KENNESAW, Ga. – This past Friday and Saturday, Southern Polytechnic State University celebrated its intercollegiate sports history, which covers more than six decades, with Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Weekend events that were well attended on Kennesaw State University's Marietta and Kennesaw campuses, respectively.
"The Hall of Fame banquet Friday night and the recognition at the spring football game on Saturday were very special," said Matt Griffin, who was Southern Polytechnic's athletic director for two years until the intercollegiate sports program was discontinued last July because of the university's pending consolidation with Kennesaw State. "I am truly thankful to all of those who helped make it possible. I am honored and humbled to be amongst the greatest student-athletes and coaches to ever compete at Southern Poly. This was a weekend we all will never forget."
On Friday night, an induction ceremony was held from approximately 6-8:30 p.m. inside Southern Poly's former gymnasium, the Hornets Nest, in Marietta. There were 46 inductees into the SPSU Athletics Hall of Fame with more than 300 people in attendance. Jim Cooper, KSU's assistant vice president for alumni relations and advancement communications, served as the emcee for the ceremony while former Southern Poly head coaches Kom Momeni (men's soccer) and Mike Helfer (men's basketball), who both earned places in the Athletics Hall of Fame, also spoke.
A tailgate party on Saturday drew nearly 300 fans with many of the Hall of Famers and their guests being joined by alumni from both SPSU and Kennesaw State. The gathering started at 11 a.m., preceding the Owls' first-ever spring football game, the Black and Gold Game, which began at 1 p.m. Inductees present at the contest were recognized at halftime.
Griffin, now the assistant athletics director for internal operations at KSU, announced in April 2014 that Southern Poly would establish its first-ever Athletics Hall of Fame to acknowledge the accomplishments of its best student-athletes, coaches, special contributors and teams. In all, 35 former student-athletes, nine coaches/administrators and three for distinguished service (with Griffin being chosen as both a student-athlete and a coach) were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Following is more information on each of the honorees.
Distinguished Service
Jeff Hughes (staff member, 2002-present): Presently the associate director of counseling services on Kennesaw State's Marietta campus; joined the SPSU Career and Counseling Center staff in November 2002; president of the Southern Poly Athletic Association for two terms (2004-08) and then remained as an active member of the organization; handled everything to do with concessions at home athletic and special events for many years; developed and presented a special program for student-athletes in dealing with academics, careers and psychoeducational issues; traveled to support teams away from home, including at NAIA national tournaments.
Paul Martin (trustee, 1996-present): Attended SPSU on a basketball scholarship and earned an Associate of Science in gas and fuel technology in 1953; joined the Southern Poly Foundation in 1996 and has served as a trustee ever since; in January 2005, the Paul T. Martin Scholarship was established to benefit deserving students from the Athens/Clarke County, Georgia area as well as student-athletes (through June 2014, the market value of this endowment was more than $306,000); purchased an interest in a heating and air conditioning company in 1958; owned and operated Martin Mechanical Contractors in Athens for 40 years, along with two heating and air conditioning companies: Bulldog Heating and Air in Athens and Macy's Air in Atlanta; extremely active volunteering with several organizations in the Athens area for many years; on the advisory board of The Salvation Army for 53 years and was chairman for eight.
David Summers (faculty member, 1962-95, deceased): Professor Emeritus in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Department; faculty member from 1962-95 who was the department head of electrical engineering technology until his retirement; helped out at the scorer's table at home basketball contests; served as the faculty athletic representative, eligibility chair for athletics and athletic board chairman for several years; strong supporter of athletics who would often travel to away games with his wife Barbara; mentored and tutored student-athletes while advising and helping them gain employment; United States Army veteran who received an A.S. in electronics and radio from SPSU in 1951 before getting his bachelor's (electrical engineering) and master's (nuclear engineering) at the Georgia Institute of Technology; made many civic contributions while serving as a member of the City of Marietta Civil Service Board from 1973-2004, Marietta Golden Kiwanis and First Methodist Church of Marietta; Southern Poly has the David E. Summers Academic Excellence Award for students and the David E. Summers Endowed Scholarship Fund was started by a group of alumni and faculty members.
