The MNU Athletics Department is pleased to announce the 2022 Hall of Fame class.
Baseball - Jordan Eckley
Centerfielder Jordan Eckley was named 1st team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, and NAIA honorable mention All-America in 2014 while leading the Pioneers to the conference title. He was named 2nd team All-Conference in 2015. In 2016, he was named conference player of the week 3 times, and he earned 1st team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, and NAIA 1st team All-America while having one of the best seasons in MNU history. He currently works in the real estate industry as a licensed realtor. He lives in Prairie Village, Kansas, with his wife, Kelly, and their 2 dogs.
Women's Soccer - Kim (Nigh) Gonzalez
Goalkeeper Kim (Nigh) Gonzalez was a 3-time NCCAA honorable mention All-American, and 2-time NAIA honorable mention All-American. She was named 1st team All-Conference in 2005, and 1st team All-Conference and Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. She worked in case management for people with developmental disabilities for the last 8 years, and currently enjoys being a mama too two little girls. She lives in Spring Hill, Kansas, with her husband David and 2 children: Catalina and Liliana.
Track & Field - Michelle Myers Maxwell
Hurdler Michelle Myers Maxwell was a 5-time NAIA All-American performer for Indoor and Outdoor Track. In 2002, she earned 4th place at Nationals in the 400 hurdles, and 5th place in the 100 hurdles. In 2003, she got 5th place in the 55 Indoor Hurdles, and 6th place in the 100 Outdoor hurdles. She was also on the national runner up 4x400 meter relay squad. After graduating from MidAmerica Nazarene University with her Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training. Michelle went on to work for SERC Physical and Hand Therapy here in the Kansas City Metropolitan area from 2004-2007 and is currently employed at CoxHeath in Springfield, Missouri. Michelle has worked at CoxHealth level 1 Trauma Center for 13 years from 2009 as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the Inpatient Acute Care Therapy Department. She lives in Ozark, Missouri, with her husband Cory (Class of 2002) and they have 2 children: Maliyah and CJ.
Football - Tyler Rodden
Offensive Lineman Tyler Rodden anchored the line for some of the best teams in MNU history. He was a 3-time 1st team All-Conference selection for 3 playoff teams from 2007 to 2009, creating running lanes for 2-time All-American runningback Pat Ealy. Rodden was also named a Strength and Conditioning All-American in 2010. He is beginning his 13th year in education, having worked in both the Olathe and Shawnee Mission School districts. He is currently a math teacher, head boys wrestling coach, and assistant football coach at Olathe West High School. He currently resides in Olathe with his wife of 11 years, Ashley (MNU 2010), and his three children: Paisley, Paxton, and Pearson.
Meritorious Service - Jim Smith
Renaissance man Jim Smith has a legendary legacy at MNU. He has served as Dean of Students and Men's Basketball Coach, among other roles. He can currently be seen on the sidelines of every home contest with his camera, generously providing free photos to the athletics department. He lives in Olathe, Kansas, and has 3 grown children, and 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
