Ballot released for 2021 Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame
September 20, 2020

Ballot released for 2021 Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman has released the nine names up for consideration to the Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman has released the nine names up for consideration to the Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame.

Voting is open to all former Carson-Newman athletes, coaches and administrators. It can be done at the following link: https://cneagles.com/HallOfFame/2020HoFBallot

Or by filling at the form at the bottom of this release. Voting will close Oct. 1

Tyler Baldock (2007) – Tyler Baldock left his stamp on the Carson-Newman men's soccer program as a three-time All-American goalkeeper. He backstopped the Eagles to four straight regular season SAC titles, a tournament title and a regional title.  He spent time playing professionally with the West Virginia Chaos, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Abbotsford Mariners.  He is the Carson-Newman and SAC record-holder for career shutouts with 36, his 0.75 career goals against average and 51 wins are also Carson-Newman bests.

Shari Buford (2010) – The first NCAA All-American in Carson-Newman women's basketball history, Shari Buford was a three-time All-SAC performer and helped the women's basketball program to a trio of NCAA tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 berth in her senior season.  She is Carson-Newman's third all-time leading scorer and second leading rebounder with 1,496 points and 1,058 boards. 

Steve Cishek (2007) – Steve Cishek helped pitch Carson-Newman to the 2007 SAC tournament title before being drafted by the Florida Marlins in the fifth round of the 2007 MLB draft.  He has spent a decade playing in the big leagues with the Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.  He is the Marlins franchise record-holder for consecutive saves with 33.  

Libby Conley (2002) – A two-time SAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year for the league, Libby Conley hit .435 for her career – a figure that is good for fifth in school history.  She ranks in the top five in program history in runs scored, hits, triples, stolen bases and highest stolen base percentage.  She earned all-league honors all four years of her career with four SAC regular season titles and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. 

Jay Floyd (1988) -  A two-time All-American and three-time all-SAC selection, Jay Floyd was an anchor on Carson-Newman's offensive line for a national title and a national runner-up trophy.  Floyd cleared the way for 7,236 rushing yards in his final two years with the program.  He blocked for a fifth of Carson-Newman's top 25 all-time rushers. 

Charlie King (1957) – A long-time assistant football coach and head golf coach for Carson-Newman, his 1972 golf team was the first to participate in a national tournament. In his 32-year coaching career, he accounted for eight NAIA District 24 titles and five NAIA National Tournament berths.  King oversaw the transition of the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II; he went on to coach two SAC golfers of the year and six All-SAC golfers. He was also an assistant football coach for the 1972 national runner-up team.  

Mike Schlecter (1989) – An All-American and the 1988 SAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mike Schlecter starred at safety for a pair of national championships for Carson-Newman football and another trip to the title game. Schlecter is the school record holder for picks (25), interception return yards (520), interception returns for TDs (four) and fumble returns (seven). He ranks seventh in program history with 315 tackles, the second most of any defensive back all-time. 

Mark Sweeney (2000) – Carson-Newman men's golf's and the South Atlantic Conference's first NCAA/PING All-American, Mark Sweeney was named the league's golfer of the year in 2000.  He led Carson-Newman to a regional appearance in Orlando, Fla – the first NCAA berth in program history. Sweeney also brought home first place his senior year at the SAC championships. 

Ryan Williams (1996) – One of Carson-Newman men's soccer's all-time great scorers, Williams was a two-time All-SAC selection.  Williams' 23-goal senior season still registers as the most prolific scoring year in program history, as do his 55 points from that year.  He is second all-time for a career in points (89) and goals (38) while ranking third in assists (23).  His four goals against USC Aiken on Oct. 28, 1995 register as the second most in a single-game in program history. 

Those wishing to nominate for future Carson-Newman Hall of Fame classes can do so here: https://cneagles.com/HallOfFame/AthleticsHoF

Nominations are open year round.  The cutoff to be included for consideration is Aug. 1.  

Induction for this class is slated for Feb. 26, 2021. Further details will be released as the event draws closer.

2020 Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame Ballot

Sport Played *

Please rank each nominee 1-9, with one being your highest rank and the person most deserving of induction.  You must rank ALL nine nominees for your ballot to be counted.  If you rank a person more than once, your ballot will also not be counted.  

Candidate bios are as follows listed alphabetically: 

Tyler Baldock (2007) – Tyler Baldock left his stamp on the Carson-Newman men’s soccer program as a three-time All-American goalkeeper. He backstopped the Eagles to four straight regular season SAC titles, a tournament title and a regional title.  He spent time playing professionally with the West Virginia Chaos, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Abbotsford Mariners.  He is the Carson-Newman and SAC record-holder for career shutouts with 36, his 0.75 career goals against average and 51 wins are also Carson-Newman bests.

Shari Buford (2010) – The first NCAA All-American in Carson-Newman women’s basketball history, Shari Buford was a three-time All-SAC performer and helped the women’s basketball program to a trio of NCAA tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 berth in her senior season.  She is Carson-Newman’s third all-time leading scorer and second leading rebounder with 1,496 points and 1,058 boards. 

Steve Cishek (2007) – Steve Cishek helped pitch Carson-Newman to the 2007 SAC tournament title before being drafted by the Florida Marlins in the fifth round of the 2007 MLB draft.  He has spent a decade playing in the big leagues with the Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.  He is the Marlins franchise record-holder for consecutive saves with 33.  

Libby Conley (2002) – A two-time SAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year for the league, Libby Conley hit .435 for her career – a figure that is good for fifth in school history.  She ranks in the top five in program history in runs scored, hits, triples, stolen bases and highest stolen base percentage.  She earned all-league honors all four years of her career with four SAC regular season titles and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. 

Jay Floyd (1988) -  A two-time All-American and three-time all-SAC selection, Jay Floyd was an anchor on Carson-Newman’s offensive line for a national title and a national runner-up trophy.  Floyd cleared the way for 7,236 rushing yards in his final two years with the program.  He blocked for a fifth of Carson-Newman’s top 25 all-time rushers. 

Charlie King (1957) – A long-time assistant football coach and head golf coach for Carson-Newman, his 1972 golf team was the first to participate in a national tournament. In his 32-year coaching career, he accounted for eight NAIA District 24 titles and five NAIA National Tournament berths.  King oversaw the transition of the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II; he went on to coach two SAC golfers of the year and six All-SAC golfers. He was also an assistant football coach for the 1972 national runner-up team.  

Mike Schlecter (1989) – An All-American and the 1988 SAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mike Schlecter starred at safety for a pair of national championships for Carson-Newman football and another trip to the title game. Schlecter is the school record holder for picks (25), interception return yards (520), interception returns for TDs (four) and fumble returns (seven). He ranks seventh in program history with 315 tackles, the second most of any defensive back all-time. 

Mark Sweeney (2000) – Carson-Newman men’s golf’s and the South Atlantic Conference’s first NCAA/PING All-American, Mark Sweeney was named the league’s golfer of the year in 2000.  He led Carson-Newman to a regional appearance in Orlando, Fla – the first NCAA berth in program history. Sweeney also brought home first place his senior year at the SAC championships. 

Ryan Williams (1996) – One of Carson-Newman men’s soccer’s all-time great scorers, Williams was a two-time All-SAC selection.  Williams’ 23-goal senior season still registers as the most prolific scoring year in program history, as do his 55 points from that year.  He is second all-time for a career in points (89) and goals (38) while ranking third in assists (23).  His four goals against USC Aiken on Oct. 28, 1995 register as the second most in a single-game in program history. 

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