Athletic Hall of Fame Winners: 2009
Jayne Miller
No. 5 Jayne Miller began a career of athletic excellence in her hometown of Palmyra, Mo., where she was KHQA high school softball Player of the Year. She played for the Cougar softball team from 1999 to 2003 and earned accolades at every level of the game.
Miller was multiple times named NAIA Pitcher of the Week in addition to being a three-time NAIA All-American Pitcher. Twice, in 2002 and 2003, she was named Regional and Conference pitcher of the year. Miller also was named Cougars MVP in 2002 and 2003. In 2000, 2002 and 2003, she was named to both the All-Region and All-Conference first team. Her record was stunning, including a tie for most number of strikeouts (17) and, in 2002, one of the college’s lowest ERAs, an astounding 0.60 in 30 appearances.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2003.
In 2004, Miller was named Collegiate Sportswoman of the year by the Women’s Intersport Network of Columbia, an organization that supports women and girls in their athletic and physical fitness goals. Miller is currently on a fast track BSN-RN nursing program at Maryville University, Chesterfield, Mo., and plans to graduate in May 2010 with a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Kjell Einar Teien
Kjell Einar Teien grew up in Asker, Norway, outside Oslo. At an early age, he displayed outstanding talent and a desire to play soccer. After a few years on local teams such as Solvang Blue, he played on Asker youth teams including the largest club in the area, Asker FK, and helped that club win the Norwegian youth championship.
At 17, Kjell tried his luck with the local top-flight team, Stabaek. After one year on the farm team, he was the final player cut in a recruiting year that produced a number of future first-team regulars. In his few years prior to college, Kjell would play for Fossum in the Norwegian second division and emerge as one of the team’s most dominant players.
One of Kjell's trademarks as a soccer player was his desire, professionalism and strength. At age 15, Kjell already could bench-press 220 pounds, largely due to the military strength training provided by his father, Major Leif Teien. This training would prove the capstone for the strong, disciplined and dedicated person he would be on and off the pitch. As sports teams are traditionally not tied to schools in Norway, Kjell decided to go to Dønski High School, a program dedicated to athletic development. There he would achieve a bench-press of 400 pounds and cross-train in other sports such as dance, skiing, track and field and other ball games.
Kjell always was a serious, ambitious soccer player who continuously set new goals for himself. This dedication also was reflected in his private life where he was known as a stable and dependable colleague and friend.
In 1999, Kjell decided to take his soccer legs overseas and join his good childhood friend Fredrick Orbeck-Nilssen at Columbia College. Here he became one of the greatest impact players Columbia College has ever seen. Kjell started all 89 games during his college career, moving from defender to midfielder and earning first team all-conference and all-region in each of his four seasons. Kjell then turned down an opportunity to play in the American Major Indoor Soccer League. In 2003, he returned to Norway to become the captain of his home club of Asker. Kjell fell ill in 2005 and died of cancer in 2007.
Missy Wilt
Missy Wilt graduated in 1999 from Lone Jack High School, a self-confessed "gym rat" who spent every spare moment on the court. Lady Cougars basketball coach Mike Davis, then coach at Central Methodist College, Fayette, Mo., tried to recruit her for CMC. Wilt chose to play for Penn Valley Community College, where she was named an All-American for 1999-2000 and 2000-01.
After securing the head coach position at Columbia College in 2000, Davis penned some of the top student-athletes from around the country and the world, including Wilt, preparing for the 2001-02 inaugural season. Wilt made an immediate impact, helping lead the Lady Cougars to national tournaments both her years. Wilt was named 2001-02 AMC First Team, MVP and Newcomer of the Year.
She ended her Columbia College career with 1117 points, 207 assists and 140 steals. Missy also was an NAIA honorable mention All American. She played one year with the Birmingham, Ala., Power of the National Women’s Basketball League in 2004, then accepted a position as scouting and recruiting coach with Mid-America Nazarene University, Olathe, Kan.
Miller is now head girls' varsity and tennis coach and social studies teacher at Center High School, south Kansas City, Mo., and continues to play semi-professional ball.
1998 Volleyball Team
Considered one of the best teams to ever play volleyball, the 1998 team had a perfect season of 45-0. They would repeat the feat in 1999.