Coaches/Administrators
Matt Griffin (head baseball coach, 2004-12; athletic director, 2012-14): Also named to the Hall of Fame as a standout baseball player from 1996-98; Went 364-169 overall, leading his teams to seven NAIA national tournaments in nine years, including the World Series in 2009; averaged 40.4 wins per campaign and never had a losing season; his squads won three Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament championships (2004, 2007 and 2009); 2009 club set school records for most wins (53) and best winning percentage (.841, 53-10) while the 2010 team had an NAIA national ranking of No. 2 during the regular season; had seven players selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft; 2007 SSAC Coach of the Year; Georgia Dugout Club NAIA Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008; 2009 NAIA Southeast Region Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association; after retiring from coaching, he became the Hornets' athletic director.
Mike Helfer (head men's basketball coach, 1997-2005): Compiled a 186-83 overall record, averaging 23.3 wins per season; led his squads to five straight NAIA Division I national tournaments, including Sweet 16 showings in 2000, 2001 and 2005; guided his teams to three conference regular-season titles (2000, 2004 and 2005) and three SSAC Tournament crowns (2000, 2001 and 2005); 2004-05 squad established school records for most wins (32) and best winning percentage (.889, 32-4), was ranked No. 1 in the country for two weeks and finished rated second nationally in NAIA Division I; 2000 and 2005 SSAC Coach of the Year; NAIA National Coach of the Year by Basketball Times in 2005; Atlanta Tipoff Club NAIA Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
Dr. Ron Koger (vice president, 1997-2014; interim president, 2014): Vice president for student and enrollment services for 14 years (2000-14), vice president of enrollment management for three (1997-2000) and SPSU interim president in 2014; chief administrator over athletics for most of his time at Southern Poly; also held the titles of interim chief information officer and interim executive director of advancement; helped launch SPSU's first women's intercollegiate sports program, basketball (began play in 2002), and the men's soccer team (started competing in 2007); during his vice presidency overseeing athletics, Southern Poly teams went to 21 NAIA national events, claimed 10 conference tournament championships and won six conference regular-season titles; many of the university's finest student-athletes, coaches and teams performed while he was a vice president.
Harry Lockhart (athletic director/head men's basketball coach/head baseball coach, 1956-72, deceased): Hired as the director of student activities in 1956 to direct the school's sports activities and oversee dormitory life as the assistant to the dean of students; left in 1972 after serving in several roles over 16 years; Coach of the Year in 1969 for men's basketball; head coach of the American Legion Post 29 baseball club from Marietta in the 1960s/early 1970s.
Charlie Lumsden (head baseball coach, 1975-98; head men's basketball coach, 1974-76): Was also SPSU's athletic facilities manager; school's all-time leader in coaching wins with 637, an average of 26.5 per season; registered 21 straight winning campaigns; led his clubs to two NAIA national tournaments, including the World Series in 1986; guided the 1986 squad to conference tournament, NAIA District 25 and Area V championships; produced eight players that were taken in the Major League Baseball Draft; 1989 Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
Kom Momeni (head men's soccer coach, 2007-13): Only head coach in the history of the program, recording an 88-35-12 overall record; posted at least eight victories every year and never had a losing season; led his teams to four straight NAIA national tournament appearances (Sweet 16 in 2009 and 2010, Elite Eight in 2011 and 2012) and the SSAC Tournament title in 2011; his squads won the conference regular-season crown in 2009 and the SSAC Eastern Division championship in 2010; from 2009-12, the Hornets finished their seasons ranked in the Top 25 of the NAIA national polls, including eighth in 2012, No. 6 in 2011 and fourth in 2009; 2009 SSAC Coach of the Year.
Dr. Lisa A. Rossbacher (president, 1998-2014): Helped initiate Southern Poly's women's basketball and men's soccer programs, which began play while she was the president; also during her presidency, SPSU teams participated in NAIA national events 21 times, captured 10 conference tournament titles and claimed six conference regular-season crowns; as with Koger, many of the university's top student-athletes, coaches and teams competed while she was the president.
