2018 Athletics Hall of Fame Class
It was a big September for seven of Georgia Southern University’s all-time greats. Six former student-athletes and one administrator joined the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame. They were introduced during halftime of the game between the Eagles and UMass at Paulson on Sept. 8. The new inductees bring the total number of former coaches, student athletes, supporters and administrators in the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame to 154. The inductees include:
Shanita Black Carter (softball 2003–06) – She was a three-time all-conference softball player and the 2006 Southern Conference (SoCon) Player of the Year. As the The SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2006, she led the Eagles to a conference crown and the first NCAA berth in school history. She broke 12 school records during her career and still holds the SoCon record for most hits in one season (102, 2006).
Harry Carter (professor, former acting president, provost 1983–99) – He chaired the college athletics committee that recommended to President Dale Lick the reestablishment of intercollegiate football in the early 1980s. Carter directed the University’s effort to achieve its initial NCAA certification in 1995 and increased general benefits to the athletics department, including enhancement of opportunities for women student-athletes. The alumnus, who is still a major contributor to Georgia Southern, joined his wife, Brenda, in the Hall of Fame. They fund the annual Georgia Southern Male and Female Student- Athlete of the Year awards.
Jayson Foster (football 2004–07) – He earned All-American honors at three different positions: quarterback, running back and all-purpose athlete. He is the only Eagle to ever score a touchdown five different ways: rushing, passing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return. Foster was named the 2004 Southern Conference (SoCon) Freshman of the Year and the 2007 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year. He was the first sophomore in NCAA history to win the 2007 Walter Payton Award as the top player in the FCS.
Telly Hall Wright (women’s basketball, 1995–98) – She was a three-time All- Southern Conference (SoCon) selection in women’s basketball who still ranks sixth in all-time scoring. She made three SoCon All- Tournament teams and was the Most Valuable Player of the 1998 SoCon tournament. Wright ranks sixth on Georgia Southern’s all-time scoring list with 1,425 points. Her 13.1 career scoring average ranks seventh in school history.
Todd Lee (baseball, 1995–97) – A threetime All-American as named by Collegiate Baseball, he also earned Freshman All- America honors by Louisville Slugger in 1995. He was a two-time member of the Smith Super Team, honoring the nation’s best baseball players and was named the 1995 Southern Conference (SoCon) Freshman of the Year. Lee was named the 1997 SoCon Pitcher of the Year, and was a two-time all-region selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association and a two-time All-Southern Conference selection. He was Georgia Southern’s alltime saves leader with 29 and is second all-time in career ERA with a 2.46 mark.
Freddy Pesqueira (football, 1999–2002) – He was a four-time All-American who earned first-team honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Pesqueira earned first-team All-America honors from four different publications as a junior and five different outlets as a senior. He was a four-time All-Southern Conference honoree who took first-team honors in each of his final three seasons. Pesqueira was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 after recording 133 stops, including 15.5 for loss and three sacks, along with an interception returned for a touchdown, three forced fumbles and seven pass break ups. Pesqueira’s 353 career tackles rank second all-time in program history, coming from the defensive tackle spot.
Mark Williams (football, 1995–99) – Williams was a four-year starter and decorated player at the offensive guard position during his career with the Eagles. A three-time consensus All-American, he finished his career with 13 separate national honors. As the starting right guard, Williams led Georgia Southern to a 141-13 mark during four letterwinning seasons. As a sophomore, junior and senior the team enjoyed three straight Southern Conference titles, two NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship Game appearances and a title in 1999.