WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University Hall of Fame committee has selected the inductees for the 2023 Warrior class. Six individuals from four different sport programs will join the ranks of former WSU greats and will be formally recognized at the 2023 Winona State Homecoming celebration over the weekend of Oct. 13-15, 2023. 

Lee Boettcher, Baseball. Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1973, former Winona State University baseball great Lee Boettcher remains to this day one of the best to ever wear the Warrior uniform. The Stewartville, Minn. native was a standout pitcher for Winona State in the early 1970's under legendary head coach Gary Grob. Among Boettcher's many impressive accomplishments is the throwing of a perfect game against Concordia-St. Paul on May 17, 1972, the only perfect game in Winona State baseball history.  The 6'2", 180 righthander is tied for first all-time in shutouts (6), tied for third all-time in strikeouts (255), is seventh all-time in ERA (2.43), and in the top-20 in career appearances (42)

Quincy Henderson, Men's Basketball.  Quincy Henderson transferred from Creighton University following the 2002-03 season to Winona State for the 2004-05 season and the rest, as they say, is history. Quincy was an integral part the Warrior squad that would go on to be named the NCAA Division II Team of the Decade. Henderson was a three-year standout in McCown Gymnasium, averaging 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for WSU.  The Madison, Wis. native helped Winona State advance to the NCAA Division-II National Championship game in each of his three Warrior seasons, culminating with NCAA titles in 2006 and 2008 and a runner up finish in 2007. During his time on campus, Winona State set a NCAA Division II record for most consecutive wins (57) and wins in a season (38). Henderson helped Winona State also win three NSIC regular season and tournament titles. 

Heather Pierce (Reilly), Tennis. The Winona State tennis program most successful seasons to date all included Heather Pierce, one of the most decorated players in WSU history. Heather Pierce was named the 2011 NSIC Player of the Year in women's tennis, a fitting tribute to a student-athlete who earned all-league honors on four occasions. Pierce remains as one of the few women's tennis standouts in the NSIC to earn both the NSIC's Freshman of the Year award (2008) and be named the league's top player (2011). While excelling in both singles and doubles competition, Pierce helped WSU reach the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2011, the first-ever appearance in the NCAA postseason for Warrior tennis. In the 2008 season, Pierce was the No. 1 Singles Champion in the NSIC. 

Rayon Simmons, Football. Rayon Simmons owns all of the major Winona State rushing records, having been an almost unstoppable force on the gridiron between 2009 and 2012 for the Warriors. The University City, Mo. product is No. 1 all-time in career rushing yards (5,246) and career rushing attempts (880).  All four of Simmons' seasons with WSU rank among the top 20 Warrior season marks,  with his 2012 yardage total of 1,774 ranking as the most all-time. Simmons was a 2012 Harlon Hill Finalist, the NCAA Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy; Simmons is one of just seven Winona State players ever to earn the honor.  Simmons also earned Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American status in 2012. 

John Smith, Men's Basketball. John Smith arrived at Winona State following an exceptional prep career at Johnsburg High School in Johnsburg, Illinois. The 6'8" Smith joined the Warriors' 2004–05 team as a freshman center and went on to earn All-NSIC honors as sophomore. It was his sophomore year that the Warriors won the NCAA Division II title that season behind the impressive play of Smith as he emerged onto the national NCAA Division II scene.  In his junior year, Smith averaged 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds as the Warriors went undefeated for the regular season and postseason tournament play before falling to Barton College in the 2007 NCAA championship game. Smith led WSU to another national title in his senior year and went on to earn First-Team All-American honors and was tabbed as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year by each the NABC, Basketball Times, and Molten/Division II Bulletin in both 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.   

John Tackmann, football. John Tackmann was a force to be reckoned with as a linebacker for the Winona State football teams from 2002 to 2006. The Altoona, Wis. native earned the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2005 and 2006, while also earning NSIC All-Conference honors. The 2005 and 2006 seasons also saw Tackmann claim Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American honors, landing second-team status in 2005 and first-team honors in 2006. Coaches from around the NSIC honored Tackmann in 2006 with the prestigious Glen Galligan Award. A team leader, Tackmann was a part of multiple Winona State squads that reached the NCAA Division II postseason.  Tackmann is among the Warrior Top-20 in terms of career sacks and sacks in a season. 

The Winona State Athletic Hall of Fame is established to pay tribute to, give deserved recognition to, and to enhance the school tradition by honoring outstanding former student-athletes, coaches, teams, and/or individuals providing meritorious service who have contributed significantly to the success of the University’s Intercollegiate Athletic program.