University of North Carolina Athletics
Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary - Top 50 Male And Female Athletes Are Announced
January 21, 2003 | General
Jan. 21, 2003
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Top 50 Male Athletes were announced today by Commissioner John D. Swofford. The 50-member team was voted on by a 120-member blue-ribbon committee that was selected by the league's 50th Anniversary Committee.
"The success of the Atlantic Coast Conference in its first 50 years is due in large part to the quality of its student-athletes." said Swofford. "That quality is represented in these 50 former student-athletes which include Olympic medalists, NCAA national champions, national award winners and many of the famous names in ACC history. There have been so many great athletes in the first 50 years of the ACC, that the accomplishments of those on this list is underscored by the contributions of all of the student-athletes who have competed in the ACC since the league's inception in 1953."
North Carolina led all league schools with 12 members on the Golden Anniversary team while Duke, Florida State, and NC State were second with six honorees each. Maryland and Wake Forest each had five athletes selected, followed by Clemson (4), Georgia Tech (3) and Virginia (3).
The ACC's 50th Anniversary Top 50 Male Athletes are listed in alphabetical order below:
Shane Battier, Duke (1998-2001)
The 2001 consensus National Player of the Year ... a unanimous first- team All-America honoree in 2001 ... 2001 Verizon Academic All-American of the Year and a first-team Academic All-America selection in 2000 ... won three consecutive NABC National Defensive Player of the Year awards from 1999-2001 ... the sixth pick overall in the 2001 NBA draft ... captain of the 2001 National Championship team.
Jim Beatty, North Carolina (1954-1957)
Dominated the sport in the early 1950s ... From 1954-56 won three ACC cross country championships and was named an All-America in 1954 and 1956.
All-American for two miles in 1955 and 1957, and 5,000 meters in 1956 ... ACC champion in the mile and two miles in 1955, 1956 and 1957 ... First man to break the four-minute mark in the indoor mile ... Won the James A. Sullivan award as the nation's top amateur athlete in 1962, the same year he set world records for the mile, two miles, 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters.
Kris Benson, Clemson (1994-1996)
Most decorated athlete in Clemson history ... National Player of the Year in 1996 according to Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball ... he also won the Dick Howser Award and the Smith Award ... named ACC Athlete of the Year in 1996, only Clemson athlete to win the award ... starting pitcher on United States Olympic Team in 1996 ... first-team All-ACC in 1996 ... 1996 ACC Player of the Year ... the number-one pick of the 1996 Major League Draft, the only Clemson athlete in any sport to be the #1 pick ... led Clemson to the College World Series in 1995 and 96 ... ranked fourth in the nation in wins in 1996 (14) ... he was fifth in ERA and fifth in strikeouts/9 innings.
Len Bias, Maryland (1983-1986)
Two-time All-America selection (1985 and 1986) who is Maryland's second-leading career scorer (2,149) ... Twice named the ACC Player of the Year (1985 and 1986) and was the MVP of the 1984 ACC Tournament ... Consensus All-America selection as a senior and the No. 2 pick overall in the 1986 NBA Draft, taken by the Boston Celtics ... Holds two of the school's top five single season scoring totals, and ranks 10th in career rebounds (745) at Maryland.
Derrick Brooks, Florida State (1991-1994)
Two-time consensus All-American linebacker for the Seminoles in 1993 and 1994 ... led FSU to its first national title in 1993 ... named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 ... an Academic All-American who won an NCAA postgraduate scholarship ... all-pro in the NFL who was named Humanitarian of the Year.
Ted Brown, NC State (1975-1978)
All-America Honors: 1978 - Consensus 1st Team (Associated Press, UPI, Football Writers, Football Coaches) ... named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 1975 and would go on to set the league record for career rushing yards that still stands (4,602 yards) ... the only player in ACC history to earn All-ACC honors all four years of his career ... when he finished his career, he ranked fourth on the NCAA Division I all-time career rushing chart, trailing only Tony Dorsett, Archie Griffin and Ed Marinaro with 4,602 yards.
Tom Burleson, NC State (1971-1974)
A three-time All-ACC selection and the winner of two Everett Case Awards as the ACC Tournament MVP ... A USBWA first-team All-American in 1973 ... Teamed with David Thompson to provide a lethal inside-outside combination on the Wolfpack's 1974 NCAA Championship team ... Led the ACC in rebounding in 1972 and '73 ... A member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team ... Ranks among the Wolfpack's top ten scorers (1,598 points) and rebounders (1,066 rebounds) ... Had 38 points and 13 rebounds in the finals of the 1974 ACC Tournament against Maryland ... NC State compiled a 73-11 record during his three years on the varsity.
