University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame
07.20.2017 | General
The goal of the UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame is to continue to develop traditions, celebrate contributors of those who came earlier in our history and encourage pride in our student-athletes, the campus community and our alumni and supporters.
UNC Asheville 2025Â Hall of Fame Class - Inducted on February 14, 2025
Kristal Hood - Women's Basketball 2002-06
Patrick Spencer - Men's Cross Country/Track and Field - 1993-97
Hood is currently eighth all-time at UNC Asheville in career points with 1,303 and also holds the school career record for free throw percentage at .774 and the single-season record for steals with 82 in 2006. She was named Big South Rookie of the Year in 2003, First Team All-Conference in 2006 and Second Team All-Conference in 2004 and 2005. She was a four-year starter in the backcourt, being part of the historic Bulldog team in 2003-04 that was the most improved team in the country going from three wins to 19 and helped lead Asheville to a second-place finish in league. Hood led the team in scoring as a sophomore, junior and senior, coring 33 points in her final game of her career in a tournament loss at High Point, the most points scored by a Bulldog player in a Big South Conference Tournament game. She also finished her career with 506 rebounds, 268 assists and 221 steals.
Spencer was an excellent distance runner and student-athlete for the Bulldogs. He earned Big South All-Conference honors in cross county with a sixth-place finish in 1995 and a ninth-place finish in 1996 He won the 10,000-meter race at the Big South Conference Outdoor Championships in 1996, and currently holds the fourth-best time in the 10,000 in school history. Spencer was the Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year for cross country in 1995 and earned the Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for track and field in 1997, while also being named the 1996-97 UNC Asheville Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He earned All-Region honors for the CoSIDA All-Academic team twice, while earning All-Conference honors with top-three finishes in the 10,000 in 1995 and 1996 Big South Conference Outdoor Championships.
UNC Asheville 2024Â Hall of Fame Class - Inducted on February 16, 2024
Larry Cook - Men's Soccer 1983-86
Kevin Hawkins - Baseball 1986-90
Pete McDaniel - Contributor 1971-74
Arden native Pete McDaniel was a dual-sport athlete at UNC Asheville, playing on both the golf and basketball teams. After graduating in 1974, Pete became one of the world's most well-known golf journalists. He began his career at the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Hendersonville Times-News before spending over 15 years in various roles, including senior writer, with Golf Digest and Golf World. He is most known for his coverage of golf great Tiger Woods. Pete co-authored a book titled Training a Tiger with the late Earl Woods, Tiger's father. In addition, he co-authored Tiger Woods' best-selling golf instruction book How I Play Golf. His work has earned him an induction into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame and the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. Pete has also been named Publisher of the Year for his work, was awarded the Denzel Washington community service award by the White Plains (NY) Boys and Girls Club, and was also the recipient of the Harlem YMCA's Black Achiever in Industry Award. Pete continues to be a freelance writer and is currently working on his memoir.
Kevin Hawkins grew up in Shelby and was a standout athlete at Crest High School before committing to UNC Asheville. Kevin was the starting shortstop all four years in Bulldog Blue. He is one of just four Asheville baseball players to earn first-team Big South All-Conference honors twice (1989, 1990). Kevin is the school's all-time leader in stolen bases (57) and walks (155) while being second in runs scored (180) and third in hits (231). Kevin led the team in runs scored and hits in three of his four seasons, and the entire Big South in runs scored in 1989 (50). Following graduation, Kevin has gone on to have a successful career in the sales industry. Most recently, he has spent the last 13 years working at Taylor Enterprises Inc. and resides in Charlotte.Â
Larry Cook was born in Germany and grew up in a military family. He attended high school outside Atlanta, Georgia, at Morrow Senior High School before making his way to UNC Asheville. While in Asheville, Larry was a four-year starter as goalkeeper for the Bulldogs. Larry is still currently on his own or tied as the school's all-time leader in shutouts (20), saves (408), minutes played (7,035), and goals against average (1.47). He also holds or is tied for the single-season records of shutouts (10), minutes played (2,012), and goals against average (0.70). Larry earned third-team All-South honors as a senior and holds the third and sixth all-time spots for saves made in a season, with 126 in 1986 and 106 in 1884. Larry was the starting goalkeeper in 1984 for Asheville's most successful men's soccer season ever, with 14 wins and a trip to the District 26 championship game. After graduation, Larry earned a tryout with Crystal City FC in the English Premier League. Larry went on to have a successful career in the insurance industry and is now retired, living in Cincinnati. Larry is still playing competitive soccer today, participating in a men's travel league for players 50 years and older.Â
UNC Asheville 2023 Hall of Fame Class - Inducted on February 17, 2023
Betsy Blose - Women's Basketball - 2002-12
Kevin Mattison - Baseball - 2005-08
John Williams - Men's Basketball - 2007-11
Betsy Blose coached the Bulldogs for 10 seasons from 2002-2012. In her time leading the Bulldogs, Blose racked up a program record 125 wins and guided the 2006-07 team to the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing the Big South Tournament Title with a 67-57 win over Radford. She was named the Big South Coach of the Year in 2003-04 after leading the Bulldogs to 19 wins after winning just three games the season before. Overall, Blose coached three players that earned All-Big South Tournament Team and All-Big South First Team honors, five that garnered All-Big South Second Team accolades, seven that landed on All-Freshman team, and four that were named the Big South Rookie/Freshman of the Year.Â
After 2012, Blose remained an integral part of UNC Asheville Athletics serving as Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, engaging and connecting student-athlete alumni back to the University, and participating in countless athletic events including providing color commentary for the broadcast of basketball games.
