A two-time individual conference champion, two members of NCAA Tournament teams, and two families that have been long-time supporters of Trojan athletics make up this year's University of Mount Olive Athletics Hall of Fame Class. Women's cross country student-athlete Elizabeth Schultz, baseball student-athletes Garrett German and Chad Holland, and Trojan supporters A.N. and Ann Martin and Buddy and Judson Pope were inducted into the UMO Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies were part of the 50th Annual Pickle Classic and Homecoming Weekend festivities.
Elizabeth Schultz '03 won the 2002 and 2003 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Women's Cross Country Championship and earned CVAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year honors both seasons. Schultz earned runner-up finishes in the NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country South Atlantic Regional in 2002 and 2003 and went on to compete in the NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country National Championship both years. She remains the only Trojan women's cross country runner to win two conference championships and compete in two NCAA National Championships. Schultz also excelled in the classroom as she was named the 2003-04 Mount Olive College Female Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
"This is one of the greatest days of my life," Schultz said during her acceptance speech. "I never thought I'd achieve this kind of success in the classroom and on the course. This means the world to me."
Garrett German '00 was the 1999 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Baseball Player of the Year and was named to the 1999 All-South Atlantic Region First Team. German was a model of consistency at the plate, batting .387 in 1998 and .385 in 1999. His career .386 batting average is the ninth highest in Trojan history. Mount Olive compiled an 82-32 record during German's two seasons, winning a conference championship and earning a spot in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional both years. The Trojans were regional runners-up in 1998. Mount Olive posted a 48-9 record in 1999, a then-school record for most wins in a season and still the third highest win total.
"This is way out of my comfort zone," said German. "I want to thank Coach (Mount Olive head baseball coach Carl Lancaster) for giving me the opportunity. I also want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ."
Chad Holland '01 spent his entire collegiate career at Mount Olive and was teammates with German during his final two years. The Trojans compiled a 157-51 record during Holland's four years and his name remains etched in the Mount Olive baseball pitching record book. His 15 career complete games are a school record and his seven complete games in 1996 are tied for the most in a season. In addition, Holland's six career shutouts are a school record and his three shutouts in 1996 are tied for the school single-season record. His 20 career wins are tied for the sixth-highest in school history and his career and single-season earned run average rank in the Trojan top 10. Holland, who primarily played first base during his final two years, also compiled a career .341 batting average.
"God gave me the ability to be efficient on the baseball field," said Holland. "I thank my parents for all of their sacrifices. As far as the records are concerned, I just want to be known as a competitor."
A. N. and the late Ann Martin have been long-time supporters of the University of Mount Olive. The Michael Martin Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament, established in memory of their son, who was a MOC alumnus and an NC Highway Patrolman killed in the line of duty, has raised over $630,000 in its 28-year history. Mr. Martin continues to work with the organizing committee to make the tournament bigger and more successful each year. Proceeds from the tournament go towards an endowment which funds scholarships and to the Trojan Club.
"This college has come a long way and it has a great athletics program," said Martin. "I thank you for this honor."
Handy Mart convenience store chain founder E. J. "Buddy" Pope, Jr. and his son, Judson Pope, president of E. J. Pope and Son, Inc. have been long-time supporters of the University of Mount Olive. Both have given their time as members of the University's Board of Trustees and both have also made significant financial contributions. One of the most notable contributions by the father and son pair is the gift support that has accumulated over the past 28 years as a result of the Handy Mart Golf Tournament which has brought in over $1.7 million for scholarship support. To date, 615 students have received scholarships as a direct result of the Handy Mart Tournament. Another widely recognized measure of the Popes' longstanding support of UMO is Pope Wellness Center, which was appropriately named for the Popes as a means of appreciation for their many gifts to the University.
"Hopefully, this scholarship has helped a lot of people grow and get a good education," said Judson Pope. "We are proud, but the credit really should go to the volunteers."
The Class of 2015 is the 10th Hall of Fame class and brings the total number of inductees up to 39.
