(Left to right) Ashley Nichols (1st Runner Up), Livia Stephens
(Homecoming Queen), and Mara Rodeffer (2nd Runner Up)

Erskine College Celebrates Homecoming 2001

Erskine College celebrated a red, white and blue patriotic Homecoming 2001 Saturday, in a day that was highlighted by senior Livia Stephens of North Augusta, S.C., being crowned homecoming queen during halftime of the men’s 4-1 soccer victory over Anderson College.

Erskine also inducted seven new members into the Flying Fleet athletic Hall of Fame, culminating Saturday’s festivities. The inductees included Matthew Beyer, Class of 1984, in men’s soccer; Karrie Miller, Class of 1990, in women’s soccer; Tom Okubo, Class of 1972, in men’s soccer and baseball; Garth Pollonais, Class of 1990, in men’s soccer; Bill Walters, Class of 1964, in men’s basketball; Tim Whipple, Class of 1977, in men’s basketball and baseball; and Mark Wilson, Class of 1983, in the special category.

Erskine SGA President Laura Williams, a junior from Norway, S.C., said Erskine’s homecoming was dedicated to the people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

"This day is a memorial and a celebration, and a great way for all Erskine students to show their patriotism," Williams said. "That’s why we chose the ‘United We Stand’ theme. We’ve really had a great week with all the activities."

The junior class won the weeklong spirit competition that ended with Friday night’s Fleet-O-Rama celebration. The sophomore class finished second and the seniors were third.

A noon homecoming parade down Due West’s Main Street began Saturday’s activities, prior to tailgating on the intramural field and the soccer game.

During the parade, students represented different sections of the country, with the freshmen representing New York and New England, the sophomores representing Hawaii, the juniors representing California and the West, and the seniors representing the Southeast.

The seniors won the float competition, the sophomores were second and the juniors were third.

Stephens was crowned queen by Erskine President Dr. John Carson and last year’s queen Lauren Eudy. Senior Ashley Nichols of Hartsville, S.C., was named first runner-up and junior Mara Rodeffer of Laurens, S.C., was named second runner-up.

Erskine held its 20th annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday, recognizing four of the school’s greatest soccer players.

Beyer rewrote the Erskine record book for goalkeepers, setting not only season (10) and career (25) shutout records but also the record for career saves, with 566, records that still stand today. He was selected to participate in the Senior Soccer Bowl, where he was starting goalkeeper. He was three times All-South and three times NAIA All-American. "I don't think I would be the man that I am today – which is much more important than anything that happens on the field – if it wasn't for Erskine College," said Beyer, who thanked his coach, Ralph Lundy. "Thank you, Erskine."

Miller, known for her soccer versatility, tallied 31 career goals and 18 career assists while being utilized at midfield, stopper, and sweeper. She was named All-American three times and All-National Tournament twice. After leaving Erskine, she was an assistant coach at South Carolina and head coach at three other colleges. She is currently head coach at Coastal Carolina University. "There is a lot of incentive and a lot of money to play soccer today," Miller said. "But I wouldn't change anything about college or my experience here at Erskine – it has made me the person I am today."

Okubo, a two-sport star, had 45 career assists and 35 career goals still rank him second and thirteenth respectively in Erskine men’s soccer history. He also played third base for the baseball team and led the team in triples and was third in runs scored his senior year. "This is the most humbling moment of my life – I never expected this," said Okubo, who thanked his coach, Charles Smith, for bringing him to Erskine. He also thanked teammate Charlie McGinty, who collected money from the team so that Okubo could phone his family in Japan.

Pollonais, in 1989, was NAIA District Six "Player of the Year," leading the nation with 34 goals and adding 15 assists, to propel Erskine to a 19-4 record. For his career, Pollonais had 88 goals, second all-time in Erskine history, and 40 assists, fourth all-time. He was a three-time NAIA All-American. During his four years the Fleet won 53 games, an Erskine record for a four-year period. A stellar seven-year professional career followed for the Erskine graduate, but he returned to Due West in 2000 to coach the men’s soccer team, and he is also serving this year year as interim women’s coach at Erskine. Pollonais thanked Coach Lundy for giving him the opportunity to be a part of the Erskine family. "What I learned at Erskine is second to none," he said. "Thank you, Erskine, for all that you have given to me."

Walters, during his four years, led the Erskine basketball team to a 79-36 record. The team won more than 20 games twice, and made the NAIA District 26 playoffs three consecutive seasons. Walters’ 1,395 points were the most contributed by any Erskine player in those four outstanding seasons, and he was the leading scorer on the 1962-63 and 1963-64 teams. "It is Erskine's mission to teach and help students and Erskine does an incredible job," Walters said. "I would not have graduated or had the wonderful life that I've had if it wasn't for the people at Erskine."

Whipple excelled in basketball and baseball at Erskine, and is now one of the premier high school basketball coaches in South Carolina, where he has coached Irmo High School to three state 4A championships. While at Erskine, he set records for stolenbases in a season (14) and stolen bases for a career (39). He was the starting point guard on the 1976 basketball team that went 17-11. "There is noone here who graduated from here who doesn't know that Erskine is a special place," said Whipple. "What you learn in college prepares you for life. I don't think I could have found a place that could have prepared me more."

Wilson served as Sports Information Director at Erskine for 12 years beginning in 1983, and his promotions led to 43 Flying Fleet athletes winning All-American honors, the women’s soccer team being twice ranked number one in the nation, the men’s basketball and soccer teams earning high national rankings, and Erskine receiving exposure in such national publications as Soccer America, The Sporting News, Basketball Times, and USA Today. "I am grateful to Erskine for giving me the opportunity to earn a degree," Wilson said. "I'm grateful to Erskine for giving me my first job after college and for giving me the opportunity to meet lifelong friends. Most of all, I'm grateful to Erskine for giving me my wife, Charlotte."

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees