It's one of the most deeply personal accomplishments you can achieve in your athletic career - enshrinement in your alma mater's Hall of Fame. It's an ultimate honor, a recognition that you contributed above and beyond the norm to your institution.
All three Lake Superior State Women's Basketball coaches - Head Coach Grace Howrigon, Assistant Coach Terrell Modest and Assistant Coach Alix Carter - were honored by Siena Heights University, their alma mater, on Saturday night. The three coaches came to LSSU together after several seasons together at Lawrence Tech, but their deep ties go back to their time together at SHU.
Howrigon came to Siena Heights as a player, an excellent guard who starred as one of the NAIA's best passers. She is the program's all-time assist leader with 585. She set the single-season assist record with 214 in 2013-14, the single-game assist record with 12 in a WHAC Quarterfinal victory over Indiana Tech on February 20th, 2013. Howrigon ranks in the top-10 in career three-point percentage (35.1), free throws made (248), and free throw percentage (75.8) at Siena Heights. She earned Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-America honorable mention during her time at SHU.
After a season at Colorado College, Howrigon returned to Siena Heights as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and head coach of the junior varsity program. She led that team to a perfect 19-0 season in 2015-16. As a player and a coach, Howrigon stood out for her qualities as a person.
Siena Heights Vice President of Athletics Sue Syljebeck coached Howrigon at SHU and brought her on staff as a coach. She said, "Grace changed the trajectory of our program. Her court vision was extraordinary, her competitiveness relentless, and having her leadership on the floor was like having another coach out there. When she returned as a coach, she elevated our program once again, she poured that same passion into motivating others and helping them grow. She was an outstanding recruiter because people naturally connected with her as she built relationships that lasted. Her love for the game and her love for her teammates set her apart in every way. In my opinion she is a Hall of Fame player, coach, and most importantly person."
Howrigon enters the Siena Heights Hall of Fame in several ways. First, she earned induction as an individual for her playing and coaching accomplishments. Next, she enters the Hall of Fame as a member of Siena Heights' 2012-13 and 2013-14 Women's Basketball teams. She also coached the 2016-17 Women's Basketball team that earned a place in the Hall of Fame.
Assistant Coach Terrell Modest joined her in the school's Hall of Fame as a practice squad player and manager for the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17 Women's Basketball teams. Syljebeck said, "Terrell worked, he competed against our players, and he cared deeply about our team. As a practice player and manager, he made our student-athletes better and pushed our program forward in ways that don't show up in a box score, but were absolutely essential. There is no question that Terrell helped make our teams successful."
He continues to show that same drive and care for student-athletes during his time at Lake Superior State. His energy and passion have quickly made him one of the most-beloved people in the Lake Superior State Athletics Department.
Assistant Coach Alix Carter earned induction into the Siena Heights Hall of Fame as part of the 2019-20 Women's Basketball team that went 27-6. A strong, resilient individual, she stood out for her character, drive and commitment. During her senior season in 2022, Carter was selected by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association for the "So You Want To Be A Coach" program. Selected individuals must be nominated by their coach, a sign of how highly Syljebeck thought of Carter, who continues to earn plaudits in her time at LSSU. In addition to her work as an Assistant Coach for the Laker Women's Basketball team, she works in LSSU's Admissions Department as a valued member of that eam.
Syljebeck said, "Alix Carter contributed to our program in ways that don't always show up in a stat sheet. She brought knowledge, hard work and the understanding of team success. She elevated our team with her presence. She embraced her role and made our program stronger because of her selflessness and perseverance."
Howrigon, Modest and Carter worked together at LTU before their arrival at Lake Superior State and continue to show the qualities that stood out as young student-athletes on the first steps in their professional pathways. Siena Heights honors all three of the Lakers coaches with enshrinement in the university's Hall of Fame, a tremendous personal and professional honor.
See them coach the Lakers throughout the season at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
