Tampa Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts 10 New Members

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa had its Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday at the Vaughn Center. The Class of 2016 included eight former student-athletes and two contributors, along with a special award recipient and team award.

The newest class consists of former student athletes Rodney Ehrhard (baseball), Hilary Epling (volleyball), Matt Goodwin (swimming), Deanna Henriott (softball), John Jones (men's basketball), Alfonso Smith (men's soccer), Sheena Walton (women's basketball) and Ericka Womack (volleyball). A pair of contributors were also inducted to the Hall of Fame, including Sam Ellison and Mike Leding.

Additionally, the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to UT Hall of Famer Ozzie Timmons. The special category induction honored the 2006 volleyball team, which won the program's first NCAA Division II national championship.

"I am thrilled to welcome another deserving and outstanding group of individuals who are also great ambassadors of the University," says athletic director Larry Marfise. "The UT Hall of Fame includes a long list of highly decorated individuals, and this group will undoubtedly add to that prestigious list."

Former Channel 10 sports anchor and award-winning Portland anchor Scott Lynn served as the master of ceremonies. Lynn has also authored two books, including Thornridge: The Perfect Season in Black and White, and Sports Idols' Idols: First Heroes of our Heroes.

Following is a list of the newest Hall of Fame inductees, along with their most prominent accolades.

Ehrhard played baseball for the Spartans from 1986-87. He was a 1986 first-team All-American and a member of the 1986 NCAA Division II Championships all-tournament team. He was the first Spartan to be named to the championship series all-tournament team. The 1986 first-team all-South Region and 1987 second-team choice was the 1987 NCAA South Regional MVP and member of the all-tourney team in 1986 and 1987. He was honored as a first-team all-SSC selection in 1986. He went on to play minor league baseball in the New York Yankees organization. Among UT single-season leaders, he ranks eighth with a .717 slugging percentage in 1986, fifth with 96 hits in 1986, seventh with 18 home runs in 1986, sixth with 172 total bases in 1986, seventh with 50 walks in 1987 and fourth with 34 stolen bases in 1986. He also ranks fifth in UT history with a .662 career slugging percentage, seventh with a .467 on-base percentage, first with a .963 stolen base percentage and eighth with 30 home runs.

Epling, a member of the UT volleyball team from 1995-98, was a two-time All-American (1997-98) and part of two Elite Eight teams. She was one of the original players who helped put UT volleyball on the national map, and was a four-time all-South Region selection who was also a three-time all-Sunshine State Conference player. She was named a first-team all-SSC choice as both a junior and a senior. She ranks third in Tampa history with 1,572 kills and second with 1,624 digs as she ranks as one of five players in UT history with 1,000-plus kills and digs. She also ranks eighth in UT history in service aces (157), eighth in block assists (287), 10th in total blocks (326), third in points (1911.5), sixth in sets played (477) and second in matches played (143).

Goodwin swam for Tampa from 2001-04. He was a three-time All-American for the Tampa program, earning the honor in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He became a national champion in the 200 breast in 2002 and the 100 breast in 2003. He currently holds the school record in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:00.84.

Henriott played softball for the Spartans from 2008-12. A two-time All-American, as she was named second-team in 2011 and 2012 as a pitcher. She was also named the 2012 Daktronics South Region Pitcher of the Year, while being a three-time first-team all-South Region selection in 2008, 2011 and 2012. She was honored as the 2012 Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Year and was four-time all-SSC selection. A first-team all-SSC choice in 2009, 2011 and 2012, she was a member of the second-team in 2008. Her academic success also landed her on the CoSIDA Academic first-team all-district team in 2011 and 2012. She finished her UT career with two perfect games and eight no-hitters. She remains the UT program leader with 88 wins, nine saves, 133 appearances, 97 complete games, 41 shutouts and 1,100 strikeouts. She also ranks second with 797.0 innings pitched, third with 107 games started and fourth in lowest ERA (1.17).

Jones, a member of the men's basketball team from 1983-87, was the first star player when the sport was reinstated at UT as part of the first class of the modern era. A four-time all-Sunshine State Conference selection was a first-team choice as a senior. The team's top defensive player for four years, he became known for guarding the best player on opposing team regardless of position. He remains the program leader in minutes played. He also ranks second in games played, fourth in assists, fourth in games started, eighth in free throws made, ninth in points and 10th in rebounds. He led the team to four 20-plus win seasons and a historic win over North Carolina State. He became sixth player in school history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.

Smith played men's soccer for the Spartans from 1980-84. The 1984 second-team All-American played in 58 career games, recording 16 goals and nine assists. After graduating from UT, he advanced to play three years with the Wichita Wings in the MISL. He played in 61 career games with the Wings, scoring 13 goals and 10 assists. He also played one game for the United States U-20 men's national soccer team at the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship. In July of 1984, Smith was named to the U.S. soccer team for the 1984 Summer Olympics. However, he and several other collegiate players were replaced by professionals before the tournament.

