FAYETTEVILLE, N.C - The USA South Athletic Conference is pleased to announce its inaugural Hall of Fame Class. The 2010 class includes six former student-athletes, three coaches and one administrator. The inductees will be officially honored and recognized during the final day of the USA South Basketball Tournaments at Christopher Newport University on February 27, 2010.
Two former Methodist student-athletes along with two current Methodist coaches were recognized in the inaugural class.
USA South Commissioner Rita Wiggs stated, "The USA South Athletic Conference (formerly the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) was established in 1963. A strong tradition of exciting teams, outstanding student-athletes and stellar coaches and administrators has filled the 46 years of the Conference’s history. Establishing this Conference Hall of Fame gives us a platform to honor those outstanding individuals who played, coached and guided the Conference administratively through the years. This inaugural class is comprised of exceptional student-athletes and coaches and one of the founding fathers of the Conference. We look forward to a moving and memorable induction ceremony."
The 2010 USA South Hall of Fame inductees from Methodist University:
STUDENT-ATHLETES
Elena Blanina was a four-year letter winner and two-time National Singles Champion for the Methodist University (2000-03) women's tennis team. She was a four-time Dixie Conference Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year in 2000. An All-American and ITA Senior Player of the Year in 2003, Blanina earned ITA Regional Singles and Doubles Championships twice during her career. Upon graduating, Blanina spent time working for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and is currently working on Wall Street in New York City.
Chad Collins is one of just three Methodist University (1997-2001) men's golfers to earn First Team All-American honors four times. He helped the Monarchs to their last two National Championships in 1998 and 1999, including four Conference crowns. Collins was a three-time NCAA Division III Individual Champion and a two-time Dixie Conference Individual Champion. He earned First Team All-Conference honors each of his four seasons. Collins has competed in 25 Professional Golfers Association (PGA) events over the past three years and is currently on the Nationwide Tour.
COACHES
Tom Austin is currently in his 30th season as the head coach of the Methodist University (1980-present) baseball program. He holds a record of 929-384-9 and became the eighth coach in NCAA Division III baseball history to reach the 900-victory plateau. Austin ranks fourth amongst active Division III head baseball coaches in wins. He has led the Monarchs to 13 Conference titles, 20 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and six NCAA Division III South Regional titles. Austin led Methodist to its best finish in the 1995 season as the Monarchs finished as national runners-up. He has earned nine Conference Coach of the Year honors and seven NCAA Division III South Region Coach of the Year accolades. A total of 27 players under Austin have garnered NCAA Division III All-American honors, while 120 have been selected as first team All-Conference members.
Steve Conley is currently in his 23rd season as the head coach of the Methodist University (1987-present) men's golf program. He has led the Monarchs to nine NCAA Division III National Championships plus three national runner-up finishes. Under Conley, Methodist has captured 19 Conference titles. He has earned Conference Coach of the Year honors 17 times, NCAA Division III Region III Coach of the Year accolades 13 times, and NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year honors four times. Conley has produced nine individual national champions, 48 All-Americans and 11 Academic All-Americans. In 2007, at age 44, he was the youngest coach to be inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Hall of Fame.
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2010 USA South Hall of Fame Class
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| Tom Austin, Methodist University |
| Karen Barefoot, Christopher Newport University |
| Elena Blanina, Methodist University |
| Chad Collins, Methodist University |
| Steve Conley, Methodist University |
| Mike Fox, N.C. Wesleyan College |
| Eric Owens, Ferrum College |
| Don Scalf, N.C. Wesleyan College |
| Lamont Strothers, Christopher Newport University |
| Billy Wagner, Ferrum College |
For more information on the USA South Hall of Fame visit:
www.usasouth.net