Lincoln College Athletic Hall of Fame inducts five new members

[April 30, 2022] 

Lincoln College held their 2021 Lynx Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the beautiful Lincoln Center on the school’s campus.

The Class of 2021 Inductees of the Lincoln College Athletic Hall of Fame included Lyle Fout, Leslie “Sas” Spencer, Cyndi Reinhardt Wilhelm, Kiel Turpin and Kirk Whiteman.

Jan Bowers, a member of the graduating Class of 1981 and a member of the Lynx Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2013, served as the Master of Ceremonies. After the cocktail reception and a delicious meal, Bowers began the ceremony by asking the alumni in attendance to stand and introduce themselves. So many great memories were shared in impromptu fashion by the many alumni in attendance, who all shared an underlying theme of treasuring their time at Lincoln College. Some noted how they had met their future spouse at Lincoln College and mentioned how the college was like home for them. Several alumni emphasized their time at Lincoln College was the best two years of their lives and went on to acknowledge that they had met some of the greatest people while at the college. Many alumni spoke of the life-long friendships that had developed during their short time spent as Lynx student-athletes. Some even noted that they wished the school was a four-year university when they had attended back in the day because they had enjoyed their time at Lincoln College so very much. Several alumni also expressed their sadness about the school’s upcoming closing after 157 years.

As Bowers moved on to introduce each new Hall of Fame member, she read a brief bio of their accomplishments at Lincoln College and read comments from their coaches before each honoree took the podium to speak.

Lyle Fout
Male Athlete ~ Class of 1972

Lyle Fout, originally from Mount Pulaski and a current resident of Elkhart, was the first athlete recognized Saturday night. Fout was a pitcher on the Lynx baseball team for two semesters. Fout’s assistant baseball coach, Tom Zurkhammer, had recalled that “with the game on the line, Lyle was the one you wanted on the mound.”

Fout, along with his teammates and fellow Hall of Famers Dennis Werth, Mike DeMent and Bill Piskorski, led the Lynx to their first and only NJCAA Illinois State Baseball Championship in 1972 under the direction of Hall of Fame coaches Chuck Lindstrom and Tom Zurkhammer. According to records, the 1972 Lynx baseball team was the winningest team in the school’s history at the time with a record of 29 wins and 10 losses. Fout’s pitching record that season was 5-2 with a 2.42 ERA. He led the staff in innings pitched. Fout also batted .387 for the Lynx that season.

Fout was emotional at the podium as he expressed gratitude for his three Lynx coaches, Chuck Lindstrom, Tom Zurkhammer and Allen Pickering. He credited the trio for his growth on and off the field.

Fout also served nine years in the Illinois National Guard and was owner-operator of Fout Construction for 35 years. These days he’s in politics, serving the village of Elkhart as Village President.

Leslie “Sas” Spencer
Female Athlete ~ Class of 1981

Leslie “Sas” Spencer is from Clinton and she played both softball and basketball at Lincoln College for Hall of Fame coaches Cyndi Slayton Jackson, Joni Comstock and Donna Bonebrake. She was also a teammate of Hall of Famers Jan Bowers and Lynn Thompson.

Spencer scored 1,097 points in her two-year basketball career at Lincoln College. She was a phenomenal shooter who shot 47 percent from the field, often shooting from long range before the three-point shot was established. Spencer was an excellent ball handler, passer and rebounder as well. She helped guide the basketball team to second place in State in both 1980 and 1981.

Spencer was a talented softball catcher for the Lady Lynx, too. She caught and called the no-hitter pitched by Lynn Thompson. In 1981 the Lady Lynx won the Sectional, Regional, Inter-District Championships and took third place in the NJCAA Softball National Championship tournament. “When the competition got tough, she got tougher,” according to her words written by her coach, Donna Bonebrake.

Spencer recognized teammates, coaches and family members who were instrumental in her collegiate success. “I am grateful my mom allowed me to play ball in the house,” said Spencer in her speech. She also said the true athlete in her family was her mother, “even though she didn’t have any sports to play.” She also credited her dad for taking her along to play basketball with the boys. In conclusion, Spencer thanked the faculty, staff and coaches for making Lincoln College a great place to grow, achieve and excel.

Cyndi Reinhardt Wilhelm
Female Athlete ~ Class of 1989

Cyndi Reinhardt Wilhelm is from Mount Zion and she played both softball and volleyball at Lincoln College. She was a shortstop for Coach Donna Bonebrake, who once said, “Really?! Who has a left-handed shortstop? Lincoln College did. Cyndi was that good.”

