SoCon Hall of Fame page

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Southern Conference Hall of Fame week continues Tuesday, as the league will announce one member of the 2022 induction class each day from May 16-20. Kirk Roach, a placekicker for Western Carolina’s football team from 1984-87, is the next to join the Class of 2022.
 
The first four-time first-team All-SoCon football selection in league history, Roach was also the first SoCon player to claim first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press three times, earning the distinction in 1984, 1986 and 1987. The 1984 SoCon Freshman of the Year, Roach finished his career with numerous program, conference and NCAA I-AA (now FCS) records.
 
Thirty-five years after his collegiate career concluded, Roach remains the FCS career record-holder with 25 games kicking multiple field goals and for longest average distance field goals attempted (40.5 yards). He also shares FCS records for career field goals of 50 yards or longer (11); single-season field goals of 50 yards or longer (seven, set as a senior in 1987); and single-season field-goal percentage on kicks under 40 yards (1.000, 17-for-17 in 1986).
 
Roach converted a SoCon-record 24 field goals in 1986, which led the subdivision that year and remains tied for ninth in a season in FCS history, while his 2.2 per game that season are tied for ninth. He hit a school- and SoCon-record 71 field goals for his career, which ranks fourth in FCS history, while his league-record 102 attempts were an NCAA record at the time and are now third in FCS history.
 
The Doraville, Georgia, native shares the SoCon record for longest field goal with two 57-yarders and had three of the 13 field goals in SoCon history of 55 yards or longer. He also holds the top two SoCon marks for single-season field-goal attempts, with 30 in 1987 and 28 in 1986.
 
Roach is the Western Carolina record-holder with 302 career points, which was the SoCon record when his career ended and now ranks seventh in league annals, and holds the school record for single-season points scored by kick with 96 in 1986. With just one point-after miss in his career, Roach is the Western Carolina record-holder for PAT percentage (89-for-90; .989).
 
Roach, who was named to the SoCon’s 75th Anniversary and 100th Anniversary teams, was inducted into Western Carolina’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996 and had his No. 14 jersey honored by WCU in 2006. He has appeared on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot multiple times since 2019.
 
The highest NFL Draft pick in program history, Roach was taken in the fifth round with the 135th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in 1988. He played for the Bills in 1988 and the Green Bay Packers in 1989.
 
Roach, the third Catamount to be enshrined into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame, joining former two-sport standout Wayne Tolleson (football, baseball), who was inducted in 2020, and Susan Gardner Mayhorn (cross country/track & field), who was in the Class of 2018. Roach is the second member of the Class of 2022 to be announced. ETSU’s DeShawne Blocker was announced Monday afternoon.
 
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 more than 200 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.
 
Kirk Roach on his selection to the SoCon Hall of Fame:
“Wow – getting the phone call from Commissioner (Jim) Schaus was incredibly exciting and humbling, and as you can imagine, quite emotional. I am so overwhelmed and appreciative of the Southern Conference for allowing me to be a part of the prestigious Hall of Fame.
 
“First, let me say thank you to Jesus for giving himself for me, and showing me how to love and serve others. Likewise, I must give praise to my family and friends for their continuous support throughout my life. Specifically, my wife, Carrie, who has been by my side for the last 40 years. Nothing would be possible without her support, encouragement and love. And, to my amazing kids, you are the true heroes in my life. The joy, wonder and pleasure you have brought is unmatched, and collectively you make me the wealthiest man in the world. Undoubtedly, I know my parents would have been both thrilled and proud of this moment and in many ways, this is their award. Additionally, a special thanks to my brothers for instilling the values of effort and attitude and for reminding me that you will no longer be good, once you stop becoming better!
 
“Furthermore, I would like to thank Western Carolina University for providing me with the opportunity to play college football. I was beyond blessed with great coaches, incredible teammates (my brothers for life) and countless supportive individuals throughout the Athletic Department. Playing for WCU, and being a part of the family created by coach Bob Waters, was a true honor. I learned so many lessons that have positively impacted my life and I still love going back to Cullowhee in the fall, to experience the best game-day atmosphere in the Southern Conference!
 