Kevin Mattison was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs in the outfield. He holds the Big South record for triples (23) in a career. Mattison had a stellar senior campaign in 2008 where he earned a spot on the All-Big South team and was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List. He is UNC Asheville's all-time leader in triples (23), total bases (423), and runs scored (192). Mattison also ranks second in at bats (861) and hits (250), third in stolen bases (51), while being fourth in home runs (27) and fifth in RBI (135) along with doubles (46). He holds the single-season program record for triples in a season with eight and he achieved that twice in his Bulldog career. After his time as a Bulldog, Mattison was drafted in the 28th round (838th overall) in the 2008 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins and he made it to the Major Leagues in 2012.Â
John Williams led the Bulldogs to a Big South Conference Regular-Season Championship as a freshman (2007-08) and a Big South Tournament Championship in 2011. He totaled 255 blocks in his career, which are the second-most in school history. He is 17th in career scoring at Asheville for Division I players and eighth in rebounding with 684. He is one of just 18 players in Big South history to record more than 1,000 points (1,169), more than 500 rebounds (684) and 200 blocked shots (255). He earned a spot on the Big South All-Tournament team in 2011 after helping win the 2011 title and was named to the All-Big South Second Team in 2009-10. Williams completed his career by becoming the first Bulldog to compete in the Slam-Dunk contest that is held at the Final Four every year. He was picked to compete in the event in Houston and put on an impressive display of dunks, finishing second in the competition despite not missing a dunk. Williams graduated in 2011 and then played for the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters for several years as he was known as "John the Jet." He returned to Asheville and has become a top college basketball analyst throughout the southeast and a very successful high school girls' basketball coach at Asheville Christian Academy. He has led the school to two state championships in the past three years.
UNC Asheville 2022 Hall of Fame Class - Inducted on February 28, 2022
Matt Dickey - Men's Basketball, 2018-12
Natalie Pearson - Track & Field, 2006-11
JP Primm - Men's Basketball, 2008-12
Barney Gradman, Contributor
Graduating in 2012 with a degree in health and wellness promotions, Matt Dickey poured in 1,778 points during his four years as a Bulldog, ranking him third on the all-time scoring list and first in the Division I era in that category. Dickey could light it up from the outside, knocking down 199 3-pointers during his career, ranking sixth all-time at UNC Asheville. Leading the team in scoring in both his junior (15.7 ppg) and senior (16.1 ppg) seasons, Dickey helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back Big South Tournament Championships. After being named to the All-Big South First Team and earning All-Academic and Big South Tournament MVP Honors in 2011, Dickey's game-tying shot against Arkansas Little Rock helped lift the Bulldogs to a First Four win in the NCAA Tournament. In 2012, Dickey garnered Big South Player of the Year honors and was an Associated Press All-American Honorable mention, as the Bulldogs finished with a program-record 24 wins and 16 Big South victories. Among program all-time ranks, Dickey sits in a tie for first in games played (130), fourth in steals (188) and fifth in assists (429). Currently, Dickey resides in Trussville, Alabama, where he is a student pastor at First Baptist Church of Trussville.
Natalie Pearson accumulated no shortage of accolades during her time at UNC Asheville, holding the school records in the: 60 meter (7.57 seconds), the 100-meter spring (11.61 seconds, 11.59 wind-aided) and 200-meter (23.47 seconds, 23.25 wind-aided). Pearson excelled in conference competition, claiming the 2007 Big South Outdoor Championship 60m, 2010 Big South Outdoor Championship 200m and the 2011 Big South Outdoor Championship in both 100m and 200m. Qualifying for the NCAA Championship in both 2010 and 2011, Pearson was named the 2011 Big South Conference Female Athlete of the Year. A native of Sheffield, England, Pearson competed in the United Kingdom Olympic Trials in 2008 and 2012, and would later compete for the United States bobsled team in the winter of 2014-15, winning a silver medal in Lake Placid, New York. Today, Pearson lives in Long Beach, California, where she is a Digital Marketing Specialist for her company Carmen and Grace Communications. Â
Like Dickey, J.P. Primm was a centerpiece of the UNC Asheville Bulldog men's basketball team from 2008-12, helping lead Asheville to its 2011 and 2012 Big South Championship and NCAA Tournament appearances, earning Big South Second Team and All-Tournament honors in both seasons. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Primm is the school's all-time leader in assists (607), ranking second all-time in steals (248) and is fourth on the all-time scoring list, totaling 1,689 points during his career. Primm was also a key figure in Asheville's NCAA Tournament victory over Arkansas Little Rock, scoring 22 points in the school's only tournament win. After being named the Big South Tournament MVP in 2012, Primm scored a game-high 18 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament, nearly lifting the Bulldogs to an upset of top-seeded Syracuse. Graduating with a degree in mass communications, Primm currently resides in Dickson, Tennessee, where he works as a basketball official and runs the WHBH Elite Basketball Training.
Barney Gradman rounds out the 2022 UNC Asheville Hall of Fame Class, serving as a longtime supporter of Bulldog athletics. A member of the local community, Gradman started the first ever Bulldog Booster Club. While at Asheville-Biltmore, Gradman was a two-year starter on the junior college conference championship team as well as the baseball team. Gradman, who enjoys playing tennis, having been ranked in the top-six nationally in his last two age groups, the 85's and 90's. Gradman currently resides in both Asheville and Naples, Florida.
UNC Asheville 2020Â Hall of Fame Class - Inducted (virtually) on February 27, 2021
Kelsey Dawson, Women's Soccer, 2000-03
Alan Deratt, Baseball, 2005-08
KJ Garland, Men's Basketball, 2004-08
Kelsey Dawson is the third all-time leading scorer for Bulldog program in points (90), goals (36) and assists (18). Dawson, a four-time All-Big South First Team player, also earned four Big South Player of the Week honors as a Bulldog. She ranks sixth on the program's single-season list in points scored with 26 back in 2002. She played an integral part in the Bulldogs reaching the Big South Conference Championship match in back-to-back seasons in 2002 and 2003.
