Four Distinguished Bulldogs Enshrined in the Athletics Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Photo Gallery

The concourse of Kimmel Arena was abuzz, unusual for a Saturday morning, but just on the horizon, an outstanding class of UNC Asheville Bulldogs were about to be enshrined in the Athletics Hall of Fame.

More than 100 supporters of UNC Asheville Athletics gathered in the Ingles Mountain View Room of the Sherrill Center as four distinguished Bulldogs earned enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, Saturday morning.

After the guests enjoyed a pleasant breakfast, master of ceremonies David Jandrew – Assistant Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement – got things started by inviting Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone to the podium to welcome the crowd.

UNC Asheville Chancellor Dr. Nancy J. Cable also took to the stage to address the crowd of supporters, coaches and former student-athletes before getting into heart of the ceremony.

KELLY BUDNIK CIESLAK

A three-time All-Big South selection, Kelly Budnik Cieslak certainly helped turn the Bulldogs in to a conference championship team. Current volleyball head coach Frederico Santos regaled the crowd with stories of Budnik Cieslak's fire, passion and leadership, from when he was an assistant coach for the team.

Budnik Cieslak made an immediate impact, earning Big South Rookie of the Year in her freshman season. She became a leader on the squad, being named a team captain. She started a road trip tradition called 'Headphone Karaoke' that Santos told stories about – and it's a Bulldog Volleyball tradition that continues to this day.

One of the most decorated Bulldog volleyball athletes, the two-time All-Big South Tournament selection still ranks in the Top 10 at UNC Asheville in kills, service aces and attempts.

MIKE SHILDT

Mike Shildt couldn't make it to the ceremony because his duties as the manager for the St. Louis Cardinals precluded him from embarking on the trip. Probably a good call, as the Cardinals clinched a playoff berth over the weekend.

Shildt did send in a 'thank you' video, and his former teammate, best friend and Class of 2010 Hall of Famer Marc Rosenbalm accepted on his behalf. In his video, Shildt said he was surprised to get the honor and played down his contributions as a student-athlete, even though he played all over the diamond during his three seasons as a Bulldog and helped lift the team to the best record in program history.

After his playing days were over, his ascent to Major League manager began at Greenwood Field, as he spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

MICHELE CORNISH

The winningest women's soccer coach in UNC Asheville and Big South Conference history, Michele Cornish had an entourage of her former players on hand as she accepted her award. Two of her former stars – 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Jill Young Booth and Dr. Pam Meliski introduced her before she took the stage and reminisced about the hard work it took to build the program into perennial conference contender it became.

The two-time Big South Coach of the Year led the Bulldogs to 134 victories during her 16 seasons at the helm, including a program-best 16 victories during the 1995 season. She led the Bulldogs to Big South Tournament titles in 1995 and 2006, and regular season titles in 2004 and 2005.

She also made UNC Asheville Athletics history, leading the 2006 squad to the NCAA Tournament, becoming the first women's program to compete in the NCAA Tournament for UNC Asheville.

WILMA SHERRILL

The final inductee of the morning also just so happened to be the very person the building the ceremony took place in is named after. Wilma Sherrill has been involved with Bulldog Athletics for decades, helping to form the first athletics fundraising club in the 1960s.

As a legislator, Sherrill was instrumental in securing the funding for the Sherrill Center, which houses the Health and Wellness Department, the North Carolina Department of Health and Wellness, Campus Recreation, UNC Asheville Athletics and University Enterprises.

Sherrill has assisted on countless fundraising projects through the years, has served on committees to hire coaches and athletic administrators and has served as a member of the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees and Bulldog Athletic Association.

After each of the inductees were brought to the stage to deliver their words of thanks and nostalgia, they made their way back to the concourse of Kimmel Arena as their plaques were officially unveiled on the Hall of Fame Wall.