UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University Athletics is proud to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted on Friday, Sept. 5. This year's class features four student-athletes, one team, and two contributors.
The 2025 SVSU Athletic Hall of Fame Class student-athlete inductees are Andrea (Kieser) Bergdolt (Track & Field), Tim Goheen (Baseball), Todd Herremans (Football), and Lydia Mattar (Swim & Dive). The team for the 2025 class is the 1983 women's indoor track & field team. The two contributors are Dr. James Jesko, D.O., and Jim Dwyer.
"We're excited to announce another elite class of inductees into the SVSU Athletics Hall of Fame," SVSU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics John Lewandowski said. "This is one of my favorite weekends of the fall, as we celebrate our best of the best with the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
"Not only did these former SVSU student-athletes achieve individual success, they had the innate ability to elevate the play of their teammates. We look forward to reliving memories of these all-time Cardinal greats as well as the 1983 women's track and field team, which put SVSU on the national map by placing fourth in the NAIA Indoor Championships. We'll also honor the impactful contributions of Dr. James Jesko and Jim Dwyer, who have provided a combined 70 years of service leadership to the SVSU campus and local communities."
Andrea (Kieser) Bergdolt was a member of the Saginaw Valley State women's track and field team from 1993-96. She was a decorated student-athlete during her time as a Cardinal, earning seven All-America awards, the 1995 GLIAC Women's Athlete of the Meet, and a seven-time GLIAC champion (three indoor, four outdoor), where she set the GLIAC record in the shot put outdoor in 1995 and indoor in 1996. Nationally, Bergdolt competed in six NCAA Championship meets (1994, 1995, 1996). She finished in the Top 10 in seven events, including five Top Five finishes in the shot put. The best of those being two runner-up placings in the 1995 and 1996 NCAA Indoor Championships. Bergdolt still holds the Cardinal indoor shot-put record that she set in 1996 at 49 feet-6 inches. She is a two-time SVSU Ryder Female Athlete of the Year (1995, 1996) and a two-time team captain. Bergdolt also excelled in the classroom as she earned GLIAC Academic All-Conference awards every year she attended Saginaw Valley State.
"Andrea Kieser Bergdolt established herself as one of the most prolific throwers in SVSU track and field history, winning seven GLIAC individual championships and becoming an eight-time All-American," Lewandowski said. "As a junior, she was selected GLIAC Outdoor Athlete of the Meet after leading the Cardinals to the team title."
Tim Goheen was a member of the Cardinal baseball team from 1998-2001. Goheen was a key figure during one of the dominant eras of SVSU baseball, as the teams posted a combined record of 138-63-1 (.686) over four seasons while winning back-to-back GLIAC Championships in 2000-01 (46-11-1, .801). Goheen was a force on the mound for the Cardinals as he was named an ABCA/Rawlings All-America Second-Team selection in 2000. That same season, Goheen was crowned the GLIAC Pitcher of the Year along with a First-Team All-GLIAC nod. Goheen's name can still be seen in the SVSU baseball record book as he is tied for second all-time with 21 complete games, tied for third with 41 starts, fourth in victories (25) and innings pitched (250.2), and seventh in appearances (49) and strikeouts (187). He set single-season records in 2000 with 10 complete games and the most victories at 11. That mark is tied for ninth in the GLIAC. Goheen was named to the 2000 All-Canadian Baseball team and was a two-sport athlete as he played for the SVSU club hockey team while at Saginaw Valley State. He was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League in 1996.
"Tim Goheen emerged as one of the GLIAC's top pitchers for Coach Walt Head in 2000-01 as the Cardinals claimed consecutive league titles in 2000 and 2001," Lewandowski. "Look at the SVSU record book, and Tim was clearly a workhorse, ranking in the Top 10 in appearances, starts, innings pitched, complete games, victories, and strikeouts. As a junior, he was selected Second-Team All-American and GLIAC Pitcher of the Year after going 11-1 with a 2.48 earned run average, including a perfect 8-0 record in eight starts in league play with a 2.02 ERA."
Todd Herremans was a four-year starter for the Saginaw Valley State University football team from 2001-04. He was named First-Team All-American in 2004 as well as a two-time All-GLIAC selection in 2003 and '04. In addition to his all-conference recognition, Herremans was selected as GLIAC Lineman of the Year in 2004. He was a starter for the 2003 Cardinal football team that won the GLIAC Championship. SVSU went 39-9 during Herremans' career. He went on to play 11 seasons in the National Football League from 2005-15. Herremans was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft (No. 126 overall). He played 10 seasons for the Eagles before completing his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. Herremans started in 126 of the 135 games he played during his professional career.
"Todd Herremans is widely recognized as one of the top offensive linemen in the first 50 years of SVSU football," Lewandowski said. "Known for his durability and versatility, Todd started 40 of 48 career games while helping the Cardinals to a combined worksheet of 39-9 from 2001-04, including an impressive 34-5 record in GLIAC games and three consecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearances. As a senior in 2004, he was named GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year as well as Associated Press First-Team Little All-American. Todd spent 11 seasons in the National Football League and started 126 of 135 games, playing every offensive line position but center as a pro."
