The University of Alabama in Huntsville Department of Athletics is pleased to unveil the Inaugural Class of the UAH Athletics Hall of Fame, announcing 10 members that will be enshrined for their extraordinary accomplishments and contributions as a Charger.
“We are excited to announce our first-ever UAH Athletics Hall of Fame Class,” stated Director of Athletics Dr. Cade Smith. “These 10 individuals are among the very best Chargers and truly exemplify the best about college athletics, especially at UAH. It was tough as a committee in our discussions to pick just 10 individuals to be our first Hall of Fame members, but we believe we have a strong group of Chargers of which we can all be proud. We can’t wait to celebrate these men and women in person when it is safe to do so, and we look forward to announcing more details about an induction ceremony.”
Former student-athletes become eligible for induction consideration 10 full years after their last season of collegiate competition and should have earned All-America, all-region, or all-conference honors, and additionally potential nominees should be of good character and reputation while exhibiting community involvement and citizenship.
Coaches and administrators are also eligible 10 years after their employment at UAH ended, with additional consideration given for continued contributions to society through community activities and performance in chosen fields which bring distinction to UAH.
This year’s inductees or family members of inductees are encouraged to reach out to Assistant Athletic Director Taylor Flatt at [email protected] for more information about the induction ceremony as it becomes available.
MELANIE CARTER | SOFTBALL | 2000-2003Career Highlights
-Enshrined into the GSC Hall of Fame in 2016
-Four-time All-American (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-Four time All-GSC (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
-Ranks in the top 10 in GSC history in RBI, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, walks, and assists.
-Ranks in the top 10 in UAH history in batting average, RBI, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, total bases, walks, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, assists, and games played.
JIM HARRIS | DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS | 1995-2010Career Highlights
-Enshrined into the GSC Hall of Fame in 2015
-UAH hockey won a pair of NCAA Division II national championships and a pair of CHA championships during his tenure
-UAH teams won 16 GSC championships during his tenure
-43 percent of UAH student-athletes maintained a 3.0 GPA under his watch
-Established a fifth-year scholarship program to help ensure student-athletes reached graduation
MATT JANSEN | BASEBALL | 1998-2002Career Highlights
-Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2000 and 2002)
-NCBWA South Region Pitcher of the Year (2002)
-Two-time All-GSC (2000 and 2002)
-Ranks in the top five in UAH history in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, and appearances
-Threw the second no-hitter in program history
BECKY STITT PLOTT | VOLLEYBALL & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | 1995-1999Career Highlights
-GSC Volleyball Player of the Year (1997)
-Four-time All-GSC in volleyball (1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998); Two-time All-GSC in women’s basketball (1998 and 1999)
-In volleyball, ranks in the top five in program history in kills, kills per set, hitting percentage, total block, and sets played
-In women’s basketball, ranks in the top 10 in program history in points, field goals made, 3-pointers made, and steals
DOUG ROSS | HOCKEY | 1985-2007Career Highlights
-Guided the Chargers to NCAA Division II national championships in 1996 and 1998
-Posted 376 wins during his 22 NCAA seasons
-Guided the team to CHA regular season championships in 2001 and 2003
-Under his direction, the Chargers won the CHA tournament in 2007
-Won at least 18 games in 12 different campaigns
TASO SOFOKITIS | HOCKEY | 1992-1996Career Highlights
-CoSIDA Academic All-American (1996)
-Member of the 1996 national championship team that posted the program’s only unbeaten record (26-0-3)
-Scored 17 goals and added 56 assists in his 103 career games
-Helped the Chargers earn 81 victories during his time in Huntsville, including three straight 20-win seasons his final three years
WENDY HURST STEWART | SOFTBALL | 1996-1999Career Highlights
-Enshrined in the GSC’s first-ever Hall of Fame class (2014)
-Two-time All-American (1998 and 1999)
-Four-time All-GSC (1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999)
-Holds the NCAA Division II records for single-season game started, single-season complete games, and single-season innings pitched
-Ranks in the top 10 in NCAA Division II history in six other categories: single-season appearances, career complete games, career starts, career innings pitched, single-season shutouts, and career appearances
-Appears in the GSC record book an astonishing 27 times.
TONY VANN | MEN’S BASKETBALL | 1975-1979Career Highlights
-Drafted by the Kansas City Kings in the eighth round of the NBA draft
-Two-time NAIA All-American (1978 and 1979)
-Holds the program career records in total points, total rebounds, rebounds per game, total field goals, and field goal percentage
-Also ranks in the top 10 in program history in steals, blocked shots, scoring average, and games played
ERIN ZELLERS | WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK | 2005-2009Career Highlights
-Four-time All-GSC in cross country (2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008)
-UAH’s top runner in 11 races during her cross country career
-Owns the program’s fifth-fastest 5k time and 6k time
-Most Outstanding Athlete at the 2009 NCAA Regional in outdoor track after winning titles in the 1500 meter and the 5000 meter
-Helped the Chargers win three NCAA Regionals in outdoor track (2007, 2008, and 2009)
LINCOLN ZIYENGE | MEN’S SOCCER | 1993-1996Career Highlights
-GSC Player of the Year (1996)
-All-GSC in 1996
-Ranks third in UAH history in goals and fifth in total points, while his 25-goal season in 1996 is the second-best in program history
-Scored eight game-winning goals in 1996, helping UAH win the GSC title
-Also served as the UAH head women’s soccer coach from 1998-2009, tallying 96 wins; named the GSC Coach of the Year as the head men’s soccer coach in 2009
(Courtesy of UAH)
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