CLASS OF 2005-2006
Jon Akin – Saint Leo University (Men’s Soccer)A two-time All-America soccer player at Saint Leo University, Jon Akin is one of the most prolific soccer players to ever don the green and gold. Akin was highly decorated at both the conference and regional levels, capturing All-SSC first-team honors four times and All-Region first team honors three times. The 1996 SSC men’s soccer player of the year, Akin remains the only Saint Leo student-athlete, male of female, to be recognized as SSC Athlete of the Year. He earned that honor following the 1996-97 academic year. Akin led the nation with 28 goals and 72 total points in 1996, capping off a prolific career in which he ranks second all-time at Saint Leo in goals and points, while also holding the school record for career assists. Akin ranks in the conference top-10 in numerous single-season and career statistical categories. Akin was a two-time Saint Leo University scholar-athlete of the year, was previously selected to the SSC Silver Anniversary men’s soccer team in 2003 and has also been previously inducted into the Saint Leo University Hall of Fame. He is currently the head men’s and women’s soccer coach at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. Akin becomes the second men’s soccer player from Saint Leo to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Lisa Cave – Florida Southern College (Women’s Golf)
Lisa Cave enjoyed one of the most prolific careers of any golfer at both Florida Southern and in the Sunshine State Conference. As a sophomore, Cave finished 20th at the NCAA Division II Championships, but that was merely the tip of the iceberg. In 1999 and 2000, her junior and senior years, Cave earned first team All-America and first-team All-SSC honors both years, eventually winning back-to-back NCAA Division II individual championships and leading the Moccasins to the 2000 NCAA Division II national championship. The FSC female athlete of the year and scholar-athlete of the year as a senior, Cave was also a finalist for NCAA Female Athlete of the Year. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida Southern, went on to complete her Ph.D. in Economics and is currently an assistant professor of government at Morehead State University. Cave is the second female golfer to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Danielle Faggion-Marante – Tampa (Volleyball)
Danielle Faggion enjoyed one of the most prolific careers of any volleyball player ever to sport the Spartan colors. A four-time All-SSC and All-region performer, Faggion also earned national recognition which is second to none. She was the University of Tampa’s first four-time All-American, and was only the fourth student-athlete ever recognized as a four-time All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The highly-decorated Faggion capped her collegiate playing career in style, earning SSC Player of the Year honors as a senior in 1999 and eventually becoming the only UT student-athlete to earn SSC Female Athlete of the Year honors. Faggion’s name can be found all over the University of Tampa and Sunshine State Conference record books in numerous categories. She is all-time leader in assists for both UT and the SSC, having logged 6,213 for her career. Faggion also ranks among the school and conference career top-10 leaders in digs and service aces. Faggion is currently a school teacher in North Carolina and she becomes the second Spartan volleyball player to join UT coach Chris Catanach in the SSC Hall of Fame.

Jeff Klauk – Florida Southern College (Men’s Golf)
Jeff Klauk remains one of the most prolific male golfers ever to compete at Florida Southern College. A four-time All-American, Klauk is one of just five student-athletes to have been selected SSC Athlete of the Year in the same sport three different times, earning SSC men’s golfer of the year accolades as a sophomore, junior and senior. Behind Klauk’s play, the Mocs became the only program to claim three consecutive NCAA Division II Championships, which they won in 1998, 1999 and 2000. At the NCAA Championships, Klauk claimed individual runner-up honors as a junior, before going on to capture medalist honors as a senior. Later that year, Klauk was named Division II Golfer of the Year by two different organizations and he was also selected Florida Southern and Sunshine State Conference male athlete of the year. He concluded his Florida Southern career as the College’s all-time leader in stroke average (70.71). Currently, Klauk competes professionally on the Nationwide Tour. Klauk becomes the fifth men’s golfer from Florida Southern to join former Moccasin head coach Charley Matlock in the SSC Hall of Fame. He also joins his wife, former Florida Southern women’s golfer Shanna Nagy Klauk, a member of last year’s SSC Hall of Fame class.

Kerwin Thompson – Eckerd College (Men’s Basketball)
Kerwin Thompson truly epitomized the phrase “student-athlete,” as he found a way to balance his time both as a physics major and am elite basketball competitor. A two-time All-American and All-Sunshine State Conference performer, Thompson was one of the most dominating post players to represent Eckerd College on the hardwood. He concluded his college career in style, winning both SSC Player of the Year and Eckerd College Athlete of the Year honors as a senior in 1996. Thompson left his mark on history, as he ranked first all-time in NCAA Division II history at the time of his graduation with 284 career blocked shots. Off the court, Thompson was involved in mentoring young people at a Bay area elementary school and also logged countless hours as a volunteer at summer basketball camps. Over time, Thompson’s shot blocking prowess has stood the test of time, as he still ranks in the Division II top-10 a decade after graduating from Eckerd. His playing days did not end after graduation, as he bypassed an internship with NASA for a chance to play with the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics, the CBA’s Omaha franchise, and in the professional leagues in Israel. Thompson becomes the second men’s basketball player from Eckerd College to join Coach Jim Harley in the SSC Hall of Fame.

Ozzie Timmons – University of Tampa (Baseball)
Ozzie Timmons enjoyed a stellar baseball career at the University of Tampa which set the stage for a lengthy career in professional baseball. A two-time All-American, Timmons concluded his Spartan career as Baseball America’s top Division II player in 1991. Timmons ranks third all-time among home run hitters at Tampa, as his 37 round trippers trails fellow SSC Hall of Famers Tino Martinez and Paul Russo. After his playing days at UT, Timmons continued playing in the professional ranks, spending time with seven different organizations, including the Chicago Cobs, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets. Timmons played in the major leagues for five seasons, including 142 games with the Chicago Cubs in 1995 and 1996. He spent the 2005 season with the Atlantic City Surf of the Atlantic League. Timmons remains very active in the Tampa community during the offseason, assisting area schools and youth groups as a teacher, coach and mentor. Timmons becomes the fifth University of Tampa baseball player to enter the SSC Hall of Fame, joining former Spartan head coaches Lelo Prado and fellow inductee Terry Rupp.

James Vida – Florida Southern College (Baseball)
In just two seasons at Florida Southern, James Vida left his mark as one of the top players ever to step on the diamond as a Moccasin baseball player. A two-time first-team All-American, Vida played a key role as Florida Southern advanced to the 1994 NCAA Division II championship game and came back in 1995 to win the eighth of Southern’s nine national championships in baseball. As a junior, Vida earned Most Valuable Player honors in the national championship tournament, despite his team coming up just a little short in the title game. The 1994 SSC Male Athlete of the Year sets the NCAA Division II single-season record with 120 hits, a mark which still stands. His .463 batting average remains a program record. Vida left Florida Southern as the school’s all-time leader in slugging percentage (.695), while also ranking seventh with 27 career home runs and fourth with 181 RBI. Vida was drafted by the Kansas City Royals organization, playing three seasons before retiring due to a shoulder injury in 1997. Vida becomes the sixth player or coach associated with Florida Southern baseball to earn a place in the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame.

Dr. Nancy Bottge – Florida Tech (Softball Coach, 1995-2005)
Nancy Bottge touched the lives of many student-athletes during the two-plus decades she spent as a softball coach. In 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Bottge amassed a career record of 501-314-2 (.615), including a 316-237-2 (.571) record at Florida Tech. She made an immediate impact when she came to Melbourne in 1995, as the Panthers improved from a 9-33 record the previous year to post a winning 27-22 record with seven starters from the previous year in the lineup. In her next two years, the Panthers chalked up consecutive 30-win seasons and also produced the program’s first-ever All-American, SSC Hall of Famer Elisa Bartolo, the winner of back-to-back NCAA batting championships. Under Bottge, the Panthers compiled 11 consecutive winning seasons, never finishing below .500. While no one knew it at the time, the 2005 season would be Bottge’s last at Florida Tech, as her valiant 16-year battle with cancer came to an end. Without question, she would tell you she won that battle. Her 2005 team battled just like their coach, posting the best record in Florida Tech history, 33-15, and also earning a spot in the NCAA south region poll for the first time in school history. As the 2005 season drew to a close, the Panthers presented their coach with her 500th and 501st career wins in what would be her final two games at Florida Tech. As one of her players stated, ” She battled this debilitating disease with her usual obstinate determination. She did whatever it took to conquer life regardless of her physical condition. She believed that last year it was essential to the team’s success that, even though her health was rapidly deteriorating, it should not get in the way of her coaching. While she continued to be an iron-clad support system for her players, we in turn became hers too and together we pushed through the season. At the conclusion of the season, she could barely stand on her own because the cancer had progressed to her brain, but she obstinately wanted to remain our third base coach so she would stand nonchalantly leaning against the dugout fence coaching as if nothing was wrong.” During her 11 seasons at Florida Tech, Bottge continued to do “Whatever It Takes” as a teacher, coach, role model and mentor to dozen of softball players and young women who have succeeded in every walk of life imaginable.

