SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The 2011 Southern Conference Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for May 24 at the Marriott in Charleston, S.C. It is the third year the conference has inducted a class of former athletes, coaches and special contributors to the league's 90-year history.
The 2011 class features six of the most accomplished student-athletes and coaches to ever compete in the Southern Conference. Inductees include Dexter Coakley (Appalachian State), Lefty Driesell (Davidson), Regina Kirk (Chattanooga), Robert Neyland (Tennessee), Vic Seixas (North Carolina) and Shannon Wommack (Chattanooga).
The will begin with a one-hour reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. The induction ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. with a public meet-and-greet with the inductees to follow. Tickets are available to the public and may be purchased through the Southern Conference web site, or at the door Tuesday night.
Student-athletes who competed for a minimum of two seasons in the Southern Conference were eligible for consideration, along with coaches and administrators who spent at least five years in the league. A pool of over 250 candidates from the conference's current and former member institutions were nominated for consideration. The pool of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators was cut down to 40 individuals who comprised the final ballot. A voting panel of 20 media members and league administrators made the selection of the induction class.
ABOUT THE INDUCTEES
Dexter Coakley, Football (Appalachian State, 1993-1996) - The only player to win the Buck Buchanan Award in back-to-back seasons, Coakley was a three-time All-American at Appalachian State. He was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year three straight seasons after being named Freshman of the Year in 1993. Coakley helped the Mountaineers capture the 1995 Southern Conference Championship. It is ASU's only undefeated, untied regular season in school history. A third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1997, Coakley enjoyed a 10-year NFL career and made three Pro Bowls.
Lefty Driesell, Men's Basketball Coach (Davidson, 1960-69) - Driesell completed nine seasons at Davidson and posted an overall record of 176-65, including a record of 73-27 in SoCon games. He was named the league's Coach of the Year in four consecutive seasons (1963-66) and guided the Wildcats to five regular season championships and three SoCon Tournament titles. After Davidson advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1966, Driesell guided the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 1968 and 1969. He finished his career with a record of 786-396 over 40 seasons with stops at Davidson, Maryland, James Madison and Georgia State.
Regina Kirk, Women's Basketball (Chattanooga, 1985-88) - The 1988 Southern Conference Player of the Year, Kirk was named first team all-conference all four seasons at Chattanooga. She finished her career as UTC's all-time leading scorer with 2,376 points which is the second-highest total in league history. Kirk earned first team All-America honors twice (1987-1988) and earned second-team plaudits as a sophomore (1986). She helped the Lady Mocs earn a share of the league's regular season championship in 1986 on their way to the conference tournament title where she was named Tournament MVP.
Gen. Robert Neyland, Football (Tennessee, 1926-52) - Neyland compiled an overall record of 173-31-2 as head coach of the Volunteers. He posted a record of 61-2-5 from 1926-32, including a league record of 41-2-5 when the Tennessee competed in the Southern Conference. Tennessee won a share of the conference title in 1927 and 1932. He coached the Volunteers to four national titles and was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956. Tennessee's Shields-Watkins Field was renamed Neyland Stadium in 1962.
Vic Seixas, Tennis (North Carolina, 1947-49) - A 1948 All-American, Seixas finished the year 19-1 and was the Southern Conference champion and NCAA runner-up in singles competition. The following season Seixas was the league's runner-up in singles play and won the doubles competition with Clark Taylor. Seixas came in third at the 1947 NCAA Championships and earned an eighth-place finish in 1949. In 1953 he won the Wimbledon singles championship over Kurt Nielson and captured the U.S. Open title in 1954. Seixas made three other Grand Slam finals appearances in singles play and won five doubles championships.
Shannon Wommack, Cross Country, Track (Chattanooga, 2001-06) - The 2006 Southern Conference Female Athlete of the Year, Wommack was named the league's Cross Country Runner of the Year three times (2002, 2004, 2005) and won the league's individual championship three times. She earned the league's Indoor Track Runner of the Year Award all four years she competed and earned the same award at the conference's Outdoor Championships twice (2005, 2006). Wommack was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American twice and earned the same award all four years from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
2009 Induction Class - Inaugural Year
Megan Dunigan, Women's Tennis
Dick Groat, Men's Basketball & Baseball
Sam Huff, Football
Charlie Justice, Football
Melissa Morrison Howard, Track & Field
Arnold Palmer, Golf
Adrian Peterson, Football
Frank Selvy, Men's Basketball
Jerry West, Men's Basketball
Valorie Whiteside, Women's Basketball
2010 Induction Class
Everett Case, Men's Basketball
Mary Jayne Harrelson, Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Fred Hetzel, Men's Basketball
"Hot" Rod Hundley, Men's Basketball
Banks McFadden, Football & Men's Basketball
Wallace Wade, Football & Commissioner
J. Dallas Shirley, Special Contributor