Alan Deratt is one of the top pitchers to ever pitch for the Bulldogs. He is the program's all-time leader in strikeouts (247), games started (55), and innings pitched (365.2), while ranking third in wins (22) and second in shutouts (2). In perhaps his best season, DeRatt posted a 1.74 ERA as a senior on his way to securing Big South Pitcher of the Year and All-Big South First Team honors. His impact pitching in the Big South was recognized as he was named to the Big South's All-Decade team. Following his time in Asheville, DeRatt was drafted in the 17th round by the Colorado Rockies. In four seasons pitching in the Rockies organization, he reached each of the organization's affiliates, including parts of two seasons with the local Asheville Tourists. DeRatt wrapped up his playing career with a four-year stint in independent baseball pitching for the Sioux Falls franchise in the American Association and the Ottawa Champions in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League).
KJ Garland currently ranks 15th on UNC Asheville's all-time scoring list with 1,363 points. He also is second in career assists (520), seventh in steals (153), and eighth in three-pointers made with 144. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Garland holds the school record for minutes played in a season with 1,217. As a senior, Garland was an All-Big South Second Team selection. He made the All-Tournament team as well in helping the Bulldogs win the Big South regular-season championship and make an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
UNC Asheville 2019 Hall of Fame Class - Inducted on September 21, 2019
Kelly Budnik Cieslak, Volleyball 2000-03
Michele Cornish, Women's Soccer Coach 1994-2006
Wilma Sherrill, Legislator and Avid Bulldog Supporter, 1960-present
Mike Shildt, Baseball 1987-90, Assistant Coach 1992-93
Kelly Budnik Cieslak was the Big South Rookie of the Year in 2000. She was also named first-team All-Big South in 2002 and second-team all-conference in 2000 and 2001. A two-time Big South All-Tournament selection (2002 and 2003), Budnik Cieslak helped lead the Bulldogs to the Big South regular-season title in 2002. She helped lead the Bulldogs to the Big South Tournament championship game in 2003. A team captain during her time at UNC Asheville, Budnik Cieslak is still among the top-10 all-time in Bulldog volleyball history in kills (1,317), service aces (130) and attempts (3,755).
During her 16-year tenure as head coach of UNC Asheville's women's soccer team, Michele Cornish led the Bulldogs to 134 victories, making her the program's and the Big South Conference's all-time leader in career wins at the time of her induction. Cornish guided the Bulldogs to Big South championships in 1995 and 2006, and her 1995 team finished with a program-best 16 victories. Cornish's 2006 squad became the first UNC Asheville women's sports team to advance to the NCAA Tournament. In addition, she led the Bulldogs to the Big South regular-season championship in 2004 and 2005.
Wilma Sherrill helped form the first Bulldog fundraising club in the 1960's. As a legislator, she worked to secure the funding for the 133,500 square-foot Sherrill Center that houses the Health and Wellness Department and the N.C. Center for Health and Wellness. Sherrill assisted on numerous fundraising projects for the Bulldogs for more than 50 years in addition to serving on committees to hire coaches and administrators. At the time of her induction, she served as a member of the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees and on the board of the Bulldog Athletic Association.
Mike Shildt played numerous positions for the UNC Asheville baseball team during his three seasons as a student-athlete, suiting up for the Bulldogs in 1987, 1989 and 1990. In his final two seasons, he helped lead the Bulldogs to consecutive third-place finishes in the Big South Conference, and the 1990 team posted the best record in program history; a record that still stood at the time of his induction. Following his playing days, he spent the 1992 and 1993 seasons as an assistant coach with the program. Shildt took over as the manager of Major League Baseball's St. Louis Cardinals in August of 2018 after being on the team's coaching staff for more than two seasons. He was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2019.
UNC Asheville 2018 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on September 22, 2018
Guy Batsel, Men's Basketball 1966-68
Elif Unlu Englert, Volleyball 2003-07
Kristi Cummings Melis, Women's Soccer 1993-96
Dr. Robert Yearout, Longtime Beloved Faculty Member 1987-2016
One of three Bulldogs to score 1,000 or more points in just two years, Guy Batsel closed out his career for then Asheville-Biltmore College with 1,076 points after transferring in from Stetson. Batsel owns UNC Asheville's career per game scoring record with 21.9 points per game.
The only All-American (AVCA - 2005) in the history of the UNC Asheville volleyball program, Elif Unlu Englert was a three-time All-Big South Conference selection. She also garnered Big South All-Tournament Team honors twice and was named to the league's All-Freshman Team in 2003. Unlu Englert was tabbed as UNC Asheville's Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 and UNC Asheville's Woman of the Year in May of 2007. The native of Izmir, Turkey closed out her Bulldog career with 1,709 kills and 1,427 digs.
Kristi Cummings Melis was a four-time All-Big South Conference selection, which included first-team honors in 1995 and 1996. She finished her Bulldog career with 36 goals and 93 points. Cummings Melis, who holds the school record for most goals in a single game with four in 1995, scored the second-fastest goal in NCAA history with a goal in five seconds against Furman in 1995. A two-time All-Tournament Team selection (1995 and 1996), Cummings Melis helped lead UNC Asheville to the Big South title in 1995 and two regular-season second place finishes in 1995 and 1996.
