Once a year the Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame comes to the forefront of the College. On February 16 this year’s Hall of Fame inductees—Alexander W. Deegan ’95, R. Stephen Heckard ’65, W. Rodney Knowles ’68, Claudia D. Lombard ’96 and Carolyn Kirsch Rumpel ’97—stepped forward to be honored during the halftime of the men’s basketball game versus Furman.


Left to Right: Alex W. Deegan '95, Steve Heckard '65, Rodney Knowles '68, Claudia Lombard '96, and Carolyn Kirsch Rumpel '97.

Recognized for their contributions to Davidson College, their achievements after leaving the college and their efforts on the soccer field, football field and basketball court, these inductees helped engineer many of Davidson’s exceptional athletic sporting moments during the last half of the twentieth century.

200 guests, including Davidson College Trustees, Davidson Athletic Foundation Board Members, and past Hall of Fame Inductees, attended a dinner in honor of this year’s inductees.

President Tom Ross ’72 opened by highlighting the academic and athletic achievements for which many student athletes at Davidson have been responsible, as well as the binding character athletics has provided Davidson over the years. Director of Athletics Jim Murphy introduced each inductee, presenting their accolades on the playing surface and where the roads after Davidson have taken them. Each inductee then shared their experiences as Davidson College student athletes.

Carolyn Kirsch Rumpel, Davidson’s only women’s basketball player to be named SoCon Player of the Year, said, “My experience as a student-athlete at Davidson is one I constantly cherish. I felt challenged in the class and on the court. And I am honored to be a part of this high integrity community that truly honors its student athletes through its unwavering commitment to achieve athletic and academic success.”

Rumpel remains the schools leader in rebounds (878) and ranks third in scoring. A two time winner of the Wildcat Award, given to the team’s most valuable player, a grateful Rumpel thanked her teammates, coaches, family and friends for making her the player and person she is today.

When Claudia Lombard was honored at the ceremony she came bearing gifts. Lombard brought a little of the Virgin Islands—her home for the last 8 years where she works as biologist—bringing rum for the other inductees. Lombard, an MVP as a Sophomore for the women’s soccer team, related stories of her parents coming to Davidson in their RV to see her play during her college

years.

Lombard helped carry Davidson to two SoCon titles in her Junior and Senior years. As exciting as those moments were, Lombard related that Davidson provided her three extraordinary gifts: Marie Grisez Holt—Lombard’s roommate at school, Ryan Smith ’94—Lombard’s husband, and her combined experience of athletics and academics.

Rodney Knowles, fondly known as “Big Rod” during his days at Davidson, helped lead Davidson basketball during one of its most exciting stages in 1967 and 1968, when Davidson won its first Southern Conference basketball tournament and also went to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, respectively.

Knowles relayed that when he received the call from Tom Ross with regard to the Hall of Fame, he thought it was some kind of prank. After the laughter settled, Knowles told of the firm foundation Davidson provided him for the rest of his life. “It was not just a Davidson education, but a Davidson experience,” said Knowles.

Stephen Heckard, one of Davidson’s select few to play in the NFL, was captain his senior year as he went on to earn All-Academic honors and Player of the Week honors. Heckard related that the challenges he faced at Davidson, as well as the values taught, prepared him for a life of leadership.

“Davidson really stood for something,” said Heckard, “and that can be uncommon.”

Heckard played for the Rams after Davidson, and he credits much of that experience to Homer Smith, who came to Davidson as head coach after Heckard’s playing days were over, but nonetheless helped prepare Heckard in his senior spring to go on to play in the pros.

“The big thing here,” Heckard ended, “is having my grandchildren here so that they will know for sure that ‘Papa’ Steve did indeed graduate from college."

Alex Deegan capped off the evening’s speeches with many of his teammates and family present. “I am humbled and overwhelmed to be a part of something so special,” he said.

Deegan was a human highlight reel during his days as keeper for the Wildcats’ soccer team. Deegan helped lead Davidson to the 1992 NCAA College Cup—the final four of college soccer. Twice, Deegan outdueled opposing keepers in tournament play, leading the way back to Davidson, where the College Cup was held.

“You live for those experiences,” said Deegan. Those experiences included wins over UNC, UCLA, NC State, and Wake Forest to name a few.

“During those years a bond was formed that will never be broken,” commented Deegan before he finished by saying, “I am thankful for the family, friends, coaches, teammates that supported me every step of the way, including tonight. I hope you know, without all of you I wouldn’t be here today. You are my team, and I couldn’t ask for a better one.”

These five inductees join an impressive lineage of Davidson athletes in the Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame. An electronic kiosk in the Nisbet Hall of Fame Room in the Baker Sports Complex includes photos and biographies of all inductees.