2008 Dakota State University Athletic Hall of Fame
| Inductee Name |
Title/Award/Honor/Athlete/Coach/Others |
| Thomas E. Orton |
Men's Basketball |
| Simon Schloe |
Men's Basketball |
| Brett Schwartz |
Men's Basketball |
| Paul Tanke |
Football |
Thomas E. Orton – Men’s Basketball
Immediately after graduating from college, Tom Orton entered the US Army and served an extended tour in Vietnam as an Operations Sergeant (awarded the Bronze Star). In addition, he furthered his education and received an MBA Degree from Suffolk University in Boston, Mass.
Over the past thirty-five years, Tom has been involved in a number of different businesses. This includes the initial start-up of five companies through their successful operation and profitability including two major mergers with larger companies listed on the NASDAQ Exchange.
Presently, Tom is involved in the acquisition of farm and grazing land in South Dakota. This coincides with his involvement in a housing development in Florida where the homes sell for close to two million dollars.
Companies Tom has founded include two engineering firms engaged in services to the utility industry along with a computer firm offering outscore services to financial institutions. IN addition, Tom was the founder of a company engaged in the toy/game industry. The company manufactured and marketed a baseball board game, which he developed, to the wholesale/retail toy and baseball hobby industries. Prior to these business activities, Tom founded a company engaged in personnel consulting and recruiting activities in the utility, computer and aerospace industries.
Previously, Tom taught business related courses to first- and second-year students at a junior college in Boston, Mass. This was in conjunction with his studies for his graduate degree at Suffolk University.
Simon Schloe – Men’s Basketball
Simon Schloe was recruited by George Blankley to play basketball for General Beadle in the fall of 1963.
At General Beadle, Simon played for four years, and was a member of the SDIC Championship team as a junior. Simon was named to the SDIC All-Conference Second Team as a senior, as well as being selected to the District NAIA All-District 12 second team in 1968. In the final SDIC conference game in 1968, against Huron College, Simon scored 42 points to help GBSC clinch second place in the conference.
After graduating in 1968, Simon taught school and coached in Baltic, S.D. for one year, and in Amboy, Minn. for two years. He decided to leave teaching, and moved to St. Cloud, Minn., where he took on the position as a parts manager for an International Truck Dealership. Simon has lived in St. Cloud for 35 years, and currently is the parts inventory manager for the same International Truck Dealership.
Simon and his wife, Karen, have three sons, Eric, Brent, Scott, and one daughter, Tara, and five grandchildren; three boys and two girls.
Brett Schwartz – Men’s Basketball
Brett Schwartz graduated from Dakota State in 1992. He is currently at Omaha Burke High School where he teaches business and computer applications. He is also the assistant track coach, a position he has held since 1995.
While playing basketball from 1987-91 at Dakota State, Schwartz set several records including DSU all-time leading scorer, and all-time leading rebounder. He was also honored as Outstanding Male Athlete, South Dakota Male Athlete of the Year, SDIC Conference Player of the Year, NAIA All-American, and SDIC All-Conference.
From 1998-2005, Schwartz was the head girls’ basketball coach at Omaha Burke, leading his team to the state tournament in 2005. From 2006-07, he was the head boys’ basketball coach at Louisville High School, taking that team to state in 2007 with a 21-3 record.
In 1996, Schwartz played basketball professionally with the University Club Team in Belfast, Ireland. The team made it to the semifinals in the Sprite Cup.
Brett and wife Jennifer live in Gretna, Neb. Jennifer works for the Nebraska School Activities Association in Lincoln, Neb.
Paul Tanke – Football
Paul Tanke graduated from General Beadle in 1967 with a degree in education. He taught and coached at Rutland High School for 12 years. Tanke went from a career in education to work for Lake County International, and then on to a 23-year stint with United Building Center in Madison. He is presently employed at Colman Building Center in Colman.
Tanke played football at General Beadle, and was named NAIA District 12 All-Conference in 1964, 1965 and 1965.
He and wife Joyce have three daughters and eight grandchildren.
