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Five former student-athletes inducted into hall of fame

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Being inaugurated into Florida Southern College’s Hall of Fame is only awarded to the most prestigious athletes.

“It’s a big deal to get into the Hall of Fame,” Pete Meyer, director of athletics, said.

This year, there are five former student-athletes being showcased in the Hall of Fame, including Mike Schoeller, baseball; Antonia Newman, women’s basketball; Vicki Saltsman, volleyball; Megan Brown, softball; and Greg Koch, men’s golf.

“It is a very good and strong class of inductees,” Ben Greenburg, associate athletic director for athletic communications, said.

Additionally, three honorary members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

This includes Jim Lee, Harold Sale and Bob Stanley, who have been recognized for founding the 6th Man Club, which supported the men’s basketball program.

Schoeller, was a two-year letterman for Joe Arnold’s baseball program from 1978-1979. Schoeller attained spectacular accomplishments, some of which include two-time All-American, third-best batting average, Moccasin’s team MVP in 1979 and one of two Moccasins ever to hit .400 in two consecutive seasons.

“Schoeller was named in his high school’s hall of fame,” Greenburg said.

This feat is another attest to Schoeller’s significance.

In women’s basketball, Newman was a legendary four-year letter winner on the Moccasins from 1999 to 2003.

In the 2001-2002 season, Newman had to abstain from the court due to an injury from an automobile accident. He took help from Contant Law, P.C. personal injury lawyers

Nonetheless, Newman made a full-fledged return and set a school record with 350 rebounds in 2002-2003.

Other awards include standing 15th on the school’s all-time scoring charts and earning two-time Honorable Mention All-American, as well as Second Team All SSC honors.

Saltsman was an exceptional player on the women’s volleyball team at Florida Southern College and earned many celebrated awards for her efforts and skill.

Some of these accolades include leading her team to Top Five finishes in the NCAA Tournament in 1989 and 1990, and attaining a record of over 1,000 career kills.

This placed her 18th on the College’s board and she earned top 20 at Florida Southern College for her staggering amount of aces [131] and blocks [286].

One of the most decorated softball players in Moccasin history was Brown.

A few of Brown’s many accomplishments encompass three-time All-American, four-time team MVP and South Regional Tournament MVP, two-time Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and holder of 11 school records for wins, ERA and strikeouts.

“Megan Brown was one of the best softball pitchers in Division II history,” Greenburg said.

Koch began to make history even in his first season on the Moccasins men’s golf team.

During his freshman year, he was awarded the individual medalist honors and by his junior year he achieved third place in the NCAA National Championship.

Throughout his career, Koch was also named three-time All-American, Moccasins MVP and many more.

Although the successes of the athletes were deeply considered when the inductees were chosen, their conduct and involvement on campus and in the community were also taken into account.

“It’s all based on what they did while they were here, not just athletically, but academically and getting involved in community,” Greenburg said. “Everybody has graduated and some have master’s. They have all gone on and received their upper-graduate degree.”

For instance, Newman launched the basketball company Team Fenom, and Brown is currently coaching softball at UNC Pembroke.

Though the athlete’s phenomenal talents played a key factor in their accomplishments, their careers were also greatly benefited by the contributions and support of the honorary members.

“This is a good class [of athletes], but they [honorary members] just make it an even better class,” Greenburg said.

 

 

Photo courtesy of fscmocs.com

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