Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Third Class - 2011 Inductees

Timothy R. Albert ’77
Baseball (1973-77)

In 1977, Tim Albert held career highest batting average, career highest number of homeruns, and career highest number of RBIs. He was first team All-American in 1976 (VWC's first in any sport) and third team in 1977, All-Conference in 1975, 1976, and 1977, and won the Adirondack Big Stick Award in 1976. Tim is an assistant principal with Dare County Schools and previously worked for 30 years with Virginia Beach City Schools, serving as Principal of Landstown Middle School for 10 years and honored in 1992 as Assistant Principal of the Year. He served as baseball coach for 12 years at Kempsville High School and was twice named Coach of the Year.

"As the first baseball player to be inducted, I am reminded of my teammates, or as we called ourselves “F Troop”. We were a family and this honor belongs to them as much as it does to me. Virginia Wesleyan has given me so much --my 34 year career in public education got its start on this very campus. This College will always be an integral part of the love and support I’ve had throughout my life and this induction is just another reminder to me of how lucky I am. Thank you."

Tim Albert

Thomas A. Lewis ’98
Men's Lacrosse (1995-98)

During his career at VWC, Tommy Lewis was all-time leader in points, assists, and groundballs, and fifth all-time leader in goals. He was named to the All-ODAC team three years in a row, received All-American honors his senior year, and participated in the North South Senior Lacrosse Classic. He received the Norfolk Sports Club Award for Outstanding Senior Athlete. He received the All-ODAC Academic Award and the Blue Marlin Athletic Club Student Athlete Award. Tommy is a CPA and Chief Financial Officer for First Team Auto Group. For seven years he has coached boys' lacrosse, including the all-star travel teams. In 2004, he co-founded the Friends of Virginia Wesleyan Men's Lacrosse Club, which supports men's lacrosse through fundraising and donations.

“As I look back, it’s clear that Virginia Wesleyan really was the perfect start to the rest of my life. It’s amazing how much transpired during my four years here- my lacrosse teammates have become lifelong friends, the faculty fully prepared me for the internship that my assistant lacrosse coach lined up for me during my junior summer break, which has turned into a great career, and on top of all that, I was lucky enough to have met my wife (Andrea Mackintosh ’95) at Virginia Wesleyan and we have seen our family grow from just the two of us to six!”
Tommy Lewis

 

Tassos J. Paphites ’79
Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer and Men's Tennis (1975-79)

Throughout Tassos Paphites collegiate career at VWC, he was a three-sport letterman, the first to achieve this rank. He played in the #1 position in tennis for four years and played soccer for four years and was captain for two years. He played basketball for three years, starting as a sophomore, was selected first team All-Conference twice and selected to the Virginia State All-Star game twice. Tassos became VWC's first alumni professional athlete, starting as point guard for PAOK European Basketball in Greece and received the Greece National Basketball Award. Tassos is Founder and Chairman/CEO of BurgerBusters Inc. and its affiliates in Virginia Beach. His company has grown from one restaurant in 1986 to more than 100 to date. Tassos is on the Board of Trustees at Virginia Wesleyan.

 

Kimberly Kumpf Robbins ’94
Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer and Softball (1990-94)

In women's soccer, Kim Kumpf Robbins was a four-year varsity starter and ranks #3 in season-high points, #5 in career points, and ranks 3rd in season-high shots at 91. In women's basketball, she scored 1,071 career points and had 1,020 career rebounds, the third highest in VWC history. In softball, she played on three ODAC championship teams, served as team captain in 1994 and ranks #5 in career doubles. She received the All-Conference Academic Award for soccer, basketball and softball in 1993-1994. Kim worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist for ten years and is now an active community volunteer who home schools her children. She has a first and second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a blue belt in Kempo Karate.

