GSC Announces Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
The Gulf South Conference is excited to announce its Inaugural Hall of Fame Class!
The GSC Hall of Fame is 45 years in the making and features five former student-athletes, three administrators and two head coaches in this year's initial class.
The Inaugural GSC Hall of Fame will be officially inducted on Wednesday, June 25, in Pensacola Beach, Fla., at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Hotel.
Starting on Monday, June 9, the GSC will also begin a 10-day spotlight feature, highlighting each honoree and their impressive list of accomplishments. Below is a list of 2014 Hall of Fame winners:
Richard Berg, University of West Florida (Athletic Director)
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Named UWF athletics director in 1988 and guided the institution’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 1994; In 19 years as AD, Berg saw UWF claim 41 GSC Championships, eight All-Sports Trophies and three Commissioner’s trophy winners
Jeff Branson, University of West Alabama (Baseball Player)
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Currently serving as hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates and is in 12th season with the organization; Member of the 1988 Gold Medal winning United States Olympic Baseball Team; Appeared in the 1997 World Series as a member of the Cleveland Indians
David "Boo" Ferriss, Delta State University (Head Baseball Coach)
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Spent 46 years in baseball on the collegiate and professional levels, building a 639-387-8 record in 26 seasons as Head Coach of the Delta State Statesmen; Inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988; Pitched and coached for the Boston Red Sox for 10 seasons
Crystal Hardy, Delta State University (Women's Basketball Player)
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She was a member of the 1989 and 1990 NCAA Division II National Championship teams; Earned All-Gulf South Conference Team honors from 1988-90 and earned GSC MVP accolades in 1990; She won the GSC Commissioner’s Trophy in 1990
Chris Hatcher, Valdosta State University (Quarterback and Head Coach)
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Recipient of the 1994 Harlon Hill Trophy; Set 13 GSC and 17 NCAA Division II records; Garnered 1993 and 1994 GSC Commissioner’s Trophy honors
Wendy Hurst-Stewart, University of Alabama in Huntsville (Softball Pitcher)
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Four-time First Team All-GSC (1996-99); Holds GSC Career Records for Appearances, Games Started, Complete Games, Innings Pitched, Shutouts and Wins; Holds three NCAA Records in Games Started, Complete Games and Innings Pitched
Bill Jones, University of North Alabama (Men's Basketball Coach)
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Coached the UNA basketball teams from 1974-1988, posting a 259-141 record over a span that included four Final Four appearances and the 1979 NCAA Division II National Championship; After serving as an assistant athletic director at UNA from 1974-77 and as an associate athletic director from 1977-87, Jones became the first full-time athletic director with no coaching responsibilities on December 22, 1987
Ronald McKinnon, University of North Alabama (Linebacker)
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Three-time consensus All-American; Winner of the 1995 Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, becoming the first defensive player to win the award
Dee Outlaw, University of West Alabama (Athletic Director)
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UWA Director of Athletics (1994-2006); Served on NCAA Division II Management Council (2003-06); A member of UWA’s President Council and chair of the school’s Hall of Fame committee
Nate Salant, GSC Commissioner
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Longest tenured Commissioner in GSC history (1992-2014); Creator and Executive Producer of GSC-TV LIVE, the NCAA's first conference-owned and operated TV network
Join us in the conversation on all of our social platforms using the hashtag, #GSCHOF.