Terry Rupp – University of Tampa (Baseball Coach, 1996-2000)
Long before Terry Rupp made his mark as the head baseball coach at the University of Tampa, Rupp was a two-sport standout for the Spartans. As a student-athlete, Rupp was a two-time All-Sunshine State Conference selection in both baseball and basketball. As a coach, he served his alma mater quite admirably in five years as head coach. Under his guidance, the Spartans compiled an overall record of 215-80 (.729), which included four 40-win seasons. Rupp earned national coach of the year honors in 1998, when the Spartans captured the 1998 NCAA Division II national championship, the program’s third. In addition to the national title, Rupp collected three south region championships and coached nine All-Americans, including six who earned first-team honors. Before turning his sights on coaching, Rupp was drafted in the 16th round by the San Diego Padres and spent two years playing in the Padres organization. Off the field, Rupp works with Moffitt Cancer Center to assist cancer victims and survivors. A cancer survivor himself, Rupp also serves as a fundraiser for the institution that helped him overcome an “inoperable” brain tumor. Currently the head baseball coach at the University of Maryland, Rupp has piloted the Terrapins to more than 140 wins in six seasons. Rupp was the first baseball coach at Maryland to guide his team to a 30-win season. He has also served his country as an assistant coach for USA Baseball.

CLASS OF 2004-2005
Herbert Bende – Barry University (Men’s Tennis)
The captain of the Buccaneers’ famed “Super Six,” which carried Barry University to three straight Sunshine State Conference men’s tennis titles and two NCAA national runner-up finishes in four years, Herbert Bende is the most decorated men’s tennis player in Barry history. The Bratislava, Slovakia, native broke into the college scene in a big way, winning the Rolex Small College Singles national title as a freshman in 1995. In 1997, he was named Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year as he won a career-high 20 spring dual matches and led the Bucs to the first of three straight conference titles, the first ones ever for the Bucs on the court. In four years at Barry, Bende compiled a 48-22 singles record in spring dual matches, mostly at the top flight. During his career, he was named an ITA All-American all four years, becoming the first Buccaneer to accomplish this outstanding feat. Bende truly set himself apart as he also was named to the All-SSC squad each year from 1996-99 and ranked in the NCAA II top 10 all four years. A member of the SSC Silver Anniversary Men’s Tennis Team announced in 2003, Bende graduated in 2000 with a degree in sport management and was inducted into the Barry University Athletics Wall of Honor on Oct. 15, 2004. Bende is just the second male tennis player ever to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Shelly Davis – Florida Southern College (Softball)
1996 Sunshine State Conference Female Athlete of the Year Shelly Davis played a huge role in helping the Florida Southern softball team continue its winning ways from 1992-1996. The Altamonte Springs, Fla., native hit .461 in 56 games as a freshman to help lead FSC to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1993. The Moccasins were an incredible 174-38 in her four-year career and won two NCAA regional championships and won or shared four SSC championships. Davis received the amazing honor of being a four-time All-American, four-time NFCA all-region and four-time All-SSC selection. She holds the FSC career records for batting average (.462), hits (298), doubles (58), sacrifices (39) and total bases (394), as well as the FSC single-season records for batting average (.500), hits (85), doubles (23) and total bases (118). Academically, Davis was named to the FSC Honor Roll and earned her degree in physical education in 1996. After trying out for the 1996 U.S. Olympic softball team, Davis played for the Georgia Pride in the Women’s Professional Fast Pitch League in 1997 and on the championship team that won the ISA Women’s Open in Panama City, Fla. Along with volunteering her time to speak at youth clinics and umpire for the Camp Challenge adult softball tournament fundraiser, Davis is a physical education teacher at Gotha Middle School in Windermere, Fla., where she serves as department chair and coaches the seventh and eighth grade basketball teams. Davis is the sixth softball player and third from Florida Southern to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Dylan Lewis – Florida Tech (Men’s Soccer)
The only Florida Tech men’s soccer player to have his number retired, no. 3, Dylan Lewis was also the only Panther to contribute to Florida Tech’s 1988 and 1991 NCAA Division II National Championship teams. The best defensive player to ever wear the crimson and gray, Lewis was named the Adidas/ISAA Player of the Year in 1991, as well as the NCAA Division II Championship Defensive MVP. Originally from Wales, Lewis was a big part of the Panthers’ success in making it to the NCAA Division II Regional every year from 1987-94. Florida Tech claimed the Sunshine State Conference championship each year Lewis was on the team from 1988-91, as he garnered All-American honors in 1991, All-South Region in 1991, All-State FISCA in 1990-91 and All-SSC in 1989-91. The 1991 team MVP’s biggest game came his senior season when he recorded a hat trick to defeat Virginia Tech and win the Florida Tech Tournament. Lewis found the back of the net 18 times in his career and is tenth in the Panther record book for career assists with 31. He graduated with honors in applied mathematics in 1991 and went on to play professionally for the Orlando Lions. Lewis was a member of the 2003 SSC Silver Anniversary Men’s Soccer Team and is now teaching at Sebastian Private School. Lewis becomes the third Florida Tech men’s soccer player to join their coach, Rick Stottler, in the SSC Hall of Fame.

Ulf Lilius – University of Tampa (Men’s Soccer)
The University of Tampa men’s soccer team scored big with Ulf Lilius. The native of Malmo, Sweden, led the Spartans to the 1994 NCAA Division II National Championship, earning him the National Championship Tournament MVP accolade. Lilius started all 52 games of his three-year career at UT, scoring 13 goals and dishing out 28 assists. His hard work paid off as he was awarded first team All-American honors in 1994 and second team All-American in 1992. The midfielder was also named to the All-Region and All-SSC teams each year from 1992-94. Lilius was recognized as the best in his sport in 1994 when he was given the distinction of SSC Player of the Year. Lilius was no stranger to success though as he had been a member of the 1991 World Cup and 1987 Scandinavian Cup title teams in Sweden. He started in 29 matches for Sweden’s under-21 national team, including the 1988 and 1990 European Championships. A member of the 2003 SSC Silver Anniversary Men’s Soccer Team, Lilius was awarded his degree in marketing in 1995 and has returned to Sweden where he works for a manufacturing company. Lilius becomes the fourth UT men’s soccer player to join their coach, the late Tom Fitzgerald, in the SSC Hall of Fame.

Shanna Nagy Klauk – Florida Southern College (Women’s Golf)
Florida Southern golfer Shanna Nagy helped begin a tradition of excellence for both the Lady Moccasins and the Sunshine State Conference on the links. The first woman golfer ever to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame, Nagy shot her way to the NCAA Division II Women’s Individual Championship and National Player of the Year honors in both 1996 and 1998. Her win in 1998 was the first of five straight individual championships for the Lady Mocs. Nagy led FSC to a fourth-place national finish in 1996 and national runner-up finishes in 1998 and 1999. The amazing four-time All-American (1996-99) holds the FSC records for low score in a two-round tournament (142) and low score in a four-round tournament (301) and has the second-best season stroke average (76.22) and second-best career stroke average (78.04) in FSC women’s golf history. The native of Jacksonville, Fla., earned Sunshine State Conference Golfer of the Year honors and was a first team All-SSC selection in 1999. In college, Nagy received the ODK Salute Award and was a Honda Scholarship Award Nominee. In 1999, Nagy received her degree in elementary education and taught fifth grade for three years at an inner-city elementary school. She has been a caddy for her husband, Jeff Klauk, who was also a four-time All-American golfer at FSC and now competes on the Nationwide Tour. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on the Nationwide Tour and the Tour Wives Association, Nagy has recently retired from caddying to start a family.

