By: Mark Wasik
KSU Athletics - X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Department of Athletics is proud to announce this year's Hall of Fame Class with five outstanding former Owls in the 2026 edition. The induction class this year will be Jeff Karlsson (men's golf),
Simon Pritchard (men's tennis), Kristi Piedimonte (volleyball), Andre Dorsey (men's track & field) and Annie Phillips (women's soccer).
"Each member of this class embodies the gold standard through their excellence in competition, commitment to academics and the way they have represented Kennesaw State in their communities," said Director of Athletics
Milton Overton. "Their accomplishments span five different programs, but they are united by the lasting impact they made while wearing the Black and Gold and the example they continue to set for future generations of Owls."
The ceremony will take place the evening of Friday, Nov. 6 at the NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, and the class will be introduced during the Saturday, Nov. 7, football game against Delaware at Fifth Third Stadium.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., providing guests an opportunity to mingle before dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. The induction ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are available for $90 individually or $600 for a table.
Jeff Karlsson made his mark on the links for the Owls, first as Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golfer of the Year in 2011 while leading KSU to its first-ever conference championship title. The second-ever Kennesaw State player to reach the PGA Tour, he was a three-time all-conference selection during his four years with the Black and Gold. He holds numerous school records, including lowest three-round tournament score (199), most individual tournament wins with four, and the lowest season average of 70.61. Karlsson claimed one top-50 finish, in the 2012 NCAA Championships, and also placed sixth at the 2011 NCAA Regional. He spent time on the Web.com and European Tours after turning professional in 2012, and played in his first PGA Tour event at the 2016 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Kristi Piedimonte helped usher in the most successful era in Kennesaw State volleyball history, serving as the floor leader for the Owls' rise to conference prominence and their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017. As the team's setter, Piedimonte guided KSU to its first Atlantic Sun Conference championship success, helping the Owls capture the program's first regular-season title in 2016 before sweeping both the regular-season and tournament championships in 2017. Her standout senior campaign earned her ASUN Setter of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. Those accolades highlighted a career that also included two First Team All-ASUN selections and recognition on the ASUN All-Freshman Team.
One of the most accomplished student-athletes in school history, Piedimonte became the first Kennesaw State athlete at the Division I level to earn Academic All-America recognition and was a three-time Academic All-District selection. She remains among the program's all-time leaders, ranking second in career assists with 4,005 and third in career service aces with 119, while her 10.6 assists per set in 2016 ranks as the third-highest single-season mark in school history. Her leadership and success on the court helped elevate the program to new heights and usher in the program's championship era.
Simon Pritchard was a cornerstone of the Kennesaw State men's tennis program during one of its most significant periods of growth, serving as a four-year captain and helping lead the Owls to their first-ever Atlantic Sun Tournament appearance as well as first ASUN semifinal berth. One of the most accomplished players in program history, Pritchard finished his career holding the KSU record for doubles victories while ranking third all-time in singles wins. His success on the court earned him four consecutive First Team All-ASUN selections from 2014-17, including unanimous First Team honors in 2016, while he was also recognized multiple times on the ASUN All-Conference Doubles Team, and the 2014 ASUN All-Freshman Team.
His achievements extended to the classroom. He was named the 2017 ASUN Men's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year and ASUN Male Student-Athlete of the Year after previously earning the conference's Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor in 2015 and Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year recognition in 2016. He was also a 2014 ITA Scholar-Athlete, a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and a multiple-time ASUN Academic All-Conference honoree. Since the 2018-19 season, Pritchard has served on the Kennesaw State men's and women's tennis coaching staff, first as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach, a position he currently holds.
Andre Dorsey was one of the most dominant athletes in Kennesaw State track and field history, excelling as a jumper during the most successful championship run in program history. Dorsey played a major role in the Owls winning eight consecutive Atlantic Sun indoor and outdoor conference championships while compiling one of the most decorated careers ever by a KSU track and field athlete. He collected 28 combined ASUN All-Conference honors and captured 17 individual conference championships, earning ASUN Most Outstanding Performer recognition seven times. As a freshman, he was named the ASUN Most Outstanding Freshman Performer and ASUN Indoor Championships Most Outstanding Performer.
A five-time All-American, Dorsey finished his career holding 16 school and ASUN Championship meet records. During the 2013-14 season, he was named the USTFCCCA Indoor South Region Field Athlete of the Year and became the only athlete in the nation to compete in three different events at the NCAA Indoor Championships. After overcoming a season-ending injury in 2016, Dorsey returned to set outdoor school records in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump while ranking among the nation's top 20 competitors in all three events. He went on to compete at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships in both the high jump and long jump and qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in the triple jump. Following his collegiate career, Dorsey continued competing professionally as a long jumper.
Annie Phillips established herself as one of the most dangerous attacking players in Kennesaw State women's soccer history during her four-year career from 2004-07. A dynamic scorer and playmaker, Phillips finished her career fifth all-time in school history with 78 career points and remains one of just 10 players in program history to record a hat trick. After earning Independent Co-Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman in 2004, she continued to develop into one of the top players in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Phillips earned Second Team All-ASUN honors in 2006 before putting together a standout senior campaign in 2007 that saw her capture ASUN Player of the Year and First Team All-ASUN recognition. That season, she helped lead the Owls to a Division I program-record 17 victories while recording six game-winning goals, the second-most in a single season in school history. Throughout her career, Phillips helped elevate Kennesaw State women's soccer and cemented herself as one of the most accomplished players in program history.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
