Hall of Fame News Release

2026 Kirkwood Athletics Hall of Fame Class Announced

Cedar Rapids, IA- Kirkwood Community College Athletic Department has announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The five inductees represent the best of what Kirkwood has to offer and exemplify what it means to be an athletic director, coach, athlete, and team here at Kirkwood. The five-member class will be officially inducted on January 24, 2026.

The Athletics Hall of Fame class features five highly decorated individuals in Kirkwood athletic history. The inductees are Rick Keel (Men's Basketball 1979-80), Gregg Bosch (Athletic Director, Men's Basketball and Golf Coach 1981-89), the 1997 Women's National Championship Basketball Team (1997), Kelli Alberts (Softball, Basketball 1982-84), and Wes Obermueller (Baseball, Basketball 1995-96)

This year's class will be recognized between the Men's and Women's Basketball Game against NIACC on 1/24/26 inside Johnson Hall. The Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction will then take place at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center (7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404) with a 5:30 PM social (cash bar) followed by the 6:45 PM dinner and induction.

Interested parties can now make plans to join the festivities and may purchase dinner tickets at the following link: 2026 Hall of Fame Registration

Rick Keel- Men's Basketball, 1979-80

1^st Team All-Region
NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American
Region 11 Champions (Defeated Ellsworth 62-57)
Kirkwood All-Time Scoring Average Leader in a single season (28 ppg)
Played at the University of Nebraska Omaha and graduated in 1982
Proud husband to Brenda (44 years), and proud father of Andrew (37), Austin (34), and Alexander (29)
Inductee into the Cedar Rapids Washington High School Hall of Fame (class of 1996)

1997 Women's National Championship Basketball Team (1997)

1997 NJCAA Division II National Champions
First-ever Kirkwood Community College National Championship
Defeated Carl-Sandburg 76-67
Overall Record of 34-3
ICCAC Champions
Head Coach Kim Muhl- NJCAA National Coach of the Year
NJCAA All-Tournament Team- Desiree Francis (MVP)
- Roster: Sara Corey, Desiree Francis, Megan Modlin, Anna Roth, Julie Baker, Lemekia Young, Melissa Piper, Heather Beierschmitt, Allison Iverson, Jamie Juhl, Jessi Vercande, Angie Ryan
  - Head Coach: Kim Muhl
    - Assistant Coaches: Joe Hruska, Nancee Niemeyer

Gregg Bosch- Athletic Director/Coach (1981-89)

Kirkwood Athletic Director/Men’s Basketball Coach/Men’s Golf Coach/Professor of Physical Education and Recreation
President of the Iowa Men’s Basketball Coaches Association from 1983 to 1989
Johnson Hall was constructed during his tenure
Started his company Bosch Financial in 2001 with his sons Ryan and Chad
Served on the KCC Board of Directors from 1991-2006
Served on the Kirkwood Foundation Board

Kelli Alberts- Softball/Basketball (1982-84)

NJCAA First Team All-American (82-83)
Dual sport athlete at Kirkwood (softball/basketball)
82’, 83’ All-Region Honorable Mention
NJCAA National Runner-Up 82-83’
Went to play at Iowa State
- 1987 All Big-Eight & Big-Eight Tournament Team
- 6^th all-time for Iowa State in single-season wins with 18 and 5th all-time in career wins with 39
- 2^nd all-time for Iowa State in single-season saves with 4
- 1^st all-time for Iowa State in career pitching shutouts with 21, 3^rd all-time for Iowa State in single-season shutouts with 12

Wes Obermueller- Baseball/Basketball (1995-96)

1995-96 NJCAA Second Team All-American
Dual sport athlete at Kirkwood (baseball, basketball)
1995-96 Season
- Batted .418 in 53 games
- 66 hits in 158 at-bats
  - 2 home runs, 42 RBIs, 17 doubles, 1 triple
  - Kirkwood finished 46-18
2^nd round draft pick for the Kansas City Royals (played for the Marlins, Royals, Brewers)
Director of Player Development for The University of Iowa Baseball Team

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