 

Monica L. Saltarelli ’97
Field Hockey and Softball (1993-97)

In field hockey, Monica Saltarelli was a three-time All-ODAC first team and All-Region first team and Division III regional All-American in 1994, 1995, and 1996. In 1994, she helped VWC achieve their first winning field hockey season by scoring 12 of 16 goals. School records include #1 in career shots with 249, #2 in career goals with 41, and #3 in career points with 87. In softball, Monica was All ODAC first team in 1994, 1995, and 1997. She received the Softball Varsity Award in 1994, and the Blue Marlin Athletic Club Award in 1995 and 1996. Monica is Senior Counsel for CA Technologies in Herndon, Virginia. She received her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and is a member of the Maryland State Bar and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

 

Andrew C. Walker ’90
Men's Soccer (1986-90)

Andy Walker was a member of the VWC men's soccer team for four years and was captain for two years. He started every game during his career, 76 total, never missing a match. He scored 24 career goals, 21 career assists, and 69 career points. He was VWC's first ODAC Men's Soccer Player of the Year and was first team All-ODAC in 1989, first team All South Region in1989. He won the Norfolk Sports Club Award in 1989 and was named VWC's Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1989. Andy Walker is Director of Special Events and Coordinator of Volunteer Services at Norfolk Academy. He received his M.S. in Sports Administration from Georgia State University. He was named Georgia Youth Soccer Association Administrator of the Year in 2005.

“The relationships made on and off the field have shaped me in to the person that I am today. I share this award with all of my teammates, coaches, and friends at VWC. All of these people have had a positive impact on my life, and I am very thankful for all of the support during my four years as a student athlete at Virginia Wesleyan College.”
Andy Walker

Welze O. Young

Welze Young was a long-time supporter and volunteer at Virginia Wesleyan College who passed away in June of 2008. He recruited hundreds of young women from Hampton Roads to softball and basketball careers at VWC. The three female athletes inducted into the charter class of the Athletic Hall of Fame were Welze Young recruits. For many years, he volunteered at the Cunningham Gymnasium, taking tickets and handing out treats to students coming for the games. Welze served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years, working with the Seabees aboard ships and as athletic director at several military installations. He then worked with Norfolk Public Schools for 20 years. He loved coaching and worked as a volunteer coach at the Azalea Athletic Association, St. Pius X School, Norfolk Catholic High School, and of course, Virginia Wesleyan.

 

Second Class - 2010 Inductees

Mark E. Butts ’79
Men’s Basketball (1977-79)

For Virginia Wesleyan men’s basketball, Mark Butts ’79 shares the single-game scoring record (40) and owns the No. 2 single-season scoring record (603) and the No. 2 career high-scoring average of 20.2 points per game.  Mark was named team MVP in 1979 and scored 1,154 career points.  His honors include: two-time All-South region, two-time All-Dixie Conference, and two-time Dixie Conference All-Tournament team.  Mark Butts is head basketball coach at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach.  Since his graduation from Virginia Wesleyan, he has served as mentor, coach and teacher to hundreds of young men and women.  In 2007, he was honored as Beach District Coach of the Year and Eastern Region Coach of the Year and was named the Sportsperson of the Year by the Virginia Beach Sports Club.

Robert “Bobby” D. Fox ’94
Men’s Tennis (1992-94)

In 1994, Bobby Fox was named a NCAA All-American in men’s tennis.  He ranks second in total victories in singles at Virginia Wesleyan and was ranked No. 13 nationally as a senior in singles and No. 14 regionally in doubles.  Bobby was the Old Dominion Athletic Conference singles champion at No. 1 in 1994.  He played as No. 1 seed on the men’s tennis team each year he played and was captain of the team in 1993 and 1994.  In his three and a half years at Virginia Wesleyan, he compiled a 61-11 singles record and graduated with a 3.4 GPA.  Bobby is a commercial lending manager in Houston, Texas.

Karen Putnam Kinsey ’89
Women’s Soccer (1985-88)

Karen Putnam Kinsey ’89 holds Virginia Wesleyan’s single-season and career records for goals scored and is tied at No. 1 for season-high assists and tied at No. 3 in career assists.  She was a four-year Dixie Conference women’s soccer first team recipient, three-time All-Dixie Conference honoree and was named to the All-South region second team in 1987.  Karen is a teaching assistant with Virginia Beach City Public Schools.  She previously worked as a paralegal and has recently taken up running.

Gregory C. Plummer ’84
Men’s Soccer (1980-83)

Greg Plummer ’84 was Virginia Wesleyan’s first All-American in men’s soccer, named All-American second team in 1983.  He was also named a three-time All-South region honoree and four-time All-Dixie Conference honoree, the College’s first four-time all-conference honoree in men’s soccer.  Greg is a 4-time all VISA (Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association) honoree and was voted MVP twice.  He received the WTAR athlete-scholar award and the Norfolk Sports Club outstanding senior award.  He served as Virginia Wesleyan’s assistant men’s soccer coach in 1985.  Greg has a 25-year career in sales and is currently vice president for sales for Water Pik, Inc.

