Two former players and one former coach have been selected for induction into the NCMC Athletic Hall of Fame. Cassandra Hunt, Cle Ross, and Max Mothersbaugh represent a strong 2017 class. The induction ceremony will be between the women’s and men’s basketball games on Saturday, February 18th, as will recognition of the sophomore NCMC basketball players. A reception for the Hall of Fame recipients will also be held in the Sugg Room of the Ketcham Community Center that day at 1pm, one hour prior to the women’s tipoff. All NCMC fans are encouraged to attend to congratulate each of these deserving inductees.
Cassandra “Cassie” Hunt had a standout women’s basketball career for the Lady Pirates. As a freshman, she garnered NJCAA player of the week honors, was a unanimous 1st Team All-Region performer and a 3rd Team All-American. During that season, she broke the school record for most two point field goals made in a game (14) and a single season (165).
During her sophomore campaign, Cassie topped 1,000 points for her career ending with 1,094, the 3rd highest total in school history. She broke her own record for two point field goals made in a season (220) and again was a unanimous 1st Team All-Region selection. 2nd Team All-American status was achieved making her the first two-time All-American in school history.
With all her athletic and academic achievement, Cassie was able to continue her career at Truman State University for her junior and senior basketball seasons. Following graduation, she went into the teaching profession earning Teacher of the Year honors at her district in 2014-15. Currently, she has been awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship at the University of Kansas where she is pursuing her PhD in Special Education.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is such an incredible honor, I owe so much of this to my teammates, coaches, and my dad. Coach Croy and Coach Collins really went above and beyond to support me and make sure that I became successful on and off the court. The Croys treated me like family and for that I will forever be grateful. NCMC means so much to me because, though I didn’t grow up there, I did a lot of growing up there. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be where I am at today if it weren’t for my time spent at North Central Missouri College,” remarked Cassie upon learning of her selection for induction.
Max Mothersbaugh coached softball at North Central Missouri College from 1994-2011, winning 503 games and averaging 29.5 wins per year during those 17 years. His team won the Region 16 tournament and earned a national berth in 2004, a year in which Max also was named Region 16 Coach of the Year.
He reestablished the North Central Missouri College women’s basketball program in 1998 and served as head coach for five seasons. During that time, the Lady Pirates competed in four region championship games, winning two and earning one national tournament berth. He was named the Region 16 Coach of the Year twice and District E Coach of the Year once during those five years.
Some of his proudest accomplishments as a coach and supporter of NCMC have been a very high student-athlete graduation rate, numerous Academic All-Americans and All-Region selections, one athlete named as an All-American and that all three of his children and two granddaughters attending and playing basketball, softball or both at North Central Missouri College.
Cle Ross competed for the NCMC Pirates baseball program during his sophomore year in 2000. That year, Cle set the single season school record for stolen bases (43) and played well enough to earn a roster spot at NCAA Division I University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for his final two collegiate seasons. While there, he held school records for the highest single season batting average (.377) and career batting average (.359), earned 1st Team All Southwestern Conference honors and was voted team Player of the Year in 2002. Following this success, Cle played one year of unaffiliated minor league baseball as well.
Cle’s accomplishments in the game of baseball were just beginning as his playing career was ending. Cle is currently the Executive Director for Kansas RBI, a Kansas City non-profit organization that is geared to help educate less fortunate youth through the games of baseball and softball. This organization is sponsored by Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals.
“His passion for teaching young men and women life skills through the baseball/softball lens is unmatched,” commented Maria Dispenza, Director of Royals Charities. This passion for the game of baseball and helping inner city youth has been on display for many years.
The crowning achievement to date in Ross’s career has been the revitalization of the Barton-Ross Complex, which bears his namesake. Cle’s leadership in turning this rundown field into a state of the art synthetic turf complex proves his drive and determination be a steward for the game of baseball. “Because of his tireless efforts, magnanimous fundraising activities, and just “true grit,” Cle Ross was successful in building and reviving baseball for the youth of Kansas City, KS, through a “Class A” baseball field to practice and play upon: the Barton-Ross Baseball Complex,” remarked 34th District Kansas State Representative Valendia C. Winn in her nomination of Ross.
Cle was ecstatic to hear that he had been chosen for NCMC’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “North Central Missouri College gave me my first opportunity to play collegiate baseball on a scholarship and even though I went on to play Division I and minor league baseball, my heart will always be in Trenton, MO. I am honored, proud, and blessed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at such a prestigious college and will cherish my memories on campus as long as I live.”
