Arguably the top Sports Information Director in history of Guilford College, is heading to the Guilford College Athletics Hall of Fame…
Dave Walters, Johnny Moore, and Ted Malick are among the best all-time SID’s at Guilford College, and many feel Dave Walters ranks at the top of the list, and he would for sure get my vote, and I have seen or been aware of them all, dating back to around 1967…
Dave was, and still is “The Man”…He was working for Caldwell Academy, teaching media classes, and now he is working in the communications department for the city of Greensboro….Dave on the way in, and Congrats, to this ‘Guilford College Legend’…..
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Guilford College Athletic Department is excited to announce the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022. This year’s inductees include Daniel Cole, Arden Miller Klapy, Kevin Pendergrast, Ben Strong, Dave Walters and Erik Webster-Rashad.
“After a seven-year hiatus, I’m very pleased we have reinstituted our Athletic Hall of Fame and Guilford is honoring these most deserving Hall of Famers. They are highly accomplished and represent the best in Guilford Athletics,” said Bill Foti, Director of Athletics.
Meet the Inductees:
Dave Walters HoF Dave Walters
Dave worked from 1996 until 2020 as Sports Information Director at Guilford College, overseeing media and public relations for the 22 varsity sports programs, and as Assistant Athletic Director for 20 of those years. When he left Guilford he was the longest serving SID at a college or university in the area. He is widely known not only for his comprehensive coverage of Quaker athletics but for his impactful mentorship of students, including some who proceeded into sports information careers themselves. Additionally, Dave served as an adjunct instructor in the Sports Studies program and as a staff advisor to the Guilford Christian Ministry. He served on the Board of Directors for the national organization College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) as a College Division Representative (Southeast Region) from 2011 to 2016. He was honored by CoSIDA with a 25 Year Award in 2019. His Old Dominion Athletic Conference peers honored him with the inaugural Sports Information Director of the Year Award in 2005. Guilford honored him with the Bruce B. Stewart ’61 Community Service Award in 2011.
Daniel Cole HoF Daniel Cole
A three-year member of the football team, Daniel Cole became one of Guilford’s best tacklers. Cole currently ranks first overall in single season total tackles (141) and sixth in single season sacks (12). The Whiteville, N.C. native ranks sixth in career assisted tackles (141) and eighth in career total tackles (265). Cole was named a 1987 NAIA Academic All-American, 1988 NAIA All-American and a 1989 Nereus C. English Athletic Leadership Award recipient.
Arden Miller Klapy HoF Arden Miller
A two-sport athlete, competing in women’s basketball and soccer, Arden Miller is highly ranked as one of the best to play women’s basketball at Guilford College. Statistically wise, Arden is in the top-10 in career points (1,322), field goals made (486), free throws made (263), free throw percentage (.747) and rebounds (766). She also racked up the awards being named First Team All-ODAC in 1999-2000, the 2000 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Player of the Year and 2000 NCAA Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-American. Arden also received the 2000 Nereus C. English Athletic Leadership Award, 2000-01 Second Team All-ODAC and 2001 Best Senior Female Athlete.
Kevin Pendergrast HoF Kevin Pendergrast
The late Kevin Pendergrast came to Guilford College in the 90s and set plenty of men’s tennis records that are still in his name. Kevin is first in career singles wins (69), doubles wins (47) and overall wins (116). He is also tied for seventh in season overall wins (35) and eighth overall in season singles wins (21). A three-time All-ODAC selection, Kevin was named the conference’s player of the year in 1995. He was named ITA Men’s Division III All-American in 1996, the 1994 and 1995 Best Undergraduate Male Athlete. He also received the 1995 Nereus C. English Athletic Leadership Award and 1996 Best Senior Male Athlete Award.
Ben Strong Ben Strong
A man of many records and awards, Ben Strong was a highly accomplished men’s basketball player. He is second in career points (2,231), field goals made (855) and blocked shots (236), and additionally he is in the top-five of points per game (20.1), free throws made (519) and double-doubles (44). A three-time First Team All-ODAC, two-time ODAC Player of the Year and two-time Guilford Best Male Athlete. In 2007, he was a NABC First Team All-American (Co-Player of the Year) and a D3hoops.com First Team All-American (Player of the Year).
Erik Webster-Rashad HoF Erik Webster-Rashad
A former member of the men’s basketball team at Guilford College, Erik Webster-Rashad has been part of basketball all over the globe. Played overseas for six years before becoming a professional and college basketball coach. The National Olympic Team Head Coach for both Guyana and Bahrain. Additionally, he has held administrative roles as the Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics at Florida A&M and the Associate Sports Director for All NET Hoops. Rashad is a member of Who’s Who Among Professionals, Who’s Who Among Athletic Administrators, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., FIBA Olympic Solidarity Committee, the Virgil Hawkins Bar Association, and the National Counselors Honor Society.