Susan Sigler ’88
Softball (1985-88)

Susan Sigler ’88 ranks No. 4 in single season RBI, No. 2 in career doubles, No. 3 in RBI and No. 5 in runs scored.  She was named 1986 All-South region honoree, is a three-time All-Dixie Conference honoree and was Dixie Conference Tournament MVP in 1987.  Susan was part of the record-setting team that qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time, played for three consecutive teams that won 30 plus games a season and won two Dixie Conference championships.  She volunteered her time and spirit as the Marlin Mascot at home basketball games in 1987 and 1988.  Susan is the program leader for the Middle College High School at Tidewater Community College.  She also serves as an adjunct professor in the masters in education program at Cambridge College for school counselors.

Howard Mast (1966-76)

Howard Mast (1917-2006) served Virginia Wesleyan for ten years as facility engineer, coach and instructor in physical education.  During his time at Wesleyan, he oversaw and supervised construction of the first playing fields for soccer, baseball, three golf holes and an outdoor basketball court.  He coached men’s and women’s tennis and women’s basketball and served as assistant coach for men’s soccer. Howard was inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association Hall of Fame and was awarded the Outstanding Service Award by the Virginia Tennis Association in 2005.  He established the Howard D. Mast Women’s Basketball Award, which is presented yearly, to recognize the outstanding women’s basketball player.  He passed away in October of 2006.

Charter Class - 2009 Inductees

Lonnie Blow ’82
Men’s Basketball (1979-82)

For Virginia Wesleyan’s men’s basketball, Lonnie Blow ’82 ranks No. 5 among all-time leading scorers with 1,574 points. He is Virginia Wesleyan’s record holder for season field goals and second in career total. He shares Virginia Wesleyan’s single-game scoring record (40) and owns the single-season scoring record of 625. His 1980-81 scoring average of 23.1 ranks No. 2 in College history and he ranks No. 3 in career high-scoring average.

Lonnie is the head men’s basketball coach at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C. He served as assistant basketball coach at Maury High School and then as coach at Granby High where he led the boys’ team to a state title and was named AAA State Coach of the Year in 2000. Lonnie, a four-time Eastern District Coach of the Year, also coached at Hampton University and Norfolk State University. A recipient of the Andrew Carnegie Award and the City of Portsmouth Hero Award, Lonnie was an Olympic Torch Bearer in 1996.

Stacy L. Carr ’91
Women’s Basketball and Tennis (1986-90)

Stacy Carr ’91 ranks No. 2 in Virginia Wesleyan history in points in women’s basketball with 1,545, and ranks No. 2 in career field goals and No. 3 in free throws. She is one of only two Marlin women to record 20+ rebounds in one game. During the 1989-90 season, she was ranked No. 1 nationally in rebounds and during her senior year, she led the nation in rebounding and was in the top 20 in scoring.  In tennis, Stacy was Dixie Conference #3 Singles Champion in 1987 and Dixie Conference #1 Doubles Champion in 1988.

Stacy is a history teacher with Louisa County Public Schools where she has taught for 11 years. In 2003, she was nominated Teacher of the Year. She has coached boys’ tennis in Louisa County for nine years. Previously, she taught for two years at Southampton High School.

Tina Clark Milligan ’88
Softball (1985-88)

At Virginia Wesleyan, Tina Clark Milligan ’88  was a three-time All-Dixie Conference first team honoree and in 1986 was named Dixie Conference Most Valuable Player. She ranks No. 6 in career ERA and No. 4 in career strikeouts. She is currently ranked among the top 15 all-time record holders in NCAA Division III history and is the record holder at Virginia Wesleyan for win/loss of 96-29 and innings pitched, 807.5. In 1987, she was selected as the Norfolk Sports Club Athlete of the Year, and in 2007, she was inducted into the Kellam High School’s Hall of Fame.

In 2003, Tina left her position as regional operations recruiter for Food Lion to be a stay-at-home mom to her children, James and Anna. She is actively involved in the Newcastle Civic League where she serves as interim president and has also volunteered with Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and the Green Run Little League.