Dr. Robert Yearout served UNC Asheville for 29 years. An avid supporter of UNC Asheville athletics, Yearout first joined the university's Faculty Athletics Committee in 1988 before taking over as the Faculty Athletics Representative in 1989. A retired professor in the UNC Asheville Management & Accountancy program, Yearout received the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in 2006. He received the UNC Asheville Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award in 2000. Â
UNC Asheville 2017 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on September 23, 2017
Micki Logue, Cross Country/Track and Field 2000-04
Mark Magee, Men's Soccer 1985-88
Ben and Shirley Snyder, Longtime Bulldog Supporters 1977-2017
Micki Logue was a tremendous distance runner for the Bulldogs. She won the Big South Indoor Championship in the mile in 2004. She also earned All-Conference honors with a 10th-place finish at the 2002 Big South Cross Country Championship. Logue excelled in the classroom as well during her time as a Bulldog as she claimed three Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, taking home the honor in 2002 (Indoor Track and Field), 2003 (Cross Country) and 2004 (Outdoor Track and Field). Logue was named to the 2003-04 CoSIDA Academic All-America Women's Cross Country/Track and Field third-team.
Mark Magee played multiple positions during his time at UNC Asheville, ending his prolific career as the all-time assists leader for the men's soccer program. He is second all-time in program history in points overall with 112 as he also finished his stellar playing career third in program history in goals with 35. A two-time Big South All-Conference selection in 1986 and 1988, Magee collected a program-best 16 assists in the 1987 season. The 16 assists in the 1987 season still places him in the top-10 in league single-season history in the category.
The Snyders, who were inducted posthumously, were faithful boosters to the UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletic Scholarship Fund for nearly 40 years. They particularly loved UNC Asheville basketball and they attended as many away games as they could, cherishing the opportunity to spend time with their friends on the trips. The Snyders were cherished volunteers who gave their time at basketball games and helped with numerous special events for student-athletes. They were the loud and proud team parents when the UNC Asheville women's basketball team won the NAIA National Championship in 1984.
UNC Asheville 2016 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on October 21, 2016
Kevin Martin, Men's Basketball 1996-99
Tanya Harris-Fleming, Track and Field 2002-06
Emily Langill, Women's Soccer 2002-05
Kevin Martin was a three-year letterman for the Bulldogs from 1996-1999. He was the Big South Player of the Year in 1999, a First-Team Big South honoree in 1998 and a Second-Team Big South recipient in 1997. Martin is 14th on the all-time list in scoring with 1,340 points. He was part of two Big South Conference regular-season championship teams. He also holds the school record for most free throws made in a season (174) and career (383) and for free throws attempted in a season (234) and career (527).
Tanya Harris-Fleming was a standout in Track and Field from 2002-2006. She was a dominant force in the Big South Conference completing her career with two championships in the 400m dash (2005 and 2006) and five-time Big South Championships in sprint events. She holds the school record in the 400m dash with 54.95 set in 2006. In 2004 and 2006, she became the university's first track and field sprinter to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Emily Langill was a four-year starter as a defender for the women's soccer team from 2002-2005. She was recognized as the Big South Player of the Year in 2004. She was a first-team All-Conference performer in 2004 and in 2005, and she earned second team All-Conference recognition in 2003. Langill was a key player on the 2004 and 2005 Big South regular season title teams and earned All-Tournament in 2004 and 2005. She helped the Bulldogs advance to three Big South Conference title games (2002, 2003, and 2005).
2015 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 20, 2015
Eddie Biedenbach, Coach 1996-2013
Hilary McKay Williams, Women's Soccer 2002-2005
Andre Smith, Men's Basketball 1999-2003
Hilary McKay Williams was a four-year starter for the UNC Asheville Women's Soccer Team. She completed her career as the schools and Big South's all-time leader with 53 goals. Hilary set a single-season record with 21 goals scored in 2003. She is the school's all-time leader with 22 assists and 122 points. Hilary was the 2002 Big South Rookie of the Year and the 2005 Big South Player of the Year. She helped lead the Bulldog program to two Big-South Conference regular-season championships in 2004 and 2005 and three trips to the Big South Championships in 2002, 2003, and 2005. Hilary was a three-time first team All-Conference performer and a member of the All-Tournament team once.
Eddie Biedenbach was the Head Men's Basketball Coach for the Bulldogs for 17 seasons and helped lead Asheville program to five Big South Conference regular-season championships, three tournament titles and three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He finished his coaching career as the schools and Big South's all-time leader overall with 256 victories, 156 conference wins, and 20 tournament victories. Eddie was named Big South Conference Coach of the Year three different times. Furthermore, He was the first coach in Big South history to lead a team to both the post-season NIT and NCAA Tournaments. He led Asheville to two NCAA Tournament victories.
Andre Smith was a four-year starter for the UNC Asheville Men's Basketball Team and was the Big South Rookie of the Year in 2000 and Big South Tournament MVP in 2003. Furthermore, Andre was a first team All-Conference performer in 2002 and 2003 plus an All-Tournament selection in 2000 and 2003. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2003 Big South Conference Tournament Championship and a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Andre finished his career as the program's sixth all-time leading scorer with 1,495 points. He is second all-time at UNC Asheville with 223 career steals and seventh with 358 assists.
2015 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on October 23, 2015
Mike Gore, Administrator 1986-2015
Mike Gore served UNC Asheville for 29 years (1986-2015) as Associate Athletics Director of External Affairs, Sports Information Director, softball coach for the program's final season (1992) and Interim Athletics Director (2003-04).He oversaw media coverage of the Bulldogs' athletics programs with exemplary dedication, meticulously compiling statistics for women's sports by longhand even before the NCAA required him to do so. For three decades he exhibited anunwavering commitment to his duties and the student-athletes who crossed his path, helping guide the athletics department through the transition to Division I and the numerous changes that ensued. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the school he called home.