Wilhelm was named an All-American in softball the two years she was at Lincoln College. Wilhelm batted .372 her freshman year and .401 her sophomore year. As Team Captain and MVP both years, she led her team to a 42-13 record. She was also a standout Lady Lynx volleyball player. She continued her softball career at Western Illinois University.

In her speech, Wilhelm thanked Coach Donna Bonebrake for “helping to make us the strong women that we are today.”

“Growing up I always had a love for softball,” said Wilhelm. “The two years here at Lincoln College is where I hold my dearest memories. I am forever grateful to be a part of Lincoln College softball. Lady Lynx for life.”

Kiel Turpin
Male Athlete ~ Class of 2011

Kiel Turpin came to Lincoln College as a 7’ tall basketball player with very little experience playing at Normal West High School. As a high school basketball player, Turpin played seconds rather than minutes on the court, but at Lincoln College he became one of the most decorated basketball players in school history, according to his coach, Kirk Whiteman.

Whiteman also noted that “Kiel played his best basketball on the biggest stage” as he led the Lynx to back-to-back NJCAA Division II National Championships in 2010 and 2011. Turpin was also named the tournament MVP both years.

The 2021 Lynx Athletic Hall of Fame Class. From left to right Cyndi Reinhardt Wilhelm, Lyle Fout, Kiel Turpin, Kirk Whiteman and Leslie "Sas" Spencer.

He won many awards for his accomplishments during the 2011 season and he led the Lynx in scoring with 15.9 ppg as the team finished with a 28-7 record. Turpin continued his collegiate career at Florida State University and upon graduation from FSU he played a number of years professionally overseas.

In his speech, Turpin thanked his coaches and teammates and said, “Our team was incredibly talented. Lincoln College literally was the best two years of my life. It was an amazing gift to further my education here. I fell in love with the game of basketball at Lincoln College.”

“Hands down, Lincoln College has been the best thing that ever happened to me,” continued Turpin. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity here at Lincoln College.”

Kirk Whiteman
Coach

Kirk Whiteman was the final inductee honored on Saturday night. Whiteman was a standout basketball player at Knoxville High School, and as Bowers introduced him, she said, “Believe me when I tell you, Kirk Whiteman was a great high school player.” She went on to mention his back-to-back national championships at Lincoln College and said, “His ability to develop his players made him one of the most successful coaches in Lincoln College history.”

When Whiteman stepped to the podium he credited B.J. McCullum for leaving him some pretty good players. Whiteman was an assistant under McCullum for seven years (1998-2005) and after a break from 2005-2008, Whiteman returned to step into the head coaching position. Still it was a 10-person roster his first year at the helm and he had his work cut out for him, he said.

Whiteman guided the Lynx to a third place finish at Nationals his first year and then guided the Lynx to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in 2010 and 2011.

“It was always a dream of mine to be a college basketball coach, especially at a small school,” said Whiteman. As head coach for four years, Whiteman’s coaching record was 108-30. He also led his team to four Conference Championships.

Whiteman recalled driving by Lincoln College one day and thinking “that looks like a pretty cool place.”

Whiteman talked about the great fans in his speech and also thanked many individuals at Lincoln College who treated him like family. He emphasized how he had incredible support from faculty and staff who truly made Lincoln College a family atmosphere.

Whiteman also recognized his mom and dad and thanked them for their support. He said his mom used to beat him at H-O-R-S-E until he got into high school. Whiteman said his dad coached him for seven years growing up and he always admired the way his dad empowered and treated his students.

Three of the four Whiteman kids were also in attendance. Kameron, Piper and Maddox were seated front and center while their dad spoke. Brody was attending his high school prom. Whiteman said he told his children to “find what you love to do and you will never work a day in your life.”
 

Whiteman also told some entertaining basketball stories about not only players but also his coaching staff. He said he appreciated the sacrifices his coaching staff made.

Reflecting on his coaching career at Lincoln College, he said, “I don’t remember wins and losses, what I remember is the toughness of our players.”

In conclusion, he offered that a “piece of my heart will go on May 13th,” alluding to the upcoming closure of Lincoln College.

He left the crowd with what his team used to say when breaking from the huddle. “1,2,3 play hard. 1,2,3 Lincoln, 1,2,3 family.”

As Bowers closed the ceremony by congratulating the five great athletes honored, one couldn’t help but flash back to the feeling that Lincoln College isn’t just a school, it’s a family. The love the student-athletes had and still have to this day for the higher learning institution is undeniably incredible.

One final note. This was the eighth class inducted, with the inaugural class being in 2013. There was no induction class in 2020. Presumably with the school’s upcoming closing on May 13, 2022, this was the last Lynx Athletic Hall of Fame Class.

Congratulations to all the new inductees.

[Teena Lowery]