DECATUR, Ga. - The Agnes Scott College Department of Athletics hosted its Inaugural 2021 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on November 5, honoring former Scotties who made a lasting impact, whether it be from athletic accomplishment or meritorious service. The Agnes Scott Advisory Board was tasked with selecting some of the best student-athletes to ever wear the Purple and Black. The Inaugural 2021 class enshrined an elite group of Agnes Scott College Hall of Famers that now includes eight individuals and the 2014 softball team.
The evening began with a welcome from Dr. Markesha Henderson, director of athletics, giving thanks to the hall of fame class for the impact they made as Scottie's. During her speech, Henderson also added the historical impact and the success of Agnes Scott student athletes.
The induction ceremony was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Naima Judge, Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee and was held in Evans dining hall. Gratitude was the common denominator as the inductees reflected on the meaning that Agnes Scott served in their lives, and the wealth of experiences that have shaped who they are to this day. The following inductees were named to the Inaugural Agnes Scott College Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021:
The 2014 Softball team. Student-athletes work hard all year in pursuit of the coveted conference championship. The team went 23-22 for the season and scored a total of 267 runs. On Sunday, April 24, 2014 the Agnes Scott Softball team defeated the Finlandia Lions 14-9, winning its first Great South Athletic Conference Championship.
The 2014 Softball Team
Head Coach Talya DiGirolamo
Assistant Coaches Ariana Mullin, Morgan Smith, and Laura Kot Magnum
Casey Arnold ('16)
Julia Blattner Johnson ('15)
Tiffany Cain Woodward ('15)
Kelsey Daigneau ('17)
Miranda Gammon-Coker ('17)
Tamron Hampton ('17)
Holly Jones ('17)
Aimee McKibbin Jennings ('15)
Alyssa Millikin ('15)
Ashley Monsrud ('15)
Kat Riale ('15)
Megan Snipes McBeth ('15)
Team Manager Candace Bey ('16)
Basketball:
Genefine Sapateh '13
Genefine Sapateh is a 2013 graduate from Riverdale, Georgia and played 102 games for the Scottie basketball team from 2009-2013. Over her playing career she practically wrote the record book. Her accolades include 1,300 points, 866 rebounds, 51 blocks, and 190 steals. She was also named to the GSAC All-Conference team.
Cross Country:
Phyllis Hines '04
Phyllis Hines ran cross country at Vanderbilt in the early 1980s and left school early to train for the 1984 Olympic Marathon. 20 years later, in her early 40s and a mother of two, Phyllis enrolled in Agnes Scott College to complete her degree in German and was still eligible to compete on the Scottie cross country team. In 2004 she was the NCAA Division III Southeastern Region Cross Country Champion and runner up in the National competition. In addition to her accolades in cross country, Hines won five U.S. National Titles in cycling.
Soccer:
Heather Holm Havens '01
Dr. Heather Holm Havens is a 2001 graduate from Douglasville, Georgia. Heather was a forward/midfielder for the Scottie soccer team from 1997-2000. Heather has recorded the most goals than anyone else in Agnes Scott soccer history, logging 66 total goals in 51 games played. A fierce competitor, she took a total of 261 shots, and recorded 17 assists.
Softball:
Melanie Ennis '13
Melanie Ennis, a 2013 graduate from Brooks, Georgia. Melanie was an outfielder for the Scottie softball team from 2009-2013. In her first year she led the team in batting average, hits, and stolen bases, which earned her the GSAC Freshman of the Year honor. The honors continued as she was named to the All-Conference team every season she played. Over her playing career she has recorded 102 runs, batted in 61 runners and stole 40 bases.
Tennis:
Selinda Geyer '00
Selinda Geyer has the distinction of being the first Agnes Scott athlete to compete in an NCAA Tournament. On May 22, 2000, Selinda opened up the NCAA tournament with an upset of #1 seed Lizzie Yasser of Trinity. She went on to win in the second round, quarter finals, and semifinals matches without losing a set, placing her in the National Championship match. While she came short of the championship, her story of the unseeded junior who breezed through the tournament will be tennis legend for years to come.
Coach/Administrator:
Joeleen Akin (2003-2016)
Joeleen Akin served in multiple capacities at Agnes Scott over her 13-year career including Director of Athletics, Head Basketball Coach, Chair of Physical Education, and Associate Dean for Athletics and Student Activities. During her tenure, Agnes Scott Athletics produced eight NCAA Tournament teams. Her trademarked "Smart Women Sweat" tagline increased visibility for the athletic program and she spearheaded many of the facility upgrades and endowment campaigns that the department still relishes today.
Legacy:
Bill and Carolyn Curry ('66)
Curry is married to Agnes Scott Alumna, Carolyn Curry. The couple are being inducted as Legacy Honorees for their involvement as founding members of the Agnes Scott Athletics Advisory Board. Curry's involvement connected Agnes Scott, an NCAA Division III women's college in Decatur, GA, to the vibrant sports community in Atlanta. The Curry's supported many of the initiatives to elevate the visibility of the sports program and supported fundraising campaigns to provide resources to sustain the growth.
On Saturday, November 6, the morning started at 10 am with a brunch for the inductees and Scottie student athletes. At the conclusion of brunch everyone made their way to Woodruff Athletic Complex for the revealing of the Athletics Hall of Fame Mural. The Hall of Fame Athletics Mural was revealed in the lobby of Woodruff Athletic Complex at 11 am. Following the unveiling of the Hall of Fame Athletics Mural the inductees had an opportunity address the current Scottie student athletes during a panel discussion. The panel discussion allowed current student athletes to engage with the inductees and ask a series of question.
The Hall of Fame events concluded with both inductees and student athletes had the opportunity to play a series of basketball themed games. The games included musical chairs with a twist and a shoot out contest. Hall of Fame Genefine Sapateh came back and schooled head basketball coach Reggie Blackmon during the shoot out contest.
Agnes Scott Athletics has a history in sports that dates back to 1897.
