GUNNISON, Colo. - Former Western State Colorado University skiers Jim Burkholder and Ray Hensley will join a football team, a basketball player and two wrestlers as the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame class of 2015. The class will be inducted during the annual banquet and ceremony on Oct. 2 in the Mountaineer Field House on Western's campus. Tickets to the event are currently on sale for just $50 and can be purchased online or over the phone by calling 970-943-2079. The induction ceremony will take place at the Mountaineer Field House in Gunnison. The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with the banquet at 7 p.m.
 
Along with Hensley and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Burkholder, the 2015 MSHOF class includes the 1991 football team, Travis Bradley of men's basketball, Jared Haberman and Adrian Jiron of wrestling.
 
Ray Hensley was born in Los Angeles, California in 1951. At La Canada High School in La Canada Flintridge, California, Hensley was a two-sport athlete competing in football and alpine skiing. An outdoors enthusiast growing up, Hensley was also active in boating, scuba diving, and fishing. However, it was his skiing aptitude that earned him the Best Male Skier in California and the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award by the Ski Writers Association.
 
In 1969, Hensley brought his talents to Western. Hensley dedicated himself to his craft and his education, breaking through in 1972. That year Hensley finished second in the downhill and third in the slalom at the NCAA Skiing Championships, earning a runner-up finish in the men's alpine. This performance earned him his first NCAA Division I Men's Skiing All-America honors. He was also named an Outstanding College Athletes of America selection in 1972. In addition, Hensley also earned All-Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association honors.
 
The following year, Hensley returned to the national scene and earned his second All-America honor. This year, Hensley finished third in the downhill competition at the NCAA Division I Skiing Championships. Like the year before, Hensley was an Outstanding College Athletes of America selection.
 
Hensley graduated from Western in 1974 with a degree in Geology. However, skiing kept Hensley busy following his departure from Western. He began racing professionally on the World Pro Tour and the Colorado Pro Tour. It wasn't long before the thrill seeker began competing in National Gelande Association competitions for ski jumping.
 
"Ray was a focused competitor as his accomplishments, awards and team records can attest," William Gunn said in his nomination letter.  "Ray was, and remains today, an excellent ambassador for Western State Colorado University."
 
Hensley is remembered as one of the most versatile skiers at Western and one of the most dominant in the 1970s.
 
Currently residing in Acton, California, Hensley has become a successful entrepreneur in the public service industry. His family includes his wife, Anna Maria Schuch-Hensley, three children and six grandchildren.
 
Lifetime Athletic Achievement Award recipient Jim Burkholder is a pioneer in Alaska's Nordic skiing scene. Burkholder was born in Denver, Colorado on Aug. 4, 1942 but attended West High School in Anchorage, Alaska.
 
An all-around athlete in high school, Burkholder participated in track, football and skiing. However, it was skiing he would pursue at the collegiate level.
 
After spending the 1961-62 season as Western's ski team manager, Burkholder skied for the Mountaineers from 1963-66 under Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame Coach Sven Wiik. Burkholder helped lead Western to a second place finish at the NCAA Division I Skiing Championships in 1966.
 
While at Western, Burkholder was named to the Winter Carnival court, was the Senior Class President and was a representative on student congress.
 
After earning his bachelor's degree in 1966, Burkholder pursued his master's degree and helped coach the Mountaineer skiers from 1970-71.
 
When Burkholder returned to Alaska he began fostering cross country skiing in Anchorage. A true friend of the sport, Burkholder has spent uncounted hours designing, developing, lobbying, lighting, maintaining and grooming cross country ski trails throughout Anchorage.
 
"I want to let you know that behind the titles and race results is a man who has spent and continues to spend thousands upon thousands of hours doing the little things that need to be done on a weekly or monthly basis to continue to build Anchorage into the skiing destination that it is today," former Olympian Adam Verrier said in his nomination letter.  "Western State Colorado University Department of Athletics should be very proud of graduates such as Jim Burkholder, for it is people like Mr. Burkholder who pass on the love of sport to younger generations and create opportunities for younger athletes to pursue their own goals and dreams."
 
Burkholder's coaching experience includes:

• Mears JH XC Ski Coach 1968-70
• Dimond HS XC Ski Coach 1971-72
• University of Alaska Head Ski and XC Running Coach 1972-1976
• Coach Alaska Junior National  XC Ski Team  1970,1972
• Assistant coach US Ski Team Central Europe Tour 1974
• Coach and Team Leader US Ski Team Swedish Tour 1978
• Coach and World Junior Team Leader Mt ST Anne 1979
• Coach and World Junior Team Leader Ornskoldsvik, Sweden 1980
• Assistant Coach US XC Ski Team Lake Placid Olympics 1980
• Assistant Coach US XC Ski Team Falun and Holmenkollen 1980

 
Burkholder was also an accomplished ski race official and has helped run the following races, among numerous others:

• Chief of Race XC US Junior Nationals at Alyeska – 1969
• Chief of Course World Cup and Nationals - Anchorage 1982-83
• Technical Delegate - Alaska State HS Championships 1984-86
• Technical Delegate - NCAA Championships - Anchorage 1986-87
• Chief of Course - US Olympic Tryouts and National Championships 1993-94
• Chief of Course - Alaska Ski for Women 1996-2006
• Starting Official Salt Lake Olympics 2002

 
His work and dedication to the sport of cross country skiing has made Burkholder a legend in Anchorage. His noteworthy accomplishments haven't gone unnoticed. Burkholder was awarded Lifetime Membership in the Nordic Ski Club of Anchorage in 1980, was named to the USSA Alaska Ski Hall of Fame in 1999, was named a Pioneer of Skiing in Anchorage in 2003 and was most recently named to the Alaska High School Officials Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
 
Now retired, Jim Burkholder currently lives with his wife Sally in Anchorage, Alaska.