go on sale December 3. Additional event details and ticket information will be announced at a later date.

Mark Scott – Men's Soccer (1975-1978)
Scott played a significant role in building the foundation of Rockhurst men's soccer under head coach Tony Tocco. A four-year starter, Scott helped lead the Hawks to four national tournament appearances during a period of sustained success. He earned NAIA All-District honors three times (1976-1978) and All-Area recognition in 1976 and 1978. He capped his career with All-Midwest and NAIA All-American honors in 1978.

Scott finished his Rockhurst career with 27 goals, ranking fourth on the program's all-time scoring list at the time. His accomplishments in the sport were further recognized with his induction into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ron Pimmel – Men's Soccer (1971-1973)
Pimmel was among the early national standouts in Rockhurst men's soccer history, becoming one of the program's first two All-Americans. A junior college transfer from St. Louis, Pimmel earned All-District and All-Area honors in both 1972 and 1973. He was also selected to the 1973 All-Area All-Tournament Team before receiving NSCAA All-American recognition that same season.

Pimmel represented Rockhurst in the 1973 National Senior Bowl, a competition featuring collegiate players from all divisions, and recorded an assist for the winning West team. Playing three different positions during his Rockhurst career, he finished with 19 goals while helping establish the Hawks as a nationally competitive program.

Kasey Lierz – Women's Soccer (2011-2014)
Lierz established herself as one of the top defenders in Rockhurst women's soccer history during her four-year career with the Hawks. A four-year starter, she earned Daktronics Second Team All-American honors in 2012 after leading the GLVC and ranking ninth nationally with 12 assists that season.

Lierz was a two-time All-GLVC selection in 2012 and 2013 and remains the program's all-time leader in assists with 23. She finished her career with 35 points on six goals and 23 assists while helping Rockhurst make three NCAA Tournament appearances. During her four seasons, the Hawks compiled an impressive 53-17-11 overall record.

Ryan Bass – Men's Soccer (2009-2012)
Bass established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Rockhurst men's soccer history during his four-year career. A two-time NCAA All-American, Bass was named the 2011 Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-GLVC honors three times.

He helped lead the Hawks to two NCAA Tournament appearances and finished his career with a 0.617 goals-against average, 211 saves and 37 shutouts. His consistency in goal helped anchor one of the region's premier defensive programs and cemented his place among the most accomplished goalkeepers in Rockhurst history.

Morgan Rietzke – Women's Volleyball (2013-2016)
Rietzke put together one of the most decorated careers in Rockhurst women's volleyball history, earning AVCA All-American honors in all four seasons. She made an immediate impact in 2013, receiving AVCA National Freshman of the Year and GLVC Freshman of the Year recognition.
Rietzke earned First Team All-GLVC honors in 2014 and 2015, along with Second Team recognition in 2013 and 2016. A three-time GLVC Offensive Player of the Week, she ranks first in school history in total attacks (5,031), fifth in kills (1,621), sixth in points (1,793) and 10th in digs (1,371).

During her four seasons, the Hawks compiled a 115-23 overall record and a 65-7 conference mark, making three NCAA Tournament appearances and capturing the 2015 NCAA Midwest Regional championship. Her individual accomplishments and contributions to the program's success established her as one of the most accomplished players in Rockhurst volleyball history.

Ray Sonnenberg – Honorary Induction (Class of 1969)
Sonnenberg will receive an honorary induction in recognition of his lifelong commitment to Rockhurst University and Rockhurst Athletics. A former men's soccer player, Sonnenberg attended Rockhurst from 1965-1969 and was a member of the Hawks' 1967 NAIA National Semifinalist team. He graduated with a degree in economics in 1969 before earning his MBA in 1979.

Since graduating, Sonnenberg has remained a dedicated alumni leader, volunteer and supporter of Rockhurst University and its athletics programs. He has contributed his institutional knowledge, leadership and service to numerous initiatives focused on strengthening alumni engagement and enhancing the student-athlete experience.

His involvement in Rockhurst Athletics includes supporting the Fr. Joseph M. Freeman Rockhurst Cup golf tournament, the Men's Soccer 60-Year Celebration, the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and the Field for the Future campaign supporting improvements to Bourke Field in 2024-25.
Sonnenberg's commitment to Rockhurst extends well beyond athletics. He has served on the university's Board of Regents, various campaign committees and the Rockhurst University Leaders Council, providing leadership and support to initiatives benefiting the university community.

His longstanding dedication to Rockhurst has been recognized through several university honors, including the Alumnus of the Year Award in 1996, the Fr. Maurice Van Ackeren Spirit Award in 2005 and the Regent Service Award in 2010. Sonnenberg's honorary induction celebrates a lifetime of service, leadership and loyalty to Rockhurst University, recognizing his lasting impact on the athletics department and the broader university community.

Team Induction – 2015 Women's Volleyball
The 2015 Rockhurst women's volleyball team put together one of the most successful seasons in program history, finishing with a 34-4 overall record and advancing to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals.

Under head coach Tracy Rietzke, the seventh-ranked Hawks dominated Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a perfect 18-0 record and went undefeated at home with a 15-0 mark. Rockhurst captured the NCAA Midwest Regional championship to earn a spot in the national quarterfinals in Tampa, Florida, where its historic season came to an end against No. 16 Western Washington.

The team featured AVCA Division II National Player of the Year Preecy Seever, along with standouts Katie Loescher, Alyssa Arnold, Whitney Kostal, Anne Hellwege and Morgan Rietzke.

The Hawks entered their final match with a 34-3 record before falling to Western Washington in four sets, capping a historic postseason run that established the 2015 squad as one of the premier teams in NCAA Division II volleyball.

The team's 34 victories, undefeated conference record and Midwest Regional championship remain defining accomplishments in Rockhurst women's volleyball history, cementing the 2015 squad's legacy as one of the most successful teams in program history.