YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – On Nov. 2, Young Harris College hosted a special ceremony and dinner in the Rollins Campus Center to honor the 2018 YHC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.
Inductees included Ladondra Johnson, ’14, Jacky Jones, Niall McCabe, ’14, Rick Robinson, Bryson Smith, ’09, and Sam Stovall, ’72.
Ladondra Johnson is from Athens, Ga., and played basketball for the Mountain Lions. She now resides in Helsinki, Finland, where she plays basketball professionally.
Jacky Jones was inducted as a Friend of the College for his generous support of YHC Athletics. Jones resides in Hayesville, N.C., and is the co-owner and principal of Jacky W. Jones Ford, Inc.
Niall McCabe is from Dublin, Ireland. He played soccer for the Mountain Lions. After graduating from YHC, McCabe signed professionally with the Louisville City Football Club of the United Soccer League.
Rick Robinson is a former YHC head baseball coach. The Brevard, N.C., native coached YHC to 665 wins during his time in the Enchanted Valley. He now resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and serves as a full-time missionary for SCORE International.
Bryson Smith is from Athens, Ga., and played baseball for the Mountain Lions and The University of Florida. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, where he played six years at the AAA level. Smith currently resides in Brookhaven, Ga., and works at Ethicon selling medical devices.
Sam Stovall played tennis for the Mountain Lions and West Georgia College. He was a tennis professional for several years before embarking on a teaching and coaching career that spanned 26 years. Stovall resides in his hometown of Waycross, Ga.
“Having an Athletics Hall of Fame at YHC means a tremendous amount to our alumni,” said Director of Athletics Randy Dunn. “There is a strong sense of pride in the players, coaches and performances of the past.”
The YHC Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2013 by the College’s Board of Trustees to recognize individuals for their outstanding athletic achievements and distinguished service to YHC and the greater community. The inductees are nominated by alumni and friends for being an integral part of the College’s celebrated history of athletics.
Many special guests were in attendance at the YHC Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony, including 2013 inductee Billy Buckner, ’03, and his wife, Hayley, 2014 inductee Dr. Bob Nichols and his wife, Gayle, Centerfielder for the Colorado Rockies and 2014 inductee Charlie Blackmon, ’06, and his wife, Ashley, Relief Pitcher for the Oakland Athletics and 2014 inductee Cory Gearrin, ’06, and his wife, Maddi, 2017 inductee Jay Brown, ’06, and his wife, Lauren, 2017 inductee Joey Friddle, ’04, and Dave Bristol, former manager for the Cincinnati Reds.
For more information on the 2018 YHC Athletics Hall of Fame, including a video and biographies of the inductees, please visit www.yhc.edu/athletics-hall-fame.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has three academic divisions: Arts and Humanities, Professional Studies, and Mathematics, Science and Technology, with more than 1,400 students enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga. has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, residence facilities and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
###
