Jody Dosser A native of New Hampton, Iowa, Jody Dosser graduated from Mankato State University in 1973. After graduation, Jody became a high school physical education teacher and coach at Osage High School in Osage, Iowa, where she remained for 27 years until 2001 when she came to Waldorf College.
As a high school coach, Jody compiled 17 North Iowa Conference Titles and had 10 teams advance to the Iowa State Volleyball Tournament. She was eventually named the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s most winningest high school volleyball coach in Iowa.
In her seven year career at Waldorf, the Warriors had a second place 2005 conference finish, were semi-finalists in 2006, and won the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament in 2007.
In 2007, Jody’s family had a tragic loss as their 24 year old son, Jermiah, was killed in an accident just nine days before his 25th birthday. Because Jermiah had openly expressed his desire to be a donor, Jody and her husband, Rick, contacted the Iowa Lions Eye Bank to share their son’s caring life story and learn about their son’s corneal recipients.
Six months following Jermiah’s death, Jody and the volleyball team organized “Donor Awareness Week” on Waldorf’s campus. During that week, the volleyball team had two home matches where they helped promote successful state donor registration and they shared “Jermiah’s Story”.
Although Jody retired in 2008, she and her husband remain actively involved with the Iowa Lions Eye Bank and the Iowa Donor Network and continue to tell “Jermiah’s Story”.
Recently, Jody and Rick were nominated by the Iowa Donor Network and have been selected by the American Association of Tissue Banks to receive the honor of having Jermiah’s photo on the Donate Life “Seize the Day” Rose Bowl Parade float. Jody was selected to be the float rider during the Parade in Pasadena, California.
Most Winningest Iowa High School Volleyball Coach – Waldorf Conference Championship Coach - Inspirational coach and community member – Hall of famer for 2010 – Jody Dosser.
James Erb James Erb came to Waldorf College from Wellman, Iowa, where he graduated from Mid-Prairie High School as a four sport letter winner. During high school, James was named the team MVP for football and earned Second Team All State Football Honors.
While at Waldorf, James was an outstanding football player. He was named a team captain and earned Third Team All-America honors.
After his time with Waldorf, James went to the University of Iowa where he was a member of the 1981 Big Ten Championship team that made it to the Rose Bowl. He was also a member of the 1982 Peach Bowl Championship team. He was named Second Team All Big Ten and eventually signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1983. James’ most memorable game was while he was at Iowa.
“It was my first game for Iowa after a red-shirt year under Head Coach Hayden Fry who was in his third season at Iowa,” said James. “We beat Nebraska in the first game of the 1981 season, and that year we broke through a 19 season losing record streak and restored a ‘winning’ tradition.”
James is now a farmer and carpenter in Wellman, Iowa. His family owned farm received Heritage Farm status at the 2008 Iowa State Fair as it was homesteaded 156 years ago.
A four sport high school letter winner – an All-American – a member of a bowl championship team – Hall of Famer for 2010 – James Erb.
Janelle Barz McCloskey Throughout her high school career, Janelle Barz McCloskey earned various honors in basketball and softball at Ackley-Geneva High School in Ackley, Iowa. Janelle was named First Team All-Conference in both basketball and softball, and was named First Team All-State in basketball her senior season. That year her team finished fourth in the Iowa girl’s state tournament and she was selected to the All-Tournament team.
After high school, Janelle attended Waldorf College where she played softball and continued her standout basketball career. Janelle was an intelligent, quick and aggressive performer. In the 1979 season, Janelle was a member of the Waldorf College women’s basketball team that finished fourth in the NJCAA tournament. In her sophomore season, Janelle led the team in offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, total rebounds and steals. Waldorf made it to the NJCAA tournament and Janelle was selected Regional XI 2nd team and Waldorf’s most valuable player honors and was named the “prestigious” Female Honor Athlete at Waldorf. The Waldorf basketball team compiled an impressive 50-12 record in Janelle’s two years.
After Waldorf, Janelle attended Creighton University on a basketball scholarship where she played for two seasons and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She then attended the University of Arizona where she earned her Master’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences.
Today Janelle is an exercise physiologist at Scottsdale Healthcare in Scottsdale, Arizona. A two sport high school standout – Female Honor Athlete – Hall of Famer for 2010 – Janelle Barz McCloskey.