This fall the achievements of Bill Pink ’87, Misty (Wellman) Brestel ’02, and Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep ’07 are celebrated as they were inducted into the York College Athletic Hall of Fame during a luncheon ceremony on October 21.
Dr. Bill Pink '87
Teammates, colleagues, and players he’s coached describe Dr. Bill Pink ’87 as a talented
player and teacher, with a kind word for all as he strives for excellence on the court
and in the classroom.
Pink has been an educator for more than 25 years. During that time he has worn many hats at schools in Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Nebraska. His leadership roles have included athletic director, head coach, professor, assistant to the president, committee chair, associate dean, and vice president. He began his academic career at York College, where he studied education and was a center on the basketball team.
During Pink’s years on the court, the Panthers were conference champions (‘86) and co-champions (‘87). He was the team’s co-captain his sophomore year, led the team in scoring and was the second leading rebounder. That year he was named 1st Team All-Nebraska Junior College.
Pink went on to attend Oklahoma Christian University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the University of Oklahoma, eventually completing a PhD in instructional leadership and academic curriculum. He returned to York College for two years to teach and coach men’s basketball and men’s and women’s tennis. During that time, he was recognized as the first African-American junior college men’s basketball head coach in Nebraska history.
Today Pink is the vice president and dean of the School of Workforce Development at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a frequent presenter at education and athletic conferences throughout the United States. He has served as a board member for many civic organizations. He has been selected twice to participate in an American delegation to China and recently, he was selected for the first cohort of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship, an elite program for future college presidents.
Pink has been an educator for more than 25 years. During that time he has worn many hats at schools in Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Nebraska. His leadership roles have included athletic director, head coach, professor, assistant to the president, committee chair, associate dean, and vice president. He began his academic career at York College, where he studied education and was a center on the basketball team.
During Pink’s years on the court, the Panthers were conference champions (‘86) and co-champions (‘87). He was the team’s co-captain his sophomore year, led the team in scoring and was the second leading rebounder. That year he was named 1st Team All-Nebraska Junior College.
Pink went on to attend Oklahoma Christian University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the University of Oklahoma, eventually completing a PhD in instructional leadership and academic curriculum. He returned to York College for two years to teach and coach men’s basketball and men’s and women’s tennis. During that time, he was recognized as the first African-American junior college men’s basketball head coach in Nebraska history.
Today Pink is the vice president and dean of the School of Workforce Development at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a frequent presenter at education and athletic conferences throughout the United States. He has served as a board member for many civic organizations. He has been selected twice to participate in an American delegation to China and recently, he was selected for the first cohort of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship, an elite program for future college presidents.
Misty (Wellman) Brestel '02
Misty (Wellman) Brestel ’02 holds a special place In York College athletics: she is
the first player in any sport to be named an All-American by the National Association
of Intercollegiate Athletics. In addition to her All-American status, Brestel also was recognized by the Midlands
Collegiate Athletic Conference as player of the week multiple times and was named
to First Team All-Conference all four years.
Known for rebounding, defending, and scoring inside, Brestel averaged a double-double (scoring and rebounding) for her entire career. She broke 17 school records in her four years as center on the basketball team. She still holds six of those records, including career rebounds with 1,294. She holds single season records in points scored (561) and field goals made (203). Her single-game records include free throws made (15), rebounds (22), and blocked shots (9). Nationally, she was ranked in the top ten for rebounding.
The 2001-2002 season was the highlight of her athletic career, as the team set a school record of 20 wins. She credits her team with the success of the season that resulted in her All-American status: April Johnson, Chelsea Rogers, Brooke Burnett, Kimberly Dreher, Ashley Schultz, Ginger Gatliff, Amanda DeBerry, Jen Spickelmier, Bryanna Martin, and coaches Gerry Nixon and Terry Bartlett.
