2018 Athletics Hall of Fame Class Announced
7/24/2018 10:58:00 AM | Baseball, Football, General, Softball, Women's Basketball
Seven individuals will be enshrined in September
ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
STATESBORO, Ga. – Jayson Foster, a record-setting multi-purpose football player who became the first sophomore in NCAA history to win the Walter Payton Award, is one of seven individuals who will be inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame later this fall, as announced Tuesday by the athletics department.
The 2018 class of inductees includes:
Shanita Black Carter, a three-time all-conference softball player and the 2006 Southern Conference Player of the Year; and
Dr. Harry Carter, an administrator who chaired the college athletics committee that recommended to President Dale Lick the re-establishment of intercollegiate football in the early 1980s; and
Foster, who earned All-America honors at three different positions: quarterback, running back and all-purpose athlete during his time on the gridiron; and
Telly Hall Wright, a three-time All-Southern Conference selection in women's basketball who still ranks sixth all-time scoring; and
Tod Lee, a three-time All-American in baseball who was named the 1997 Southern Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year; and
Freddy Pesqueira, a four-time All-American who was one of the most dominant defensive linemen ever to suit up for the Eagles; and
Mark Williams, a three-time consensus All-American who finished his career with 13 separate national honors as an offensive lineman for Georgia Southern.
The 2018 seven-member class will be officially inducted at a Hall of Fame luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 8 prior to the football game against UMass at Paulson Stadium, and the new inductees will be introduced and honored at halftime of the contest. The seven additions bring the total number of former coaches, student-athletes, supporters and administrators in the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame to 154.
"This class is one that has had a tremendous impact on Georgia Southern Athletics, all across the board," director of athletics Tom Kleinlein said. "It features seven notable names that Eagle Nation knows well and I'm sure they'll be as excited as I am to induct them on Hall of Fame Weekend. Each of these seven inductees is very deserving of this honor and it's going to be an incredible weekend celebrating their achievements in September."
2018 Hall of Fame Class Bios
SHANITA BLACK (Softball, 2003-06)
A three-time All-Southern Conference selection, earning first-team honors in 2005 and 2006 … The SoCon Player of the Year in 2006 … The SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2006, leading the Eagles to a conference crown and the first NCAA berth in school history … Broke 12 school records during her career and still holds the SoCon record for most hits in one season (102, 2006) and most stolen bases in a single SoCon Tournament (7, 2006) … Named to the SoCon's 25th anniversary softball team in 2008 … Had a school-record 30-game hitting streak from March 2-April 15, 2006 … Named NFCA All-Southeast Region in 2006 … Ranks second all-time in program history for career batting average (.352), first in career runs scored (163), first in career hits (287), first in career triples (13) and first in career stolen bases (89) … Her 249 at-bats in 2006 are tied for 15th in NCAA Division I history in a single season.
DR. HARRY CARTER (Administrator, 1983-99)
Served as Vice President of Academic Affairs from 1983-1997, Provost and Vice President from 1997-98 … Twice served as acting University President (1986-87, 1998-99) … A major supporter of athletics throughout his career … Chaired the college Athletics Committee that recommended to President Dale Lick the re-establishment of intercollegiate football in the early 1980s … Directed the University's effort to achieve its initial NCAA certification in 1995 … Helped achieve the certification and increased general benefits to the Athletics Department, including enhancement of athletic opportunities for women student-athletes … Had an active role in the support of the student-athlete and implemented programs to assist with advising and tutors … Helped establish and cultivate relationships with major donors to the Athletics Department … While serving his first term as acting President, the football team won the I-AA National Championship and the men's basketball and baseball teams advanced to the NCAA postseason … Currently employed at The Citadel, but still a major contributor to Georgia Southern … He and his wife, Brenda, fund the annual Georgia Southern Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year awards … GSU Department of Mathematics Alumnus of the Year … GSU Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year … Graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1966 … Lettered on varsity tennis team in 1965 and 1966.