Len Chappell, Wake Forest (1960-1962)
Two-time first-team All-America selection in 1961 and 1962 ... the first consensus All-American in Wake Forest basketball history in 1962 when he led the Deacs to their first and only Final Four ... named to the 1962 NCAA All-tournament team after helping the Deacons to a third place national finish ... named ACC Player of the Year back-to-back years in 1961 and 1962 ... became the only player in ACC history to average more than 30 points per game for a season (30.1) in 1962 ... a three-time first-team All-ACC performer ... third place in Wake Forest history in scoring with 2,165 career points accumulated in only three years ... third place in WFU history for rebounds totaling 1,213 ... second place in WFU history for free throws (637) ... went on to play for 10 years in the NBA ... inducted into the WFU Hall of Fame in 1980.
Billy Cunningham, North Carolina (1963-1965)
"The Kangaroo Kid" won three ACC rebounding titles in a row ... Averaged 24.8 points and 15.4 rebounds per game ... His career scoring average is second-best all-time at UNC ... Three-time All-ACC and ACC Player of the Year in 1965 ... his 15.4 rebound average is UNC's best all-time ... Had 22 double-doubles in 24 games as a junior and 60 in 69 career games ... Member of Basketball Hall of Fame and 50 Greatest NBA Players.
Johnny Dawkins, Duke (1983-1986)
National Player of the Year in 1985-86 ... first two-time Consensus All-American in school history ... school's all-time leading scorer and second in ACC history ... first player in Duke history to lead team in scoring four straight years ... first-team All-ACC junior and senior seasons ... 10th pick overall in 1986 NBA draft ... current associate head coach at Duke ... averaged 19.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his career.
Juan Dixon, Maryland (1999-2002)
Consensus All-America selection in 2002 and the Terps' career scoring leader (2,269) ... Led Maryland to its first national championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Final Four ... averaged 25.8 points in the 2002 NCAA Tournament and scored the most points by a player since 1989 ... ACC Player of the Year in 2002 and one of only two Terrapins ever named first-team All-ACC in three consecutive seasons (2000, 2001, 2002) ... Had five steals in the NCAA championship game to finish as Maryland's career leader (333) ... second in ACC history in steals and 12th in NCAA history ... The only player in ACC and NCAA history with over 2,000 points, 300 steals and 200 3-point field goals.
J.D. Drew, Florida State (1995-1997)
Drew was a consensus First Team All-American in 1997 ... Golden Spikes Award winner ... The Sporting News Player of the Year ... Baseball America Player of the Year ... only player in Division 1 history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases ... batted an FSU record .455 in 1997, while becoming just the third player in Division 1 college baseball history to record a triple-triple - 100 hits, 100 runs and 100 RBI ... drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1994-1997)
A two-time first-team All-American in 1996 and 1997 ... the consensus National Player of the Year in 1997 ... became the 10th player in NCAA history to reach the 2,000 point/1,500 rebound plateau ... ranks second all-time in NCAA history with 481 blocked shots ... the number one overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft by San Antonio ... named MVP of the 1999 NBA Finals after leading the Spurs to a title ... Wake Forest retired his #21 jersey.
Warrick Dunn, Florida State (1993-1996)
Had his jersey retired following FSU career that included '93 national championship ... finest running back in FSU history who holds all-time rushing record with 3,959 career yards ... ranks seventh all-time in the ACC in career rushing yardage ... the only Seminole to gain over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons ... three-time All-ACC selection.
David Duval, Georgia Tech (1990-1993)
One of only four players in NCAA history to earn first-team All-America honors four times (1990-93) ... Consensus National Player of the Year in 1993, winning the Fred Haskins, Jack Nicklaus and Dave Williams Player of the Year Awards.... A two-time ACC Champion (1991 & 93) and a four-time All-ACC selection ... His eight career wins are tied for the all-time lead in school history and he holds Tech's records for career top-10 (13) and top-20 (14) finishes ... The 2001 British Open Champion and a two-time President's (1998 & 2000) and Ryder Cup (1999 & 2001) team member as a professional.
Phil Ford, North Carolina (1975-1978)
One of college basketball's greatest point guards ... Perfected the "Four Corners" offense ... UNC's all-time leading scorer with 2,290 points and third in assists with 753 ... Averaged 18.6 points and 6.1 assists per contest ... Averaged 23.6 points per game in the ACC Tournament during his four-year career ... Was a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team which won the gold medal in Montreal ... Wooden Award winner and three-time All-American (two-time consensus) ... ACC Player of the Year ... Three-time first-team All-ACC and two-time ACC Athlete of the Year ... MVP of ACC Tournament as a freshman ... One of five male athletes to win ACC Athlete of the Year honors twice.