Karl Staber (athletic director, 1997-2012): Performed in a dual role as director of recreational sports and athletics for 15 years; in charge of recreational sports for 12 years before and two years after leading the athletic department; instrumental in starting Southern Poly's women's basketball and men's soccer programs; again, as with Koger and Rossbacher, the Hornets enjoyed great success (21 NAIA nationals bids, 10 conference tournament championships and six conference regular-season titles) and featured some of the school's best-ever student-athletes, coaches and squads with him at the helm of the athletic department; served as interim vice president for student and enrollment services in 2014.
Nathan Teymer (head women's basketball coach, 2005-10): Put together an overall record of 90-67; over his last four campaigns, SPSU was 85-55 overall, averaging 21.3 victories per season; led his 2009-10 team to the program's first appearance and only victory ever at the NAIA Division I national tournament after winning the SSAC Tournament title for the first time; the 2009-10 squad set school records for most wins (30), best winning percentage (.857, 30-5) and best start to a season (16-0); SSAC Coach of the Year, along with Women's Basketball Coaches Association NAIA Regional and National Coach of the Year in 2010.
Student-Athletes for Professional Achievement
Mamadou "Futty" Danso (men's soccer, 2007-08): Led Southern Poly's first team in goals (16) and points (35) when honored as the 2007 SSAC Newcomer of the Year; holds single-season school records for goals (19), points (44) and shots on goal (55), all set in 2008; NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 2008 and two-time first team all-conference; SSAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2008; professional player since 2009 who competed in Major League Soccer (MLS) from 2011-14; saw action in 63 MLS matches with 59 starts as a center back; played with the Gambian National Team during the 2014 World Cup qualifier; recently signed a pro contract with the Carolina Railhawks of the North American Soccer League.
Mickey Dunn (baseball, 1978-81): Center fielder and leadoff hitter who started 132-of-133 career games; all-conference and all-district when batting .383 as a freshman; finished with a career batting average of .343; voted his team's Best Defensive Player as a senior; only collegiate home run came in his final at-bat; president/CEO of ML Industries Inc., a company he founded in 1990 that manufactures airbags for the automotive industry and has more than 4,000 employees.
David English (baseball, 1965-67 and 1972-74): Spent four years in the United States Air Force in between two different stints at SPSU; owner and principal of the architectural and related services firm Pucciano & English Inc. (with offices in Atlanta and Denver) since 1982; registered architect in 15 states; member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB); A.S. and a Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering technology.
Brent Jennings (men's basketball, 2009-11): Played for two NAIA Division I national tournament teams (Final Four in 2010); led the 2009-10 squad that won SSAC regular-season and tournament championships in rebounds (217, 8.7 per game) and defensive rebounds (134) while tying for the team lead in field goals made (162) and averaging 15.1 points a contest; two-time first team all-conference; Most Valuable Player of the 2010 SSAC Tournament; averaged 14.4 points and 8.1 boards an outing as a junior; second overall pick in the 2013 National Basketball League of Canada Draft and played in 2013-14 for the Brampton A's; helped lead Tokyo to the 2013 Houston Eurobasket Summer League championship; competed in the American Basketball League after spending time with two NBA Development League teams.
Marc Reece (men's basketball, 2003-06): Part of three NAIA Division I national tournament teams (Sweet 16 in 2005 and 2006); saw action in 98 games over his career, improving his scoring and rebounding averages each season; shot 52.3 percent from the field in 2003-04 and 53.3 percent the following year; worked in Southern Poly's admissions office from 2007-12; appeared in the 2010 movies, "Stomp the Yard: Homecoming" and "The Anatomy of Love," along with the reality competition television program, "Pros vs. Joes" on Spike TV in 2009 (vs. former NBA stars Shawn Kemp, Eddie Jones and Ron Harper) and BET's "College Hill Interns" in 2007; former secretary/treasurer of the Southern Poly Athletic Association; B.S. in business administration.