JAYSON FOSTER (Football, 2004-07)
Earned All-America honors at three different positions: quarterback, running back and all-purpose athlete … The 2007 Walter Payton Award winner as the top player in the FCS, earning first-team All-America honors from four different outlets as a senior … The 2007 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year … The only Eagle to ever score a touchdown five different ways: rushing, passing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return … The 2004 SoCon Freshman of the Year … Set a new NCAA all-division record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback with 1,844 in 2007 … Switched from quarterback to wide receiver as a junior and was named first-team All-SoCon and an honorable mention All-American … Moved back to quarterback as a senior and compiled a school-record 3,047 yards of total offense, breaking that of College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Ham … Finished his career with 3,835 career rushing yards, which stands fifth all-time at GS … Passed for 2,099 yards and had 651 yards receiving … Tallied 54 career rushing touchdowns (third most in program history), 15 passing scores and five receiving touchdowns.
TELLY HALL (Women's Basketball, 1995-98)
Three-time All-Southern Conference selection (1996-98) … Named to the SoCon All-Tournament team three times and was named the Most Valuable Player in 1998 … Ranks sixth all-time scoring 1,425 points … Her 13.1 career scoring average ranks seventh in school history … Stands fifth among career rebounding leaders with 767 caroms … Also ranks ninth in field goals made (523), sixth in field goal percentage (.538), fourth in free throws made (379) and second in free throws attempted (654) … Three-time SoCon Player of the Week honoree … Registered 29 career double-doubles.
TOD LEE (Baseball, 1995-97)
A three-time All-American as named by Collegiate Baseball … Also earned Freshman All-America honors by Louisville Slugger in 1995 … A two-time member of the Smith Super Team, honoring the nation's best … Named the 1995 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year … Named the 1997 SoCon Pitcher of the Year … A two-time all-region selection by the Baseball Coaches Association and a two-time All-Southern Conference selection … Georgia Southern's all-time saves leader with 29 and is second all-time in career ERA with a 2.46 mark … Shares the program's career record for most appearances with 109 during his three-year career … Had 11 saves in both 1995 and 1996 … Posted a 1.18 ERA in 1996, the second-lowest mark in a season … Ranks second (two times) among the season saves leaders … Ranks 10th all-time in career strikeouts (248) … Helped the 1996 Eagles advance to the NCAA Regionals, defeating Old Dominion in the first round 6-0 … Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft.
FREDDY PESQUEIRA (Football, 1999-2002)
A four-time All-American who earned first-team honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002 … Earned first-team All-America honors from four different publications as a junior and five different outlets as a senior … A four-time All-Southern Conference honoree who took first-team honors in each of his final three seasons … Named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 after recording 133 stops, including 15.5 for loss and three sacks, along with an interception returned for a touchdown, three forced fumbles and seven pass break ups … Had 94 tackles, including 19 for loss and seven sacks, as a senior … His 353 career tackles rank second all-time in program history, coming from the defensive tackle spot … A multiple-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which signified the best defensive player in the nation … Forced six fumbles in his career, tied for the second-most in program history … Recorded 51.5 tackles for loss, the third-most in Georgia Southern history … Had two interceptions from his defensive line position … Had 11 tackles and three sacks in the 1999 championship game against Youngstown State … Helped lead GS to four consecutive Southern Conference titles and two straight national championships … He met and married his wife, Niki, who was a captain of the Georgia Southern cheerleading team from 2000-2002.
MARK WILLIAMS (Football, 1995-1999)
A four-year starter and decorated player at the offensive guard position during his career with the Eagles … A three-time consensus All-American who finished his career with 13 separate national honors … As the starting right guard, he led GS to a 141-13 mark during four letterwinning seasons … Played an even greater role in Georgia Southern's 37-6 ledger as a sophomore, junior and senior which included three straight Southern Conference titles, two NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship Game appearances and a title in 1999 … Enjoyed his best season in 1999, creating openings on a line that led the nation in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense en route to a national championship … A two-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient in 1997 and 1998 representing the Southern Conference's best offensive lineman … Earned First-Team All-America selections by six different agencies his senior season … A three-time First-Team All-SoCon selection by both the media and coaches … Held a streak of 43 consecutive starts to go along with 50 career starts for the Eagles … Also served as an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2002-2004.
