LIBERAL, Kan. — The Seward County Saints Hall of Fame will induct four
members as its Class of 2025 Saturday. Jelena Cohadarevic, Dale Reed,
Mollie Mounsey, and Melvin Sanders will be honored for their outstanding
contributions to Saints athletics. The recognition ceremony will take place
between the highly anticipated basketball matchups between the Seward
County Saints and the Hutchinson CC Blue Dragons, with games scheduled
for 2 and 4 p.m.. Fans, alumni, and the community are invited to celebrate
these exceptional individuals who have left a lasting legacy on Seward
County athletics.
Buyout sponsor for the games is Billy’s Ayr Lanes. Tickets are available at
Billy’s, located at 2050 N. Kansas Ave., Liberal. Women’s tip-off is at 2 p.m.,
with the Hall of Fame induction to follow the game. Men’s tip-off is set for 4
p.m. with the homecoming royalty court ceremony at halftime.
The Hall of Saints Class of 2025 members are:
Jelena Cohadarevic, originally from Serbia, is celebrated as one of the
most outstanding players in Seward County Community College (SCCC)
volleyball history. She holds the program’s all-time record for kills, amassing
1,380, and is the only Lady Saint to achieve more than 1,000 kills and 1,000
digs. After her tenure at SCCC, Jelena continued her athletic career at Florida
Gulf Coast University and later played professionally in Europe. Transitioning
into coaching, she took the helm of the Liberal High School volleyball
program in 2024 and was recently appointed as the head coach for the SCCC
Lady Saints. Jelena and her husband former Saints Basketball player Darko
Cohadarevic reside in Liberal, where they raise their family.
Dale Reed began his journey with Seward County Community College
(SCCC) as a member of its inaugural graduating class in 1971. He played
basketball for the Saints and later returned as head coach, leading the team
to two Region VI championships and achieving a No. 1 national ranking in
1995. Transitioning into administration, Reed served as the Dean of
Outreach, contributing nearly 30 years to SCCC before he retired in 2012. His
enduring dedication and multifaceted contributions have left an indelible
mark on the college community.
Mollie Mounsey, a 5’10” guard from Follett, Texas, distinguished herself as
one of the premier players in Seward County Community College (SCCC)
women’s basketball history. During her tenure from 2016 to 2018, she was a
two-time NJCAA First-Team All-American, averaging 18.9 points, 4.6
rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game in her sophomore year. Notably, Mounsey
led the nation with 143 three-pointers made as a freshman, the highest
across all women’s basketball divisions that year. Her exceptional
performance earned her the title of Female Athlete of the Year at SCCC.
Mollie went on to continue her career at Colorado State University and then
finished back in Kansas, playing for Emporia State University.
Melvin Sanders, a native of Liberal, Kansas, began his basketball journey at
Liberal High School before playing for Seward County Community College
(SCCC) during the 1999–2000 season. As a freshman, he earned Jayhawk
West All-Conference and NJCAA All-Region VI honors, leading the Saints to a
23–9 overall record. He continued his collegiate career at Oklahoma State
University from 2000 to 2003, where he was named third-team All-Big 12 by
the Associated Press in his senior year. After college, Sanders played
professionally, including a stint with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs during the
2005–06 season. His significant contributions to basketball at both the
collegiate and professional levels have earned him an induction into the
Seward County Saints Hall of Fame.
After retiring from basketball, Melvin brought his passion for fitness and
performance to the next level. He served as a strength and conditioning
coach for the San Antonio Spurs NBA Summer League team, using his
firsthand experience to help elite athletes reach their peak. An entrepreneur
at heart, Melvin channeled his work ethic and athletic background into
building one of the most dynamic performance centers in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area. Known for its cutting-edge training methods and vibrant
community, SandersFit quickly became a go-to destination for athletes and
fitness enthusiasts.
Recognizing the growing need for comprehensive rehabilitation and therapy
services, Melvin expanded his vision by opening a Rehab and Therapy Center
within SandersFit. Today, he proudly operates five rehab and therapy clinics
across the DFW area, providing high-level care to both athletes and everyday
individuals seeking to recover and perform at their best.
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