Mike Valdes – University of Tampa (Baseball)
During his four years at Tampa, pitcher Mike Valdes was a dominating force on the Spartan baseball team. The 1998 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year led Tampa to the national championship in the same year. Valdes carried a perfect game into the fifth inning of the championship game before eventually beating Kennesaw State, 6-1, for the title. One of three UT baseball players to earn National Player of the Year honors, Valdes was also lauded the 1998 Sunshine State Conference Athlete of the Year and 1998 SSC Pitcher of the Year. Originally from Brandon, Fla., Valdes earned accolades as a two-time first-team All-American, two-time South Region Pitcher of the Year and 1998 region and national series All-Tournament teams member. Over a two year period, Valdes was the nation’s dominant pitcher. As a junior in 1998, Valdes led the nation with a 15-1 record with 92 strikeouts and only 18 walks. Combined with his sophomore season, Valdes posted an incredible 28-2 record. He finished his career with a 37-11 mark, tying him for second on UT’s career win list. Valdes shares the school record for victories in a season (15), owns the school record for highest winning percentage among pitchers with at least 10 decisions (.928) and ranks second in career innings pitched at 384.1. He struck out 276 in his career, good for fifth on UT’s list. A member of the SSC Silver Anniversary Basbeall Team which was selected in 2002, Valdes graduated from UT with a degree in business management in 1999 and is working in the Tampa area. He is the fourth Tampa baseball player to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Cindy Yuan-Suger – Barry University (Volleyball)
Cindy Yuan is one of the most decorated volleyball players in Barry history. As a freshman in 1995, she was a key reserve for the Buccaneers’ national championship squad, which set numerous school and NCAA records. As a sophomore in 1996, the native of Beijing, China, burst into national prominence, earning All-American honors and the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year award. She went on to claim the same awards each of the next two years as well, becoming one of just a handful of three-time All-Americans and the only three-time Conference Player of the Year in Barry athletic history. As a junior in 1997, she carried the Bucs’ to the national championship game. Though the Bucs fell to West Texas A&M, Yuan earned All-Tournament honors and was recognized as the SSC’s Female Athlete of the Year. As a senior, Yuan guided the Bucs back to the South Region finals, earning her third-straight All-American award and SSC Player of the Year. Yuan is the only volleyball player in SSC history to earn Player of the Year honors three times in a row. The four-time first-team All-SSC and four-time AVCA All-South Region honoree was also named the SSC Athlete of the Month four times in her career and to the SSC Commissioner’s Honor roll four times. The 1998 GTE Academic All-American graduated in 1999 with a degree in management information systems. After graduation, she became the Bucs’ second NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship award winner, recognizing her outstanding class work. In 2002, Yuan was inducted into the Barry Wall of Honor and in 2003, she gave birth to a son. The third member of Barry’s 1995 national championship team to be inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame, Yuan currently works as a system administrator for TLA Entertainment Group.

Wayne Koehler – Florida Southern College (Sports Information Director, 1983-1995, 1999-2002)
A graduate of Florida Southern College, Wayne Koehler has spent the last 22 years working for his alma mater, serving as sports information director for 16 years, assistant director of public relations for 15 years, coordinator of publications for four years and for the past two years as the assistant webmaster. Koehler was instrumental in establishing conference-wide communication in the Sunshine State Conference, helping to compile and distribute statistics, records, press releases and media guides in the days before personal computers, fax machines and e-mail became standard tools of the sports information trade. As if Koehler’s duties at Florida Southern weren’t enough to keep him busy, he also served as the SSC’s publicity director from 1986 through 1988, using what little free time he had to serve the conference. Koehler is still the primary resource for conference SID’s and SSC staff members that seek archived material and records for virtually every conference sport. He worked to produce the conference directory for several years and served as the host SID for the first SSC basketball tournament held at the Lakeland Center and the 1983 NCAA Division II volleyball national championship. A 15-year member of CoSIDA, Koehler served three terms on the NCAA Liaison Committee, was a two-year coordinator of the media guide contest for volleyball and wrestling and a member of the host committee for the 1999 CoSIDA National Workshop in Orlando. Koehler’s involvement extends to the community where he is the public address announcer for Bartow High School football and served for 15 years in the same capacity for the Lakeland Tigers, Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Along with his daily work on FSC’s website, Koehler is also the webmaster and graphic coordinator for Shepherd Road Presbyterian Church. He becomes the first sports information director to enter the SSC Hall of Fame.

Don Landry – Sunshine State Conference (Commissioner, 1994-2004)
During Don Landry’s 10-year tenure as Sunshine State Conference commissioner, the SSC emerged as a national power in virtually all of its 14 sports. SSC teams captured 25 of the league’s 58 national championships during the decade, 1994-2004, including titles in baseball, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball. Landry helped lead the SSC into the 21st century with conference membership increasing to nine institutions, the largest total in 29 years of existence, with the addition of Lynn University in 1997 and Nova Southeastern University in 2002. Under Landry, conference championships were also added for women in golf, rowing and soccer. He is responsible for creating the SSC’s first conference office, while also enlarging the Conference’s full-time staff to its current size of four. Landry brought many corporate sponsors to the SSC family and created the SSC’s partnership with Sunshine Network, one of the first conference-wide television packages in Division II. Landry, the SSC’s second full-time commissioner, had a highly successful 36-year career in coaching and athletic administration. A 1960 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Landry coached basketball at Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State and was a two-time finalist for National Coach of the Year. Landry served for eight years as athletic director at Nicholls State, overseeing the school’s successful transition to Division I. He followed three years as commissioner of the Southland Conference by working as the executive director of the National Cutting Horse Association and later as director of special projects for the Texas Rangers. A member of the Louisiana Basketball and Nicholls State University Halls of Fame, Landry was honored by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches, which created the “Don Landry Award” for outstanding contributions to Louisiana basketball. Landry is credited with the inception of the Louisiana Athletic Directors Association, the Gulf Star Conference and the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classics. On a national level, Landry has served as president of the Division II Commissioners Association and chair of the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Committee.

Sr. Jeanne O’Laughlin, O.P. – Barry University (President, 1981-2004)
Barry University’s athletic excellence truly began with Sr. Jeanne O’Laughlin. The University’s president from 1981 through 2004, a period of 23 years, Sister Jeanne founded the school’s athletic department and guided it through its first 20 years of existence. During that time, the Buccaneers won five national championships, made 77 NCAA Tournament appearances in 11 different sports, captured 28 Sunshine State Conference titles in 10 different sports and had 123 All-Americans and 106 Scholar All-Americans. Helping to raise more than $200 million for the University since 1981, it was Sister Jeanne who raised the funding for Barry’s athletic complex, which includes Buccaneer Field, Feinbloom Field and the Health and Sports Center. Under her watchful eye, Barry’s enrollment increased from 1,750 to 9,042 students and added 38 buildings to the campus prior to her retirement as president after the 2003-2004 academic year. Following a well-deserved year-long sabbatical, Sister Jeanne will continue to serve Barry University as chancellor. Sister Jeanne’s involvement extends well into the community, not just on campus. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce recognized her as the community’s top volunteer with the Sand in my Shoes Award in 1999 and The Miami Herald honored her with its Charles Whited Spirit of Excellence Award in 1993. The first female member of two exclusive south Florida groups, the Orange Bowl Committee and the Non-Group, Sister Jeanne has also served as chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and was given the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal under Pope John Paul II for her service to the Roman Catholic Church. She is truly a special person who has touched countless lives.

