Kelly Cap, Class of 2004
The third women’s golfer to be inducted into the Methodist Athletic Hall of Fame, Kelly Cap was a part of the Lady Monarchs’ continued dominance at the national level in the early to mid-1990s. She was a four-time NCAA Division III All-American (one of six in the history of Methodist women’s golf), and she helped lead the Lady Monarchs to four straight national championships. In addition, Cap represented the United States in the USA vs. Japan matches in 1995. Upon turning professional in 1996, Cap played four seasons on the Futures Tour before receiving her LPGA Tour card, and she currently plays on the LPGA Tour.

Gene Clayton, Class of 1998
Currently Methodist College’s vice-president for business affairs since 1985, Gene Clayton has played many roles for the Monarchs since becoming the Director of Athletics and the head men’s basketball coach in 1966. His 19-year tenure as Methodist’s director of athletics still ranks as the longest term of any Monarch AD in the 35-year history of the athletic program. Clayton was instrumental in the progression of the athletic program from three varsity intercollegiate sports to 18 while coaching three of his seven basketball teams to conference championships. He has also coached the Monarchs in men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s golf.

Mike Currie, Class of 2004
The fifth baseball player to be inducted into the Methodist Athletic Hall of Fame, Mike Currie was the first of many baseball standouts under current Monarch head coach Tom Austin. During his four seaons in a Monarch uniform, Currie excelled both at the plate and on the mound. He holds the Methodist single-game record for RBIs with eight and the single-season record for batting average at .442. In addition, Currie also holds the Methodist career record for batting average at .396, and he’s one of only three Monarchs to ever be a four-time first team All-Conference selection. Currie was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American - the first ever under Austin - and led the nation in both doubles and RBIs as a senior.

Jim Darden, Class of 2001
Jim Darden, class of 1969, served as the cornerstone of the Methodist men’s basketball program that began in 1963-64 when Methodist began intercollegiate athletics competition. Darden played for current Hall of Famer Gene Clayton from 1965-69 and was a Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team All-Conference selection all four seasons. He currently ranks fourth on the Methodist all-time scoring list with 1,644 career points and still holds four school records including the highest single-season scoring average with 23.0 in 1968-69 when he led the Monarchs to the DIAC championship. Darden, who was honored at the 2001 DIAC conference tournament as one of MC’s top-10 all-time players, still holds three DIAC tournament records as well as the NCAA Division III record for single-game rebounds with 36.

Ann Davidson, Class of 1998
A 1998 inductee to the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame as well, Ann Davidson guided the Lady Monarch golf team to five consecutive national championships during her five seasons as head coach from 1990-95. She also produced 17 All-Americans and four national champions. Since retiring from Methodist in 1995, she has continued to serve the golf industry at camps and tournaments as an LPGA teaching professional.

Alan Dawson, Class of 2002
Alan Dawson was the men’s head soccer coach at Methodist from 1987-1995. While at Methodist, Dawson posted an impressive 129-30-1 record with seven consecutive Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and six straight NCAA Division III National Tournament appearances. His 1995 Monarch squad was ranked No. 1 in the nation throughout the regular season and finished as NCAA Division III runner-up. Dawson also led the Monarchs to the "Sweet 16" in 1990 and 1991 and the "Elite Eight" in 1992. He is a five-time DIAC Coach of the Year and two-time NCAA Division III South Region Coach of the Year. During his tenure at Methodist, Dawson coached 32 All-South Region players, seven NCAA Division III All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. Dawson is currently head coach at Old Dominion University in his eighth season with a record of 83-47-9.

Jeanne Edwards, Class of 2005
One of the early pioneers of female athletics at Methodist, Jeanne Edwards was a four-year starter for some of the early Lady Monarchs tennis and basketball teams at Methodist. It was on the tennis court where Edwards made her mark. She played on the Lady Monarch team that won the NCAIAW State Championship and finished fifth in the nation in AIAW in 1977. Edwards was also was a State NCAIAW doubles champion as a sophomore, and Methodist Outstanding Female Athlete as a senior.

Jansen Evans, Class of 2001
Jansen Evans, class of 1988, was perhaps one of the best baseball players to ever don the Green & Gold. He captained the first Monarch squad to reach a NCAA Division III World Series in 1986 and currently holds NCAA Division III national records in career at-bats, hits, and runs scored. In addition to having his #16 jersey retired in 1988, Evans’ name is prevalent in the Methodist baseball records book as he is in the top five in six single-season and ten career records. Evans, who was a three-time All-Conference selection and two-time first team All-American, is the fourth baseball player inducted into the Methodist Athletics Hall of Fame.