Roman Gabriel, NC State (1959-1961)
All-America Honors: 1960 - Football Writers (1st); Football News (1st); Football Coaches (2nd); UPI (2nd); NEA (2nd) 1961 - Football Writers (1st); Football news (1st); Football Coaches (1st); Time Magazine (1st); UPI (2nd); NEA (2nd) ... began his collegiate career as a star in the defensive secondary as well as being the Wolfpack signal caller ... tabbed as the National Sophomore Back of the Year by The Saturday Evening Post prior to his sophomore campaign ... led the NCAA in completion percentage with a school record .604 in 1959 ... threw for a then-school record 2,961 yards passing for his career, including 19 touchdowns ... ranked eighth nationally in total offense in 1960 and 14th during his senior campaign ... was named the ACC Player of the Year in 1960 and 1961 and was a 1960 Academic All-American ... went on to a spectacular professional career, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl and being named the NFL's MVP in 1969 ... named to the ACC's Silver Anniversary team in 1978.
Nomar Garciaparra, Georgia Tech (1992-1994)
Consensus first-team all-America (1993, 94) ... First-team all-ACC (1993, 94) ... First-team academic all-America (1993, 94) ...First round draft pick (1994) of the Boston Red Sox ... Two-time American League Batting Champion with the Boston Red Sox.
Dickie Hemric, Wake Forest (1952-1955)
He remains Wake Forest's and the ACC's all-time leading scorer with 2,587 career points and leading rebounder with 1,802 career boards ... also leads the Deacons in all-time field goal attempts (1,740), free throws (905) and free throw attempts (1,359) ... won back-to-back conference Player of the Year awards in the ACC's first two years of existence ... one of the elite class of players in NCAA history to score more than 2,000 points and grab over 1,000 rebounds ... his 1,802 rebounds is the 15th-highest in NCAA history and his four-year totals for free throws and free throw attempts are still national records ... after his career as a Demon Deacon, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics where he played for two seasons ... his jersey #24 was the first to be retired by Wake Forest and was inducted into the WFU Hall of Fame in 1974.
Grant Hill, Duke (1991-1994)
Street & Smith's National Player of the Year in 1994 ... National Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 ... consensus first-team All-American and ACC Player of the Year as a senior ... graduated as first player in ACC history to have over 1,900 points, 700 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocked shots ... the number three pick overall in the 1994 NBA draft.
Torry Holt, NC State (1995-1998)
All-America Honors: 1998 - Consensus 1st Team ( Associated Press, The Sporting News, AFCA, Football Writers, Football News) ... rewrote the NC State and ACC record books during his senior campaign ... set the league mark for career receiving yards (3,379) and set Wolfpack career bests for receptions (191), touchdown receptions (31) and 100-yard receiving games (14) ... was named the ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year for 1998 and was a two-time all-conference choice ... Holt was a first round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams, and won a Super Bowl his rookie season.
T.J. Jaworsky, North Carolina (1993-1995)
Three-time NCAA champion (1993, 94 & 95) at 134 pounds ... Most Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Tournament in 1995 ... All-American in 1993, 94 & 95 ... ACC Champion in 1993, 94 & 95 ... ACC Wrestler of the Year in 1995 ... Career record of 110-5-0 (.957).
Michael Jordan, North Carolina (1982-1984)
Arguably the best player to ever play the game ... Consensus National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year in 1984 ... Sporting News National Player of the Year in 1983 ... All-American in 1983 and 1984 ... Hit the game-winning shot in 1982 NCAA championship game ... Averaged 17.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game ... Played for U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning teams in 1984 and 1992 ... Led Carolina to an 88-13 record.
Terry Kinard, Clemson (1978-1982)
First and still the only Clemson player to be unanimous All-America pick. (1982) ... inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 ... first two-time Clemson All-American defensive back (1981 and 1982) ... a first-team AP All-American two years in a row, the only Clemson player to do that ... CBS National Defensive Player-of-the-Year for the 1982 season, only Tiger to win that award ... chosen to the USA Today All-College Football Team in the 1980's ... member of Sports Illustrated's All-Time college football team ... named Clemson's greatest player of the 20th Century by CNNSI.com ... all-time Clemson leader in interceptions with 17, a mark that tied the 20-year-old ACC record.
Christian Laettner, Duke (1989-1992)
National Player of the Year recipient in 1992 ... ACC Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year as a senior ... ACC Tournament MVP as a senior and Final Four MVP as a junior ... played on the USA "Dream Team" that captured the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain ... third player taken in the 1992 NBA draft.
