The University of Charleston's athletic program is known for its winning reputation, not only in the Mountain East Conference, but also throughout the country. Over the last nine years, UC has snagged the Mountain East Conference Commissioner's Cup for Athletic Excellence seven times, has won two NCAA National Championships in soccer, and has claimed multiple Mountain East Conference and regional titles. Since the institution was first established in 1888, 156 student athletes have been named to the University of Charleston Hall of Fame, the highest recognition for those who have contributed to the history of Golden Eagle Athletics. On Friday, September 23rd, the University of Charleston Hall of Fame will welcome several deserving players, teams, and supporters.
 
This year's University of Charleston Hall of Fame class includes Men's Basketball player Carl Edwards; Women's Basketball players Kathi Penczak and Courtney Thomas; Baseball player Robert James Daily III; the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Women's Basketball team; and donors John and Fonda Elliot will be recognized for their generous contributions to UC and its athletic department throughout the years. The induction ceremony will take place on September 23rd, 2022, at 6pm in the Emma Byrd Gallery (located in Riggleman Hall). Seating is limited; so, be sure to RSVP and purchase tickets for the event by calling Pam O'Brien at (304)-357-4820. In addition to the induction ceremony, the inductees will also be recognized during the first quarter of the University of Charleston versus Alderson-Broaddus University football game on September 24, 2022. 

Carl Edwards '04 | Men's Basketball

WVIAC Tournament MVP, All-MEC Freshman of the Year, four-time WVIAC All-Tournament honoree, and three-time All-WVIAC First Team honoree, Carl Edwards, proved to be a key asset for the University of Charleston Men's Basketball program. Like a human torch, Edwards was known for his ability to heat up in a moment's notice and averaged 17.7 points per game while shooting a consistent 54.8% from the field. During his time as a student-athlete, he helped lead Charleston to a WVIAC regular season and tournament championship. Edwards was selected to be on the WVIAC All-Tournament team each year he played at Charleston, and during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, he was awarded First team All-Conference. Edwards finished his Golden Eagle career with 2,092 points, 820 rebounds, 131 assists, and an 89-34 all-time record. Currently, he is ranked fifth in the UC Men's Basketball record book for points scored over the course of a career. After turning his tassel, Edwards still carried on his winning ways into the professional game while stepping on the court for Trotamundos B.B.C (2011), Soles de Mexicali (2011-12), and Cocodrilos de Caracas (2013) in North and South America. During the 2018-2019 season for Central State University Women's Basketball team, Edwards shared his basketball expertise in his role as an assistant coach. Currently, he continues to share his passion for basketball in Dayton, Ohio where he works as a professional basketball trainer.

Kathi Penczak '79 | Women's Basketball, Softball, & Women's Tennis

Kathi Penczak was a multi-sport athlete from 1977 to 1979 at the University of Charleston, which was previously known as Morris Harvey College until it was renamed on December 13,1978. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in Industrial Recreation, Penczak juggled basketball, tennis, and softball; however, she is best known for her prowess on the basketball court. Throughout the '77-'78 basketball season, she helped Charleston dominate the court resulting in a 25-5 overall record and a 15-0 record in conference play. Penczak continued to help the Golden Eagles continue with their winning ways through the '78-'79 season as UC was crowned WVIAA regular season and tournament champions. These victories advanced the Golden Eagles onto a historic AIAW National Tournament where they left their mark as the first women's basketball team from West Virginia to ever make a national tournament with a finish in the Elite Eight. Although falling just short of a national championship, the team finished their season ranked seventh nationally. Throughout her time at the University of Charleston, Penczak received WVIAA All-Tournament honors during the '77-'78 and '78'-'79 seasons. Today, Penczak resides in Union County, New Jersey where she is a self-employed construction professional specializing in carpentry. 

Courtney Thomas '07 | Women's Basketball

Courtney Thomas is also being recognized for her stellar performance in a Golden Eagles basketball uniform. She attended the University of Charleston from 2003 to 2007 and was the starting point guard for the Golden Eagles all four years. Thomas is a three-time All-Conference honoree, a two-time WVIAC All-Tournament honoree, and a WVIAC Freshman Team honoree. During her time as a student-athlete, she was awarded Player of the Week twice as a senior and once as a freshman. In her freshman season, she averaged 15.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 49.5% from three. Even more than that, the Golden Eagle averaged 3.7 steals per game, which resulted in her being ranked ninth nationally at the time. Thomas helped lead UC to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 2004, 2005, and 2006. In 2004, the Golden Eagles bowed out of the tournament early, but advanced to the Elite Eight in 2005 and 2006. By the time Thomas graduated, she accumulated 1,836 points, 477 assists, 331 steals, and had an overall record of 106-24. Currently, she is ranked second in the "1,000 Point Club" in the UC Women's Basketball record book. Today, Thomas calls Austin, Texas home.

