SWIRE Coca-Cola Maverick Hall of Honor
1998 Inductees

KATHY HOLTHUS-DANIELS - Holthus-Daniels graduated from Fuita Monument High School In 1982 where she participated in volleyball, basketball and track. She also served as class president and was a member of the National Honor Society. Holthus-Daniels then came to Mesa where she participated in volleyball earning first-team All-American honors in 1986. She was also named to the NAIA All-District VII team her junior and senior year. Holthus-Daniels is in the top ten in several school statistical categories including her second place rank in both career blocks and attack percentage. Before graduating in 1987 with a bachelor of arts and recreation and sports fitness, Holthus-Daniels coached high school and pee-wee sports programs, as well as officiating volleyball. Holthus-Daniels and her husband Mike have two kids, Tyler and Cody. They reside in Fruita.

ERNIE BUESCHER-SPECIAL RECOGNITION - Buescher has been a friend of Mesa State for over 50 years. He attended the University of Wyoming for one year before moving to California. In 1939 he moved to Grand Junction and bought the Grand Junction Pepsi affiliate. He took the company and extended its reach from three routes to 25 by the time he sold his business in 1982. During his tenure he donated time and energy, providing the college with athletic scholarships and money to remodel the student center. Buescher was the first to buy advertisements for the Mesa State game programs and supplied soda for Mesa State athletic contests, while participating in game-day promotional events. He bought the original scoreboards that are still in place in Saunders Fieldhouse and Bus Bergman Field. In 1982, Buescher sold his Pepsi business to an offshore interest group and then bought West Star Aviation which the family still owns. In 1986, Buescher arranged for West Star Aviation to donate for an Environmental Restoration scholarship that is awarded annually. He was a fighter pilot in the Army during World War II and was stationed at Murrock Dry Lake (Edwards AFB) Flying School. Buescher and his wife Blanche have two sons, Louis and Tom.

CLARENCE "ED" TOOKER - Tooker graduated from Hotchkiss High School in 1950. While at Hotchkiss, Tooker was a five-sport athlete. He earned a scholarship to play football for the Mavericks and was selected Outstanding Football Lineman during his sophomore season at Mesa Junior College. He then went into the army before earning another scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado where he was selected as an all-conference lineman, and earned player of the week honors. Tooker received several medals for his service to his country during the Korean War. He graduated from Northern Colorado in 1958 and earned his master's degree from Adams State in 1968. In 1966 Tooker returned to Mesa State and served as the wrestling coach compiling a 159-81 record. He also coached track, football, and softball for the Mavericks while teaching in the physical education department. Tooker was honored with several Coach of the Year honors including his 1973 and 1974 selection as the ICAC Wrestling Coach of the Year. He had the honor of coaching one national champion. Tooker also held many other jobs at Mesa including intramural director, and director of adult physical activities. He retired from teaching and coaching in 1992 with Emeritus status as an associate professor of physical education. Tooker passed away in 1993 at the age of 61. He is survived by his wife Pat, their two children and three grandchildren.

ROBERT TUCKER - Tucker was a 1950 graduate of Rio Blanco High School in Meeker. He participated in football, basketball, and track while serving on the student council, and participated in Future Farmers of America, band, and choir. Tucker then came top Mesa on an athletic scholarship and participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track earning all-conference honors in each. He was the first Coloradoan selected to the All-American Junior College team in 1951. He was awarded the Creger Westley Memorial Award for Outstanding Athlete while at Mesa. He graduated from Adams State with both his bachelor and masters degrees in physical education and industrial arts. Tucker then returned to Meeker High School where he earned several Coach of the Year awards as their football, baseball and girls basketball coach. On January 8, 1993, Tucker was honored as Meeker's Winningest Coach by student council. He also has a street in Meeker named after him. He is now retired and resides in Meeker. He and his wife Jo have three children.