John Lucas, Maryland (1973-1976)
All-America selection in 1974-1976 and one of two players in Maryland history (Lucas and Juan Dixon) to be named All-ACC first-team three times (1974-76) ... Ranks fifth all-time at Maryland with 2,015 career points and fourth in assists with 514 ... As a team, the Terps finished ranked No. 8 (1973), No. 4 (1974) and No. 5 (1976) with Lucas at the point ... Taken as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft, playing 14 seasons ... currently serving in his third NBA head coaching stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers ... Also earned All-America honors in tennis and was a two-time ACC singles champion.
Don McCauley, North Carolina (1968-1970)
Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 ... shattered the Carolina and the ACC record books with a dazzling senior season in 1970, rushing for 1,720 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns ... his 1,720 yards was an all-time collegiate high at the time, breaking O.J. Simpson's NCAA record ... McCauley led the nation in all-purpose running and total points that season ... his 120 points in 1970 is still an ACC single-season record ... twice the ACC Player of the Year and still ranks fifth in career rushing at UNC ... had a lengthy professional career with the Baltimore Colts.
Ed Moses, Virginia (1998-2000)
2000 Olympian ... Gold medalist and world record holder in 400 medley relay and silver medalist in the 100 breaststroke ... Held all three breaststroke short course world records (50, 100 and 200) at the same time ... Holds the long course world record in the 50-meter breast (27.39) ... Ranked #1 in the world in 50 and 200 breast and second in 100 breast in 2001 ... 2000 NCAA champion in 100 and 200-meter breast with world record times of 57.66 and 2:06.40, respectively ... 2000 NCAA Swimmer of the Championship ... Six-time All-American (in two years) ... Two-time first-team All-American in the 100 and 200 breast ... Gold medalist at 1999 Pan America Games (100 breast) ... Three-time ACC champion (100 breast - 2000, 200 breast - 1999, 400 medley relay - 2000) ... 2000 ACC Swimmer of the Year ... 1999 ACC Rookie of the Year ... ACC and Virginia school record holder in the 100 (52.60) and 200 breast (1:53.99) and 400 medley relay (3:11.60) ... UVa's 1999-2000 Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.
Bruce Murray, Clemson (1984-1987)
1987 Hermann Award Winner, ISAA National Player-of-the-Year, and Missouri Athletic Club Collegiate Soccer Player of the Year Runner-up ... First-team All-American sophomore and senior seasons ... led ACC in goals, points, and second in assists in 1987 ... winning goal in three NCAA tournament games for the Tigers in 1987 ... named to All-ACC first team in 1987 and All-ACC tournament team ... first player in Clemson history in 40-40 Club (over 40 goals and 40 assists in a career) ... sixth in school history in total points with 142 and seventh in total goals with 48 ... Soccer America MVP in 1985 and 1987 ... played in 84 games in his career ... Murray had either a goal or an assist in 56 games ... first-team All-ACC in 1985 and 87 ... 1987 ACC All-Tournament Team, named National Rookie-of-the-Year in 1984 by Soccer America, set a Clemson single season assist record with 15 ... starting striker on 1990 US National Team...All-time leading scorer for U.S. national team when he retired from that team.
Renaldo Nehemiah, Maryland (1978-1980)
Inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997 ... Two-time NCAA Champion in the 60-yard high hurdles (1978 and 1979) ... Holds the NCAA record in the 60-yard high hurdles (6.90) set in 1979 ... Five-time All-American in indoor and outdoor track ... All-American in the 440-yard relay (1978) ... ACC Champion in the 60-yard high hurdles in 1978 and 1979, and in the 60-yard dash in 1979 ... Holds three Maryland records in the 100 meters with a time of 10.18 (1978), 200 meters at 20.36 (1979) and the 110-meter high hurdles at 12.91 (1979).
Inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997 ... Became first man ever to break 13 seconds in the 110 high hurdles, running it in 12.91 ... NCAA Champion in the 110 hurdles (1979) ... Five-time All-American in indoor and outdoor track ... Won six ACC Championships, named ACC Outdoor Meet Outstanding Performer in 1979 ... Holds the ACC record in the 110-meter hurdles (13.00) set in 1979 ... Holds three Maryland records in the 100 meters with a time of 10.18 (1978), 200 meters at 20.36 (1979) and the 110-meter high hurdles at 12.91 (1979).
Arnold Palmer, Wake Forest (1948-1950, 1953-1954)
First-ever ACC Champion (1954) ... two-time NCAA champion (1949, '50) ... 1954 U.S. Amateur Champion ... 61 PGA Tour victories and 12 Senior Tour titles ... won seven majors: U.S. Open, British Open (twice) and The Masters (four times) ... seven Ryder Cup teams, captaining 1963 championship team ... 1960's Athlete of the Decade ... Sports Illustrated's 1960 Sportsman of the Year ... PGA Tour's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
Julius Peppers, North Carolina (1999-2001)
A unanimous All-America selection in 2001 ... won the 2001 Lombardi Award as the nation's top lineman ... also won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top overall defensive player ... earned All-America honors in 2000 and was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection ... ranks second at UNC and sixth in the ACC in career sacks, despite playing just three seasons ... led the nation with 15 sacks as a junior ... one of the top two-sport athletes in ACC history, Peppers was a forward on UNC's basketball team ... helped Carolina advance to the 2000 Final Four and earn a share of the 2001 ACC regular-season title.
