OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University is proud to announce the four individuals who will be inducted into the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame (BAHOF) as part of the university's 2026 Homecoming festivities. The 2026 induction class includes Tim Weber (men's basketball), Jim Perkins (men's basketball and track and field), Chelsea Fullerton (women's cross country and track and field), and Whitney Bowen (women's soccer).

The four former Braves will be honored during the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gangwish Library on the Ottawa University campus. The banquet is part of the university's Homecoming celebration, scheduled for Oct. 15-17.

The Braves Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes former Ottawa University student-athletes and individuals who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs. The 2026 inductees represent a tradition of athletic excellence, conference championships, national recognition, and record-setting performances.

Tim Weber – Men's Basketball (1980-1984)
Tim Weber was a standout member of the Ottawa University men's basketball program from 1980 to 1984, developing into one of the Braves' top performers and earning national recognition during his senior season.

Weber capped his collegiate basketball career with an outstanding 1983-84 campaign, earning NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors. He was also named First Team All-District 10 and First Team All-KCAC.

During his senior season, Weber averaged 19.6 points per game while collecting 104 rebounds and a team-high 88 assists. His offensive production and playmaking ability helped establish him as one of the conference's top players.

Weber's development throughout his Ottawa career was evident. After competing on both the junior varsity and varsity teams as a freshman, he averaged 5.2 points per game as a sophomore before leading the Braves in scoring during his junior season.

His accomplishments have earned him recognition in several categories of the Ottawa University men's basketball record book. Weber ranks among the program's top 10 in career steals, single-game assists, single-season free throws made, and single-season free throw percentage.

In addition to basketball, Weber competed for the Ottawa University men's tennis program during the 1981, 1982, and 1984 seasons.

Jim Perkins – Men's Basketball (1974-1978) and Track and Field (1975-1978)
Jim Perkins made his mark at Ottawa University as a two-sport athlete, competing in men's basketball and outdoor track and field during the 1970s.

On the basketball court, Perkins was a four-year member of the Braves from 1974 to 1978. During his career, Ottawa compiled a 54-42 record. Perkins appeared in 74 games, scoring 525 career points and averaging 7.9 points per game.

After contributing off the bench during his first two seasons, Perkins moved into a starting role during the 1976-77 campaign. He averaged 10.9 points per game that season, scoring 230 points in 21 appearances and earning Second Team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) honors.

Perkins concluded his basketball career in 1977-78, scoring 164 points in 23 games while averaging 7.13 points per contest.

His athletic accomplishments extended beyond the basketball court. Perkins was an accomplished member of the Ottawa University outdoor track and field program, earning multiple All-HAAC honors.

At the 1976 conference championships, Perkins earned All-HAAC recognition in four events: the broad jump, 220-yard dash, 440-yard dash, and triple jump. He captured conference championships in both the 440-yard dash and triple jump.

Perkins added another All-HAAC honor in the triple jump during the 1977 season, further establishing himself as one of Ottawa's versatile student-athletes.

Chelsea Fullerton – Women's Cross Country (2011-2014) and Track and Field (2012-2015)
Chelsea Fullerton established herself as one of the most accomplished distance runners in Ottawa University history during her collegiate career, earning numerous all-conference honors, qualifying for national championship competitions, and setting multiple school records.

As a member of the Braves' women's cross country program from 2011 to 2014, Fullerton earned All-KCAC honors in each of her four seasons. She steadily improved her conference championship finishes, placing 11th as a freshman, seventh as a sophomore, fifth as a junior, and second during her senior campaign in 2014.

Fullerton competed in four NAIA National Cross Country Championships and helped lead Ottawa to runner-up finishes at the KCAC Championships in both 2013 and 2014. Those performances qualified the Braves as a team for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships.

She also ranks among the program's top distance runners, holding the third-fastest 5K time in school history at 18:43 and the third-fastest 6K time at 26:04.

Fullerton was equally successful in track and field, earning six All-KCAC honors in outdoor competition and four All-KCAC honors in indoor competition.

During the 2015 outdoor season, she captured the KCAC championship in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 40:13.91. She was also a three-time qualifier for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in the marathon.

Fullerton holds five Ottawa University track and field school records, including three outdoor marks and two indoor marks.

Her outdoor records include the 5,000-meter run (19:01.26), 10,000-meter run (40:13.91), and marathon (3:26:03.60). Indoors, she holds records in the 3,000-meter run (10:51.93) and 5,000-meter run (18:48.11).

Fullerton also excelled academically, earning Daktronics Scholar-Athlete recognition and CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in cross country.

Whitney Bowen – Women's Soccer (2007-2010)
Whitney Bowen was one of the most decorated players in Ottawa University women's soccer history, earning national recognition, four First Team All-KCAC selections, and helping lead the Braves to multiple conference championships during her career from 2007 to 2010.

Bowen made an immediate impact during her freshman season in 2007, earning KCAC Freshman of the Year honors. She was also named First Team All-Region IV and received NAIA Honorable Mention All-American recognition.

Throughout her four-year career, Bowen was selected First Team All-KCAC four times, establishing herself as one of the conference's premier players.

Bowen played an instrumental role in Ottawa's success during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. She was a member of two KCAC championship teams and helped the Braves capture the 2009 KCAC Tournament Championship.

The 2009 season also saw Ottawa advance to the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship, marking a significant accomplishment for the program. Bowen was also part of Ottawa's 2007 Region IV Tournament appearance.

Her individual offensive accomplishments remain among the best in program history. Bowen ranks second in six Ottawa University career statistical categories.

She finished her collegiate career with 142 points, 59 goals, 24 assists, 13 multi-goal matches, 148 shots on goal, and six hat tricks. Each of those totals ranks second in the Ottawa University women's soccer record book.

Bowen's combination of individual honors, offensive production, and contributions to championship teams helped establish her legacy as one of the top players to wear a Braves uniform.

2026 Braves Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet
The 2026 Braves Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in Gangwish Library, located on the Ottawa University campus at 1001 S. Cedar St. in Ottawa, Kansas.

The ceremony will recognize the accomplishments of Weber, Perkins, Fullerton, and Bowen while celebrating their contributions to the history and tradition of Ottawa University athletics.

The induction banquet is part of Ottawa University's 2026 Homecoming celebration, taking place Oct. 15-17.

For additional information about Homecoming events, visit ottawa.edu/homecoming/schedule.

2026 Braves Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Class

• Tim Weber – Men's Basketball (1980-1984)
• Jim Perkins – Men's Basketball (1974-1978) and Track and Field (1975-1978)
• Chelsea Fullerton – Women's Cross Country (2011-2014) and Track and Field (2012-2015)
• Whitney Bowen – Women's Soccer (2007-2010)

About the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame
The Braves Athletic Hall of Fame honors individuals whose athletic achievements and contributions have helped shape the history and tradition of Ottawa University athletics. Through the recognition of outstanding former student-athletes and contributors, the Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of excellence associated with the Braves athletic programs.