NC Wesleyan inducts 2007 Athletics Hall of Fame class

Rocky Mount, NC - Since 1999, North Carolina Wesleyan College has honored 33 former athletes, administrators, and coaches by enshrining them in its Hall of Fame.  These individuals have created a higher standard for Bishop athletics and were selected based on their outstanding accomplishments. This year’s class met these same standards and comprised the ninth group of honorees.  Inducted on Saturday, September 29th were Vernon Bradley (men's tennis), Rob Donnenwirth (women's soccer coach), Jeff Hood (men's basketball), and Trish Parker Stewart (women's soccer). 

The group of inductees, along with recipients of the 2007 Alumni Awards, packed the Garner Lobby of the Dunn Center for this year's "Celebration of Excellence." 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2007 "CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE" PHOTO GALLERY!

“The annual Hall of Fame ceremonies are tremendously exciting,” said Director of Athletics John Thompson.  “It is an honor to be around those who have made Wesleyan athletics successful and to connect the traditions and legacies with the present.”

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Vernon Bradley becomes the second Athletics Hall of Fame inductee from the North Carolina Wesleyan men’s tennis program.  As a Bishop player, Bradley enjoyed a solid four-year career that saw him become one of the most decorated athletes in the program’s 36-year history. 

A three-time Most Valuable Player for the Battling Bishops from 1978 to 1980, Bradley was the first tennis player to receive MVP accolades on three occasions.  He remains the only men’s player to accomplish such a feat.

Bradley set another Bishop milestone in 1978.  It was the ’78 season that saw him earn All-Dixie Conference honors at #1 singles.  Once again, he was the first and remains the only Wesleyan player to achieve such honors at that position.

Bradley is a 1980 Wesleyan graduate with a degree in Business.  Upon graduation, he played professionally for three years with the North Carolina Association of Tennis Professionals before pursuing a career in real estate.  A native of nearby Halifax, Bradley's commitment and dedication to the men’s tennis program and the College is evident in his accomplishments both on and off the court.

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Rob Donnenwirth enjoyed tremendous success as head coach of the Battling Bishop women’s soccer program from 1994-1998.  He compiled an impressive 62-26-9 record during his five-year tenure, including four Dixie (now USA South) Conference Championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and one trip to the Final Four.  Under Donnenwirth’s guidance, the Bishops produced 37 All-Conference performers, three Rookies of the Year, two Players of the Year, and three All-Americans. 

Individually, Donnenwirth was recognized several times.  He garnered Dixie Coach of the Year honors on three occasions (’94, ’96, ’98), as well as twice being named the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year.

Donnenwirth left Wesleyan in 1999 to begin his current position as head coach at Division I East Carolina University.  In eight years at the helm of the Pirate program, he has already become the winningest coach in ECU women’s soccer history.

As a player, Donnenwirth guided West Virginia Wesleyan College to a back-to-back NAIA National Championships in 1984 and 1985 and was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All- American in 1987 as a goalkeeper. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from West Virginia Wesleyan in 1988 and his M.B.A. from James Madison in 1990.

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A standout player for the Bishop men’s basketball program, Jeff Hood enjoyed a solid collegiate career after coming to Rocky Mount from his hometown of Queens, NY in the fall of 1979.  Hood led his Bishops to the best record in school history to that point, a 1982-83 senior campaign that saw Wesleyan turn in a 21-9 record and earn its first NCAA Tournament berth.  That same season, Hood served as co-captain and was named the Bishops’ Most Valuable Player.

Individually, Hood’s name can be found several times in Wesleyan’s basketball record book.  He still holds the single-game assist record of 18, which he set against Averett University in 1982.  He also recorded the third highest single-game total for steals with six, a feat he accomplished on three occasions. 

Hood’s season records include top-ten rankings in assists with 149 in 1982-83 and steals with 65 in 1981-82.  He finished with 332 career assists, which made him the all-time leader at the time of his departure.  Currently, he remains among the top-ten all-time assist leaders.

Hood is a 1984 graduate of the College and co-founder of Athletes United for Youth.

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A four-time All-Conference and All-Region performer, Trish Parker Stewart led her Bishops to a 51-16-7 record during her four-year career as a starting defender.  Additionally, she twice earned All-American accolades (’93, ’94) and NC Wesleyan Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year honors (’94, ’95).

Parker set herself apart from other athletes in 1994 when she was presented with the highest individual honor one can achieve in Division III women’s soccer:  National Player of the Year.  An award that is usually presented to a dynamic forward or midfielder, Parker’s selection provided clear evidence of her talent on defense.  That same talent was instrumental in the ’94 Battling Bishops’ aforementioned run to the NCAA Final Four. 

Currently, Parker remains the only female athlete in Battling Bishop history to receive National Player of the Year honors in any sport.

A native of Marietta, GA and 1995 Wesleyan graduate, Parker received another significant tribute at conclusion of her career when her #13 jersey was retired.  It is one of only two retired numbers within the NCWC women’s soccer program.

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The Department of Athletics extends sincere congratulations to each of the 2007 inductees, whose contributions to the overall mission of the College have been exhibited in their successes and accomplishments.  To these inductees, the Bishops offer thanks and admiration by bestowing this honor upon them. 

Click here to view an entire list of Hall of Fame inductees.