Walter Riddle – Sunshine State Conference (Assistant Commissioner, 1991-2001)
Walter Riddle has spent the past 15 years leaving his mark on the Sunshine State Conference. In between two stints as the sports information director at Saint Leo University, a post he held from 1989-90 and returned to in 2001, Riddle dedicated 11 years to helping the SSC move forward as the Conference’s assistant commissioner. During his years at the SSC office, 1991-2001, Riddle was involved in creating and administering many of the activities and programs that have helped the Sunshine State Conference evolve into the “Conference of National Champions”. He assisted with the transition from a split office in the early 1990s to the Orlando-based office of today. He was instrumental in taking the office through the modernization of computer generated statistical programs and handled all sports information duties at the SSC office for its eight member schools. Riddle chaired the SSC Hall of Fame Committee, oversaw and produced one of the nation’s largest Division II television packages, served as chair of the 1,500-member CoSIDA convention held in Orlando in 1999 and also initiated SSC workshops for league SID’s to ensure consistency among member institutions. While serving as the current director of sports information and marketing at Saint Leo, Riddle has served on the CoSIDA National Board of Directors and as chair of the Saint Leo Athletic Hall of Fame. He has worked to create partnerships in excess of $25,000 for intercollegiate athletics at Saint Leo and increased media exposure for the Lions. Over the years, Riddle has left his mark as a teacher, mentoring four people who have gone on to become SIDs at SSC schools and countless others who have made their mark in the profession. Prior to working in the conference office, Riddle was an accomplished sports editor and writer for several newspapers, including the Tampa Tribune, Columbia Record (S.C.) and Asheville Citizen (N.C.). During his 13 years at the Tampa Tribune, Riddle was honored with five state awards.

CLASS OF 2003-2004
Elizabeth Bartels Thorne • Rollins College Softball
Liz Bartels joined the Rollins College softball program at a time when the sport was really struggling to establish itself. When she arrived on campus in 1995, Bartels joined a Rollins team that had never posted a winning record and finished with a record of 1-47 in 1994, actually disbanding midway through the season. During Bartels’ four-year stay in Winter Park, the Tars improved their record each season and, in 1998, posted a 34-13 overall record, still their best ever. She contributed to this stunning turnaround in 1996 by leading all of Division II in doubles with an SSC record 28, and hitting .472 to lead the SSC. A first team All-American in 1997, Bartels remains the only Rollins softball player to ever receive that well-deserved honor. In addition to her outstanding hitting, Bartels was an ace on the mound, posting 53 career wins, including a 18-2 record her senior year, the sixth-best single-season winning percentage in SSC history. She was named to the All-SSC first team twice, the GTE Academic All-American squad three times, and was Rollins’ Female Athlete of the Year for the 1996-97 school year. An active member of the Rollins Student-Athlete Advisory Committee who served as president her senior year, Bartels graduated cum laude in 1998. Bartels later received her master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Florida, and currently works as a physical therapist at Florida Hospital Orthopedic Institute. She also serves as an assistant softball coach at Rollins. She is the fifth softball player and first from Rollins to be inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Tarra Blackwell • Florida Southern College Women’s Basketball
Florida Southern’s all-time leading scorer with 2,037 career points, Tarra Blackwell ended her career as the Sunshine State Conference’s second all-time leading scorer. A feared sharpshooter who led her team in scoring four straight years, Blackwell was the cornerstone of a Moccasin program that captured three SSC regular season championships and three SSC tournament titles, taking home both trophies in 1995, 1996 and 1998. As the 1995 SSC Freshman of the Year, Blackwell led the Moccasins to the NCAA Women’s Basketball South Region championship, the first time that an SSC women’s basketball team ever advanced to the Elite Eight. A three-time honorable mention All-America selection, Blackwell holds Florida Southern records for career field goal percentage (.621) and single season field goal percentage. As a freshman, Blackwell’s .662 field-goal percentage led the nation and is still the SSC all-time record among men and women. In fact, the SSC’s all-time leader in career field goals and field goal percentage, Blackwell holds the three best single-season field goal percentages ever compiled by an SSC women’s basketball player. Upon her graduation, Blackwell also held school records for career rebounds and blocked shots, and currently ranks first, second or third among Southern’s career leaders in nearly every major statistical category. Blackwell was named SSC Player of the Year as a senior, captured first team All-SSC honors four times, and was named the MVP of six different tournaments during her career, including two SSC tournaments. Blackwell earned her degree in criminology and currently works as a probation officer for the State of Georgia. She is the fifth women’s basketball player and first from Florida Southern to be inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Marya Morusiewicz Rowan • Barry University Volleyball
Marya Morusiewicz Rowan is unquestionably the embodiment of the phrase “student-athlete”. As an athlete, Morusiewicz captained the Barry volleyball team to the 1995 NCAA National Championship, earning All-SSC and All-South Region Tournament honors along the way. While those are impressive credentials indeed, her achievements in the classroom are even more impressive. In 1997, she became the first student-athlete from an SSC institution ever to be awarded the prestigious $10,000 Walter Byers Post-Graduate Scholarship, which is given to the top student-athlete in Division I, II or III. In 1996, Morusiewicz was named Florida’s NCAA Woman of the Year and was among ten finalists for the national Woman of the Year honor in 1996. A three-time GTE Academic All-American from 1993 through 1995, Morusiewicz was recognized as the Barry University Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for 1994-95 and 1995-96, and the SSC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1996. As a student-athlete, Morusiewicz was active in countless university- and community-wide service projects. The 1996 sports medicine and accounting dual major earned her master’s degree in physical therapy at the University of Miami. Morusiewicz becomes the ninth volleyball player and second from Barry to be inducted to the SSC Hall of Fame. Along with Mickisha Hurley, a member of the SSC Hall of Fame class of 2001-2002, Morusiewicz becomes the second player from Barry’s 1995 NCAA team to earn induction into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Henrik Nebrelius • University of Tampa (Men’s Soccer)
Henrik Nebrelius remains one of the most highly-decorated soccer players ever to compete in the Sunshine State Conference. A graduate of the University of Tampa in just three years, Nebrelius’ three-year soccer career rivals what many of the SSC’s elite players accomplished in four years. Nebrelius racked up Tampa career records of 72 career goals and 162 career points, which rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in SSC history. As a freshman in 1995, Nebrelius not only became the first student-athlete in any sport to earn SSC Freshman of the Year and SSC Player of the Year honors in the same year, but he was heralded as the Division II National Player of the Year, as well. Nebrelius would again earn SSC Player of the Year honors in 1997, while also earning first team All-SSC, first team All-Region and first-team All-America honors for three consecutive years. Since completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Tampa, Nebrelius has played professionally with several different clubs in his native Sweden. This is the second major honor that the SSC is bestowing on Nebrelius this year. In October, Nebrelius was one of nine forwards and one of five Tampa players selected to the SSC Silver Anniversary men’s soccer team. For the third consecutive year, a men’s soccer player from the University of Tampa has earned induction into the SSC Hall of Fame, giving them the most honorees of any SSC soccer program. He is the ninth men’s soccer player to be inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame.

Paul Russo • University of Tampa (Baseball)
The University of Tampa has built a reputation as one of the most well-respected baseball programs not just in the Sunshine State Conference, but in the nation. Paul Russo has played a large role in shaping that reputation. The 1989-90 SSC Male Athlete of the Year, Russo was the first Tampa athlete and the first baseball player to ever garner that award. A two-time South Region Player of the Year, Russo also claimed first team All-SSC and first team All-South Region during his collegiate career. His name can be found all over the Tampa and SSC record books. Russo ranks second among SSC sluggers with 50 home runs, trailing only teammate and fellow SSC Hall of Famer Tino Martinez by just four. The only Tampa player to ever tally 100 hits in a season, Russo is just one of five SSC baseball players ever to reach the century mark for hits in one year. In addition, Russo ranks fourth at UT and fifth in the SSC with 200 career RBI, second at Tampa and sixth in the SSC with a .450 career batting average, and remains the only SSC player to ever post multiple 20-home run seasons. A member of Tampa’s 1989 SSC co-championship team who earned national championship series all-tournament honors the following year, Russo played professionally in the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Houston Astros organizations. A successful businessman and father of three, Russo is very active in youth baseball and helping coach underprivileged children. He becomes the ninth baseball player to be inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame, and third from Tampa, most of any SSC school.