STATESBORO, Ga. – Jayson Foster, a record-setting multi-purpose football player who became the first sophomore in NCAA history to win the Walter Payton Award, is one of seven individuals who will be inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame later this fall, as announced Tuesday by the athletics department.
The 2018 class of inductees includes:
Shanita Black Carter, a three-time all-conference softball player and the 2006 Southern Conference Player of the Year; and
Dr. Harry Carter, an administrator who chaired the college athletics committee that recommended to President Dale Lick the re-establishment of intercollegiate football in the early 1980s; and
Foster, who earned All-America honors at three different positions: quarterback, running back and all-purpose athlete during his time on the gridiron; and
Telly Hall Wright, a three-time All-Southern Conference selection in women's basketball who still ranks sixth all-time scoring; and
Tod Lee, a three-time All-American in baseball who was named the 1997 Southern Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year; and
Freddy Pesqueira, a four-time All-American who was one of the most dominant defensive linemen ever to suit up for the Eagles; and
Mark Williams, a three-time consensus All-American who finished his career with 13 separate national honors as an offensive lineman for Georgia Southern.
The 2018 seven-member class will be officially inducted at a Hall of Fame luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 8 prior to the football game against UMass at Paulson Stadium, and the new inductees will be introduced and honored at halftime of the contest. The seven additions bring the total number of former coaches, student-athletes, supporters and administrators in the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame to 154.
"This class is one that has had a tremendous impact on Georgia Southern Athletics, all across the board," director of athletics Tom Kleinlein said. "It features seven notable names that Eagle Nation knows well and I'm sure they'll be as excited as I am to induct them on Hall of Fame Weekend. Each of these seven inductees is very deserving of this honor and it's going to be an incredible weekend celebrating their achievements in September."
2018 Hall of Fame Class Bios
SHANITA BLACK (Softball, 2003-06)
A three-time All-Southern Conference selection, earning first-team honors in 2005 and 2006 … The SoCon Player of the Year in 2006 … The SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2006, leading the Eagles to a conference crown and the first NCAA berth in school history … Broke 12 school records during her career and still holds the SoCon record for most hits in one season (102, 2006) and most stolen bases in a single SoCon Tournament (7, 2006) … Named to the SoCon's 25th anniversary softball team in 2008 … Had a school-record 30-game hitting streak from March 2-April 15, 2006 … Named NFCA All-Southeast Region in 2006 … Ranks second all-time in program history for career batting average (.352), first in career runs scored (163), first in career hits (287), first in career triples (13) and first in career stolen bases (89) … Her 249 at-bats in 2006 are tied for 15th in NCAA Division I history in a single season.
DR. HARRY CARTER (Administrator, 1983-99)
Served as Vice President of Academic Affairs from 1983-1997, Provost and Vice President from 1997-98 … Twice served as acting University President (1986-87, 1998-99) … A major supporter of athletics throughout his career … Chaired the college Athletics Committee that recommended to President Dale Lick the re-establishment of intercollegiate football in the early 1980s … Directed the University's effort to achieve its initial NCAA certification in 1995 … Helped achieve the certification and increased general benefits to the Athletics Department, including enhancement of athletic opportunities for women student-athletes … Had an active role in the support of the student-athlete and implemented programs to assist with advising and tutors … Helped establish and cultivate relationships with major donors to the Athletics Department … While serving his first term as acting President, the football team won the I-AA National Championship and the men's basketball and baseball teams advanced to the NCAA postseason … Currently employed at The Citadel, but still a major contributor to Georgia Southern … He and his wife, Brenda, fund the annual Georgia Southern Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year awards … GSU Department of Mathematics Alumnus of the Year … GSU Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year … Graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1966 … Lettered on varsity tennis team in 1965 and 1966.