Robert James Daily III '08 | Baseball

Robert James Daily III played outfield for the University of Charleston baseball team from 2004 to 2008. Right from the beginning, it was clear that Daily was not shy with his bat, as he batted .342 and totaled 38 hits in his first season in a Golden Eagles uniform. Following a great start to his college baseball career, he set the school record for hits on the season at 64 while batting .354 as a sophomore. As each season passed, Daily continued to impress with his ability to hit. In his junior season, the Golden Eagle batted .430 and shattered the previous single-season record that he set the year prior with 83 hits. During the same season, he received Player of the Week honors for having four three-hit games and going 15 for 22 at the plate with 24 runs batted in while batting 681. His impressive stats throughout the season also earned him All-WVIAC and All-Region honors. In his final season as a student-athlete, Daily batted with an average of .381, blasted out four home runs, and drove in 24 runs. As a senior, he received Second-Team All-Conference honors. Today, Daily resides in Wintersville, Ohio.

'04-'5 & 05'-'06 Women's Basketball Team

Also being recognized for their success is the 2004-05 and 2005-06 University of Charleston Women's Basketball team. Head coach Sherry Winn and assistant coaches Lynne Fitzgerald, Derek Dukes, Kavina Dickens, and Ben Fordham led both teams to successful seasons where they reached the NCAA Elite Eight. The roster in 2004 included Lisa Lee, Courtney Thomas, Laura Kinsler, Rachel Pike, Emily Jones, Erica McElroy, Mandy Ebel, Courtney Blackmon, Meg Scureman, Joselyn Heckelmoser, Danielle Fox, Tanya Traeger, Kira Richardson, and Kayela Tidrick. During the season, the Golden Eagles put together a 14-game win streak and remained untouchable on their home court. Lisa Lee was a standout player for UC and led the team in individual honors. These included five WVIAC Player of the Week awards, All-American honors, First-Team All-WVIAC honors, and All-Region Tournament MVP. Lee also tied the record for most Player of the Week awards won consecutively with three during the season. Along with Lee's accolades, Emily Jones was placed onto the All-WVIAC Freshman team and Coach Wynn was awarded WIVAC Coach of the Year. Historically, this Coach of the Year award makes Coach Wynn the first person to ever win both Player and Coach of the Year in the conference. During the NCAA tournament, both Lisa Lee and Courtney Thomas continued to represent the Golden Eagles with class when they were selected to be on both the All-Region team and All-Region Tournament team. In the postseason, Charleston cruised past their opponents, including a big win against nationally ranked Anderson University (SC). This win against Anderson University allowed them to advance to the Elite Eight before falling to Washburn University (KS), 73-60. The Golden Eagles proudly finished the season ranked seventh nationally with a record of 29-5 (17-1, WVIAC). 
            
During the 2005-06 season, the Golden Eagles continued their impressive form and improved on their impressive record from the previous season to 31-3 (17-1, WVIAC) before falling to eventual champions, Grand Valley State University (MI), in the Elite Eight. This season saw several familiar faces, but added Jihan Williams, Veronica Carman, Jennifer DeMeyer, and Tiffany Gordon to the roster. The Golden Eagles saw another dominant season where Charleston went on three separate winning streaks that consisted of winning 10 games, 12 games, and 9 games. Charleston's dominant play led to many more WVIAC awards. Courtney Thomas, Lisa Lee and Rachel Pike were all selected for the WVIAC First Team and All-WVIAC Tournament Team, while Jihan Williams was placed onto the All- WVIAC Freshman Team. In addition to being named to the WVIAC First Team and All-Tournament Team, Lee was also crowned WVIAC Player of the Year, WVIAC Tournament MVP, and received All-American honors. During her final season as the head coach for the Golden Eagles, Sherry Winn earned her 100th career win, and after a combined 11 years as a player and coach for the Golden Eagles, Winn closed her successful career out with a record of 237-100. 

John and Fonda Elliot

As a thank you for all they have done for the University of Charleston and its Athletic Department, the Meritorious Award will be granted to John and Fonda Elliot. The Elliot family has helped students, professors, and staff more than they will ever know. While Fonda Elliot has served on the UC Board of Trustees for eighteen years, she and her family have also been loyal financial supporters to the Golden Eagles for more than fifteen years. The Elliots have contributed to UC's annual fund, scholarships, and many other special projects around campus such as the boathouse and the outdoor greenspace courts. They have also played an important role in the development of UC's School of Pharmacy and residence halls. The time and dedication the Elliot family has given to the university goes far beyond treasure, and the University of Charleston is extremely grateful for their contributions. 
 
When: September 23rd, 2022, at 6pm
Where: Emma Byrd Gallery (located in Riggleman Hall)