CLASS OF 2002-2003
Elisa Bartolo - Florida Tech, Softball and Volleyball
A star softball player who also made her mark in volleyball, Elisa Bartolo was one of the most prolific student-athletes to don the Florida Tech crimson and gray. Originally from Titusville, Florida, Bartolo enjoyed two of the finest single seasons in NCAA softball history. As a junior in 1995, Bartolo led the nation with a .581 batting average, earning SSC Player of the Year and first team All-America honors. The following year, she topped the country once again, posting a .549 mark en route to second team All-America honors. In the seven years which have elapsed since her graduation, Bartolo’s numbers have certainly stood the test of time. She remains the Panthers’ all-time career leader in hits (295), batting average (.466), stolen bases (201) and runs scored (224). Bartolo’s name remains atop the SSC’s career leader board in stolen bases (1st), batting average (2nd), hits (2nd), and walks (3rd). Bartolo’s name can still be found among the NCAA’s single-season and career leaders, as she ranks in the top-18 in eight single-season categories and in the top-16 in four career categories. A 1996 graduate of Florida Tech with a degree in Technical Communications, Bartolo is currently employed as a quality engineer in Phoenix, Arizona.

Norm Benn - Florida Southern College, Women's Basketball Coach
A graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Norm Benn helped establish Florida Southern as a traditional women’s basketball power in the Sunshine State Conference. In 11 seasons at the helm from 1986-1997, Benn compiled an overall record of 251-96 and a school-record .723 winning percentage. Under Benn, the Moccasins won 20 or more games eight times, captured five SSC regular season championships and claimed six SSC tournament championships. His teams earned three NCAA Tournament appearances and became the first SSC women’s squad to advance to the Elite Eight in 1996, a feat which has only been accomplished once since that time. A four-time SSC Coach of the Year, Benn was honored as the 1996 South Region Coach of the Year. Although he stepped down as women’s basketball coach in 1997, Benn remains active in Florida Southern athletics. He is currently the school’s NCAA compliance officer and also serves as the assistant coach of the Moccasins’ women’s golf team, which has captured the last three Division II national championships and has produced six of the last seven individual national champions. Benn also chairs the FSC Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and has also served on the NCAA Division II Legislative Committee.

Les Hall - Florida Tech, Baseball Coach
A graduate of Marshall University in West Virginia, Les Hall spent the final 25 years of his illustrious career as head baseball coach and Associate Director of Athletics at Florida Tech, following a stellar coaching and teaching career at Satellite High School in Cocoa Beach, Florida. A brilliant leader and teacher, Hall coached more than 1100 games during his Florida Tech career. With 596 career wins, Hall ranks among the top-25 winningest coaches in Division II history. His 1991 and 1992 Panther squads earned postseason berths, with the 1992 team earning the South Atlantic regional championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II College World Series. Previously inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, Hall was further honored with the retirement of his number and induction into the Satellite High School Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, Hall helped Florida Tech dedicate the school’s new baseball field, which bears his name and that of former major league star Andy Seminick. Hall’s most famous protege, Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, summed it up best in saying “Les helps you learn more about yourself and he knows how to help you when things aren’t going as well as you like.”

Rocco Mediate - Florida Southern College, Golf
A 17-year veteran of the PGA Tour, Rocco Mediate remains one of the most prolific golfers to play for one of the nation’s most respected collegiate golf programs. Originally from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Mediate played two seasons at Florida Southern prior to his graduation in 1984. A two-time first team All-American in 1983 and 1984, Mediate led the Moccasins in stroke average both years, and left Southern with a 73.48 average, which was then a school record. As a senior, Mediate compiled a truly spectacular season, posting six top-five and nine top-10 finishes. During his final campaign at Florida Southern, he posted 22 rounds of par or under-par, including 10 straight sub-par rounds. He earned medalist honors at the prestigious Florida Intercollegiates, firing a then-school record three-round score of 208. Those numbers earned Mediate runner-up honors for 1984 NCAA Division II Player of the Year accolades. Mediate was recognized last year as a member of the SSC Silver Anniversary Team in men’s golf. Currently ranked 16th in the world rankings, Mediate has six tournament victories under his belt as a professional.

John Smith - Rollins College, Soccer
One of the most accomplished student-athletes in Sunshine State Conference history, John Smith was impressive both on the field and in the classroom. A 1997 graduate of Rollins College with a degree in history, Smith concluded his career as the Tars’ all-time leader with 142 total points and 42 assists, and also ranks third in school history with 50 goals. He also ranks in the SSC top-10 in each of those categories. A first-team All-American in 1996 and a second-team All-American in 1995, Smith earned All-SSC and All-South Region honors three times and was twice recognized as a second-team Academic All-American. Following his senior year, Smith was honored as the Rollins Male Athlete of the Year, as well as the Rollins and SSC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. As a Tar, Smith helped Rollins compile an overall record of 49-18-5 during his four years, winning at least 10 games each season. The first foreign player ever drafted by Major League Soccer, Smith played professionally in the United States for four different clubs and earned All A-League honors with the Orlando Sundogs. In addition to serving as a volunteer soccer coach and clinician, Smith has been the assistant men’s and women’s soccer coach at Cal State-Bakersfield for four years, and he expects to earn a master’s degree from the school shortly.

Justin Throneburg - University of Tampa, Soccer
A Tampa native who starred for his hometown college team, Justin Throneburg ranks as one the most accomplished collegiate goaltenders of all-time. During his final two years as a Spartan, Throneburg earned All-SSC and All-South Region first team honors each season. He was a first-team All-America selection in 1991, one year removed from earning second-team All-America distinction. His most impressive collegiate award came in 1991, when he was recognized as the Umbro National Goalkeeper of the Year. Immediately following his collegiate days, Throneburg received high honors, when he was selected as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team. As an Olympian, Throneburg served as the backup to Brad Friedel during qualifying rounds before an injury prevented him from making the trip to Barcelona. More than a decade since concluding his college career, Throneburg still holds school records with 16 career solo shutouts and a 0.59 single-season goals against average. His career goals against average of 0.76 ranks fifth all-time among SSC netminders. A 1992 University of Tampa graduate with a degree in business management, Throneburg currently works in private business.

Becky Thyhsen - Florida Southern College, Volleyball
Florida Southern College has produced a long list of outstanding volleyball players. Without question, Becky Thyhsen is at the top of that list. As a Moccasin, Thyhsen was unstoppable. She was recognized as a second team All-American as a junior and a first team All-American as a senior. A three-time All-SSC performer who led the Mocs to three straight South Region Championship and NCAA Divsion II Tournament appearances, Thyhsen’s name can still be found all over the Florida Southern, Sunshine State Conference and NCAA record books. Her .414 career attack percentage and 904 kills during her senior season are still NCAA records. In addition, she still holds four other Moccasin records including match kills (40), career kills (1,789), match attack percentage (.929) and season attack percentage (.465). Upon graduation, she also held FSC season and career records for total blocks and block assists as well as the school season dig record. A 1992 graduate of Florida Southern with a degree in secondary education, Thyhsen recently received her master’s degree from Cumberland University. Following her graduation from Florida Southern and an invitation to tryout from team USA, Thyhsen spent nine years as a high school coach and athletic administrator. She recently concluded her second season as the head volleyball coach at Stetson University in her hometown of DeLand.

