GEORGETOWN, Texas -
GEORGETOWN, Texas – The 2014 class for the Southwestern Athletics Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor were inducted on Friday afternoon in front of a packed house in the Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center on the Southwestern University campus.
The 2014 class included men’s tennis standout USTA President Ken McAllister ’64, Pirate baseball all-star Danny Mickan, championship coach and administrator Ronda Seagraves and the exceptional 2007-08 women’s golf team.
Former Southwestern Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach Lester Sombito did the honors of recognizing Ken McAlister and read the citation. Sombito reflected on his own upbringing and the opportunities provided for him and his brothers via the work of McAllister.
McAllister is a 2013 Texas Tennis Museum Hall of Fame inductee and his impact on the world of tennis can be felt well beyond Southwestern’s campus. A native of San Angelo and Fort Stockton, McAllister was a two-year letter winner on the Pirate tennis team where he competed in #1 singles and #1 doubles from 1962-1964. Upon graduation he began coaching at the high school level at Snyder High School in 1964 where his players won three UIL state titles. McAllister has coached nearly 30 state and nationally ranked players.
An accomplished player even after his departure from Southwestern, McAllister has had 35 Texas rankings since 1971, five USTA rankings in 1983 and won the 1988 PTR National 45 Singles Championship. He was named Texas Pro of the Year twice and has been a USPTA Master Professional since 1987.
McAllister was also inducted into the Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000 and Snyder High School Athletic Hall of Honor in 2011.
Pat Leonard, who was mentored by Danny Mickan, spun a web of tales highlighting Mickan’s impeccable character, fun-loving nature, and all-around genuine personality. Mickan is best known for his on-the-field contributions, but his family and friends know him best for his sincerity and humility.
Mickan’s name continues to ring throughout the halls at Southwestern even with nearly 30 years passing since he stepped onto Rockwell Field. Through four seasons, Mickan was an integral part of the Pirate baseball teams that made four postseason appearances and two NAIA World Series appearances. In 1984, SU finished third in the nation and Mickan was named the NAIA World Series Golden Glove Award winner.
Mickan was an Honorable Mention All-Big State Conference pick and earned a spot on the All-Academic Team in 1982 and was an NAIA All-District selection in 1983. He was heavily decorated in 1984, being named to the NAIA All-Area, All-District and All-Tournament Area II teams while also being selected as the District IV Player of the Year.
Mickan is still tied, with Leonard, for the record for most hits in a season with 98 in 1984.
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kerri Brinkoeter then took the post at the podium and reflected on Ronda Seagraves as a coach, mentor, colleague, manager and friend. As stated best by Seagraves’ daughter, Shea, this award reflects the respect Ronda has earned and honors who she is today.
A shining example for all to follow as a coach and educator, Ronda Seagraves aspired to develop student –athletes to be their best on and off the court and truly epitomized what it meant to “Be Southwestern”. Ronda is the only coach in the history of Southwestern Athletics to win two Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships in the same year, taking home titles in women’s basketball and women’s golf in the 1997-98 academic year.
An SCAC Coach of the Year in 1998, Seagraves led the Pirates to their only women’s basketball championship and post season appearance. She was also the SCAC Golf Coach of the Year in 1998 and 1999 with conference championships in 1997 and 1998. The 2000 team was the first women’s golf team to reach the post season, finishing fifth in the nation.
Seagraves coached ten All-SCAC players and has a 108-115 overall record in nine seasons at Southwestern with a 243-198 overall coaching record.
To close out the ceremony, Hall of Fame committee member and former SU Golfer Ashlee Martin, noted the numerous awards and honors garnered by the 2007-08 women’s golf team throughout their tenure at Southwestern. Head Coach Dan Ruyle accepted the award and expressed his thanks to the parents for the remarkable young women he had the pleasure of coaching.
No other sport has left such an indelible mark on the university in recent years like the women’s golf team. After capturing the SCAC Conference title, the 2008 women’s golf team advanced to the NCAA Championship and posted the highest finish ever for a Pirate golf team, bringing home third place honors.
The team was undefeated in conference match play with an 8-0 record and posted a team match record of 100-24. Many honors were befittingly bestowed upon the Pirates including Head Coach Dan Ruyle earning SCAC Coach of the Year and NGCA Regional Coach of the Year honors. Marissa Mauldin was an NGCA First Team All-America selection, SCAC Golfer of the Year, NGCA All-American Scholar and NGCA All-Region Team pick. Kristen Davenport was also chosen as a NGCA All-American Scholar and NGCA All-Region Team and earned NGCA Second Team All-America honors. Delilah Dominguez was a Third Team All-America pick and NGCA All-American Scholar.
Prior to the Hall of Fame inductions, 10 student-athletes were honored by being inducted into Southwestern’s Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor includes student-athletes who have reached the national level either in the classroom or on the playing field. This year’s inductees included, James Charles ‘13—Golf, Lilly Duarte ‘14—Cross Country, Jameson Otto ‘07—Cross Country, Evan Perkins ‘13—Soccer, Karen Ramirez ‘14—Softball, Karissa Speck ‘13—Golf, Rachel Thibodeau ‘13—Volleyball, Bailey Thompson ’11—Swimming
Following the program, award recipients had their photograph taken with their placques on the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor walls in the Corbin J. Roberston Center.
To view the video of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, click here.
Click here to view the slideshow presentation
Click here to view photos from the reception and ceremony
Hall of Fame Bio Pages
Please click on each inductees names to view their Hall of Fame bio page.
To view a complete list of the Hall of Fame inductees, please click here.