Mike Samples (baseball, 1962-64; tennis, 1964): Current and longtime college football official who has been with the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1980; officiated more than 30 college football bowl contests since 1983, including national title matchups and Southeastern Conference championship games; served as president of the Georgia Football Officials Association in 1984 and 10 years later, he established Samples Construction company in Kennesaw; A.S. in building construction technology.
Sean Teague (baseball, 2008-09): Pitcher on two NAIA national tournament clubs (World Series in 2009); went 13-4 with five saves and a 2.85 ERA in 35 career appearances (16 starts); SSAC Pitcher of the Year and once chosen as the NAIA National Pitcher of the Week in 2009; pitched a nine-inning perfect game in conference play on the road in April 2009; Florida Marlins draftee who played three seasons of professional baseball (one in the Marlins organization and two in independent leagues).
Student-Athletes for Athletic Achievement
John Barrett (baseball, 1981-84): Pitcher who led the 1984 team that finished 37-17 overall in appearances (18) and strikeouts (58), going 6-1 with a 2.81 ERA; pitched a no-hitter in March 1982; B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Jake Barrow (baseball, 2008-10): Second baseman who had a career batting average of .397 with 168 runs, 53 stolen bases, 69 walks and just 53 strikeouts in 539 at-bats for three NAIA national tournament teams; first team all-conference when leading the 2009 World Series squad in batting (.430 average); named to the NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team in 2009; B.S. in business administration.
Jeff Battles (baseball, 1990-93): Pitcher who went 12-3 with 90 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA in 1993; posted 20 wins and struck out 159 with a 2.23 ERA over his final two seasons; drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and played professionally for two years; B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Randy Black (baseball, 1995-98): Pitcher who is the Hornets' all-time leader in strikeouts (230) and among the top in victories (24) and innings pitched (228.1); two-time all-conference who ended his career with a 2.21 ERA; paced the 1997 NAIA national tournament club in wins (8-3 record), innings (74), strikeouts (86) and ERA (3.04); B.S. in apparel textile technology.
David Carroll (baseball, 1994-97): Outfielder who was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 1997 when hitting .395 with 15 doubles and 32 walks, striking out only 11 times in 157 at-bats; among the university's career leaders in runs (154), at-bats (550), hits (179), stolen bases (37), walks (63) and doubles (31); twice named all-conference; B.S. in management.
Duriel Coleman (men's basketball, 1999-2002): Guard who was a part of two teams that advanced to the Sweet 16 of NAIA Division I national events and won conference tournament championships; school's all-time leader in three-point field goals made (205) and near the top in assists (354), steals (169) and scoring (1,128 points); shot 78.5 percent (241-of-307) from the free throw line during his career; B.S. in management.
Scott Creel (baseball, 2002-04): Second baseman who is SPSU's all-time leader in doubles (48) and among the best in batting average (.359), hits (188), home runs (26), RBIs (144), runs (132), at-bats (624) and bases on balls (82); NAIA First Team All-Region in 2004 and all-conference three times; led the 2004 NAIA nationals squad that claimed the conference tournament title in hits (78), doubles (22), homers (nine), RBIs (53), total bases (127) and slugging percentage (.608) while batting .373; B.S. in management and a Master of Science in construction management.
Crystal Davis (women's basketball, 2007-11): Four-year starter guard who tops Southern Poly's career lists for games (132), rebounds (1,008) and steals (333); institution's second all-time leading scorer (1,217 points) who started all 69 games over her last two seasons (team was 59-10); NAIA Honorable Mention All-American and SSAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2011; three-time academic all-conference and NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2010 for the NAIA Division I Sweet 16 squad; B.S. in accounting.