CLASS OF 2001-2002
Adrian Bush - University of Tampa, Soccer
Adrian Bush was not just a part of the University of Tampa’s 1994 national championship squad, he was the leader.A product of Tampa’s Hillsborough High School, Bush collected a fair share of hardware during his four seasons as a Spartan. A four time All-Sunshine State Conference selection, Bush earned All-South Region honors three times, and was recognized as an All-America performer once. While at Tampa, Bush had the privilege of playing on the 1992 National “B” team and also captured a gold medal as a member of the 1993 U.S. Sports Festival south team. As the offensive leader for a National Championship team during his senior season, Bush was recognized as National Player of the Year in 1994. During his four years as a Spartan, Bush set school records with 61 career goals and 56 points in a single season. Following his days at Tampa, Bush gained prominence as a professional player for his hometown teams. Originally drafted by Detroit of the National Professional Soccer League in 1994, Bush chose to remain close to home. He spent two seasons playing for Tampa Bay’s A-League team and a third for Tampa Bay’s NPSL squad. Bush also earned an opportunity to spend preseason camp with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. In addition to his well-chronicled success on the field, Bush proved that he had a place on the sidelines as well. Bush demonstrated that he could share his talent and knowledge of the game with eager young people. As head coach at Tampa’s Gaither High School from 1995-2001, Bush’s teams captured one state championship, finished as state runner-up once, won three regional titles as well as four district titles. Under Bush’s direction, Gaither posted a overall record of 118 wins, 25 losses and nine ties. At the Gaither coach, Bush was named Coach of the Year on two separate occasions by both the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times. He was also recognized as Florida Coach of the Year in 1999-2000. His last Gaither team competed in the Puma national tournament and was ranked fifth in the nation. He also spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Tampa from 1996-1998. A frequent volunteer at a variety of youth clinic and camps, Bush is currently the Director of Coaching for HC United Soccer Club which provides competitive and recreational soccer for 2,000 youths.

Mickisha Hurley - Barry University, Volleyball
Hurley is the most dominant volleyball player ever to play for the Barry University Buccaneers.
Originally from Coral Gables, Hurley made the most of her time in Miami Shores, becoming the leader of a Barry squad that would capture a National Championship in 1995. As an individual performer, Hurley earned first team All-America honors in 1994 and 1995 and was named to the All-South Region team three times. A four-time All-Sunshine State Conference selection, Hurley also was distinguished as the SSC Player of the Year, as well as the conference’s Athlete of the Year, as a senior. Statistically, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone as dominant as Hurley. During her career at Barry, Hurley established Buccaneer career records in six different categories, while laying claim to five single-season marks and three single match records. On the national picture, Hurley led the nation with a school-record .437 hitting percentage in 1994.
While few athletes achieve dominance in their sport at the collegiate level, even fewer have earned the opportunity to represent their country in international competition. Hurley is among the chosen few.
Hurley’s first exposure into international competition came as a Barry student-athlete in 1994, when she was selected to compete for the west squad at the U.S. Olympic Festival. Following her collegiate career, Hurley would eventually earn a spot on the U.S. National Volleyball Team in 1997. On the national team, Hurley would travel to the Far East, participating in the 1997 World Grand Prix Championships in the Far East. That same year, Hurley would lead her country to the silver medal in the NORCECA Zone Championships. In the 1999 Hurley would not only earn a bronze medal at the Pan American Games, but would lead all U.S. starters in hitting percentage at the World Cup. In 2000, Hurley would receive the ultimate distinction for any athlete -- the opportunity to compete in Olympic competition. A member of the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team, Hurley was a key member on the eventual bronze medal winning team in Sydney, Australia. She continues to remain a member of the US national team and has the distinction of being the only small-college player on the squad. Her alma mater has recognized her achievements with both a spot on the Barry Athletics Wall of Honor, as well as presenting her with the Barry University Distinguished Alumni Award. Everyone else recognizes her as simply one of the top volleyball players in the world.

Sam Koleduk - Saint Leo University, Soccer
Koleduk didn’t just play soccer at Saint Leo University, he left his mark on soccer at Saint Leo University. As many young student-athletes heading off to college, Koleduk was eager to make his mark on the Lions men’s soccer program as a freshman in 1990. Four years after arriving on campus from Gulf High School in New Port Richey, FL Koleduk didn’t just make his mark on Saint Leo. He etched it deep into the record book. Not just the Saint Leo record book, but the Sunshine State Conference record book, the NCAA Division II record book, and probably any other record book within his reach. While sporting the green and gold, Koleduk was simply the most prolific scorer in the history of Saint Leo soccer. He currently holds Saint Leo single season records with 34 goals, 77 points and 11 multiple-goal games, as well as Saint Leo career records with 77 goals, 187 points and 21 multiple-goal games. Additionally, Koleduk established NCAA Division II records with six goals and 13 points in a single game. Koleduk also ranks among the NCAA Division II top-ten single-season leaders in points (77), points per game (4.23), goals (34) and goals per game (1.89), The Saint Leo product is also ranked 11th in career points per game (2.67) among NCAA Division II players. Within the Sunshine State Conference, Koleduk is second all-time in career goals and third in career points. In terms of honors, Koleduk’s achievements were second to none. Koleduk earned recognition at the conference, regional and national levels. A four-time All-SSC selection, twice to the first team, Koleduk also earned All-South Region honors each of his four years at Saint Leo, including spots on the first team twice as well as the second team on two occasions. He capped off his collegiate career with a pair of All-America second team berths in his junior and senior seasons. Following his career at Saint Leo, Koleduk went on to compete professionally in four separate leagues, seeing action in the United States Soccer League, Independent Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League and the Eastern Indoor Soccer League.
Upon completion of his playing career, Koleduk has spent a great amount of time coaching young soccer players in Pasco County and is currently the head soccer coach at his alma mater, Gulf High School.
Koleduk was inducted into the Saint Leo University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

Rick Stottler - Florida Tech, Soccer Coach
Stottler was simply the most successful soccer coach ever at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Prior to Stottler’s arrival at Florida Tech in 1986, Panther soccer struggled for an identity. Once Stottler took the reins in Melbourne, a new identity soon followed -- winner. Stottler inherited a team that had gone 5-9-2 the previous season. In Stottler’s first campaign, the Panthers compiled an 11-5 record. In his second season, Stottler piloted Florida Tech to the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth. The quick transformation from also-rans to champions was complete in 1988, Stottler’s third season on the Space Coast. In that magical 1988 season, just three years removed from a losing record, Florida Tech would lay claim to the first of two NCAA Division II national championships under Stottler’s guidance. The freshmen that were a part of the 1988 national championship team would end their careers at Florida Tech the same way it began, with another NCAA crown in 1991, this time captured in front of the Panthers’ home fans in Melbourne.
During 14 seasons at the helm of Florida Tech’s men’s soccer program, Stottler amassed numbers that can truly be called “Hall of Fame.” Thanks to 12 winning seasons in 14 years, Stottler compiled a career record of 190-66-12,. His 190 career wins ranks among the top-ten in NCAA Division II, while his career winning percentage of .731 ranks third all-time among Division II coaches. In addition to two national championships, Stottler’s teams appeared in NCAA tournament play eight times. Under Stottler’s direction, Florida Tech would also collect four South Region titles and a share of the Sunshine State Conference championship five times. Stottler has been recognized for his coaching success on numerous occasions. The SSC Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1989, Stottler was also selected as South Region Coach of the Year and NCAA Division II Coach of the Year in 1991. Florida Tech inducted Stottler into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in February 2001.

Derek Thurston - Rollins College, Basketball
Thurston fit the basketball player mold that most coaches dream about. Not only did he know how to play the game and put up great numbers, Thurston knew how to win. As the leader of the Rollins College men’s basketball team in the early 1990’s, Thurston’s presence in the lineup made his teammates better and sparked them to the most wins ever compiled by a Rollins men’s basketball team over a four-year period. An Indiana schoolboy star, Thurston developed into one of the most well-rounded players ever to don the Rollins blue and gold. Ranking among the Rollins career leaders in several categories, Thurston is the Tars’ career leader with 458 assists, while ranking sixth in school history with 1,627 points, and fourth with 155 steals. During his four seasons at Rollins, Thurston led his team to a pair of Sunshine State Conference regular season championships in 1990-91 and 1991-92 as well as an SSC Tournament crown in 1991-92. With Thurston on the court, the Tars compiled a four-year record of 82-32, never failing to win at least 19 games each of those four seasons. With an NCAA Tournament appearance 1991-92, Rollins would earn a spot in NCAA postseason play for the first time in 13 years. As the Tars’ floor general, Thurston was a major reason behind the most successful period in school history and was certainly recognized for his contribution throughout his collegiate career. Thurston was an All-SSC selection all four years at Rollins, earning honorable mention as a freshman, second team honors as a sophomore and first team honors as a junior and senior. On the regional and national levels, Thurston was highly decorated. Thurston was a two-time first team All-South Region selection his junior and senior years. As a junior, Thurston won honorable mention All-America recognition as a junior and was a second-team All-America pick by the NABC as a senior. The Rollins Male Athlete of the Year in 1992, Thurston was also honored by the Sunshine State Conference as Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year for 1991-92. Currently a sales representative for Lipman Brothers in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Thurston continues to be the ultimate team player in his community. A member of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, Thurston is quite active as a volunteer coach and mentor for Hendersonville’s Little League and Youth Basketball programs.