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2014 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 28, 2014| |
Alison Gehringer was a three-year starter on the UNC Asheville women's soccer team. As a midfielder, she helped lead the Bulldogs to two trips to the Big South Championship game and one title in 1995. She earned first team Big South All-Conference honors in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Alison was the co-MVP of 1995 Big South Conference championship and was named to the All-Tournament team in 1996 and 1997. She finished her career with 19 goals 17 assists and 55 points.  In 1997, Alison was named as the Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was an Academic All-America nominee in 1996 and 1997. In 2014, she was named to the Big South All Decade team for the 1990's.
Rod Healy was a four-year letterman for the Bulldogs men's basketball program and helped lead the program to two District 6 championships and two trips to the NAIA National Tournament. He completed his career as the program's all-time leading rebounder with 1,121 rebounds. Rod also holds the record for most rebounds in a game with 30 against Belmont Abbey that occurred in the 1969-70 season. He finished his career with 1,334 points. Rod led the Bulldogs in rebounding for two straight seasons and was the team's top scorer as a senior. He was an Academic All-America Honorable Mention in 1971.
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2013 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 23, 2013 |
Vicki Giffin was a four-year starter for the women's basketball program from 1993-97. She was the Big South Rookie of the Year in 1994. As a senior, Vicki was named Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Big South Player of the Year. She completed her career as the program's third all-time leading scorer with 1,701 career points. Giffin currently holds the single-season record for field goal accuracy, career record for free throws made and single-game record for steals. She was twice named UNC Asheville Female Athlete of the Year and was an Academic All-District selection for two years. Giffin was an All-Conference performer for three straight years.
Mike Roach was a two-year starter for the UNC Asheville men's soccer team. He was a key player for the Bulldogs at the midfield position when Asheville won the 2001 Big South Conference regular-season title. He was the 2001 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's soccer. Roach then became in 2001 the first Bulldog student-athlete in the Division I era to be named to the Academic All-America first team. In addition, he was the 2002 Big South Scholar Athlete of the Year along with being the 2001 and 2002 UNC Asheville Scholar Athlete of the Year.
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2012 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 24, 2012
Lisa Rhodes, Coach 1989-1993
Tony Bumphus, Men's Basketball 1974-1978
Lisa Rhodes coached the Bulldog volleyball program from 1989-1993 and led the Asheville program to three Big South Conference regular-season championships, two tournament titles and the school's first ever post-season trip in the Division I era. The Bulldogs won the 1990, 1991 and 1992 regular-season titles and compiled a 22-1 Big South regular-season record during those years. Counting Big South Tournament play, Rhodes teams were 29-2. In 1991, Asheville was awarded a berth to the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Dayton, Ohio. The Bulldogs were the first volleyball program in Big South history to go to a post-season tournament. In 1992, Asheville finished with a 32-6 record and became the first team in league history to go unbeaten in the regular season and in the league tournament.
Tony Bumphus played Men's Basketball for the Bulldogs from 1974 until 1978. He was a three-year starter at Asheville. He is 10th all-time in career points with 1,429 and is the program's second all-time leading rebounder with 968. His 8.0 career rebounding average is the second highest in school history. Bumphus produced 606 field goals, the fourth most in school history. He also played in a school-record 121 games for the Bulldogs.
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| 2011 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 25, 2011 George Gilbert, Men's Basketball 1976-1980 Mackenzie McCoy, Women's Soccer 1995-1998 Ty Wigginton, Baseball 1996-1998 (Accepting on behalf of Ty Wigginton, Bill Hillier)
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George Gilbert played Men's Basketball for UNC Asheville from 1976 through 1980 and was a four-year starter. He is the school's fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,523 points. George averaged double figures each season he played for the Bulldogs. He is second all-time in career assists with 460. George was the career leader in that category until three years ago. George is fifth all-time in career free throw percentage at 81.8 percent.
Mackenzie McCoy played Women's Soccer for UNC Asheville from 1995 through 1998. She is the second leading goal scorer in school history with 39 and second in career points with 86. Mackenzie led the Bulldogs in goals and scoring in three of her four seasons. She helped lead UNC Asheville to the Big South Conference championship game three times in her career. In 1995, Mackenzie led the Bulldogs to the Big South Conference championship with a 1-0 upset victory over nationally-ranked UNC Greensboro. She was a first team all-conference performer three different times in her career. In 1998, Mackenzie was named Big South Scholar Athlete of the Year and was nominated as an Academic All-American three times.
Ty Wigginton played Baseball for UNC Asheville from 1996-98 and was the Bulldogs starting shortstop. In 1998, he enjoyed one of the best seasons in the history of our program. Ty was named National Player of the Week. In six games, he hit six home runs, drove in 20 runs and hit .680 for the week. Ty set a single-season and Big South record for doubles with 26, total bases with 149 and runs scored with 59. He was named as a first all-conference performer and led the Bulldogs to the semifinals of the Big South Tournament. Ty tied a school record for most home runs in a game with three and total bases with 15. He was drafted by the New York Mets in June of 1998 and four years later he became the first UNC Asheville player to ever make it to the major leagues when he played for the Mets in San Diego.Â
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2010 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 25, 2010 |
Josh Pittman was named 1997 and 1998 Big South Conference Player of the Year, one of only three athletes to be so honored. He led the Bulldogs Men's Basketball team to two conference regular-season championships and finished as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,547 points, the most in the program's Division I history. He was selected first-team All-Conference twice and All-Tournament once.