Donald M. Forsyth
Men’s Basketball

Hired in 1969 as the first full-time employee in Virginia Wesleyan College Athletics, Donald Forsyth served as men’s basketball coach, golf coach, and Athletic Director. He was instrumental in the formation of the successful 14 varsity sports program and guided the development of the athletic fields and the construction of Cunningham Gymnasium.  Today, the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins compete on the Donald M. Forsyth Court in the Convocation Center of the Jane P. Batten Student Center.

In his more than 29 years at the College, he served as mentor and friend to athletes on and off the court. In men’s basketball, he led Virginia Wesleyan to two conference championships in 1978 and 1979, three NCAA berths, nine consecutive winning seasons, and two 20 plus-win seasons. His awards include being named three times as Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, National Association of Basketball Coaches South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, and the Virginia Beach Sport Club Director’s Award.

Michael S. McFarland ’96
Men’s Soccer (1989-92)

Mike McFarland ’96 was First-Team All-American in 1990, 1991, and 1992, a first for Virginia Wesleyan in any sport. He was the 1992 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, also a first for the College. A four-time all-region player, Mike is the only four-time honoree in Virginia Wesleyan history. He ranks No. 2 in career goals, No. 1 in assists, No. 2 in points, and No. 1 in shots. The Norfolk Sports Club honored Mike in his senior year.

Mike is in his second season as the Virginia Wesleyan’s head men’s soccer coach after four seasons as assistant coach. Men’s soccer recently won the 2008 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship under his leadership. Prior to coaching at his alma mater, Mike was assistant coach at Roanoke College and coached at St. Mark’s and A.I. DuPont high schools in Delaware, as well as Cape Henry Collegiate School and First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach. He played professionally with the Hampton Roads Hurricanes and the Delaware Wizards.

Robert R. Valvano ’79
Men’s Basketball, Men’s Soccer and Golf

Bob Valvano ’79 was a three-sport athlete in basketball, soccer, and golf at Virginia Wesleyan. He was co-captain on soccer teams that won three consecutive conference championships. Voted first team All-Conference in 1978, Bob was also awarded the team’s MVP award. He coached collegiate basketball for 19 years before entering broadcasting.

Bob joined ESPN in 1998, where he hosts a program for ESPN Radio heard week nights on more than 350 stations in North America. He also serves as a basketball analyst for ESPN television and as an analyst for the University of Louisville’s basketball radio broadcasts. A motivational speaker, Bob serves on the board of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and wrote a book, “The Gifts of Jimmy V, A Coach’s Legacy,” dedicated to his brother Jim Valvano, who coached in eight NCAA basketball tournaments before succumbing to cancer.

Stover E. “Pete” Withers ’75
Men’s Basketball (1971-75)

Pete Withers ’75 is a three-time All-Dixie Athletic Conference honoree and NAIA All-American honorable mention. He scored 1,293 points becoming Virginia Wesleyan’s first 1,000 point scorer. Pete still holds Virginia Wesleyan’s single-game, single-season, and career records for free throws made. He served as Team Captain all four years, was a three-time DIAC All-Star game participant, and was named MVP three times.

Pete has spent 33 years in the field of Juvenile Justice. He was Superintendent of Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center for 15 years and is now Superintendent of Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center, a position he’s held for the past 5 years. Pete serves as president of the Virginia Council of Juvenile Detention, has previously served as president of the Virginia Wesleyan College Alumni Association and membership chairman of Virginia Wesleyan’s Blue Marlin Club.

Amy Simpson Woodson ’86
Women’s Basketball (1982-86)

Amy Simpson Woodson ’86 was Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s basketball assistant coach from 1986-1988. A two-time first-team All-Virginia, Amy was the only unanimous honoree in 1986. She is a four-time All-Dixie Conference honoree, the first four-time honoree in women’s basketball at Virginia Wesleyan. Amy is Virginia Wesleyan’s all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball with 1,910 points, recorded 1,054 career rebounds, and holds Virginia Wesleyan’s career record for field goals made. She is also the College’s all-time leader in free throws made and ranks No. 2 in all-time rebounds.

The Norfolk Sports Club chose Amy for its Outstanding Senior Athlete award, the first female to receive the award. She also was selected South Region Player of the Year by the American Women’s Sports Federation Small College Division. Currently, she is supervisor of Parks and Natural Areas with the Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation.