Karen (Potempa) Poole, class of 1988, has been inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame as a player.
Poole was a three-sport star who never played on a losing team in her athletic career at Franklin College. She is recognized as having one of the brightest athletic careers in the college history.
As a volleyball player, Poole was named NAIA All-American in 1986 and NAIA All-American honorable mention in 1987. Under Head Coach Mark Britner, the Grizzlies finished fifth in the 1986 NAIA national tournament and captured NAIA Bi-Tri-District titles in 1984, 1986 and 1987. Moreover, Franklin’s volleyball team amassed a won-lost record of 135-42 (.763) in her fourth-year career.
In basketball, Poole owned numerous school records at the end of her distinguished career, including career points, all-time field goal percentage and rebounds. She remains second in both all-time points (1,683) and rebounds (1,003). She still holds the NAIA District 21 teams in 1986 and 1987. Her teams were a combined 64-36 (.640).
She also contributed to Franklin’s softball team as one of the team’s top power hitters and pitchers, earning all-district player honors one season.
Following graduation, Poole began working at The Finish Line, a sports apparel store. After six months, she was promoted to manager and was transferred to Hurst, TX. Poole was successful at taking her store from one of the lowest performers in sales to one of the top five in the nation in just one year. Poole remained with her position until 1992, when she moved to Milwaukee, WI to train for a district manager post. After one year in Wisconsin, she resigned and moved back to Texas upon her engagement to Kyle Poole whom she married in 1993.
Poole and her husband started a carpet cleaning, air duct, and air conditioning service business. In 1999, she began work outside of her home business and took a job as a supervisor at United Parcel Service, where she is currently employed. Poole also holds a part time position with Delta Airlines.
The Poole’s currently reside in Euless, Texas with their three children—twins Jessica and Jacob, plus Alexander.
Reece Mann, class of 1991, has been inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame as a player.
Mann had an outstanding career as an athlete at Franklin College. Playing quarterback, his presence was felt every time he stepped on the field as the Grizzlies’ signal caller from the 1987 through 1990 seasons.
During his career, Mann broke numerous school records and still holds 12 of them. He owns career marks for total offense (8,572 yards), passing yards (8,735), passing completions (626), touchdown passes (79), and include total offense (3, 743 yards), passing yards (3,795), touchdown passes (33), and completion percentage (.616), all of which were set in the 1988 campaign in Head Coach Stewart “Red” Faught’s 32nd and final season. Mann’s single game records include total offense (519) vs. the University of Evansville in 1988, passing yards (518) against Taylor University in 1989, and tied for most touchdown passes (7) vs. St. Joseph’s College in 1988.
He also played shortstop and pitcher for the Franklin baseball team, earning all-conference honors during his career.
Mann’s remarkable collegiate football career did not go unnoticed after graduation as he was drafted in the first round of the Columbia (SC) Cougars Professional Spring Football League in 1991. However, with the demise of the football league, plus other interests at hand, Mann ended his pursuit of a professional football career.
In 1995, Mann was accepted in Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne’s graduate program to earn his master’s degree in school counseling. After completing his degree, he accepted a guidance counselor position at Montpelier School for kindergarten through eighth grade. Mann also served as varsity assistant coach for both football and basketball-and then later-served as head football coach at his high school alma mater, Blackford High School, in Hartford City, IN.
Mann is currently in his fifth year as guidance counselor at Montpelier School and is a member of First Christian Church where he serves on the pastoral relations committee. He also is an assistant varsity basketball coach at Blackford High School. Mann resides in Hartford City with his wife of 10 years, Stacey, and their two children, Ozzie and Zoie.
