LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Class, honoring five distinguished Mountaineers whose accomplishments and contributions to Mountaineer Athletics have left a lasting impact.

Howard McDonald - Football
A dominant force on the defensive side of the ball, Howard McDonald helped establish himself as one of the top linebackers in the Frontier Conference and NAIA during his Mountaineer career from 2009-12.

McDonald earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Physics in 2013 while serving as a team captain during both his junior and senior seasons. He earned Second Team All-Frontier Conference honors in 2010 before continuing to elevate his game throughout his career. McDonald ranked second in the conference in tackles as a sophomore, led the league in tackles as a junior, and capped his career by leading the NAIA in tackles as a senior. His outstanding 2012 campaign earned him Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and First Team All-American recognition.

His accomplishments extended into the classroom, where he graduated with a 3.41 GPA and was a three-time Academic All-Frontier Conference honoree. Since graduating from Eastern Oregon, McDonald has continued his involvement in football and youth athletics. He co-founded and helps operate the West Sound Youth Football League and helped revamp the Central Kitsap Youth Athletics Football Program, serving as its Athletic Director during the 2024-25 season. He currently serves as the defensive coordinator at Central Kitsap High School.

Professionally, McDonald is an Engineering Manager with Lockheed Martin, where he supports the Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile Program. McDonald and his wife, Sonora, have four children: Cooper, Carter, Corbin and Everly.

Casey Loper Romine - Volleyball
Casey Loper Romine was a standout on the volleyball court and a multi-sport student-athlete during her time at Eastern Oregon from 2012-15.

Loper Romine earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Art and Religious Studies in 2015 while competing in both volleyball and rodeo. On the volleyball court, she built an impressive list of accolades, earning three All-Conference selections and three All-Region honors, along with both First Team and Third Team All-American recognition. She was also named Conference Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year, cementing her place among the most accomplished athletes of her era.

Since her time as a Mountie, Casey has remained closely connected to rodeo and the equestrian community. She serves on the association board while raising her three children and continuing to compete in team roping. She also operates her own practice.

Loper Romine and her husband, Mike, have three children: Pryor, Lincoln and Leola.

Jamie Jo Cant Haddock - Women's Basketball
Jamie Jo Cant Haddock made her mark on the Eastern Oregon women's basketball program from 2001-05, combining on-court success, leadership and academic achievement throughout her Mountaineer career.

A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, Cant Haddock served as a team captain for three seasons and finished as the runner-up for Freshman of the Year. Her name remains throughout the EOU record book, appearing among the program's top 10 in 14 statistical categories. She also continues to hold the school record for single-game three-point percentage, going 8-for-8 from beyond the arc in 2002.

Cant Haddock's accomplishments extended beyond basketball. She was named a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree in 2004 and earned Dean's List and NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition. While attending EOU, she also completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree through Oregon Health & Science University in 2004. Today, Cant Haddock is a rural nurse practitioner serving the Elgin community after spending more than a decade in the Boise and Treasure Valley area. She remains active in her community through the Union County Fair Board, the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), and various hospital panels and boards. She has also remained connected to Eastern Oregon University through the alumni board and continues to give back to basketball by assisting with the women's basketball program at Imbler.

Cant Haddock is married to Tony Haddock and is the mother of twins Olivia and Whitney.

Jennifer Becker Teeter - Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award
The Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have made positive contributions to athletics while attaining outstanding accomplishments and/or achievements in their professions. 

A graduate of Eastern Oregon University, Teeter began her coaching career in 1991 after an ankle injury ended her collegiate volleyball season at Eastern Oregon State College. Her early coaching experiences at Union and La Grande high schools helped shape her career in education and athletics. In 1996, Jennifer became the head volleyball coach at Imbler High School, where she is currently in her 31st season. During her tenure, she has led the program to three state championships (2008, 2009, 2013) and three state runner-up finishes (2012, 2016, 2025), along with multiple league and district titles.

Teeter has also made significant contributions to Oregon athletics through the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association (OACA), serving as president in 2016–17 and Volleyball Sport Chair since 2019. She has helped organize the annual Oregon high school volleyball all-star matches at Eastern Oregon University, establish scholarships for student-athletes pursuing careers in education, and support coaching development throughout the state. Her service and leadership have earned numerous honors, including three OACA Volleyball Coach of the Year awards, the Dave Johnson Contributor Award, and the Oregon National Guard State Coach of the Year award for 2023–24.

Through her decades of coaching, mentorship, and service, Jennifer has positively influenced generations of student-athletes and strengthened high school athletics throughout Oregon. Eastern Oregon University Athletics is proud to recognize her accomplishments and lasting impact with the Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award.

Brian Avila - Meritorious Athletic Service
The Meritorious Athletic Service Award honors individuals or groups who have provided extraordinary service in support of the goals and mission of the Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department. A baseball standout at Eastern from 1982–86, Brian Avila was a four-year letterman who has remained closely connected to Mountaineer Athletics throughout his life. Through 30 years of involvement with EOU, Brian Avila has played an important role in supporting Mountaineer Athletics as the club golf coach and athletic equipment manager, helping ensure student-athletes and coaches had the resources needed to compete and succeed.

Throughout his time at Eastern, Brian worked closely with coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, student-athletes, staff members, vendors, and sales representatives to coordinate equipment needs, manage inventory, organize team gear, and prepare for practices and competitions. His work supported the day-to-day operations of the department and helped create an environment where student-athletes could focus on performing at their best. Over the years, Brian collaborated with several EOU athletic directors, including Peggy Anderson, Rob Cashell, and Anji Weissenfluh, building lasting relationships throughout the department. His three decades of service allowed him to witness the continued growth of Mountaineer Athletics, celebrate team and individual accomplishments, and contribute to the experiences of countless student-athletes and staff members.

Brian's impact extends beyond his responsibilities within the athletic department. His commitment to serving others continues in the community, where he volunteers at the food shelter and the RTC warming station. His dedication to helping others reflects the same spirit of service he has demonstrated throughout his career at EOU. Outside of his work and volunteer service, Brian is married to Kenna and is the father of three children: Conor, Garett, and Kali.


The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Class reflects the lasting legacy of Mountaineer Athletics, celebrating excellence in competition, dedication to service, and a commitment to developing and supporting student-athletes. Through their accomplishments at Eastern Oregon University and their continued contributions to their professions and communities, this year's honorees embody the values and spirit of Mountaineer Nation.

Eastern Oregon University Athletics proudly welcomes Howard McDonald, Casey Loper Romine, and Jamie Jo Cant Haddock into the EOU Athletics Hall of Fame, while recognizing Jennifer Becker Teeter with the Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award and Brian Avila with the Meritorious Athletic Service Award. Together, their achievements and service represent the enduring impact of Mountaineers past and present.

Eastern Oregon University Athletics will officially induct the five honorees into the EOU Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 15th at 6 p.m.