JAYSON FOSTER (Football, 2004-07)
Earned All-America honors at three different positions: quarterback, running back and all-purpose athlete … The 2007 Walter Payton Award winner as the top player in the FCS, earning first-team All-America honors from four different outlets as a senior … The 2007 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year … The only Eagle to ever score a touchdown five different ways: rushing, passing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return … The 2004 SoCon Freshman of the Year … Set a new NCAA all-division record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback with 1,844 in 2007 … Switched from quarterback to wide receiver as a junior and was named first-team All-SoCon and an honorable mention All-American … Moved back to quarterback as a senior and compiled a school-record 3,047 yards of total offense, breaking that of College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Ham … Finished his career with 3,835 career rushing yards, which stands fifth all-time at GS … Passed for 2,099 yards and had 651 yards receiving … Tallied 54 career rushing touchdowns (third most in program history), 15 passing scores and five receiving touchdowns.
TELLY HALL (Women's Basketball, 1995-98)
Three-time All-Southern Conference selection (1996-98) … Named to the SoCon All-Tournament team three times and was named the Most Valuable Player in 1998 … Ranks sixth all-time scoring 1,425 points … Her 13.1 career scoring average ranks seventh in school history … Stands fifth among career rebounding leaders with 767 caroms … Also ranks ninth in field goals made (523), sixth in field goal percentage (.538), fourth in free throws made (379) and second in free throws attempted (654) … Three-time SoCon Player of the Week honoree … Registered 29 career double-doubles.
TOD LEE (Baseball, 1995-97)
A three-time All-American as named by Collegiate Baseball … Also earned Freshman All-America honors by Louisville Slugger in 1995 … A two-time member of the Smith Super Team, honoring the nation's best … Named the 1995 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year … Named the 1997 SoCon Pitcher of the Year … A two-time all-region selection by the Baseball Coaches Association and a two-time All-Southern Conference selection … Georgia Southern's all-time saves leader with 29 and is second all-time in career ERA with a 2.46 mark … Shares the program's career record for most appearances with 109 during his three-year career … Had 11 saves in both 1995 and 1996 … Posted a 1.18 ERA in 1996, the second-lowest mark in a season … Ranks second (two times) among the season saves leaders … Ranks 10th all-time in career strikeouts (248) … Helped the 1996 Eagles advance to the NCAA Regionals, defeating Old Dominion in the first round 6-0 … Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft.
FREDDY PESQUEIRA (Football, 1999-2002)
A four-time All-American who earned first-team honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002 … Earned first-team All-America honors from four different publications as a junior and five different outlets as a senior … A four-time All-Southern Conference honoree who took first-team honors in each of his final three seasons … Named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 after recording 133 stops, including 15.5 for loss and three sacks, along with an interception returned for a touchdown, three forced fumbles and seven pass break ups … Had 94 tackles, including 19 for loss and seven sacks, as a senior … His 353 career tackles rank second all-time in program history, coming from the defensive tackle spot … A multiple-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which signified the best defensive player in the nation … Forced six fumbles in his career, tied for the second-most in program history … Recorded 51.5 tackles for loss, the third-most in Georgia Southern history … Had two interceptions from his defensive line position … Had 11 tackles and three sacks in the 1999 championship game against Youngstown State … Helped lead GS to four consecutive Southern Conference titles and two straight national championships … He met and married his wife, Niki, who was a captain of the Georgia Southern cheerleading team from 2000-2002.
MARK WILLIAMS (Football, 1995-1999)
A four-year starter and decorated player at the offensive guard position during his career with the Eagles … A three-time consensus All-American who finished his career with 13 separate national honors … As the starting right guard, he led GS to a 141-13 mark during four letterwinning seasons … Played an even greater role in Georgia Southern's 37-6 ledger as a sophomore, junior and senior which included three straight Southern Conference titles, two NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship Game appearances and a title in 1999 … Enjoyed his best season in 1999, creating openings on a line that led the nation in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense en route to a national championship … A two-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient in 1997 and 1998 representing the Southern Conference's best offensive lineman … Earned First-Team All-America selections by six different agencies his senior season … A three-time First-Team All-SoCon selection by both the media and coaches … Held a streak of 43 consecutive starts to go along with 50 career starts for the Eagles … Also served as an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2002-2004.
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