HALL OF FAMER — Fairmont High School administrative assistant and former Martin County West High School athletic standout Stacy (Faber) Garbers will be inducted into the Bethany Lutheran College Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday night on the Mankato-based campus. (Photo by Charlie Sorrells)
MANKATO — When Stacy (Faber) Garbers found out she had been chosen as a member of this year’s Bethany Lutheran College Athletic Hall of Fame class, she was a bit speechless.
While (Faber) Garbers serves as the friendly face who answers countless inquiries by students and parents alike in Fairmont High School’s main office, she truly does not like talking about her own accomplishments.
“I was completely shocked when I heard the news. I thought, ‘No way did I get voted into my college’s Hall of Fame,’” said (Faber) Garbers, who earned the distinguished honor in both volleyball and basketball from 2001-03.
(Faber) Garbers will be inducted during the 5:30 p.m. banquet on Friday night at Rudolph E. Honsey Hall on the Bethany Lutheran College campus in Mankato along with former Viking standout student-athletes Matt Kuster [basketball and baseball 1989-91], Kelly (Behnke) Kayvon [volleyball, basketball and softball 1992-94], Brent Thomas [wrestling 1977-79] and Eric Schutte [baseball 1994-95].
“Chief reminded me that I put up some good numbers for teams that won a lot of games and that, for a change, I should finally take some credit for myself,” (Faber) Garbers said in reference to her husband Adam Garbers’ reaffirmation.
(Faber) Garbers merited some impressive athletic accolades during her tenure at the then two-year school, including being a National Junior College Athletic Association first-team all-American volleyball selection in 2002.
The hard-hitting spiker also was named first-team conference all-Southern Division, all-NCJAA all-Region XIII and first-team all-league tournament twice. She also was tabbed as the Vikings’ most valuable defensive player both seasons.
(Faber) Garbers proved even more prolific on the hardwood court and in the classroom in basketball, garnering an all-conference academic all-state award and received the prestigious NJCAA Region XIII Service and Achievement Award during her time at BLC.
(Faber) Garbers also was selected as a two-time all-conference Southern Division player.
During the 2001-02 basketball season, she produced 375 points, 191 rebounds, 39 assists and 27 steals. She followed that stellar performance with 301 points, 163 rebounds, 56 assists and 37 steals during the 2002-03 campaign.
“Looking back, I guess I held my own at the collegiate level, especially considering I changed positions in both sports from my high school playing days,” said (Faber) Garbers, who made a smooth transition from middle hitter to outside spiker in volleyball and from power forward to post player in basketball.
(Faber) Garbers etched her name into the Martin County West High School athletic record books to earn the chance to be a rare two-sport collegiate.
The former Mavericks’ phenom finished her prep hoops career with 1,118 points, 433 rebounds, 151 steals and 149 assists to earn Sentinel All-Area and all-Valley Conference honors for three consecutive seasons.
(Faber) Garbers did likewise on the volleyball court, meriting three-time All-Area and all-league accolades by closing out her incredible high school playing days with 723 kills, 724 digs, 217 blocks and 105 ace serves.
Despite all of her achievements at the prep and college levels, will she be nervous when she steps to the podium to accept BLC’s honor?
“My speech is written and it’s currently 4 minutes and 55 seconds, although I’ll probably be nervous and talk faster, so it’ll be shorter,” (Faber) Garbers said with a smile. “On a scale from 1 to 10, I’m probably an 8 when it comes to being anxious.
“I truly don’t like to be the center of attention in situations like this. Thank goodness I’ll have a big group of family members there to support me.”
Husband Adam, along with their four daughters — Olivia, 13; Lainey, 10; and twins Violet and Elise, 5 — all will be in attendance to help calm Stacy’s nerves during the entire induction process.
“Being able to share this honor with my girls, my family and close friends almost makes the nervousness all worth it,” (Faber) Garbers said with a laugh.
