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Greenville College Athletic Hall of Fame
2006 Inductees

The Greenville College athletic department has revealed the names of the newest class of inductees for its Hall of Fame. The 2006 honorees include Judy (Arnold '74) Fritz, Johnny Branch '91, Rick Stephens '77, Roy Yarbrough '70, and the 1987 volleyball team. The induction ceremonies and banquet are scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 2006, at the Armington Center. Further information will be announced this fall.

Athletic Category

Judy (Arnold) Fritz was a four-sport standout at Greenville College where she excelled in women's basketball, field hockey, softball, and women's tennis. Her most significant honors came in basketball as a leading scorer and outstanding defender. She was also a leading hitter in softball and the most improved player in tennis.

Johnny Branch graduated from Greenville College as the institution's all-time leading scorer in men's basketball with 2,111 points. He also holds records with 179 three-pointers made and 21.2 points per game. Branch was a multiple time NAIA all-district and PCC all-conference team member in addition to receiving recognition as the 1990-91 NCCAA player of the year.

Coaching Category

Rick Stephens served Greenville College as head men's tennis coach from 1985-2001 and head women's tennis coach from 1985-89. As men's tennis coach, Stephens earned multiple coach of the year honors from the NAIA, NCCAA, and SLIAC. In addition, he served the NCCAA as men's tennis tournament director, national sports chair for men's and women's tennis, men's and women's tennis tournament committee chair, and first vice president.

Meritorious Achievement Category

Roy Yarbrough has gained extensive experience in developing and directing sport management programs at universities in the U.S. He currently serves California University of Pennsylvania as program director of sport management studies after co-developing the program at Liberty University . Associated with the National Soccer Officials Association, Yarbrough has been inducted in the USA Soccer Hall of Fame. Dubbed the “Guru of Mascotology” by Sports Illustrated, he has consulted the NCAA, ESPN, and ABC on mascot-related issues.

Team Category

With a record of 42 victories and just 14 losses, the 1987 edition of Lady Panther volleyball ascended to new heights in GC athletic history. Coached by Lynn Adams, the squad took second place at the NCCAA national tournament after compiling an undefeated record in the PCC and fourth consecutive conference championship. They placed third at the NAIA district tournament to mark the highest ?nish by Lady Panther volleyball in the NAIA competition. The team featured players who received all-conference, all-district, academic all-American, and all-American honors.

Softball Coach Brian Reinhard Selected as SLIAC Coach of the Year

The efforts of head softball coach Brian Reinhard were rewarded in May, as he was chosen by conference head coaches as the 2005 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Softball Coach of the Year.

In four years as head softball coach, Reinhard has overseen the steady improvement of the program, taking the team from seven wins in his first year to 16 in 2005. Last season, the squad placed fourth in the SLIAC, awarding them a position in the four-team postseason tournament where they finished fourth.

The team also qualified for their first appearance in the NCCAA postseason regional tournament in eight seasons.

With just two graduating seniors of 18 players on the 2005 team, the program looks forward to continued success in the seasons ahead.

Last updated: October 26, 2005