Adrian Peterson to be Inducted in SoCon Hall of Fame on May 4
5/4/2009 8:10:00 PM | Football
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? In a career filled with numerous honors, former Georgia Southern Football All-American Adrian Peterson will add another on Monday night (May 4). The Southern Conference's all-time leading rusher is one of 10 members inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The 10 inductees will be honored at a ceremony on May 4 at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, S.C. at 7 p.m.
Ready to begin his eighth season with the Chicago Bears, Peterson was taken by surprise with the honor.
“When I was first informed it was a shock. I'm not even in the Georgia Southern Hall of Fame (has not met the 10-year minimum requirement), and after I found out some of the others getting inducted, it is certainly a great honor for my family and Georgia Southern,” said Peterson. “It's truly a great honor to be able to represent my family and Georgia Southern University, both of whom I respect and have in my heart.”
The Apopka, Florida, native helped Georgia Southern win consecutive National Championships in 1999 and 2000, along with a national runner-up finish in 1998 and FCS semifinals appearance in 2001. The Eagles posted a 52-7 career record during his four years. It was difficult for Peterson to select one standout memory.
“There are so many great memories of my days at Georgia Southern, it's hard to select one,” stated Peterson. “Some would have to be: winning back-to-back national championships while playing with a great group of guys, morning conditioning during the winter, building team unity, meeting my wife and of course Game Day at Paulson Stadium.”
Peterson still holds the Eagles' record for rushing yards in a season (1,932 as a freshman) and career (6,559), in addition to points in a season (174) and career (524). He remains as the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision all-time leading rusher. During his four-year career Peterson learned valuable life lessons.
“I think every day teaches and prepares you, because there are no two days alike. Being able to balance school, football and a social life truly prepared me,” said Peterson.
The inaugural class features 10 of the greatest student-athletes to ever compete in the Southern Conference and includes such legendary figures as Sam Huff (West Virginia), Arnold Palmer (Wake Forest) and Jerry West (West Virginia). Megan Dunigan (Furman), Dick Groat (Duke), Charlie Justice (North Carolina), Melissa Morrison (Appalachian State), Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern), Frank Selvy (Furman), and Valorie Whiteside (Appalachian State) also were named to be enshrined the conference's inaugural class.
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 254 candidates from the conference's current and former member institutions were nominated for the inaugural class. The pool of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators was cut down to 45 individuals who comprised the final ballot. A voting panel of 20 media members and league administrators made the selection of the inaugural class.
ABOUT THE INDUCTEES
Megan Dunigan, Women's Tennis (Furman, 1999-02) ? Megan Dunigan is one just two SoCon athletes to be named SoCon Player of the Year all four years. She earned first team all-conference honors six times for singles and doubles play. Dunigan was a 2002 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner and was named to the Furman University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
Dick Groat, Men's Basketball & Baseball (Duke, 1950-52) ? A two-time SoCon Male Athlete of the Year in 1951 and 1952, Groat was named the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 1951 and 1952. He also garnered all-conference honors in baseball for two seasons (1951, 1952). He went on to enjoy a 14-year career in Major League Baseball and was a part of World Series Championship teams in 1960 (Pittsburgh) and 1964 (St. Louis).
Sam Huff, Football (West Virginia, 1952-55) ? The 1955 All-American helped West Virginia post a combined mark of 31-7 during his four years with the Mountaineers, including a berth in the Sugar Bowl in 1954. He also was named an Academic All-American in his senior season of 1955. Huff played 13 years in the NFL with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins where he was named All-Pro eight times. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, Football (North Carolina, 1946-49) ? A two-time All-American, Justice was the 1948 National Player of the Year and helped the Tar Heels earn three bowl bids during his four years in Chapel Hill. He was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1948 and 1949. Justice was a four-time first team all-conference selection and was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year in 1948 and 1949.
Melissa Morrison Howard, Track & Field (Appalachian State, 1989-93) ? Morrison Howard was twice named All-American and helped the Mountaineers earn eight SoCon championships during her four years in Boone, N.C. A three-time NCAA qualifier, she won 17 individual conference championships and was named the SoCon Indoor Track Championships Most Outstanding Performer in 1992 and 1993 and also garnered the Most Outstanding Performer honors at the Outdoor Track Championships in 1992 and 1993. Morrison Howard captured two Olympic bronze medals (2000, 2004) in the 100m hurdles.
Arnold Palmer, Golf (Wake Forest 1948-50; 1953-54) ? Palmer was the NCAA medalist for stroke play in 1949 and 1950. He captured the Southern Conference individual championship in 1948 and 1949. Palmer finished as the runner-up in 1950, the same season Wake Forest won the conference championships. He went on to win 62 PGA Tour events, including seven major championships, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Adrian Peterson, Football (Georgia Southern, 1998-2001) ? The 1999 Walter Payton Award Winner, Peterson was a four-time All-American at Georgia Southern. He holds 25 game, single season and career records in the league and owns 16 NCAA Football Championships Subdivision records. He is the NCAA Division I career rushing leader with 6,559 yards. A sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2002, Peterson recently completed his seventh season in the NFL.
Frank Selvy, Basketball (Furman, 1952-54) ? The 1954 United Press National Player of the Year, Frank Selvy was a three-time All-American at Furman and was named SoCon Player of the year twice. He was the NCAA Division I leader in scoring for two seasons and still ranks fourth all-time with 2,538 career points. Selvy scored a Division I record 100 points in a win over Newberry on Feb. 13, 1954. He was the number one overall draft pick by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1954 NBA Draft and spent nine seasons in the league.
Jerry West, Basketball (West Virginia, 1956-60) ? A three-time All-American at West Virginia, Jerry West was a two-time SoCon Male Athlete of the Year honoree and was twice named the conference's Basketball Player of the Year. He set 17 different records at WVU and helped guide the Mountaineers to three NCAA Tournament berths. West went on to spend 14 years in the NBA where he helped the Los Angeles Lakers capture the 1972 NBA Championship.
Valorie Whiteside, Basketball (Appalachian State, 1984-88) ? Whiteside owns the Southern Conference top spot for single-season scoring (776) and career points (2,944). Her 25.4 career scoring average is the best mark in league history. Whiteside was named first-team all-conference four times and was named the 1988 Player of the Year. She was inducted into the Appalachian State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