Keith Davis (baseball, 1990-93): Third baseman who was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 1993 after batting .353 with team highs of 33 RBIs and five home runs; three-time NAIA All-District; career batting average of .360; hit .367 in 1992, pacing the club in doubles (nine), RBIs (34) and walks (31) while tying for the team lead in homers (three); B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Mark Doll (baseball, 2008-09): Pitcher who went 21-3 with eight complete games and a 2.85 ERA in 30 career appearances (28 starts); member of two teams that advanced to NAIA national events, including the 2009 World Series club that registered a school-record 53 victories; SSAC Pitcher of the Year and NAIA All-Region in 2008 when winning 11 contests; 2008 Georgia Dugout Club NAIA Player of the Year; threw a no-hitter during conference play in March 2009; Philadelphia Phillies draftee who played professionally for one year; B.S. in business administration.
Daniel Griffin (baseball, 2006-08): Shortstop who was a part of NAIA national tournament teams in 2007 and 2008; started all 176 games during his career and is the Hornets' all-time leader in runs (178) while ranking among the best in at-bats (601), batting average (.373), hits (223), doubles (41) and walks (81); paced the squad in runs three straight seasons; led the 2008 club that went 39-17 overall in hits (85) and total bases (116) while batting .443 with a .604 slugging percentage; B.S. in management and a Master of Business Administration.
Matt Griffin (baseball, 1996-98): Three-year starting shortstop who starred on the 1997 NAIA national tournament team; twice all-conference and is among the school's all-time leaders in home runs with 22; career batting average of .353 with 91 runs, 89 RBIs, 54 walks and 29 stolen bases; drafted by the Chicago Cubs and played professionally for two years before returning to SPSU as the head baseball coach and then athletic director; B.S. in management.
Sean Grisham (men's soccer, 2008-11): Four-year starter as a midfielder and a member of three NAIA nationals squads (Sweet 16 in 2009 and 2010, Elite Eight in 2011); First Team All-SSAC on two occasions and three-time academic all-conference; recorded 26 goals and 14 assists for 66 career points; B.S. in business administration.
Josh Grooms (baseball, 2007-10): Four-year starter as a center fielder who was on four NAIA national tournament teams (World Series in 2009); Southern Poly's all-time leader in hits (265), at-bats (778) and RBIs (205); career batting average of .341 with 41 doubles, 14 home runs and 166 runs; started all 63 games for the 2009 club; First Team All-SSAC and NAIA All-Region in 2008; twice named to the SSAC Gold Glove Team; B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Roger Hackett (baseball, 1984-85): Left-handed pitcher who went 6-3 with two saves, a 2.32 ERA, eight complete games, 43 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 62 innings for the 1984 team; also in 1984, he batted .323 with 15 runs, 15 RBIs and two home runs; drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played professionally for two campaigns; B.S. in mechanical engineering technology.
Mickey Harper (baseball, 1992-95): Second baseman with a career batting average of .389 with 107 runs; university's career leader in walks (95); all-conference in 1995 when hitting .419; batted .440 in 1994, leading NAIA District 25; hit .347 as a sophomore and .319 during his freshman season; two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete; B.S. in mathematics.
Chris Jackson (men's basketball, 2003-05): Two-year starter at point guard for a pair of NAIA Division I national tournament squads; member of two conference regular-season championship teams; NAIA First Team All-American in 2005 and honorable mention in 2004; among Southern Poly's all-time leaders in assists (313); led the 2004-05 team that finished with single-season school records for wins (32) and winning percentage (.889) in free throws made (126) and assists (174); B.S. in management.
Chris Jones (baseball, 1986-88): First baseman who was a part of the 1986 NAIA World Series team that won the conference regular-season, conference tournament, NAIA Area V and District 25 titles; drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played four seasons of professional baseball, one in the Braves organization and three in independent leagues; B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Mike Jones (men's basketball, 1978-82): Point guard who participated for four teams that qualified for NAIA national events (Sweet 16 in 1979, 1981 and 1982); member of four NAIA District 25 championship squads and three that also captured conference regular-season crowns; on top of SPSU's career list for assists (573); dished out a school-record 181 assists in 1981-82; B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Sinclair Keith (men's basketball, 1975-79): Key contributor on the Hornets' first NAIA national tournament teams in 1978 and 1979 (Sweet 16 in 1979) that also won conference regular-season, conference tournament and NAIA District 25 titles; university's all-time leader in scoring (1,418 points), rebounds (849) and field goals made (592); averaged a team-best 9.7 rebounds per game in 1978-79; grabbed 20 rebounds in a single contest in January 1979; A.S. and a B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Lamar Knight (baseball, 1981-84): NAIA Academic All-American in 1984 (listed with a 3.64 grade-point average); led the 1984 club in at-bats (209) while hitting .302 with 42 runs, 41 RBIs, five doubles, three triples, three home runs, 10 stolen bases, 22 walks and just eight strikeouts; B.S. in mechanical engineering technology.