William Perry, Clemson (1981-1984)
First three-time All-American in Clemson football history (1982-83-84) ... consensus All-American in 1983 ... starter on Clemson's 1981 National Championship team ... first among Division I players in tackles for loss as a senior with 2.45 per game ... only fourth defensive player to be named All-ACC player for three years ... first Clemson player to be a three-time selection to the All-ACC team ... ACC MVP in 1984 ... all-time ACC leader in tackles for loss with 60 at the end of his career ... first round draft choice of the Chicago Bears.
Mark Price, Georgia Tech (1983-1986)
Three-time All-American, including first-team honors in 1985 ... Four-time All-ACC choice, including first-team honors in 1984-1986 ... Finalist for Wooden and Naismith awards in 1986 ... ACC Player of the Year in 1985 and ACC Rookie of the Year in 1983 ... First freshman to lead the ACC in scoring (20.3 in 1983) ... Won the Everett Case Award in 1985 in leading Tech to its first ACC Championship ... ACC All-tournament in 1984-1986 ... Scored 2,193 points in his career to rank third in Tech history, 14th in ACC history ... Jersey No. 25 retired March 2, 1986 ... Career averages: 17.4 points, 4.1 assists ... Four-time NBA all-star who played 12 seasons in the league.
Claudio Reyna, Virginia (1991-1993)
Selected as the Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year in both 1992 and 1993 ... the only player to ever win the MAC award twice ... received the Hermann Trophy in 1993 ... named the Soccer America Player of the Year in 1992 and 93 ... Soccer News Player of the Year in 1993 ... an NSCAA first-team All-American in 1991, 92 and 93 ... earned First-team All-ACC honors in 1991, 92 and 93 ... the 1991 ACC Rookie of the Year ... Offensive MVP of the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 92 ... ACC Tournament MVP in 1991 ... named All-ACC Tournament in 1993.
Jim Ritcher, NC State (1976-1979)
All-America Honors: 1978 - Consensus 1st Team (Associated Press, UPI, Football Writers, Football Coaches) 1979 - Consensus 1st Team (Associated Press, UPI, Football Writers, Football Coaches)... a 6-3, 245-pounder from Hinckley, Ohio...Jim Ritcher was the 1979 recipient of the Outland Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation's premier lineman ... he won the ACC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy twice and went on to a successful NFL career.
Lennie Rosenbluth, North Carolina (1954-1957)
1957 National Player of the Year ... Was the scoring leader of UNC's undefeated 1957 national champions ... Holds UNC career (26.9) and season (28.0) scoring average records ... Three-time All-ACC selection ... ACC Player and Athlete of the Year in 1957 ... MVP of 1957 ACC Tournament, NCAA Regional and Final Four ... Consensus first-team All-American in 1957 ... Averaged a double-double for his career (26.9 points and 10.4 rebounds) ... Chosen by NCAA panel to All-1950s Team.
Ralph Sampson, Virginia (1980-1983)
Led the Cavaliers to an overall record of 112-23 during his career ... three-time National and ACC Player of the Year ... four-time first-team All-America and three-time first-team All-ACC selection ... received three consecutive Rupp trophies, two consecutive Eastman Awards and two John R. Wooden Awards ... ACC Rookie of the Year in 1980 ... led the ACC in rebounding three times ... played in three NCAA Tournaments and one NIT during his UVa career ... helped lead the Cavaliers to the 1980 NIT Championship and the 1981 NCAA Final Four ... Most Valuable Player of the 1980 NIT ... served as team captain ... holds UVa career records for rebounds (1,511), field goals made (899) and blocked shots (462), and ranks fourth on Virginia's career scoring list (2,228) ... selected by the Houston Rockets as the NBA's number one draft choice in 1983 and went on to earn NBA Rookie of the Year honors.
Charles Scott, North Carolina (1968-1970)
One of the first black athletes to earn an athletic scholarship at a Southern university ... Led UNC to ACC championships and Final Fours in 1968 and 1969 ... Averaged 22.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in his career ... UNC's fifth-leading all-time scorer ... Three-time All-ACC ... First-team All-American in 1969 and 1970 ... Co-ACC Athlete of the Year in 1970 ... Averaged 27.1 points as a senior and was an Academic All-American that year ... Scored 40 points in the 1969 ACC Tournament finals against Duke ... Named by NCAA Panel to All-1960s Team ... 1968 Olympian.
