2020 Hall of Honor Inductees
2020 HPER Hall of Honor Inductees
Ross Bjork BSE 95- Recreation
Ross Bjork is the Director of Athletics at Texas A&M. He earlier served as the Director of Athletics for seven years the University of Mississippi. Prior Western Kentucky University. Bjork has an extensive career in intercollegiate athletics with more than two decades of experience as an administrator and student-athlete, having worked on the senior staffs at UCLA, the University of Miami and the University of Missouri. Bjork is a native of Dodge City, Kansas, and received his bachelor’s degree in recreation administration from Emporia State University in 1995 where he was a two-year starter at fullback. Bjork was honored by Emporia State with the 2017 distinguished alumni award. Bjork has quickly established a leadership role in the SEC by serving as Chair of the awards committee and representing the SEC on NCAA men's basketball oversight committee and the NCAA transfer working group.t Coordinator in 1996-97.
Steve Costanzo MS 2009
Steve Constanzo has established a tremendous record as a collegiate wrestling coach. He is in his 14th season as head coach at St. Cloud State and 21st season overall as a college head coach. He has been honored as a NCAA DII National Coach of the Year as well as an NAIA National Coach of the Year. He has a career record of 269-58-2 while coaching 159 National Qualifiers, 94 All-Americans, 7 National Champions and 123 NWCA All-Academic recipients. His overall record at SCSU currently stands at 208-28. Costanzo's Huskies won the NCAA Division II national championship in 2019, 2018, 2016 and 2015 and his team at Dana College won the NAIA national title in 2006. In 2003, Costanzo was credited with the NAIA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award which epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student-athletes.
Ryan Martin, BS 2005, MS 2007
Mr. Martin’s excellent professional experience as a Sports Director for Ulysses, KS and Hastings, NE, and Recreation Program Superintendent, Hastings, NE makes him an excellent candidate for the HPER Hall of Honor Award. Following are a few of Ryan’s accomplishments. Due to Mr. Martin’s positive work in Hastings, NE and throughout the State of Nebraska, he was named the “Nebraska Recreation and Park Association (NeRPA) “Outstanding Recreation Professional” for 2016-17.” Ryan is presently serving as the NeRPA President Elect. Mr. Martin has also served as the Team Mates Youth Mentoring Program Board President (2015-2016), Board Member (2013-Present, and Mentor (2009-Present). Additionally, Ryan is a Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador and served as Ambassador President in 2014. Mr. Martin has also been involved in numerous other civic organizations and events.
Twila Wollenburg BSE 88- PE
Twila Wollenberg has been named an Elementary Principal of the Year by the Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals.Twila is the Marais des Cygnes Elementary School Principal. She has also received the Community Ally of the Year Award from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV). Wollenberg has supported prevention programming led by SOS, opening up the school during the summer for programs, volunteering her time, and serving as a role model among students and parents alike.