CLASS OF 2000-2001
Kim Fagen - Eckerd College, Cross Country
Fagen, a 1991 graduate of Eckerd with a degree in pre-Medicine, who earned her master’s degree from Colorado State University, was a two-time, All-America in the sport of cross country. She qualified for the NCAA Championships all four years, was All-South Region four times and All-Conference four times. Fagen captured the SSC championship and the South Region crown as a junior and a senior. Her best finish in the Division II championships was 19th as a senior. She never lost to a conference runner in her junior and senior years. She is the first cross country runner to be inducted into the SSC Hall-of-Fame. Fagen is currently a physician in the United States Navy.

Paulette King - Florida Tech, Basketball
King, played basketball for Florida Tech her junior and senior seasons and was selected first-team, All-America both years and also was the SSC player-of-the-year as a junior and senior. The 1993 Florida Tech graduate with a degree in Business Administration, also holds a degree in Criminology from Florida Atlantic University. She led the conference in scoring as a junior (29.5) and a senior (27.1), the two highest averages in league history. She also stands one-two in the SSC in most points in a season with 855 as a junior and 813 as a senior, and most field goals in a season with 322 as a junior and 310 as a senior. King, who is now an assistant women’s basketball coach at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, stands No. 1 in the SSC in career scoring average at 28.3 and is eighth overall in career points scored with 1,668. King led Florida Tech to two SSC regular season and two conference tournament championships.

Stacey Moss - Rollins College, Tennis
Moss, a 1995 graduate of Rollins with a degree in Sociology, was a transfer from the University of Florida and played two years for the Tars. Her overall record at No. 1 singles was 66-9. She was honored as the conference female athlete-of-the-year her junior and senior years. Rollins finished third in the nation her junior year and she won the individual national championship in the final year of individual competition in Division II. Moss was ranked No. 1 in the nation as a senior with a 30-3 record. She won a $5,000 NCAA post-graduate scholarship as a senior; was first-team, GTE Academic All-America as a senior; won the Gladys Heldman Award, which is given to the top scholar-athlete in women’s tennis for all divisions of NCAA; and concluded her career by being named to the Collegiate All-Star team, which is made up of the best 25 tennis players for all divisions of NCAA. Moss is currently in her second year of law school at the University of Miami.

Glenn Wilkes, Jr. - Rollins College, Basketball Coach
Wilkes is in his 15th year as head women’s basketball coach at Rollins. His overall record is 297-106 for a .737 winning percentage. The 1981 graduate of Stetson University has not had a losing season at Rollins, and the Tars have won 20 or more games on 10 occasions. Wilkes has guided Rollins to six regular season conference championships and three league tournament crowns. The 1999-2000 team set a school record for victories at 28. The Tars lost in the finals of the South Region tournament last season. Wilkes has been named SSC coach-of-the-year six times and twice has been honored as the South Region coach-of-the-year.

Decarlo Deveaux - University of Tampa, Basketball
Deveaux, a 1994 graduate of Tampa with a degree in Communications, played four years of basketball for the Spartans. He was named SSC player-of-the-year as a junior and a senior. The two-time, All-America (junior and senior years) was selected Division II player-of-the-year in his senior year. He was named to the All-SSC freshman team his first year in the league and All-Conference his final three seasons. Deveaux was an All-South Region pick as a junior and senior. He stands second in most points scored in a season in the SSC with 764 as a senior and fourth in single season scoring average at 26.3. He is also first in most free throws made in a season (214 as a senior) and most free throws attempted (290 as a senior). He is third in the SSC in career points with 2,287, fifth in career scoring average at 19.7 and second in career free throws made at 570. Deveaux is currently playing professional basketball in Spain.

CLASS OF 1999-2000
Dwayne Perry - Eckerd College, Basketball
Perry, who graduated from Orlando (FL) Jones High School in 1986 and Eckerd College in 1990, played basketball for four years with the Tritons. He is Eckerd’s all-time scoring leader with 2,072 points, all-time leading rebounder with 889 and single season scoring leader with 742 points. The three-time, All-SSC pick, was named second team All-America his senior year and first-team, All-South Region. 
Perry was the second-leading scorer in Division II his senior year with a 26.5 average and earned national player-of-the-week honors in December of 1989. He played professional basketball for the rookie teams of the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, the CBA with Grand Rapids (MI) and has played professional basketball in New Zealand and Brazil. Currently he is playing pro basketball in Italy. 

Chris Bellotto - Florida Southern, Softball Coach
Bellotto has been head softball coach at Florida Southern since 1982. Bellotto who graduated from Lakeland High School in 1974, Florida Southern in 1980 and earned her master’s degree in ’84 from the University of South Florida, compiled an 80-34 record, including 48-0 in the SSC in slow pitch softball, winning three straight league crowns. FSC made the conversion to fast pitch in 1985 and she enters the 2000 season with a 621-147 record with an unprecedented 15 straight conference championships. Her winning percentage of .809 ranks second among all Division II coaches and fifth among all-time coaches in all divisions. 
Bellotto, whose overall SSC record as a coach is 322-30, won the Mocs’ first-ever women’s Division II national championship in 1993. Her team finished national runner-up in 1989 and fifth nationally in 1996 and again in 1997. Her teams have won five South Region championships. Bellotto has been named SSC coach-of-the-year 10 times, more than any other SSC coach in any sport in history. She also was chosen national coach-of-the-year in 1989 and 1993 and South Region coach-of-the-year five times. Bellotto has had 22 players garner 33 All-America awards, including 19 first-team honorees. 

John Hudek - Florida Southern, Baseball
Hudek, who is a 1986 graduate of Tampa (FL) Plant High School and attended Florida Southern from 1986 to 1988 before leaving after being drafted in the major league draft by the Chicago White Sox of the American League, played two years of baseball for the Mocs. He was 5-1 as a starting pitcher in 1987 and 12-2 with a 3.62 earned run average in 22 relief appearances 1n 1988. One of his defeats was to the University of Florida. 
Hudek had a brilliant post-season in ’88 in helping the Mocs win the national championship. The righthander was 4-0, including the win in relief of the team’s 12-inning victory in the championship game. Hudek, who now lives in Sugarland, TX, pitched four years (1994-97) in the major leagues with the Houston Astros of the National League, as a relief pitcher, split the 1998 season with the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, and this past season with Cincinnati and Atlanta of the National League and Toronto of the American League. He was named to the National League All-Star team in ’94 and became in the process only the fifth player in the history of  baseball to begin the season in the minor leagues and play in the all-star game in the same season. 

Tom Klusman - Rollins College, Basketball Coach
Klusman, a 1976 graduate of Rollins College where he scored 1,006 career points and dished out 352 assists, has been head men’s basketball coach for the Tars the past 19 years. During this time his teams have won 316 games, while losing 211 with 15 winning seasons. One of the most popular and well respected coaches in the nation, Klusman, who earned his master’s degree from Rollins in 1978, has guided his teams to a pair of regular season titles and one tournament championship in the Sunshine State Conference. 
Klusman has been a part of all five Rollins’ teams that have advanced to the NCAA post-season, including two as a player. He was a starting point guard on teams that advanced to post season in 1974 and 1976, an assistant coach on the 1979 team and head coach of tournament participants in 1992 and 1996. Rollins was ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division II in Klusman’s senior year, the first year of the Sunshine State Conference. Klusman has been named SSC coach-of-the-year twice and South Region coach-of-the-year once. 