Karen Grant, Class of 1998
The first national champion to don a Methodist uniform, Karen Grant excelled as a jumper and sprinter for the Monarchs in track and field during the 1985-86 and 1986-87 campaigns. She competed for Methodist for two seasons following a two-year stint for the University of Nebraska. Between indoor and outdoor competition, Grant was a four-time national champion in the triple jump and a three-time national runner-up in the long jump. She also earned top five finishes in the 55-meter dash and the 100-meter dash on her way to becoming a nine-time NCAA Division III All-American - a feat unparalleled in Methodist history. The Monarchs’ only four-time national champion in any sport, Grant formerly held two NCAA Division III national records and currently holds five Methodist College records. Since leaving Methodist, she has coached jumpers for Sumter High School’s men’s and women’s track and field teams in Sumter, SC. Her many coaching successes include eventual NCAA Division I national champion triple jumper Nicole Gamble and national scholastic champion long jumper Maurice Engle.

Kenneth Hoey, Class of 2005
Kenneth Hoey was a four-year starter at sweeper for head coach and Hall of Famer Alan Dawson’s nationally-ranked Monarch teams in the early 90s. He was the 1994 Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three-time All-DIAC selection. In addition, Hoey was a First team Division III All-American in 1995, and helped lead Methodist to a No. 1 national ranking and the NCAA Division III National Championship game in 1995. A three-year team captain for the Monarchs, he played several seasons for the Nashville Metros of USISL for one season after his collegiate career.

David Holmes, Class of 1999
David Holmes, who attended Methodist from 1988-1992, helped the Monarchs men’s soccer team to a 57-14-4 (.787) mark during his career. That run resulted in Methodist’s first three DIAC championships and first two South Regional crowns. Holmes is a three-time All-American, making the second team in 1989 and 1990 and the first team in 1991. Adidas tabbed him as an honorable mention Academic All-American. The four-time All-DIAC player —a three-time first team selection— received Conference Player of the Year recognition in 1990. He was also chosen to the only DIAC All-Tournament team. Holmes was a three-time first team All-South Region pick. He also appeared once on the first team Academic All-South Region. The two-time Methodist MVP went on to captain three professional teams over the course of six years. He currently doubles as a pro player and a retail sports store manager in Newark, DE.

Elizabeth Horton, Class of 2003
Elizabeth Horton was one of many standouts that have made the Methodist women's golf program the national powerhouse that it is today. She was one of only two Methodist women's golfers to win consecutive national championships when she won titles in 1994 and 1995. In addition, Horton was also a four-time All-American, and she helped lead the Lady Monarchs to four straight NGCA Division III national championships (1992-1995).

Heather Hugus Purgason, Class of 2006
A four year starting pitcher for the softball team from 1997-2000, Hugus Purgason helped to lead Methodist to its first two NCAA Division III national tournament appearances in 1999 and 2000. Purgason holds the Methodist pitching records for career innings pitched (696), wins (66), strikeouts (596) and shutouts (17) as well as the single-season records for strikeouts (180) and shutouts (7) in 2000. She was a four-time All-Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection and two-time DIAC Player of the Year selection. Purgason was also named to the USA South Silver Anniversary team last year.

Greg Jones, Class of 2000
Greg Jones was a basketball player for the Monarchs from 1971-1975. Jones, whose jersey was retired in 1995, was the first All-American in the history of Methodist (NAIA Honorable Mention 1974). He also was the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year (1974), three-time All-DIAC, and three-time school and conference leader in rebounding and scoring. In addition, Jones teamed with fellow Methodist Hall of Famer Elton Stanley in leading the Monarchs to DIAC championships in 1972, 1974 and 1975. Greg currently resides in Cleveland Heights, OH.

Jay Kirkpatrick, Class of 1999
Jay Kirkpatrick attended Methodist College, 1987-1991, playing four years of baseball as a Monarch catcher. During his career, Methodist went 128-47 (.731) while making four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and claiming two South Regional titles and one DIAC crown. The Monarchs finished fourth in the nation twice during that time. As a senior, Kirkpatrick amassed first team All-DIAC, first team All-South Region, first team All-America and Academic All-America distinction. Kirkpatrick still ranks among all-time Methodist leaders in RBI (second/195), batting average (third/.387), hits (fifth/228), doubles (fifth/46) and home runs (fifth/23). Going professional, Kirkpatrick went on to play in the Dodgers organization for six years. While there, he made appearances on the Class Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A All-Star teams.