Brestel earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at York College, then went on to earn a degree in mortuary science from Cypress College. Today she is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with Metz Mortuary in York. She was one of 50 funeral directors nationwide selected to participate in the National Funeral Directors Association’s inaugural Meet the Mentors Program hosted by Harvard University. She also served for two years as a district president for the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association (NeFDA), and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for NeFDA.
Brestel is proud that her sister, Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep ’07, will enter the York College Athletic Hall of Fame with her.
Giving back is important to Brestel. She has served as an assistant coach for the York College women’s basketball team for eight seasons and is involved in many other community activities.
Known for rebounding, defending, and scoring inside, Brestel averaged a double-double (scoring and rebounding) for her entire career. She broke 17 school records in her four years as center on the basketball team. She still holds six of those records, including career rebounds with 1,294. She holds single season records in points scored (561) and field goals made (203). Her single-game records include free throws made (15), rebounds (22), and blocked shots (9). Nationally, she was ranked in the top ten for rebounding.
The 2001-2002 season was the highlight of her athletic career, as the team set a school record of 20 wins. She credits her team with the success of the season that resulted in her All-American status: April Johnson, Chelsea Rogers, Brooke Burnett, Kimberly Dreher, Ashley Schultz, Ginger Gatliff, Amanda DeBerry, Jen Spickelmier, Bryanna Martin, and coaches Gerry Nixon and Terry Bartlett.
Brestel earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at York College, then went on to earn a degree in mortuary science from Cypress College. Today she is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with Metz Mortuary in York. She was one of 50 funeral directors nationwide selected to participate in the National Funeral Directors Association’s inaugural Meet the Mentors Program hosted by Harvard University. She also served for two years as a district president for the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association (NeFDA), and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for NeFDA.
Brestel is proud that her sister, Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep ’07, will enter the York College Athletic Hall of Fame with her.
Giving back is important to Brestel. She has served as an assistant coach for the York College women’s basketball team for eight seasons and is involved in many other community activities.
Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep '07
An impressive athlete, Ashley (Wellman) Waldrep ’07 set many school records during
her years as a center on the basketball team, a number of which stand today. However,
some of her greatest accomplishments have been off the court, as she has dedicated
her career to caring for those with cancer as well as advancing cancer treatment through
research.
At York College, Waldrep racked up athletic accolades. She was named to the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference team annually from 2004 to 2007. In 2003 she was named Freshman of the Year for the MCAC and in her senior year, she was named MCAC Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Beyond regional recognition, Waldrep was honored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2006 as a Div. II All-American honorable mention. The following year, she earned NAIA Div. II First Team All-American status.
She currently holds 13 York College records including career points (1,888), field goals made (658), field goals attempted (1440), free throws made (572), free throws attempted (883), and blocks (212). She holds single-season records in free throws made (172), rebounds (357), and blocks (68). Her single-game records include points scored (37), field goals made (18), field goals attempted (28), and free throws attempted (22).
After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology at York College, Waldrep served in several clinical research positions, including director of research for Nebraska Hematology-Oncology. She holds a master’s degree in clinical research administration and is now completing her final year of physician assistant studies. She plans to return to the field of oncology as a PA, to continue her important work in patient care and research.
At York College, Waldrep racked up athletic accolades. She was named to the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference team annually from 2004 to 2007. In 2003 she was named Freshman of the Year for the MCAC and in her senior year, she was named MCAC Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Beyond regional recognition, Waldrep was honored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2006 as a Div. II All-American honorable mention. The following year, she earned NAIA Div. II First Team All-American status.
She currently holds 13 York College records including career points (1,888), field goals made (658), field goals attempted (1440), free throws made (572), free throws attempted (883), and blocks (212). She holds single-season records in free throws made (172), rebounds (357), and blocks (68). Her single-game records include points scored (37), field goals made (18), field goals attempted (28), and free throws attempted (22).
After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology at York College, Waldrep served in several clinical research positions, including director of research for Nebraska Hematology-Oncology. She holds a master’s degree in clinical research administration and is now completing her final year of physician assistant studies. She plans to return to the field of oncology as a PA, to continue her important work in patient care and research.