Dave Sime, Duke (1954-1956)
Set a total of seven world records in track and field ... won the silver medal at the 1960 Olympics in the 100-meters ... 1956 ACC Athlete of the Year ... five-time ACC Champion ... holds Duke records in the 100 and 200-meters.
Curtis Strange, Wake Forest (1973-1975)
1974 NCAA Champion ... led WFU to two National Championships (1974, '75) and three ACC crowns (1974-76) ... won 1975 ACC title ... three-time first-team All-American ... member of four Walker Cup teams ... won back-to-back U.S. Opens (1988, '89) ... became first PGA Tour player to surpass $1 million mark (1988) ... has 17 career PGA Tour victories ... 2001 Ryder Cup team captain.
B.J. Surhoff, North Carolina (1983-1985)
Named first-team All-ACC three times ... He was a three-time All-America selection ... in 1985 Surhoff was named ACC Athlete of the Year, National Player of the Year, and was the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball Draft ... Surhoff is Carolina's career leader in batting average and is one of only two former Tar Heels to have his jersey retired.
Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina (1977-1980)
An outside linebacker who earned consensus All-America and the ACC Player of the Year honors in 1980 ... established a Carolina single-season record with 16 sacks in 1980 ... Carolina went 11-1 and won the ACC title in 1980 ... selected as the No. 2 overall player in the NFL Draft and played 13 seasons with the New York Giants ... elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
David Thompson, NC State (1973-1975)
A three-time unanimous, consensus first-team All-American ... Named the AP National Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 ... UPI Player of the Year, Dunlop Player of the Year, Naismith Award winner, Kodak Award winner in 1975 ... ACC Player of the Year in 1973, 1974 and 1975 ... Earned MVP honors in 1973 World University Games ... ACC all-time scoring leader following his career ... Named to All-tournament team in every tournament he ever played in ... Was the first pick in the 1975 NBA draft.
Charlie Ward, Florida State (1990-1993)
The most decorated player in the history of college football...the first Heisman Trophy winner in the ACC when he won the award in 1993...literally, won every individual award that he qualified for as a senior...22-2 as a starter at quarterback in FSU's first two years in the ACC.
Peter Warrick, Florida State (1996-1999)
Two-time consensus All-American (1998 and 99) and All-ACC who had most touchdown receptions (32) in FSU history...ACC's all-time receiving yardage leader with 3,517...had a catch in 41 straight games...MVP of the national title game in the 1999 Sugar Bowl with a bowl record three touchdowns.
Chris Weinke, Florida State (1997-2000)
Second ACC player in history to win the Heisman Trophy...first three-year starter in FSU history at quarterback...led the nation with 4,167 passing yards as a senior...32-3 as the starter including wire-to-wire No. 1 run in 1999...threw for more yards (9,839) than any player in ACC history...won Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas trophies.
Randy White, Maryland (1972-1974)
Player whose combination of strength and quickness made him a prototypical defensive lineman in his day ... Outland and Lombardi Trophy winner in 1974 ... ACC Player of the Year in '74 ... AP All-American in 1973 and a consensus pick in '74 ... inductee of the National College and National Football League Halls of Fame ... career tackle for loss leader at Maryland with 122 ... perennial All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys (1975-88) and co-MVP of Super Bowl XII.
Jason Williams, Duke (2000-2002)
Consensus National Player of the Year for the 2001-02 season ... two-time NABC National Player of the Year and first repeat winner of a National Player of the Year Award since 1983 ... two-time consensus first-team All-American ... first-team All-ACC as a sophomore and junior ... career averages include 19.3 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 6.0 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game.
James Worthy, North Carolina (1980-1982)
National Player of the Year in 1982 and MVP of the 1982 NCAA Tournament as he led the Tar Heels to the title ... Scored 28 points against Georgetown in the national finals ... One of seven UNC players to have his jersey number retired ... Unanimous first-team All-American in 1982 ... ACC Athlete of the Year and first-team All-ACC in 1982 ... Averaged 12.5, 14.2 and 15.6 points per game in his three seasons ... Number one overall selection in 1982 NBA Draft ... Finalist last year for the Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players ... Chosen by NCAA panel to All-1980s Team.
Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary - Top 50 Female Athletes
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Top 50 Female Athletes were announced today by Commissioner John D. Swofford. The 50-member team was voted on by a 120-member blue-ribbon committee that was selected by the league's 50th Anniversary Committee.
