Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
After Mark Wendel had competed in basketball and baseball for the Lynx a couple of years, it’s hard to say whether opponents would rather face his 90 mile an hour fastball of his inside scoring and rebounding skills on the low post. Mark not only possessed great individual talent, but he had the ability to make his teammates around him better, as evidenced by the outstanding records compiled by the basketball and baseball teams during his career.
Mark was a key player on the Lynx squads, which compiled a four-year record of 63-36, including a 23-3 record his senior year. He served as co-captain of the 1980-81 Lynx squad that won the College Athletic Conference Championship and advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Division III national tournament. For his exceptional play his senior year, he was named All District South Region. “We had some great players, but Marks’s strength inside and athleticism outside was key to the success the ’80-’81 team achieved,” said Herb Hilgeman, Rhodes head basketball coach.
At 6’5”, Mark was an imposing figure on the pitching mound and batting at home plate. In 1979 he was ranked 20th in Division III with a 1.98 earned run average and 7th in strikeouts with 11.1 per game. In 1981Mark led the team in hitting with a .471 average and he pitched a perfect game against Harding, retiring 27 batters in a row. Mark was also an outstanding third baseman when he wasn’t on the mound. He earned All College Athletic Conference honors from 1978-81.
Few collegiate athletes have the ability and discipline to compete in back-to-back seasons in basketball and baseball. Mark Wendel ranks as one of Rhodes’ all-time great two-sport athletes. For his accomplishments on Stauffer Field and in Mallory Gym, Rhodes is honored to induct MARK ALLEN WENDEL into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 3rd day of October, 2008.