John McCullough, Jr., Class of 2002
John McCullough, Jr., class of 1990, was the first of six individual NCAA Division III national champions in Methodist’s powerful men’s golf program. In addition, he is one of only two three-time NCAA Division III All-Americans in the history of Methodist men’s golf, and was also a two-time Academic All-American. A three-time All-Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, McCullough was a part of Methodist teams that finished third in the nation in 1987, fifth in 1988 and was NCAA Division III runner-up in 1989 before claiming the first NCAA Championship for Methodist in 1990.

Clinton Montford, Class of 2003
In his short time with the Monarch men's basketball team, Montford was a rebounding force for the Monarchs from 1988-1990. Despite his 6-foot-1 frame, Montford shares the NCAA Division III record for rebounds in a single game with 36 against Warren Wilson in 1989. He also holds the Monarch single-season record for rebounds with 459 in 1989, and he led the nation in rebounding while leading Methodist to its first winning season in more than a decade.

Trayfer Monroe , Class of 2007
Trayfer Monroe has been called the best defensive player in the history of Methodist football. A member of the football team from 1995-1998, Monroe led the team in tackles for three straight seasons. He holds the Methodist career record for tackles with 373 and game tackles with 21. In 1997, Monroe was chosen as a first team All-American by Don Hansen’s National Football Weekly Gazette and a third team All-American by USA-III Football. During his senior season, Monroe was again honored by both organizations with All-American honors.

Rebecca Morton Jarman, Class of 2007
Rebecca Morton Jarman was a four-year starter on the Methodist women’s soccer team from 1991-1994. During her tenure, the Monarchs won three Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (DIAC) Championships and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament on two occasions. Jarman was a first team All-American selection in 1993 and 1994. Also a two-time DIAC Player of the Year, Jarman was a four-time first team All-Conference honoree. She ranks second in the Monarch record book for season goals and points with 30 goals and 68 points in 1993.

Joe Pereira, Class of 2000
Joe Pereira, the current head women’s soccer coach at Old Dominion University, was the pioneer of the Methodist women’s soccer program. Under his 11-year helm, the Lady Monarchs captured eight out of 10 DIAC crowns, seven NCAA Division III tournament bids, and three Final Four appearances while earning a 144-59-13 overall record (.697). Pereira is currently in his 10th season as women's head soccer coach at Old Dominion.

Rob Pilewski, Class of 1998
One of Methodist’s two four-time All-American men’s golfers, Rob Pilewski competed for the Monarchs from 1988-1992. The 1990 NCAA Division III national champion, Pilewski was a four-time team Most Valuable Player and the member of three national championships squads. A two-year team captain, Pilewski also collected the 1990 Sykes Cup, recognizing Methodist’s athlete of the year. He also represented the United States in the 1992 U.S.A./Japan Matches. Pilewski is now a golf pro at King's Grant Golf Club in Fayetteville, NC.

Paul Sanderford, Class of 1998
A two-year All-Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball player, Paul Sanderford earned team MVP and honorable mention All-American distinction during his senior season in 1972. He has since gone on to a very successful coaching career. After two years as an assistant coach for the Methodist men’s basketball and baseball teams, Sanderford went on to serve as the head women’s basketball coach at Louisburg College for six campaigns and at Western Kentucky for 15 years. While at Western Kentucky, he directed the Lady Toppers to 12 NCAA Division I Tournament berths, including three Final Four appearances. Sanderford capped his inaugural season as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Nebraska with a trip to the 1998 NCAA Division I National Tournament. He posted an 88-70 record in five seasons at Nebraska.

Dr. Ernie Schwarz, Class of 2006
The "Founding Father" of Methodist College athletics, Dr. Ernie Schwarz will be inducted posthumously. He was the first Director of Athletics while also serving to develop the Methodist intramural program and the Physical Education curriculum. He was the first men's basketball and golf coach and in 1966 was named the DIAC Coach of the Year. Schwartz was a professor of exercise and sports science and went on to serve as a faculty athletic representative and interim Athletic Director at East Carolina University.

Michael Scobee , Class of 2007
Michael Scobee played for the Monarchs men’s soccer team from 1992-1995. A two-time DIAC Player of the Year, Scobee was named a second team All-American in 1994. He was a member of four consecutive DIAC championships and NCAA Division III Tournament appearances before co-captaining the 1995 team to National Finalist honors. Scobee holds the Methodist career records in points (139) and goals (60) as well as the season records for points (45) and goals (19).

