The Kennesaw State Department of Athletics will honor its past this weekend when it holds its Hall Fame ceremony prior to Saturday's football game against Gardner-Webb. The ceremony will take place at the KSU Sports & Entertainment Park beginning at 10 a.m. The list of inductees includes Dr. Thomas Keene and the 1995 softball team that won the NCAA Division II national championship. Over the next two days, KSUOwls.com will profile the latest inductees.
 
Hall of Fame

KENNESAW, Ga. – In its first season competing at the NCAA Division II level, Kennesaw State made an immedi­ate impact by posting an impressive 53-5 record and claiming a national championship. It was the first of back-to-back title seasons for the Owls, led by NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Scott Whitlock.
 
"The 1995 Team was an extremely talented group," Whitlock said. "They had come close to winning 'the big one' during the three prior seasons and were not going to be denied.  What I remember most about that team is the grit and determination it displayed in winning five consecutive 'elimination' games to claim the national championship. 
 
"It was so impressive to watch, and an honor of which to be a part," Whitlock added. "Though I hate to make comparisons, when you get right down to it, that team was simply the best team that I ever coached." 

After starting the season 8-4, the Owls kicked it into high gear, highlighted by a Division-II record 40-game winning streak that included a perfect 14-0 conference mark. Top-ranked Wisconsin-Parkside snapped the Owls streak with a 4-3 win in the first round of the World Series.
 
The resilient Owls fought their way out of the loser's bracket by winning five straight games, including a 9-1 victory over Wisconsin-Parkside, and defeated Bloomsburg twice to claim the crown.
 
 KSU was led by NCAA Division II Player of the Year Kelly Rafter who finished the season with a 32-5 record and 0.85 ERA. The right-handed pitcher also struck out 196 batters and walked just 26 in more than 230 innings pitched.
 
Joining Rafter as All-American, all-region and All-Peach Belt Conference were Tonya Carlisle (.420, 47 RBI), and Cara Dornstauder (.373, 53 RBI), while Colleen Thorburn (.400, 7 HR, 41 RBI) and Kathy Morgan (.349, 37 RBI) were all-conference selections. Other top contributors were Shannon McDonough (.360), Nada Hlohvosky (.333) and Dee Webb (15-0, 1.10 ERA).

1995 Kennesaw State Softball Team
2 - Paige Wofford RF
3 - Kathy Morgan SS
4 - Wanda Wiggins P/1B
7 - Shannon McDonough CF
8 - Tonya Carlisle 3B
9 - Colleen Thorburn C
10 - Kristi Meredith LF
11 - Kelly Rafter P
15 - Tiffany Tanner OF
17 - Nada Hlohovsky LF/C
19 - Brenda Farrell P
20 - Dayna Ducham 3B
22 - Candi Cain 2B
25 - Jerusha DeWulf RF
32 - Dee Webb P
33 - Cara Dornstauder 1B
34 - Neva Gravitt 2B/SS
42 - Jennifer Lamb C

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Scott Whitlock
Assistant Coaches: Don McKinlay, Tracey Britt
Athletic Trainer: David Moore
 
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