Walton, a member of the women's basketball program from 2004-08, was a three-time first-team all-Sunshine State Conference selection in 2006, 2007 and 2008. A member of the 2005 SSC all-freshman team, she was twice named honorable mention All-American, coming in 2007 and 2008. A two-time first-team WBCA all-south region selection in 2007 and 2008, she was also the 2008 Daktronics South Region Player of the Year. She remains the lone player in program history to be honored as region player of the year. She was the 2005 SSC Freshman of the Year and 2008 SSC Defensive Player of the Year. Named to 2007 SSC all-tournament team, she ranks first in school history with 396 blocked shots, second in offensive rebounds (396), second in games started (114), third in defensive rebounds (618), sixth in points (1,526) and sixth in field goal percentage (.537).

Womack played volleyball for the Spartans from 2002-05. She was a two-time AVCA All-American while being a second-team selection in 2004 and first-team in 2005. The three-time AVCA All-South Region performer in 2003, 2004 and 2005 was also a member of the 2005 NCAA South Regional all-tournament team and 2002 NCAA Championships all-tournament team as a freshman. She was named the 2005 AVCA South Region Player of the Year and 2005 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. A four-time all-SSC performer, she was named to the second team in 2002 and 2003 and first-team in 2004 and 2005. A member of the 1,000 kill club, her 1,365 career kills currently ranks eighth in program history. She also ranks fifth in block assists (313), seventh in points (1631.5), eighth in attack percentage (.376) and eighth in total blocks (401).

Ellison, the Chairman at EWI Construction, also advises the executive committee regarding the direction of the business. At UT, his company has built Vaughn Center, Brevard Hall, Straz Hall and the UT Parking Garage. Sam founded the Beck Group's business in Florida in 1974 and also served as CEO of Beck International until 2013. Sam joined EWI in January 2014. While under Ellison's leadership, The Beck Group ascended to the number one general contractor in the Tampa Bay market. Ellison is also a leader in the Tampa Bay area. He served as Chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, as well as President of the University Club. He has supported local charities such as the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, The American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation. He has also been inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame as well as being recognized as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Florida Gulf Region of the Boy Scouts, The Tampa Bay Business Man of the Year, and International Business Person of the Year by the Tampa Bay Women in International Trade.  He is also a member of the YE MYSTIC KREWE of Gasparilla.

Leding has been a Spartan supporter and directly affiliated with Spartan Athletics since 1984. The long-time donor has been the primary public address announcer for men's basketball since 1987 and for the women's program since 2003, and has also been the voice of the Spartans at baseball, soccer and softball games. He has made financial contributions to both basketball teams and the athletic department since 1984. He was the men's basketball radio color broadcaster during the early seasons of the program's rebirth. His support has also manifested itself in letters to the editor in the local media when he thought their coverage of the success of Spartan athletics was lacking. In the mid-80's, Mike was the University's Vice President of Business and Finance, followed by being its Vice President of Institutional Advancement while also being an adjunct professor in the College of Business for a period of years. He has never apologized for being a "homer" and irreverent on occasion, when the circumstances merited it, to fire up the Spartans while being a p.a. announcer.

The special category goes to a team that has brought success and attention to UT Athletics. The 2006 volleyball team, which captured the program's first-ever NCAA division II national championship, is the Class of 2016 selection. Stephanie Rivera, a senior All-American on the 2006 team, accepted the award with her teammates by her side. The title was the 10th in UT Athletics history, and the first of two for head coach Chris Catanach's program. Tampa finished its magical season with a 35-1 overall record as it also won the Sunshine State Conference championship. After winning the NCAA South Regional, the Spartans downed Dowling and Minnesota-Duluth before winning the championship with a 3-1 victory over North Alabama on November 18 in Pensacola, Fla.

The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to a UT Hall of Famer who continues their success post-graduation, and continues to support the University of Tampa. The Class of 2016 award-winner was Timmons (Class of 2006). Timmons, currently working for the Tampa Bay Rays in the Venezuelan Winter League, was unable to make the ceremony. The award was accepted on his behalf by his brother, Tyrone Timmons. The former UT baseball standout starred for the Spartans from 1989-91, and had a lengthy Major League Baseball career with seven different organizations. Following his career, Timmons became a minor league hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, where he is currently with the Class AAA Durham Bulls after several promotions through the ranks. In the offseason, Timmons is a fixture at the UT Baseball Field as he volunteers his time assisting the Spartans in the fall and offseason workouts. 

ABOUT THE UT HALL OF FAME
The University of Tampa Athletic Hall of Fame was established as a way to aid the athletic department, its players, and teams through sponsorship of banquets and improvement of dressing, training, practice, and playing facilities. The hopes were that the existence of the Hall would encourage and motivate exemplary contributors, players, and coaches to exceed prior accomplishments. Several of the Hall members' accomplishments since leaving the university include: four World Series rings, one World Series winning manager, an Olympic Gold Medal, six Super Bowl rings by three different players, a number one NFL draft selection, 18 players drafted or started in the NFL, a three-time Wimbledon tennis player, two major college football All-Americans, one Heisman Trophy nominee, a PGA Rookie of the Year, one NBA veteran, one World Cup soccer player and two alumni coaches who have guided UT teams to national championships. Three Spartan head football coaches have been voted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame. The University of Tampa Hall of Fame, which began in 1962, now includes 178 members.

Click here for 2016 UT Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet photo gallery