Kentucky Wesleyan College inducted seven All-Americans, two revered coaches, a NFL executive and a legendary broadcaster into their first Athletics Hall of Fame class.
Members of the inaugural class are athletes Jill Burness Stowe (volleyball/basketball), "King" Kelly Coleman (basketball), Rod Drake (basketball), Melody Lesher Medley (tennis), Sam Smith (basketball), Ty Stauffer (soccer), Dallas Thornton (basketball) and George Tinsley (basketball); coaches Ray Harper (basketball) and Robert 'Bullet' Wilson (baseball, basketball, golf, tennis coach and director of athletics); plus KWC mentor A.J. Smith (San Diego Chargers) and longtime radio broadcaster Joel Utley.
Jill Burness Stowe (1994-95) — First two-time Academic All-American in two sports in Division II – basketball and volleyball…two-time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference volleyball pick…holds career attack percentage (363)…two-time All-GLVC basketball selection…GLVC Basketball Newcomer of the Year…holds career records for scoring average (16.7) and rebounding average (9.8)…1997 Rhodes Scholar candidate.
Kelly Coleman (1958-60) —Two-time All-American…jersey number 45 retired…third in points with 2,077…finished third in the nation in scoring in 1960...sixth in career rebounds with 904…1960 All-NCAA Regional…holds season scoring record with 848 and average of 30.3…sixth in rebounds (904)…voted to KWC All-Century team by fans…drafted second round by New York Knicks.
Rod Drake (1981-84) —Two-time All-American…jersey number 10 retired…four-time All-GLVC selection…1984 NCAA All-Tournament Team…two-time NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player…second in assists (458)…seventh in points (1,664)…13th in rebounds with 648…starter on two Final Four teams…voted to KWC All-Century team by fans.
Melody Lesher Medley (1979-83) — First KWC Academic All-American in any sport…1982 GLVC Player of the Year…played No. 1 singles and doubles on the Panthers' only undefeated athletic team in history (1980)…won KWIC singles and doubles titles three straight seasons (1979-81)…played in first AIAW South Regional tournament.
Sam Smith (1966-67) — Two-time All-American…1966 NCAA Most Outstanding Player…1967 NCAA All-Tournament Team…won 1966 NCAA championship and finished third in '67…collected 1,102 points and 714 rebounds…two-time NCAA South Region Most Outstanding Player…voted to KWC All-Century team by fans…played five years in the ABA.
Ty Stauffer (1987-91) — First soccer All-American 1989…GLVC Player of the Year 1989…two-time All-Mideast Region selection…two-time All-GLVC selection…1990 Scholar-Athlete All-Region.
Dallas Thornton (1965-68) — Two-time All-American…two-time NCAA champion…jersey number 22 retired…1968 U.S. Olympic Trials participant…two-time NCAA All-Tournament honoree…holds record for consecutive starts with 112…fifth in points with 1,929…seventh in rebounds (903)…voted to KWC All-Century team by fans… played five years in the ABA.
George Tinsley (1966-69) — Two-time All-American…three-time NCAA champion…jersey number 50 retired…two-time NCAA All-Tournament Team honoree…1968 U.S. Olympic Trials participant…all-time leading rebounder with 1,115…fourth in career points with 2,014…voted to KWC All-Century team by fans…played five years in the ABA.
Ray Harper (1996-2005) — Produced six consecutive 30-win seasons and six trips to the NCAA championship game…won two NCAA titles (1999 and '01) as a head coach and two as assistant (1987 and '90)…four-time National Coach of the Year…two-time Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year…five-time GLVC Coach of the Year…247-45 record for a 84.6 winning percentage.
Robert 'Bullet' Wilson (1942-67) — Head coach of baseball, basketball, golf and tennis teams (1942-49)…led KWC to first NCAA Division II basketball title game in 1957…won six KIAC basketball titles 1943, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1954…won five straight KIAC tournament hoops titles (1950-54)…won KIAC titles in baseball, golf…director of athletics (1942-67).
A.J. Smith (2003-present) —Longtime mentor to KWC, class of 1971…executive vice president and general manager of the NFL San Diego Chargers for the past 10 years…winningest GM in Charger history…2004 NFL Executive of the Year…2006 Top General Manager by Forbes Magazine...35-year career includes two Super Bowl appearances.
Joel Utley (1961-present) — Voice of the Panthers for 52 years…called play-by-play for 1,472 basketball games…has distinction as the only broadcaster in the nation to call 12 NCAA championship games including eight titles…ranks in the top five in longevity for college basketball radio broadcasters.
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