Sam Militello - University of Tampa, Baseball
Militello was Division II pitcher-of-the-year in 1990. The three-time, All-America (1988 third team, 1989 and ’90 first team) as a pitcher for the Spartans, was drafted by the New York Yankees after his junior year. While at Tampa, the 1988 graduate of Tampa Jefferson High School set four school records that still stand today – career strikeouts (440), single season strikeouts (182), most innings pitched in a single season (143.2) and most wins in a season (15). He holds the Division II national record for most strikeouts in a season, is sixth in career strikeouts, seventh in career wins (37) and 12th overall in single season victories. 
Militello was South Region pitcher-of-the-year in ’89 and ’90 and an All-South Region pick three times. The righthander also was an All-Conference choice three times. He was most valuable player in the ’88 South Region tournament and made the All-Tournament team in 1990 at the national championships when Tampa finished third. After posting a 35-11 record in the minor leagues for two and one-half years, Militello was called up to the Yankees in August of ’92 and pitched a one-hit shutout over seven innings against Boston in his debut. He finished the year at 4-4. An injury in spring training in ’93 basically forced him out of baseball despite two comeback attempts. He is now an assistant baseball coach at the University of Tampa. 

Hindman Wall - University of Tampa, Athletic Director
Wall served as athletic director for nine years at Tampa before retiring July 31. He is still serving the university as a development officer in the Development Department. Wall quadrupled Tampa’s Sword & Shield fund raising campaign, increased scholarship dollars for women’s athletics, started women’s soccer, promoted women’s rowing to NCAA status, and added lights to the baseball and softball facilities during his time as AD. The Athletic Department had one of the highest performances in terms of academic ranking and retention on campus during the time he was AD. 
Tampa athletic teams won four NCAA, Division II championships, finished national runner-up twice, ranked 17th in the nation in 1998 in the Sears Directors Cup standings and Tampa won four Mayor’s All-Sports Cup championships and 20 conference championships. Wall served on every committee in the conference and was chair of the Finance Committee and the Marketing Committee. Currently, Wall is a member of the NCAA Championships Committee. Previously he served on the NCAA Council, was chair of the College Football Association athletic directors and in 1982 was men’s basketball tournament director of the Division I Final Four. Earlier this year he was presented the General Robert R. Neyland Lifetime Achievement Award by the All-American Football Foundation. This is an annual award given to a selected athletic director and includes Wall’s tenure at the University of Cincinnati, Tulane University and Tampa. 

CLASS OF 1998-1999
Sherry Howell - Eckerd College, Softball and Volleyball
Howell played four years of softball and volleyball for Eckerd College from 1990 to 1993. She graduated in 1993 with a double major of Business Management and Psychology. The native of Curacao, Neth. Antilles, was a pitcher, a shortstop and centerfielder. She was a four-time All-America in softball, was named to the South Region team four times and the All-SSC team four times. Howell won or shared player-of-the-year honors twice in the conference and concluded her athletic career by being selected the SSC female athlete-of-the-year for the 1992-93 season. 
Howell holds the NCAA, Division II career batting average in softball at .524, is third in career slugging average at .921, 13th in home runs with 29 and second in single season highest batting average at 629. She led the nation in hitting as a senior and also doubles percentage. Howell led the conference in batting average four different years. In 1999, she represented her country in the World Games in Japan. Howell, who is fluent in six languages, was named All-Conference in volleyball two of the four years she played. 

Kellie Robinson - Florida Southern, Softball
Robinson, a native of Bartow, FL, was a four-time All-America as a shortstop in softball for Florida Southern before graduating in 1992. She was second-team as a freshman and first team her other three years. The 1991-92 SSC female athlete-of-the-year was also named to the All-South Region team and the All-SSC team four times and was player-of-the-year in the conference once. She hit over .400 three times, including .453 as a sophomore, .444 as a junior and .419 as a senior. 
The former professional softball player with the Tampa Bay Firestix holds two career records at Florida Southern (games played at 200 and official at bats at 651) and is in the Top Five in single season and career records in 15 different categories. Robinson led her team in nine individual departments as a senior. 

Richard Sharpe - Florida Tech, Soccer
Sharpe, a native of Leigh on Sea, England, is the most prolific scorer in college men's soccer history. The three-time, All-America at Florida Tech led the nation in scoring three years and was the Division II player of the year twice. He led his team to the national championship as a sophomore, to the quarterfinals as a junior and the semifinals as a senior. In his last collegiate match he set an NCAA playoff record by assisting on four goals and also scored once. 
The 1993 Florida Tech graduate, who has a degree in Business Management, holds NCAA playoff records for goals in a career (eight), points in a career (20) and assists in a game. He holds regular season NCAA records for goals in a season (49), points in a season (112), career goals (137) and career points (321). Sharpe has played professional soccer since leaving school in England and the United States. 

Kim Dix - University of Tampa, Volleyball and Basketball
Dix was a two-sport All-America in volleyball and basketball at the University of Tampa. The native of Seffner, FL graduating in 1992 with a degree in Physical Education, was an All-America in volleyball as a junior and in basketball as a senior. 

Dix was a three-time, All-SSC and South Region pick in both sports. She was a finalist for the national player-of-the-year in basketball. At one time she held 24 regular season and career records in basketball. She led Tampa in rebounding four years and in scoring three years. She ranks fourth in NCAA, Division II in volleyball for career kills. During her senior season the volleyball team and basketball team had a combined record of 58-14. 

Tom Fitzgerald - University of Tampa, Soccer Coach
Fitzgerald, a 1973 graduate of the University of South Florida, was assistant men's soccer coach at Tampa from 1981 to 1984 and head coach from 1987 to 1995. He currently is head coach of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer where he has taken his team to the post-season playoffs both years he has been head coach. He was an assistant coach for the Crew the first one and a half seasons. 
He was SSC coach-of-the-year four times, Florida State coach-of-the-year three times and South Region coach-of-the-year three times. He was head coach of Tampa's national championship team in 1994, national runner-up team in 1992 and assistant coach when the Spartans won the national crown in 1981. 
As head coach, he guided Tampa to the Division II post-season playoffs all nine years. His record at Tampa was 132-32-11. Fitzgerald has coached 11 All-Americas, four national players or goalkeepers of the year and one World Cup player. 

CLASS OF 1997-1998
Dr. Jean Cerra - Barry University, Director of Athletics
Dr. Cerra served as Director of Athletics for Barry University from 1991-1997, in addition to her role as the Dean of the School of Human Performance and Leisure Services, the position she currently holds. During Cerra's tenure as Director of Athletics, Barry achieved its highest finish in the Sears Director's Cup standings, when in 1997-98 the university placed third nationally and first among private Division II institutions. The Buccaneers also brought home four national championships under Cerra; women's soccer in 1992 and 1993, and volleyball in 1995 and 2001. Equally impressive was the student-athletes' performance in the classroom. During the 1996-97 year, 60 percent of Barry student-athletes earned cumulative GPA's of 3.0 or better, an increase from 40 percent when Cerra arrived six years earlier.
Before coming to Barry, the Tampa, FL native worked to implement Title IX on campuses and to create opportunities for women within the NCAA. Cerra has since served on important committees such as the Eligibility Committee, Nominating Committee, Division I Steering Committee, Committee of Legislative Review, and NCAA Division II Management Council, and helped found the National Association of Women Athletic Administrators.

Steve Freeman - Florida Tech, Soccer
Freeman played soccer at Florida Tech from 1986-89 and helped put the program on the map. The native of Richmond, England led the Panthers to the Division II national soccer championship in 1988, the school's first national title in any sport. Freeman was a four-time All-SSC, All-State and All-South Region first-team selection, and a two-time All-American in 1988 and 1989. He led the SSC in scoring as a