General | 5/18/2026 9:56:00 AM

Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College Athletics Heisman Club has announced the induction of three new members into the Heisman Club Hall of Honor.
 
The 12th Hall of Honor class will feature Danette DiBiasio Wineberg '68, Jeff Sears '81, and Michael Sorrell '88. The Hall of Honor induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 23, at 3:00 p.m. in the Knowlton Gathering Space during the College's Commencement Weekend.
 
Danette DiBiasio Wineberg '68
 
Danette DiBiasio Wineberg '68 has always been dedicated to strengthening the traditions, values, and community of Oberlin College and its athletic programs. A member of the Oberlin College Class of 1968, Danette grew up in a family deeply connected to Oberlin College Athletics. Her parents majored in physical education at Oberlin, where her father competed in varsity football and baseball.  Family stories and experiences of Crimson and Gold athletics shaped her lifelong appreciation for the role sports play in building leadership, resilience, and community.  Danette's husband was co-captain of Oberlin's wrestling team, and their son and daughter-in-law were varsity scholar-athletes on Oberlin's baseball and track & field teams.
 
Though opportunities for women athletes were limited before Title IX, Danette was a passionate advocate for athletics as an essential part of the liberal arts experience. Through decades of alumni leadership, including serving as President of the Alumni Association and chairing an ad hoc committee on sports and fitness, she also served on the Board of Trustees and ensured that athletics remained central to Oberlin's institutional vision.
 
An attorney and former Vice President and General Counsel for The Timberland Company, Danette exemplifies principled leadership, multigenerational commitment, and unwavering support for Oberlin College Athletics.
 
Jeff Sears '81
 
A devoted alumnus, mentor, and advocate for student-athletes, Jeff Sears '81 exemplifies the values and spirit of Oberlin College Athletics. A 1981 graduate with a degree in economics, Jeff was a four-year letter winner for the Oberlin men's lacrosse program, and an active participant in campus intramural sports. His commitment to teamwork, leadership, and competitive excellence left a lasting impact on the Crimson and Gold.
 
Following graduation, Jeff built a successful career as a Certified Financial Planner, bringing the same integrity, discipline, and thoughtful leadership that defined his years as a student-athlete. His connection to Oberlin has remained unwavering through decades of dedicated service to the Heisman Club Board, including more than ten years as Treasurer. In that role, Jeff helped strengthen the organization through sound financial stewardship and a deep commitment to supporting Oberlin College Athletics.
 
Beyond his service, Jeff has generously mentored current students and young alumni, fostering meaningful connections across generations of Oberlin student-athletes. He has also coached both men's and women's lacrosse at multiple levels, positively impacting countless players through his leadership and love of the game. Whether supporting student-athletes, serving the College, or giving back to the sport of lacrosse, Jeff Sears has represented Oberlin with distinction, generosity, and pride.
 
Michael Sorrell '88
 
Michael Sorrell '88 is a nationally recognized higher education leader whose career reflects innovation, service, and a lifelong commitment to leadership. A 1988 graduate of Oberlin College, Sorrell earned his degree in government, and was a two-time captain of the men's basketball team. Sorrell was the program's fifth all-time leading scorer when he graduated, and had earned North Coast Athletic Conference All-Conference honors as a senior.
 
After successful careers in law and public policy, Sorrell joined the Board of Trustees at Paul Quinn College before being named the president in 2007. Nearly two decades later, he has transformed the institution through groundbreaking initiatives that increased graduation rates, reduced student debt, strengthened fundraising, and reimagined the student experience through the Urban Work College Model.
 
His visionary leadership has earned national recognition from Fortune Magazine, Time Magazine, and the George W. Bush Institute. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sorrell has remained a dedicated and generous supporter of Oberlin College Athletics.
 
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