Memphis, TN — Rhodes College is proud to announce the inductees for its 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1996 the college established the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor and memorialize those whose athletic excellence, dedication, and perseverance brought honor to Rhodes College. This year's honorees represent a remarkable array of athletic talent and dedication, showcasing exceptional contributions across various sports. The 2024 class includes influential coaches, teams, and standout athletes whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the Rhodes athletic program.
Coach Gordon Ellingsworth – Baseball, Football, Women's Golf
Ellingsworth coached at Rhodes from 1980 – 2013, serving as Men's Baseball coach from 1981 – 1994. During this time, his teams won College Athletic Conference titles in 1985, 1986 and 1988. He was named Women's Golf Team coach in 1997, and the 2000 and 2001 teams placed 3rd in the NCAA tournament. He was the offensive line coach for the Men's Football team for more than 30 years and was a tremendous recruiter for Rhodes athletics.
Kurt Wyckoff '81 – Basketball
Wyckoff was a defensive powerhouse who routinely held opponents' star players to below their game scoring average. He was a three-year starter on three nationally ranked Men's Basketball teams, scoring 865 points, with an average field goal percentage of 58%, and grabbing 817 points over the course of his career.
Marshall Redmon '84 – Football
Redmon was an anchor for the Lynx defense and routinely led the team in tackles. He was named to the All-College Athletic Conference teams in 1982 and 1983 and was selected Team Captain and MVP his senior year.
Stephanie Boyd Gehres '99 – Golf
Gehres was earned the 1996 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Golfer of the Year honors her freshman year, leading the Women's Golf Team to its first ever conference title. She was named to three All-SCAC teams during her time at Rhodes. She was later honored as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference's 15th Anniversary Women's Golf Team.
J.R. Bizzell '09 – Baseball
Bizzell was a talented shortstop who earned all-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors all four years he played for the Lynx. He was named to the SCAC Baseball 30th Anniversary Team and was chosen as one of the three best shortstops in SCAC history. Bizzell sits in 3rd place among career hits in Rhodes Baseball. He holds records for the highest career fielding percentage among Rhodes shortstops, most career double-plays by any Rhodes infielder, and most single-season double-plays by any Rhodes infielder.
Becca Clarin '10 – Basketball, Soccer
Clarin was a two-sport team captain who earned All-American honors as a Soccer Goalkeeper and is considered one of the best three-point shooters in Women's Basketball at Rhodes. On the pitch, she routinely led the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with goals saved and led the SCAC in shutouts and goals allowed. On the court, she was a three-year starter (having missed her junior year to injury) scoring 573 total points, 127 three-point baskets, and pulled down 464 rebounds.
Kelli Zomer '12 – Softball
An outfielder, Zomer was named to the SCAC 30th Anniversary Softball team in 2021. A four-time All-SCAC honoree, Zomer earned First Team accolades in both 2009 and 2010. The league's leader in home runs in 2009 (8) and triples in 2010 (6), she finished in the top-six all-time in both statistical categories. She smashed 22 career home runs (sixth in league history), and her 15 triples are the second most all-time. A career .359 hitter, Zomer is tied for 16th in SCAC history with 180 hits, including accounting for five in one game back in 2010 which is tied for the second most in a single game in league history. She scored 129 runs (tied for 11th in conference history), drove in 105 runs, stole 27 bases, hit 22 doubles, and slugged .617 during her four years playing for the Lynx.
1983-1984 Women's Basketball Team
The first women's team in Rhodes history to win a conference championship, the 1983-1984 Women's Basketball Team went 18-4 to earn the Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.
Coach Sara Hatgas (individual AHOF inductee in 2014)
Melissa Hayes Baker '84 (individual AHOF inductee in '99)
Linda Odom '84
Ann Webb Betty '85
Tracey Hill Woodward '85
Mary Ann Fesmire Emanuel '86
Michelle Hinkel '86 posthumously
Stephanie Russell '86
Julie Brown '87
Trish Barron Dunn '87
Darlene Jordan '87
Rhodes College extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Their achievements not only highlight their exceptional athletic abilities but also their dedication and contributions to the Rhodes community. The induction presentation will be held during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend on Saturday, November 2, 2024, during the alumni picnic in the Catherine Burrow Refectory.
