On the evening of March 27, eight former Rollins coaches and student-athletes were inducted into the Rollins Athletics Hall of Fame. With approximately 200 attendees, including President Cornwell and his wife, Peg, the Rollins Athletics Department celebrated the inductees of the year alongside other Rollins alumni, coaches, and inductees’ families who spent the evening at the event. Phil Chinnery, Director of Athletic Communications, highlighted “the outpouring of support from former players and teammates who showed up for the inductees.”
The history of the Rollins Athletics Department expands over more than 130 years. To become a Hall of Fame inductee, individuals go through a nomination and selection process from the Hall of Fame committee, which reviews each athlete’s career and stats at Rollins. “It is a tremendous honor to be selected into the Hall of Fame. The inductees were the best of the best while they played at Rollins,” said Pennie Parker, Associate Vice President of Athletics.
Anita Cox
The first inductee of the night was Anita Cox, former Rollins women’s soccer player, with recognitions such as 2012 SSC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time All-South Region first teamer, and three-year letterwinner. During her speech, Anita thanked her team for becoming her family.
Annie Dulman
Julie Garner, Women’s Golf Head Coach, introduced the next inductee, Annie Dulman, by highlighting her amazing “sunshine” spirit and congeniality during her athletic career. Dulman recognized and acknowledged her fellow inductees, congratulating them and expressing pride for being inducted with them. The women’s golfer earned PING WGCA Player of the Year awards in 2013 and 2015, becoming the 2013 South Super Regional individual champion. She was also a member of the 2016 National Championship team.
Gene Howard
The third inductee of the night was Gene Howard, a Rollins baseball player from 2004-2008. He was a key element in helping the Tars win the 2004 SSC Championship. As a record holder for the season with a batting average of .426, he was also named an All-American in 2008. Howard emphasized that his experiences at Rollins were some of the most memorable and best of his life and career.
Hally Leadbetter
Hally Leadbetter was later inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Tars. As a women’s golf player for three years, she was a member of the National Champion Tars during the 2016 season and was named a 1st team All-American during that same year.
Tyler Thomas
Women’s lacrosse team player Tyler Thomas earned SSC Player of the year and All-American selection in 2016. After graduation, Thomas achieved a record for points and goals scored, currently still ranking third in both categories. Dennis Short, women’s lacrosse coach, expressed how Thomas embodies greatness, being a game changer on and off the field for her commitment to excellence.
Michelle Dillingham
Michelle Dillingham, the seventh inductee of the night, was described as an exceptional goalkeeper and was highlighted as one of the most skillful in the women’s soccer team’s history. She was named the 2011 SSC Defensive Player of the Year and holds two Tar and program records, with 39 shutouts and allowing only 0.57 goals per game.
Hollis Stacy
Women’s golf had quite the night during the event, being represented for the third time by Hollis Stacy. The 2012 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee played for Rollins from 1972–1974, leaving school during her junior year to pursue her professional golfing career in the LPGA. She took home 18 LGPA and three U.S. trophies, making her one of the best women’s golfers of all time.
Bob Rikeman
The final honoree of the night was former Rollins Baseball Coach Bob Rikeman. He was responsible for eleven Tars being drafted by MLB teams, 350 wins, and winning Rollins Baseball’s only SSC title, making a trip to the College World Series.
Throughout the night, the inducted athletes thanked their families, teammates, coaches, and staff, attributing their successes and great memories to them. Chinnery reflected on how “each athlete had a lasting impact on their sport” and how each of this year’s inducted athletes excelled in and out of the field. Pennie Parker reflected on student-athletes becoming successful after their time at Rollins and how “most attribute their success to the academic experience as well as the lessons and skills they learned as student-athletes.”
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