The concept for the Alma College Athletic Hall of Fame was an outgrowth of a series of three lettermen dinners held at various locations in the late 1960s to rekindle alumni enthusiasm and enlist support for the development of adequate athletic and recreational facilities. The initial Hall of Fame event was staged at the former Olds Plaza Hotel in Lansing on May 25, 1971.
Alma was the first Michigan college or university and one of the first in the nation to establish a Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame's purpose as originally stated was noble:
"It is the intent of the Alma College Hall of Fame to celebrate the past, present and future of Alma College through the recognition of excellence in those who have made significant contributions to the Scots' athletic tradition."
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Denise (Schurr) Wilder
Hall of Fame Athlete (2007)
Volleyball
Class of 1985
Denise Schurr was a crucial member of the 1983 and 1984 MIAA championship volleyball teams and had the incredible run of going 22-2 in conference play. Schurr was named Second Team All-MIAA both years and was awarded the Dedication Award in 1983. Her team-first attitude, hard work and exceptional play earned the respect of her opponents, teammates and coaches and has reserved her place in the Alma College Hall of Fame.
Schurr played in an era when setters were not allowed to be named First Team All-MIAA unless they played all the way around. Even though she could not be awarded, Schurr's play was of a caliber that could not easily be matched in the MIAA. She was known as a leader on the team and had the work ethic and commitment that all coaches would want in their players. Schurr would dive head first into the floor or run full boar into a wall if it meant making a play for her team. All good volleyball teams have a setter who makes everyone around her better. The teams that Schurr played on were better than good, and through her strong play were lifted to the top of the MIAA.
Schurr credits Head Coach John Chiodini with helping her establish the priorities that she has lived her life by. On her initial visit to Alma, before she left, Coach Chiodini posed to her the question, "If you blew out your knee tomorrow and could never play volleyball again, is Alma where you would want to be?" When she quickly responded yes, he said, "Alma is more than volleyball, you must be a student first." Schurr describes this moment as the turning point in her life when she saw that other things were more important than volleyball.
Since leaving Alma, Schurr has worked as a middle school math and science teacher and completed an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from Andrews University. She put her advanced degree to work and became a curriculum specialist for six years before deciding to return to the class room. She currently resides in L'Anse, Michigan, with her husband Brian and their three children: Molly, 13, Matthew, 8, and Anthony, 5.
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