“Indeed, this is an honor that the Roach family will genuinely cherish. Thank you, Southern Conference, I am forever grateful!”
 
2022 Induction Class
DeShawne Blocker, ETSU, Women’s Basketball
Kirk Roach, Western Carolina, Football
TBA (Wednesday, May 18)
TBA (Thursday, May 19)
TBA (Friday, May 20)
 
2020 Induction Class
Lynne Agee, UNCG, Women’s Basketball
Eric Breitenstein, Wofford, Football
Terrell Owens, Chattanooga, Football/Men’s Basketball/Men’s Track & Field
Rod Thorn, West Virginia, Men’s Basketball/Baseball
Wayne Tolleson, Western Carolina, Baseball/Football
 
2018 Induction Class
Mike Ayers, ETSU/Wofford, Football
Ron Carter, VMI, Men’s Basketball
Susan Gardner Mayhorn, Western Carolina, Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country
Chal Port, The Citadel, Baseball
*Les Robinson, The Citadel/ETSU, Men’s Basketball/Administration
Debbie Southern, Furman, Women’s Tennis
 
2016 Induction Class
Stephen Curry, Davidson, Men’s Basketball
Armanti Edwards, App State, Football
Brad Faxon, Furman, Men’s Golf
Keith “Mister” Jennings, ETSU, Men’s Basketball
Karen Pelphrey, Marshall, Women’s Basketball
 
2014 Induction Class
Rushia Brown, Furman, Women’s Basketball
Eddie Cameron, Duke, Football/Men’s Basketball
Clint Dempsey, Furman, Men’s Soccer
Jerry Moore, App State, Football
Charlie Teague, Wake Forest, Baseball
 
2012 Induction Class
Angie Barker, ETSU, Women’s Track & Field
Percy Beard, Auburn, Men’s Track & Field
*Jim Burch, Southern Conference
Dick Modzelewski, Maryland, Football
Paul Scarpa, Furman, Men’s Tennis
 
2011 Induction Class
Dexter Coakley, App State, Football
Lefty Driesell, Davidson, Men’s Basketball
Regina Kirk, Chattanooga, Women’s Basketball
Gen. Robert Neyland, Tennessee, Football
Vic Seixas, North Carolina, Men’s Tennis
Shannon Wommack, Chattanooga, Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country
 
2010 Induction Class
Everett Case, NC State, Men’s Basketball
Mary Jayne Harrelson, App State, Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country
Fred Hetzel, Davidson, Men’s Basketball
“Hot” Rod Hundley, West Virginia, Men’s Basketball
Banks McFadden, Clemson, Football/Men’s Basketball
Wallace Wade, Alabama/Duke/SoCon, Football/Commissioner
*J. Dallas Shirley, Southern Conference
 
2009 Induction Class – Inaugural Year
Megan Dunigan, Furman, Women’s Tennis
Dick Groat, Duke, Men’s Basketball/Baseball
Sam Huff, West Virginia, Football
Charlie Justice, North Carolina, Football
Melissa Morrison Howard, App State, Track & Field
Arnold Palmer, Wake Forest, Men’s Golf
Adrian Peterson, Georgia Southern, Football
Frank Selvy, Furman, Men’s Basketball
Jerry West, West Virginia, Men’s Basketball
Valorie Whiteside, App State, Women’s Basketball
 
* Special Contributor
 
 
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
The Southern Conference, in its 101st season of intercollegiate competition, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the student-athlete and helping build lifelong leaders and role models. The conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first conference basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issues of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing women’s championships (1984) to becoming the first conference to install the 3-point goal in basketball (1980), the Southern Conference has been a pioneer. The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association.
 
The conference currently consists of 10 members in six states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 21 varsity sports and championships that produce participants for NCAA Division I Championships.