MOUNT OLIVE (Nov. 17) – The University of Mount Olive inducted four former UMO student-athletes, a retired Vice President of Athletics/Director of Athletics, one team, and one supporter into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon in the Southern Bank Auditorium in W. Burkette and Rose M. Raper Hall.
The UMO Athletic Department welcomed its first Hall of Fame class since 2019 after the annual traditional ceremony had been unfortunately postponed due to the pandemic. This year's class brings the total number of hall of fame inductees up to 70.
The return of the event brought together plenty of former teammates, coaches, families, and friends this weekend while UMO hosted the 57th annual Pickle Classic and Homecoming. Each inductee showed gratitude, appreciation, and emotion during their speeches about their time at Mount Olive.
"I'd like to congratulate all our inductees and their families. It's a special day and I'm happy I could be here with you to share this moment," said Director of Athletics Joey Higginbotham. "To be a little old town that people mostly know about for our pickles there some pretty special things that happen in this place. Always remember it's a great day to be a Trojan."
The Class of 2022 includes Scottie Bryan (supporter), Kendrick Easley, Class of 2010 (men's basketball), Jeff Eisen (athletic administration), Sara Christie McConnell, Class of 2006 (women's volleyball), Stephen Nordan, Class of 2008 (baseball), Colby Mangum Rosser, Class of 2006 (women's volleyball), and the 1981-82 men's tennis team.
Gallery: (11-12-2022) 2022 UMO Athletics Hall of Fame
If you missed the ceremony or would like to view a video replay of the event.
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Scottie Bryan is known for her significant presence in the community and UMO Athletics while serving as an ambassador for the UMO Tennis programs. Tennis has been a major part of her life since her youth and being part of the UMO tennis family has brought a new dimension of love to her tennis life.
Kendrick Easley is the most decorated men's basketball player in program history and was a dominant guard at UMO from 2006-10. He was a three-time All-America selection and holds numerous school records including being the all-time leader with 2,261 points. Easley assisted the program to three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and two conference championships.
Jeff Eisen was a longtime athletic administrator and served 10 years at the University of Mount Olive as the Director of Athletics before being appointed to Vice President of Athletics in 2015. He worked in that role until his retirement in December 2021 after leading Mount Olive to extraordinary success during his tenure. Eisen created steady growth in the athletic department, enhanced facilities, expanded from 14 to 23 NCAA sports, restarted the Trojan Club, and began the UMO Athletics Hall of Fame.
Sara Christie McConnell was a three-time all-conference selection and is the program's best all-time setter with 5,922 career assists. She still holds the all-time single-season mark in sets and ranks 22nd all-time in Division II history in career assists. Alongside fellow inductee Colby Mangum Rosser, the Trojans registered 20 wins in four-straight years and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Stephen Nordan was a standout player for the Trojans from 2003-07 and is the program's all-time leader in career hits (301), RBI (207), and doubles (76). He was an ABCA All-American and a two-time all-region selection during his time at UMO.
Colby Mangum Rosser is one of the most complete players to compete at UMO and still ranks third in Division II history with 237 blocks in a single season. She was a three-time all-conference recipient and still holds the all-time single-season record with a .408 hitting percentage. Alongside fellow inductee Sara Christie McConnell, the Trojans registered four straight 20-win seasons and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
The 1981-82 Men's Tennis Team over forty years ago compiled a remarkable season and earned the school's first-ever Eastern Tarheel Conference regular season championship. The program swept the conference tournament with a perfect 18 points. All-Conference honors were awarded to David McGee, Kermit Nixon, Paul Pagano, Michael Bowen, Tom Coggin, and Jean Scaturo, while the head coach Danny Phillips was named the Conference Coach of the Year.
