BU Athletics to induct four into 2023 Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Golf Outing

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University is proud to announce the induction of four outstanding former student-athletes into the Bellevue University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023. The inductees include Joe Fonfara (Baseball, 1982-85), Josh Korus (Men's Basketball, 1995-99), Lisa Walker Longmeyer (Volleyball, 1998-01), and Jonathan Pagel (Men's Soccer, 2004-07).  

Joe Fonfara, Baseball (1982-85)

Joe Fonfara was a four-year starter for the Bruins and was named to the all-District XI team three times (1982, 1984, 1985). He led the team in home runs (9), doubles (18), triples (1), batting average (.479), and RBIs (54) as a senior. 

Impressive at the plate, Fonfara's batting average by year was 1982 (.369), 1983 (.320), 1984 (.381), and 1985 (.479).

The team's MVP during the 1985 season, Fonfara was also honored as the Bellevue University Athlete of the Year in 1984-85.

In his senior campaign in 1985, Fonfara ranked among the best in the nation. He led the NAIA in hits per game (1.86), ranked second in doubles per game (0.50), sixth in RBIs per game (1.50), and 16th in batting average (.479).  

Fonfara earned his degree at Bellevue College in 1985 in Physical Education. He currently resides in Omaha and is employed at Physicians Mutual.

Fonfara and his wife of 32 years, Mary, have two children, Clayton and Carly.

Josh Korus, Men's Basketball (1995-99)

Josh Korus was named the Bellevue University Athlete of the Year for the 1998-99 season and was a two-time first-team all-Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) honoree in 1996-97 and 1998-99.

He was also named the MCAC Freshman of the Year in 1995-96 and received honorable mention all-MCAC honors during the 1997-98 season.

Korus was recognized as the BU Male Athlete of the Year for the 1998-99 academic year.

Korus ranks sixth in school history in scoring with 1,503 points. His 213 3-point field goals made rank second all-time, while his 526 field goals made are the fifth-highest total in program history.

Other notable accomplishments during his playing career include 111 games played (t-8th), 231 assists (13th), 594 rebounds (6th), 455 defensive rebounds (3rd), 13.5 points per game (15th), and 2.08 assists per game (18th).

Korus also holds the eighth-highest BU single-season scoring total with 572 points and the sixth-highest scoring average at 22.0 points per game in the 1996-97 season.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from BU and is currently the Director of Commercial List Sales at DirectMail.com.

Korus has coached the Millard South Lady Patriots Basketball Club for the last seven years for 4^th through 8^th grades. 

He and his wife, Heather, live in Omaha with their daughters, Hayden and Harper.

Lisa Walker Longmeyer, Volleyball (1998-01)

Lisa Walker Longmeyer was a four-year starting outside hitter for the Bruins from 1998-01. She was named to the AVCA all-Region team in 2001 and was an honorable mention all-Region selection in 1998.

She was recognized as an MCAC Scholar-Athlete in 1999 and 2000 and was a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2000 and 2001.

Walker Longmeyer ranks 11th in school history in career kills (1,358), seventh in career service aces (149), 10th in career digs (1,538), and 19th in career block solos (47).

She also holds the eighth spot in single-season kills (501 in 2001) and is 11th in single-season service aces (60 in 1999).

Walker Longmeyer was named the BU Female Athlete of the Year for 2001-02.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from BU with a minor in Communication.

Walker Longmeyer currently resides in Glenwood, Iowa, with her husband, Jeremy, and their three children, Payton, Myles, and Evelyn.

She is a Senior Account Executive at KETV in Omaha.

Jonathan Pagel, Men's Soccer (2004-07)

Jonathan Pagel was a standout for the Bellevue University men's soccer program from 2004-2007.

Pagel was a two-time honorable mention All-America selection and two-time first-team all-MCAC honoree. He was also named to the second-team all-MCAC squad in 2005.

Pagel played in 77 games during his time with the Bruins, and his 37 goals scored rank fourth in program history. He also dished out 25 assists, which is second all-time, and his 99 total points rank fourth in school history.

Pagel's 16 assists during the 2006 season set a single-season record for the program.

In addition to his impressive statistics, Pagel was named the BU Male Athlete of the Year in 2007-08. Pagel's career records for goals, assists, and games played stood as program records when his career ended.

Pagel graduated from Bellevue University in 2008 with a degree in Communication Arts. He currently resides in Troy, Mich., and is the Vice President of Customer Operations at North American Bancard.

Pagel, and his wife Alaina, have two children, Jayce and MarleyRay.

The Hall of Fame Ceremony

The induction ceremony will take place on the BU campus in the John B. Mueller Administrative Services Building, Symposium Room on Saturday, Aug. 5, beginning at 6 p.m.

The induction ceremony will be preceded by the Hall of Fame Golf Outing on Friday, Aug. 4, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Eagle Hills Golf Course in Papillion.

More information regarding registration for the ceremony will be provided shortly via the BUBruins.com website.

Note: The Bellevue University Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2013 to honor former athletes, coaches, teams, and administrators who have helped create a proud tradition in intercollegiate competition at Bellevue University.