Bruce Shelley, Class of 1998
The father of Methodist College baseball, Bruce Shelley founded the program in 1969 and coached its first nine teams. He also designed and built the Monarchs’ baseball field, which is now known as Shelley Field. Shelley came to Methodist in 1966 as a physical education instructor, a cross country coach and an assistant men’s basketball coach. Prior to that, he had taught and coached at Angier (NC) High School. While at the helm of the Monarchs, Shelley guided Methodist to its first winning season (15-10 in 1972), its first four Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles (1972, 1974, 1976, 1977) and its first two NCAA-III tournament appearances (1976, 1977). His teams compiled a 153-118 slate (.564) and often battled the ACC’s best. Shelley died, at the age of 60, on May 10, 1997 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Mickey Sokalski, Class of 2004
The third men’s golfer to be inducted into the Methodist Athletic Hall of Fame, Mickey Sokalski was one of the pioneers in the strong tradition of men’s golf at Methodist College. For four years, he was the top player under head coach Gene Clayton and led the Monarchs to four straight conference championships. Sokalski paced the Monarchs to second and third place finishes at the NCAA Division III National Tournament and was the first three-time Division III All-American at Methodist. In addition, Sokalski was the first four-time All-Conference selection in men’s golf at Methodist and was the first two-time Conference champion.

Elton Stanley, Class of 2000
Elton Stanley was a basketball player for the Monarchs from 1971-1975. Stanley, who was also a NAIA All-American in 1975, was a four-year starter for a Monarch squad that claimed three DIAC championships. He was also named to the All-Tournament team all four years. Elton currently resides in Plano, TX.

Mason Sykes, Class of 1999
Mason Sykes, an employee at Methodist since 1966, originally joined the faculty as the men’s coach for soccer, wrestling and tennis. He has since filled many roles at Methodist, including that of assistant professor of physical education, director of intramurals, dean of men and superintendent of buildings and grounds. During his 18 years of service in the Department of Athletics, Sykes was named the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year once for tennis, once for wrestling and four times for soccer. Since his retirement from athletics, the Sykes Cup was created to annually honor the Methodist Athlete of the Year.

Anne Thorpe, Class of 1998
Still Methodist’s only four-time NCAA Division III All-American in a team sport, Anne Thorpe played for the Lady Monarch soccer team from 1987-1991 and started for three Final Four teams. Currently Methodist’s all-time career leader in both goals and assists, Thorpe also earned Academic All-American status during three consecutive campaigns. The three-year team captain was also one of only 12 athletes chosen from all divisions to receive an NCAA post graduate scholarship. Thorpe is currently a physical therapist in West Hartford, CT.

Amy Todd, Class of 2006
A three-year starter and three-year first team All-DIAC selection, Todd played basketball from 1996-1999. In 1999, Todd was the DIAC Player of the Year. She still holds the single-game records for points (38) and field goals (15) in addition to the single-season records for rebounds (315) and rebounding average (12.1 rpg). Todd holds the career record for rebounds with 844 and ranks second all-time in scoring with 1,307 points.

Jamelle Ushery, Class of 2006
An NCAA All-American from 1993-1995 and a seven-time Mason Dixon Conference Champion, Ushery was a standout track athlete at Methodist. During the 1993 season, Ushery was 8th at the NCAA Outdoor Championship and placed 4th at the NCAA Outdoor Championship in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, Ushery was the Mason Dixon Indoor Most Valuable Player as well as the Methodist MVP. He was selected to the All-Mason Dixon Conference twenty-three times during his career. He holds numerous indoor and outdoor hurdle records.

DeCarlos West, Class of 2004
The first ever football inductee into the Methodist Athletic Hall of Fame, DeCarlos West is perhaps the best offensive player to ever don a Monarch uniform. A four-year starter at tailback, West holds both the single-season and career records for rushing yards, the single-season and career records for rushing touchdowns and the single-game record for rushing touchdowns. West was selected Division III honorable mention All-American as a senior, in which he led the Monarchs to a program-best 9-1 season with a ranking of 20th in Division III.

Rita Wiggs, Class of 2000
Rita Wiggs, the current USA South Athletic Conference Commissioner, served the college as both a coach and as an administrator. Wiggs served as the women’s golf coach in 1987 and was the head women’s basketball coach from 1986-1997 and was the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1989. She then took over the reins as Director of Athletics where she was instrumental in starting the Monarch Booster Club, annual Hall of Fame Golf tournament, and the Methodist Athletic Hall of Fame.