Shepherd University Athletics

Shepherd University Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2006

(L-R): The late Pat Dorsey represented by widow Vicki Dorsey Holstead and sons Tyler and T.J., Betsy Blose, Al Swick, Damian Beane, and Dr. Mike Jacobs.

SHEPHERD ADDS FIVE TO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- The Shepherd University Athletic Hall of Fame inducted five new members this fall when the annual induction banquet takes place on Friday, September 29 as part of Hall of Fame Weekend.

Damian Beane (football), Elizabeth (Betsy) Blose (women's basketball coach), Pat Dorsey ('78) (football, tennis), Dr. Mike Jacobs (coach/administrator), and Al Swick ('50) (baseball, basketball) will be inducted as the 21st class to be inducted. The "fantastic five" bring the total number of members in the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame to 103.

Beane (Shepherdstown, WV) was a four-year standout running back for the Shepherd football team from 1996 to 1999. The first Ram athlete to gain First Team All-WVIAC honors four times, Beane completed his career as the all-time leader in Shepherd and WVIAC history in career rushing yards (6,768), career scoring (382 points), and career touchdowns (61). His 2,096 rushing yards in 1998 also sent new Shepherd and WVIAC single season marks. A two-time WVIAC Offensive Player of the Year, Beane led the Rams to three straight conference titles and NCAA II Playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999. His 30-carry, 173-yard rushing effort to help lift Shepherd to a 9-6 win over Indiana (Pa.) in the 1998 playoffs. A three-time All-American, Beane finished fourth in the Harlon Hill balloting in 1998 and third in 1999.

Blose (Asheville, NC) was a standout women's basketball coach at Shepherd from 1995-2002. She recorded a 114-77 (.597) mark over her seven-year career at Shepherd. Blose gained WVIAC Coach of the Year honors when she led the Ram women's basketball program to its first conference crown with a 19-9 mark in 1998-99. Shepherd recorded 19 wins or more in Blose's final four seasons, including a record-setting 20-7 overall, 15-3 conference mark in 2000-01. Blose moved on to UNC Asheville where she turned its women's basketball program around. Blose has posted a 52-34 (.605) record over the past three seasons for the Bulldogs. She gained Big South Coach of the Year honors in 2003-04 team as her team recorded a 19-9 mark and was recognized by the NCAA as the most improved team in the nation. Blose's 2004-05 squad was one win away from advancing to the NCAA Tournament. She joins sister, Barbara (Blose) Palmer, a former Shepherd volleyball standout, as the first sister duo inducted into the Hall.

The late Dorsey was a four-year standout on the Ram football and men's tennis teams. A ball-hawking defensive back, Dorsey led the Ram football team with seven interceptions in 1975 and added five more in 1976. His 12 career interceptions rank him among the all-time leaders at Shepherd. He gained All-Conference honors in men's tennis as he posted a 10-2 mark and captured the WVIAC individual singles title at number six in 1977. His win helped Shepherd to the conference crown and a trip to the NAIA Championships in Kansas City. Dorsey went on to a successful career as a teacher and coach at Loudoun County High School from 1978-1990 that included stints as the head coach of both the football and baseball teams at Loudoun County. He retired in 1990 to open his own painting business. Dorsey passed away at age 39 in 1994 after a courageous fight against leukemia.

Jacobs (Shepherdstown, WV) served as a coach/administrator at Shepherd in a career that has spanned over four decades. Over that span he has served as head coach for the Ram football, baseball, track, and men's golf program's. Jacobs served as head coach for the Shepherd football team in 1986 and led the Rams to an 8-3 mark with a conference title and an appearance in the NAIA Playoffs. His efforts gained him WVIAC Coach of the Year honors. Jacobs also spent 13 years as the director of athletics at Shepherd where he also made a significant impact. He was president of the NAIA Athletics Directors in 1990 and served as NAIA liason to National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) from 1990-94. He was awarded the Mike McLaughlin Award by the WVIAC for excellence in athletics administration in 1993. Jacobs was the driving force in moving Shepherd and the WVIAC from NAIA to NCAA II status. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame.

Swick (Bloomery, WV) was a three-year standout on the Ram basketball team and two-year star on the baseball squad. Swick topped the Ram basketball team in scoring with 281 points in 1947-48. He was also a standout pitcher on the Ram baseball team and led Shepherd to an 8-4 mark in 1950. Swick was the winning pitcher in five of the team's eight wins. He also starred as a member of the Romney Rockets and the Charles Town American Legion baseball teams and drew professional tryout offers from the Philadelphia Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates. Swick went on to a successful career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He began his career at Romney (WV) High School before moving on Montgomery County, Maryland where he taught, coached, and served as an administrator for over 30 years.