Lydia Mattar was a member of the Saginaw Valley State swimming and diving team from 2015-19. Mattar is the first Cardinal swim and dive student-athlete to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She is a two-time Scholastic All-America selection (2016-17, 2017-18) and a two-time Scholastic Honorable Mention (2015-16, 2018-19). She earned Second-Team All-America three times. Her first All-America awards came in 2017 as a member of the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard medley relay teams. Her 200-yard medley relay squad earned All-America again the following year in 2018. Mattar was the 2017 GLIAC Champion in the 200 breaststroke. Mattar still holds six SVSU records in the 100 and 200 breast, 100 and 400 individual medley, and the 200 and 400 medley relay. Mattar qualified for the NCAA Championships as an individual twice in seven events during her Cardinal career.
"A three-time All-American, Lydia Mattar set the standard of excellence for the Cardinal swimming program, becoming the first athlete from that sport to gain induction into the SVSU Athletics Hall of Fame," Lewandowski said. Lydia became the 2017 GLIAC Champion in the 200 breaststroke and set six SVSU records, including four individual and two team relays. She also excelled in the classroom, earning Scholastic All-America honors twice."
In just its third season of competition, SVSU finished fourth at the 1983 NAIA Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships in Kansas City, Missouri, compiling 44 total points. Led by Coach Bob Maybouer, six Cardinals combined to earn All-America recognition 11 times in six different events. Cathy Schmidt, who won two individual championships while setting NAIA indoor meet records in the 880-yard (2:15.85) and 1,000-yard runs (2:37.43), was named Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet for the second year in a row. Schmidt and Colleen Booms (2:17.16) placed 1-2 in the 880-yard run. SVSU also took second in the 2-mile relay, with Booms, Karen Foulds, Kelly Vasold, and Schmidt posting a time of 9:25.74. Kathy Bowman claimed fifth in the 2-mile run at 10:51.08. The Cardinals earned three sixth-place finishes: Vasold in the 600-yard run (1:27.73), Booms in the 1,000-yard run (2:42.46), and Sue Maceroni in the shot put (42-7 1/4). The mile relay (4:07.79) and distance medley relay (12:45.97) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.
"SVSU's women's track team made a huge splash at the 1983 NAIA Indoor Championships," Lewandowski said. "Coach Bob Maybouer managed a deep and versatile roster, with three athletes claiming multiple All-America honors. Cathy Schmidt, who made headlines after being selected the Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet for the second consecutive year, won two individual titles while setting a pair of NAIA indoor records and claimed All-America honors in three events. Colleen Booms also gained All-America status in three events while Kelly Vasold collected All-America recognition in two events."
CONTRIBUTORS
Dr. James Jesko has been involved as an SVSU team physician since 1997, providing tremendous quality of care and advocacy for SVSU student-athletes and their families. His clinical acumen, leadership as well as passion for excellence in sports medicine are unparalleled. He has served as the chief team physician since 2017 and soon will be approaching 30 years of service to Cardinal student-athletes and the University, one of the longest tenures of service in the history of SVSU Sports Medicine.
A gifted all-around high school athlete at Detroit De La Salle, James played for College Football Hall of Fame Coach Herb Deromedi at Central Michigan, where he lettered as a center in 1985. He graduated from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1990.
"Dr. James Jesko has served SVSU Athletics as a primary care physician for nearly 30 years," Lewandowski said. "He is a well-respected healthcare professional who is beloved by our local communities. Dr. Jesko has always placed the health and well-being of our student-athletes first, and that approach has served as his only guide for decision-making. He has the ability to connect with student-athletes, so he can build relationships that lead to more personalized and effective care. Dr. Jesko also has become a strong advocate for SVSU Athletics."
Jim Dwyer was a four-year letterman in basketball for the Cardinals from 1971-75 and averaged a career-best 18 points per game as a junior in 1973-74 while playing for Bob Pratt. Dwyer worked at SVSU for 42 years, serving in a variety of roles including director of career services, executive director of alumni relations, vice president of enrollment management, director of international programs, and admissions director. He held the position of admissions director for 22 years.
"Jim Dwyer's dedication and commitment to Saginaw Valley State University are truly inspirational," Lewandowski. "His institutional knowledge and experience are invaluable. Jim knows what it's like to wear the Cardinal uniform. He later served his alma mater in numerous leadership positions for more than four decades, dedicating his professional career to SVSU's growth and success while helping shape its culture and direction. His investment in SVSU speaks volumes about his belief in the educational mission of this institution and his passion for this University and local communities. Jim's contributions to the University are immeasurable, and he's still having an impact today, even in his retirement. I frequently seek his wise counsel."
The 2025 Cardinal Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, Sept. 5, prior to the home football game against Gannon the following day. Information on tickets to attend the ceremony and the football game can be found on the SVSU Ticket Page