Helen Carroll guided UNC Asheville Women's Basketball to the 1984 NAIA women's national basketball championship in her third and final season as head coach. The 1983-84 team finished with a 32-5 record, the best in the school's athletic history. She compiled a career record of 64-32 for a winning percentage of .667 that is still unmatched by any UNC Asheville coach.
Lorelee Smith concluded her Volleyball career with 5,904 assists, the most in the history of UNC Asheville and the Big South Conference. She also set the school and conference record for most assists in a season with 1,852 in 1996. Smith was chosen the 1997 Big South Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year following her senior season and twice earned All-Region All-Academic honors.
Marc Rosenbalm has remained UNC Asheville's all-time leader in complete games (13), shutouts (4) and earned run average (3.21) for nearly two decades in baseball. He set the school's season records for wins (11), shutouts (3), innings pitched (117.2) and complete games (11) as a senior in 1991 while being named first-team All-Big South and All-Tournament. He also led the Big South with a 1.50 ERA in 1990.
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2009 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 19, 2009 |
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Trish Wyatt was a member of the 1984 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship team. She was a four-year starter and finished her career as the program's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,606 points. The Asheville native is the school's all-time leader in assists with 424. She hit the winning basket in the national championship game against Portland. Â
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Bamford Jones is the school's all-time scoring leader for men's basketball with 1,919 points. He was the Bulldogs' leading scorer in three different seasons. Jones was an NAIA All-District selection and Honorable Mention All-American in 1977 and 1978. He holds the single-season record for field goals with 270 and the career record with 835. Jones once scored 42 points in a game, the third highest scoring game in UNC Asheville history.Â
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2008 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 21, 2008 |
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Dave Hart has been an invaluable contributor to the UNC Asheville Athletics Department since 1993. He has been a consultant for the Athletics Department during that time and advised three different Athletic Directors. The Dave Hart Golf Tournament has been held since 1996 under his leadership and raised more than $300,000 for student-athlete scholarships. Dave has been a part of numerous search committees that have helped hire coaches and administrators. His contributions to UNC Asheville Athletics will be felt for generations. Dave Hart, Sr. passed away March 2009.
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Elissa Mount enjoyed a sensational career for the Bulldogs. She is UNC Asheville's all-time career leader in three different categories. Elissa is the all-time leader in kills (1,775), digs (2,179) and attempts (4,993). She was an all-conference performer as a junior and senior and was a part of two Big South Conference championship teams as a freshman and sophomore. Elissa helped lead UNC Asheville to its first ever post-season tournament as a Division I school when the Bulldogs were selected to participate in the 1991 National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
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Rebecca Gallaher was an all-conference performer in Cross Country for all four years she competed and is just one of seven student-athletes to do that in league history. She helped lead UNC Asheville to two Big South Conference titles and two runner-up finishes. In track and field, she won seven different individual titles during her career. Becky was named Big South Scholar Athlete of the Year for Outdoor Track in 1997. She was named Academic All-Region in 1997 and 1998.Â
2007 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on February 15, 2007
Mickey Gibson, Men's Basketball 1968-1970
Mike Grace, Men's Basketball 1970-1974
Patrick Britz, Men's Soccer 1987-1991
Danielle Meyer Harrison, Volleyball 1990-1993
Jill Young Booth, Women's Soccer 1993-1996
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Mickey Gibson enjoyed an outstanding two-year college career for the Bulldogs. He was an All-District selection twice and was an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior. Mickey is 17th on the career scoring list at UNC Asheville with 1,179 points despite only playing two years. He holds the single-season record for highest scoring average with a 23.3 mark set in the 1969-70 season. Gibson helped lead the school to its first ever District championship in 1969 and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. He holds the school record for most points in a game with 44 and field goals in a game with 20.
Mike Grace was a three-year starter for the UNC Asheville men's basketball team and helped lead the Bulldogs to the 1971 District 6 Title and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. He holds the single-season record for assists in a season with 205 set in the 1973-74 season. Grace is currently the 20th all-time scorer at UNC Asheville with 1,136 points.
Patrick Britz was a four-year letterman for the men's soccer team and is UNC Asheville's Division I leader in goals with 37 and points with 102. He was nationally ranked in goals scored (16) and points (39) in 1988. Britz was an all-conference selection as a sophomore and was a Big South All-Academic selection for four consecutive years. He was an Academic All-American nominee for three years.
Danielle Meyer Harrison was the Bulldogs starting setter for four years and is third all-time on the career assist list with 5,187. She helped lead UNC Asheville to three straight Big South Conference regular-season championships and two tournament titles. She was the Co-MVP of the 1992 Big South Conference Tournament. The Bulldogs were 35-6 against Big South opponents during her career. She was an all-conference selection twice and was part of the 1991 UNC Asheville team that was selected to the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Dayton, Ohio.
Jill Young Booth was a three-time first team all-conference goalkeeper for the Bulldog women's soccer program. She was the Co-MVP of the 1995 Big South Conference Tournament and is the holder of most career shutouts at UNC Asheville with 25.
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2005 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on September 25, 2005 Â |
Tom Hunnicutt served as Athletics Director from 1993-2000 and did an outstanding job building the athletic department into the success it is today. Highlights of his tenure included the men's basketball program winning two consecutive Big South Conference regular-season titles (1997 & 1998), the women's cross country team winning four Big South Conference championships (1994, 1995, 1998, 1999), and the women's soccer team winning the 1995 Big South Conference title. Under his leadership, Hunnicutt increased fundraising by more than 100 percent. He strengthened the department by creating more coaching and administrative positions.