"These women are more than just outstanding former student-athletes, they are pioneers for women's athletics as a result of their exceptional and varied accomplishments both professionally and athletically." said Swofford. "These women established a level of excellence and achievement, both nationally and internationally, that will serve as a standard for all future women athletes in the ACC."
North Carolina led all league schools with 15 members on the Golden Anniversary team while Duke and NC State were second with eight honorees each. Clemson had six athletes selected, followed by Maryland and Virginia (5) and Wake Forest (3).
The ACC's 50th Anniversary Top 50 Female Athletes are listed in alphabetical order below:
Jen Adams, Maryland (1998-2001)
All-time collegiate scoring leader with 445 points ... Also the all-time assist leader with 178 ... Owns Maryland's career and single season records for points, goals, and assists ... A member of four national championship teams ... Named All-American and national player of the year three times ... Scored more goals and assists in 2001 than any player in NCAA Division I ... Member of the Australian National Team.
Beth Bauer, Duke (1998-2000)
1998-99 & 1999-00 first-team All-American and All-ACC ... ACC Player of the Year in 1999-00 and Co-ACC Player of the Year in 1998-99 ... National & ACC Rookie of the Year in 1998-99 ... led Future's Tour in 2000-01 in money earned and received her LPGA tour card for 2002 ... led Duke to 1999 NCAA Championship.
Alana Beard, Duke (2000-2002)
In just two years, has become one of the best ACC women's basketball players of all time ... Associated Press first-team All-American and Kodak All-American ... ACC Player of the Year in 2002 ... Consensus National Freshman of the Year in 2001 and ACC Rookie of the Year ... Became the first freshman in ACC history to be named first-team All-ACC as a freshman and once again was named as a sophomore ... Became the first ACC men's or women's player to notch over 600 points, 200 rebounds, 150 assists, 100 steals and 20 blocks in a season in 2001-02.
Genia Beasley, NC State (1977-1980)
NC State's all-time leading scorer with 2,367 points ... 1978 Kodak All-American ... became the first women's player ever to score over 2,000 career points ... Playing for the Junior Pan American Games, she won three gold medals ... holds eight school records and was named All-State, All-NCAIAW and All-Region II ... also selected North Carolina's AAU Female Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1978 ... The Wolfpack's all-time leader in rebounding, she is also first on the career list in field goals and blocked shots ... one of seven players to have her jersey retired by the school.
Joan Benoit, NC State (1978)
All-American in 1977 and 1978 ... All-ACC in 1978 ... Won Boston Marathon in 1979 and 1983 ... Won the Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Bea Bielik, Wake Forest (2000-2001)
In two seasons, has already been a two-time All-America in both singles and doubles ... two-time All-ACC ... 2000 National Clay Court singles and doubles champion ... 2001 ITA National Indoor Singles Champion ... currently ranked No. 1 nationally in singles, No. 2 in doubles ... advanced to semifinals of 2001 NCAA Singles Championship.
Vicky Bullett, Maryland (1986-1989)
1989 Kodak All-American and ACC Player of the Year ... A two-time Kodak All-Region selection, was ACC tournament MVP in 1989 and a three-time ACC champion ... Led her team to the Final Four in 1989 and a final national ranking of No. 5 that same year ... In 1988, she was a member of the All-Mideast team and in 1989 was named to the All-West region team ... Maryland's all-time leading scorer with 1,928 career points, she is one of three Terps to have her jersey retired ... Three-time All-ACC (first-team in 1988 and 89, second-team in 1987) ... A two-time ACC tournament team selection (1986, 1989) ... A member of the 1988 and '92 Olympic teams and the 1986 US Select Team ... Entering her sixth year in the WNBA after playing for the Charlotte Sting from 1997-99 and continuing her career with the Washington Mystics from 2000-present.
Jenny Chuasiriporn, Duke (1995-1999)
Three-time first team All-American and honorable mention All-American as a freshman ... ACC Player of the Year in 1996-97 & 1997-98 and Co-ACC Player of the Year in 1998-99 ... runnerup in 1999 U.S. Open ... Four-time All-ACC selection ... led Duke to 1999 NCAA Championship ... went on to play in the Future's tour.
Heather Dow, Virginia (1980-1982)
Goalie of the Century as named by USLacrosse ... four-time world champion (1989 as keeper, 1993, 97, 01 as coach) ... named to All-Century team ... USA Team 1986-1989 ... 474 career saves ... more medals in lacrosse world cup history than anyone else in the world (4 golds, 1 silver).
Laura DuPont, North Carolina (1967-1970)
Won the United States Lawn Tennis Association's collegiate singles championship in 1970, becoming UNC's first female national champion ... She played on the pro tour for 12 years and was ranked as high as ninth in the world ... DuPont was inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) Women's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002 ... She was inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977 ... She won the 1984 and 85 U.S. Open championship for women over 35.
