SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- The Shepherd College Athletic Hall of Fame added five new members this fall at the annual induction banquet at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center on Friday night. The quintet was also honored at halftime of the Shepherd-West Liberty football game.
Two-sport stars Lawrence "Bootsie" Leonard ('61) (football, baseball) and Paige Graff ('96) (women's basketball, volleyball) join football standout Chris Mack ('88), baseball star Rich Pell ('99), and swimming coaching sensation Rick Gibson as the 18th class to be inducted. The "fantastic five" bring the total number of members in the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame to 87.
Leonard (1956 graduate of Loudoun County High School/Purcellville, VA) was a four-year standout at guard and linebacker for the Ram football team from 1957-60. A two-time WVIAC All-Conference honoree, Leonard was named a team captain in 1960. Also a three-year standout on the baseball diamond for the Rams, Leonard was chosen as a co-captain his senior year. He was named Shepherd Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1961. Despite drawing interest from professional teams in both sports, Leonard embarked upon a successful 40-year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Loudoun Valley (VA) High School. He posted a career record of 130-32 (.802) as head coach of the Loudoun Valley baseball team from 1962-72. His team won four district titles and a regional title. His 1972 squad captured the first state championship for any high school in Loudoun County in any sport. He also served as head football coach from 1962-71. Leonard was named Group AA Athletic Director of the Year in 1996 by the Virginia Athletic Administrators Association. The school's stadium was named Leonard Stadium in his honor in 2001.
Graff (1992 graduate of Williamsport (MD) High School/Milwaukee, WI) was a four-year standout basketball player for the Rams from 1992-96. Graff finished her career ranked in the Top 10 in points (1,060), rebounds (637), and assists (212). Her 10.7 career scoring average ranks her eighth on the all-time list. She served as team captain in her senior year and gained WVIAC Second Team All-Conference honors. Former head coach Betsy Blose credits Graff's leadership as a foundation for the future success in the women's basketball program. Graff also lettered two years for the Ram volleyball team and earned WVIAC Honorable Mention All-Conference honors in 1993.
Mack (1983 graduate of P.K. Yonge (FL) High School/Ashburn, VA) was standout defensive back for the Rams from 1984-87. A three-time WVIAC First Team All-Conference selection, Mack helped lead the Rams to the WVIAC title and NAIA Playoffs in 1986. He was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 1985 and also gained NAIA First Team Academic All-American honors that year. Mack holds the Shepherd record for most interceptions in a game with five against Concord in 1986. Mack helped the Rams set a school team record with 34 interceptions in 1986. His 23 career interceptions rank him third on the SC all-time list.
Pell (1993 graduate of Osbourn Park High School/Charles Town, WV) was a standout baseball player for the Rams from 1994-97. He was the driving force behind the 1997 team that led all NCAA II schools in winning percentage with a 39-7 (.848) record. Pell earned WVIAC Player of the Year honors, All-North Atlantic Region and North Atlantic Region All-Tournament honors that year. He set single season records for runs scored (53), hits, (65) doubles (14), total bases (92), and batting average with over 100 at-bats (.433). Over his career the Rams compiled a 104-53 (.667) mark and he set Ram career records for games played (148), at-bats (466), hits (161), runs scored (136), doubles (29), stolen bases (57), hit-by-pitch (33), and total bases (218).
Gibson (1963 graduate of Northwood (MD) High School/Shepherdstown, WV) was a standout swimming coach at Shepherd from 1976-90. Gibson's career spanned 14 seasons and was highlighted by NAIA Coach of the Year honors in 1982. He coached over 40 All-Americans. Gibson also had six women individuals and four women relay teams earn NAIA national champion status in their events. His women's team posted five individual Tri-State championships, while his men's squad posted one Tri-State title. His women's teams placed in the NAIA Top 20 rankings nine times and the men's program had seven Top 20 rankings.