Jenee Cross Daniely enjoyed a fabulous tennis career at UNC Asheville. She helped lead the Bulldog program to Big South Conference championships in 1988 and 1989. Daniely was undefeated in Big South Conference singles play in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and won three straight singles championships. She was the Big South Player of the Year in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
Ulrich Dietrich was a four-year letterman on the men's soccer team from 1981-84. He was a starter in the midfield his entire career and helped lead the Bulldogs to three straight winning seasons. Dietrich was an All-South and All-District performer for three years and was a NAIA All-American nominee. He finished his career second all-time in assists with 37 and ninth in points with 51.
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2004 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on October 1, 2004 |
Ed Harris did an outstanding job as UNC Asheville's Athletic Director. He helped guide the athletic program from NAIA to Division I status. During his tenure, the athletic teams at UNC Asheville had a great deal of success. The women's basketball program won the 1984 NAIA national championship. The men's basketball program reached two District 26 championship games and enjoyed a school-record 22 victories in the 1982-83 season. The men's soccer team reached the District 26 championship game in 1984. From 1982 through 1984, Bulldog teams compiled a 209-111 overall record in all sports for a .653 winning percentage.
Jerry Green led the UNC Asheville men's basketball program from a struggling NAIA team to a Division I winner during his nine-year career. He led the Bulldogs to seven consecutive winning seasons and an overall record of 150-108. His 58 percent winning percentage is the highest of any UNC Asheville basketball coach. During his tenure, Coach Green guided UNC Asheville to the District 26 championship game for two consecutive years. He led the program to its best three seasons in school history with a 22-9 record in 1982-83, 21-10 in 1983-84 and 20-9 in 1985-86. Coach Green coached Asheville to some of the biggest wins in school history, including victories at UNC Charlotte, Western Carolina and California.
Kim Duncan enjoyed a fabulous career at UNC Asheville. She finished her career as the school's second all-time leading scorer with 1,975 points and third leading rebounder with 888 rebounds. Kim helped lead the Bulldogs to three straight winning seasons and the NAIA national championship in 1984. She scored the second highest amount of points in school history with 659 in the 1983-84 season. Kim was UNC Asheville's leading scorer in the 1984-85 season with a 17.8 average. She was named as a first team NAIA All- Tournament performer in 1984. Kim was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and is the school's all-time leader in games played with 129.
Brian Shehan produced one of the greatest baseball careers ever at UNC Asheville. He was an all-conference player at first base in the 1988 and 1989 seasons. In 1989, Brian set a single-season record for home runs (19), RBI (59), slugging percentage (.786), doubles (14) and total bases (140). He was ranked nationally in 1989 for home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases. Brian finished his career as the school's all-time leader in home runs (42), RBI (163), doubles (52) total bases (391) and batting average (.352). He currently holds seven different UNC Asheville hitting records. Brian was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs and was the second player in school history to be drafted by a major league team when the Montreal Expos drafted him in 1990.
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2003 Hall of Fame Class- Inducted on September 19, 2003 |
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Herb Coman, Coach 1947-1952 |
Herb Coman served as the school's baseball, basketball, football coach and athletic director when the school was Asheville-Biltmore College. He worked at the school from 1947-52 and reinstated athletics at the school after World War II. His football teams went 35-12-1 and were ranked in the top 10 during his tenure. He helped 27 different players receive scholarships to four-year institutions. Coman is a member of the Western North Carolina Hall of Fame and was a long-time football official. Herb Coman passed away July 2009.
Bob Hartman was the school's head basketball coach from 1962-79. He also served as the school's athletic director during that time. His overall record was 223-209, and he led the Bulldogs to two district championships (1969 and 1971) and two trips to the NAIA national tournament in Kansas City. Hartman is the school's all-time winningest coach in all sports. Bob Hartman passed away November 2012.
Jim McElhaney is the school's second leading scorer with 1,904 points and was the Bulldogs starting point guard from 1967-71. The South Bend, Indiana native helped lead the school to two district championships in 1969 and 1971. His 17.3 scoring average is the highest career average for any four-year player during their time at UNCA. He was a successful high school basketball coach at North Buncombe, West Henderson and in Florida after graduating from UNCA. McElhaney was inducted posthumously after passing away in Florida, November 2002.Â
Sheila Ford Duncan enjoyed a tremendous career at UNC Asheville. She played from 1980-84 and led UNCA to the NAIA national championship in 1984, earning MVP honors along the way. She is the school's all-time leader in scoring (2,443) and rebounds (2,200). The Clarkton native holds 18 individual records at UNCA and earned first team All-America honors as a senior. She was the first player in women's collegiate basketball history to collect more than 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds
Ilona Fekete Thimmer established a tradition of great volleyball at UNCA from 1990-92. She led the Bulldogs to three straight Big South Conference regular-season titles and two straight tournament crowns. She also led the nation in blocks as a sophomore in 1990 and was among the nation's leaders in that category the next two seasons. The Pembroke Pines, Fla. native was the Big South Player of the Year in 1990 and was an all-conference and all-tournament selection for three seasons. She is the school's all-time leaders in total blocks, block solos and block assists. Thimmer was inducted into the inaugural Big South Conference Hall of Fame.Â
UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame By-Laws
Article I: Name
The name shall be the UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame Committee (hereinafter the "Committee"). The group is a standing committee of the UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletics Association (BAA), administered through the office of the Athletics Director.
Article II: Action Statement
The UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame Committee shall recognize and honor those student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors who have had a significant positive contact with the University and brought national recognition and honor to the University and its Athletics Department.