James Linebarger (baseball, 1986-89): Four-year starting outfielder who was a part of the 1986 team that went to the NAIA World Series after capturing conference tournament, NAIA District 25 and Area V championships; all-district and all-conference three times; played in all 46 games for the 1989 squad that finished 32-14 overall, batting .387 while topping the club in hits (60), doubles (15), RBIs (48), runs (37) and walks (31); NAIA Academic All-American as a junior and senior; commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps with 17 years of active duty and another seven in the Marine Forces Reserve; rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel; currently flies the Boeing 767 for United Airlines; B.S. in electrical engineering technology.
Emeka Maduka (men's soccer, 2009-12): Four-year starting forward and first team all-conference all four seasons; member of four NAIA nationals teams (Sweet 16 in 2009 and 2010, Elite Eight in 2011 and 2012); program's all-time leader in goals (53) and points (121); twice earned NAIA All-America recognition (third team in 2012, honorable mention in 2009); SSAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and Newcomer of the Year in 2009; B.S. in business administration.
D'Juan Neal (men's basketball, 1999-2002): Point guard who played on the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 teams that advanced to the Sweet 16 of NAIA Division I national events and won SSAC Tournament championships; among the school's all-time leaders in assists (298) and steals (183); posted 217 assists and 117 steals with only 116 turnovers during his final two campaigns; B.S. in industrial engineering technology.
Diego Nicholson (men's soccer, 2008-11): Four-year starting defender who was a part of three NAIA national tournament squads; member of the 2009 team that won the conference regular-season championship and finished ranked No. 4 nationally in the NAIA; all-conference in 2011 for a team that picked up the SSAC Tournament crown and ended rated sixth in the nation; B.S. in information technology.
Dione Parks (women's basketball, 2008-10): Guard who played on the program's first NAIA Division I national tournament team (Sweet 16 in 2010); Southern Poly's career leader in three-point field goals made with 164; first team all-conference and SSAC 6th Man Award winner in 2010; led the 2009-10 squad in three-pointers made (85) and three-point field goal percentage (43.8), along with being the second-leading scorer (9.6 points per game); appeared in all 32 games with 29 starts in 2008-09, averaging 10.6 points a contest; B.S. in business administration.
Jas Rogers (men's basketball, 2008-10): Guard who paced the 2009-10 NAIA Division I Final Four squad in scoring (16.8 points per outing), three-point field goals made (59), free throws made (206), assists (164) and steals (93) while tying for the team lead in games played (35) and field goals made (162); NAIA Second Team All-American and SSAC Player of the Year in 2010; member of the all-tournament team and winner of Charles Stevenson Hustle Award at the 2010 NAIA Division I national event; first team all-conference in 2009; B.S. in business administration.
Gabe Warner (men's soccer, 2010-13): Started all 82 matches of his career as a defender, leading the squad in minutes from 2011-13; part of three NAIA national tournament teams; NAIA Scholar-Athlete and team captain in 2012 and 2013; member of the SSAC All-Academic Team on three occasions; named to the SSAC All-Tournament Team as a senior; B.S. in biology.
Inductees were selected by an SPSU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and named on three separate occasions in September and October 2014. The Southern Poly Athletics Hall of Fame will be housed as a wing of the Kennesaw State Athletic Association Hall of Fame, which was established in 2003.