Article III: Committee Membership
Section 1. SELECTION: Selection to the Committee shall be recommended by the BAA Executive Committee with advice and final approval from the Athletics Director. The committee shall be made up of nine (9) members. Committee members shall be appointed no later than July 15 for a two year term and shall be eligible to be re-appointed up to three additional consecutive two-year terms. The BAA Executive Committee may, on an annual basis, extend the service of a committee member whose final term is expiring, but who remains actively involved in the work of the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame committee shall consist of the following members:
A. Athletics Director or Designee
B. Faculty Athletics Representative or Designee
C. UNC Asheville Alumni Association President or Designee
D. Current Bulldog Athletics Association board member
E. Hall of Fame MemberÂ
F. Current coach or administrator
G. Former coach, administrator
H. Community member at-largeÂ
I. Student-Athlete Advisory Council Representative
Section 2. RESIGNATION: Any committee member may resign at any time by submitting written notice to the Committee.
Section 3. VACANCIES: Any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term.
Section 4. MEETINGS: Prior notice of minimum 15 calendar days must be given before meetings.
Section 5. QUORUM: A simple majority shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any and all business of the Committee. A majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be required to take action on any matter before the Committee.
Article IV: Responsibilities and Duties of the Committee
A. Administer all details, processes and actions.
B. Establish and evaluate the criteria for nomination/induction of members.
C. Honor individuals and/or teams who have had exceptional careers.
D. Furnish a list of final candidates for review and comment by the Athletics Director, with final approval by the Chancellor.
E. To honor new and past inductees.
F. Assist in organizing the Hall of Fame ceremony.
G. Recommend contents, memorabilia, displays and related matters to the Hall of Fame.
Article V: Criteria for Nomination
Section 1. CATEGORIES: There shall be separate categories for student-athletes, head coaches and outstanding supporter.
Section 2. NOMINATION CRITERIA:
Student-athlete:
A. Must have demonstrated athletic excellence in one (1) or more sports sanctioned by the NCAA.
B. Once nominated, a student-athlete will be eligible for selection to the Hall of Fame ballot for three consecutive years. If not elected to the Hall of Fame at the end of three years, the candidate must be re-nominated.
C. A student-athlete becomes eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame ten (10) years after graduation or withdrawal from the University. The candidate must have attended UNC Asheville at least two (2) academic years, with preference shown to those who have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.Â
D. Consideration will be given to individuals who exhibit a high level of professional and personal integrity and contribute to the ideals of their sport or sports.
Head Coach/Administrator:
A. Must have been an outstanding coach and demonstrated an unusually high degree of success for five (5) or more years at the University
B. Must have left the coaching position at least five (5) years prior to selection to the Athletics Hall of Fame or have coached at the University for ten (10) years.
C. Consideration will be given to individuals who exhibit a high level of professional and personal integrity and contribute to the ideals of their sport or sports. Â
Outstanding Contributor:
A. An individual who, in some manner, demonstrated a heart of service and dedication, made significant impact, special recognition, and/or an extraordinary contribution to the success or furthering of UNC Asheville Athletics.
B. A minimum of five (5) years of service must have occurred before the nominee is eligible.
C. Strong consideration will be given to those nominees who have enhanced the experience of student-athletes at the University through their support.
Section 3. RESTRICTIONS: No member of the Committee can be nominated for the UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame while serving as a member of the committee.
Section 4. POSTHUMOUS AWARD: Nomination and induction may be awarded posthumously.
Article VI: Nomination Procedure
Section 1. SUBMISSION: Any interested person may submit an official nomination form which is found on the Athletics website to the Committee. All nominations must be submitted to the Committee by the established deadline for consideration for induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame.
Section 2. VOTE: A master list of candidates will be compiled for research and Committee consideration.
Article VII: Ballot Selection and Voting Procedure
Section 1. TIMELINE: The Committee's ballot selection meeting shall be held no later than 6 months prior to the ceremony to select individuals for recommendation of induction. Committee members must attend the selection meeting or call-in to the meeting in order to be eligible to vote on the nominees.
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 Additional meetings may be called as necessary
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 All clarification of facts/information pertaining to nominations shall be researched and    confirmed by the Athletics Communications Office. Including due diligence on pertinent information related to a nominees background
Section 2. Ballot Entries and Voting Procedure: The Committee shall vote for their top 5 candidates from the master list of nominees on a written ballot. Their top vote choice will be given a "5", 2nd choice a "4", 3rd choice a "3", 4th choice a "2" and the 5th choice a "1". The votes will be calculated and presented to the committee. There will be time for discussion.Â
Section 3. TIE BREAKER: In the event that too many nominees qualify following voting, the names with the fewest votes will be dropped from the final ballot and held over for the next selection cycle. In the event of a tie, the tie shall be broken by a vote of the Committee on the tied names and the candidates with the fewest Committee votes shall be dropped from the ballot and held over for the next year.
Section 4. ATHLETICS DIRECTOR'S EXCEPTION: The Chancellor of the University, in conjunction with the Director of Athletics, may nominate and/or designate for induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame, one candidate who otherwise qualifies for selection under Section 2 above but is either not nominated or, if nominated, fails to achieve the necessary number of votes to be selected. This power to so nominate and/or select is to be used with great discretion for the betterment of the University, once per nominating process.
Section 5. NUMBER OF INDUCTEES: No more than five nominees will be selected each year.
Section 6. Recommendation of elected inductees will be presented by the Director of Athletics to the Chancellor. The Chancellor will have final approval.
Section 7. ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS: All newly elected inductees will be notified of selection by way of a phone call from a member of the Hall of Fame Committee. A formal confirmation letter will be sent from the University.
Article VIII: Amendment of the By-Laws
All recommendations to amend the adopted by-laws must be formally requested of the committee and approved with a super majority of seven (7) or more "yea" votes. Additionally, the committee shall have the power to remove any nominee or current member of the Hall of Fame if a situation arises in which said individuals actions are deemed detrimental to the University.