Lorrie Fair, North Carolina (1996-1999)
Second-team All-American in 1996 and first-team in 1997, 1998 and 1999 ... Named the National Defender of the Year in 1998 and National Player of the Year in 1999 ... She received the Soccer Honda Award from 1995-96.
Gigi Fernandez, Clemson (1983)
1992 and 96 Olympic Gold Medalist in doubles ... Australian Champion in doubles in 1993 and 94 ... Wimbledon doubles champion in 1992, 93, and 94 ... French Open Champion in doubles in 1988, 90, and 92 ... U.S. Open singles quarterfinalist in 1991 and 94 ... U.S. Federation Cup team member in 1988, 90, 91, 92 and 94 ... member of the U.S. Wightman Cup Team 1987-88 ... medallist at the Pan American Games in singles and doubles in 1983 ... 1983 NCAA runner-up and All-American ... ACC Champion at flight three singles in 1983 ... final ranking of fifth in the 1983 ITCA/Volvo Rankings ... tallied a 40-7 singles record, 30-9 doubles record.
Laurie Gomez, NC State (1989-1992)
GTE Academic All-American in 1992 ... recipient of the Marie James Post Graduate scholarship and NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship both in 1992 ... recipient of the H.C. Kennett Award twice, in 1991 and 1992, given annually to the outstanding all-around student-athlete at NC State ... All-American honors six times ... Three times in the 5000 meters (indoor) from 1990 to 1992, twice in the 5000 meters (outdoor) in 1990 and 1991, and once in the 3000 meters in 1992 ... NCAA Champion in the 5000 meters in 1991 and twice an ACC Champion in the 5000 meters in 1991 and 1992 ... She earned All-Conference honors in 1991 and 1992 ... She was the fastest woman in NC 1991 ... member of the second fastest 4x1500 meter relay team (outdoor) in school history with a time of 18:15.46 set in 1990 ... Ranks third in school history in the mile with a time of 4:44.60 set in 1990, fourth in the 3000 meters with a time of 9:08.12 set in 1992, and fifth in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:55.26i set in 1991.
All-American in 1990 and 91 ... 1991 ACC Individual Champion ... Named All-ACC in 1988, 89, 90 and 91 ... Won H.C. Kennett Award (NC State's Outstanding Athlete) in 1991 and 92 ... Women's team MVP in 1990 and 91 ... Winner of the 1992 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship ... Two-time member of the ACC honor roll ... Current assistant coach of the NC State cross country programs.
Kim Graham, Clemson (1991-1993)
1992 ACC Indoor Championships Most Valuable Performer ... six-time ACC Champion ... 1993 All-American in the 200m with an eighth-place finish ... won the 55m at the conference meet in 1991 and 1992 ... claimed the 200m in 1991, 1992 and 1993 at the ACC meet, ranks fourth on Clemson's all-time list in the f55m (6.85) and in the 200m (23.57).
Four-time All-American ... NCAA runner-up in the 200m in 1992 ... finished fourth in the nation in the 200m in 1991 and 1993 ... member of Clemson's 4x100m relay team that finished fifth in the nation in 1991 ... three-time ACC Outdoor Championships Most Valuable Performer (1991,1992,1993) ... eight-time ACC champion ... All-ACC in the 100m in 1991 ... All-ACC as a member of the Lady Tiger 4x400m relay team in 1992 ... Clemson's record holder in the 400m with a time of 51.88 ... ranks second on Clemson's all-time list in the 200m (22.64) ... third on Clemson's all-time list in the 100m with a time of 11.37.
Cherie Greer, Virginia (1991-1994)
Three-time World Champion (1993, 97, 01) ... two-time Player of the Gold Medal Match, IFWLA World Cup (1997, 01) ... inaugural recipient of the Wes Patterson Award, honoring excellence in play and sportsmanship and dedication to the ideals of lacrosse (2001) ... captain of the USA team, 2001 ... Three-time 1st team All-American (1992, 93, 94) ... IWLCA Player of the Year 1994 ... led nation in scoring with 79 points in 1994 ... two-time NCAA Champion (1991, 1993) ... named to All-Century team ... member of USA team 1992-present ... career totals of 113-45-158.
Mia Hamm, North Carolina (1989-90, 92-93)
Arguably, the greatest women's soccer player in the world ... Played on NCAA championship teams in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993 ... Missed the 1991 season while helping U.S. win the first Women's World Cup ... Led four Tar Heel teams to a combined 92-1-2 record ... Unanimous National Player of Year in 1992 and 1993 and ACC Player of Year in '90-92-93 ... Led the nation in scoring in 1990-92-93 ... Set NCAA season scoring record in '92 with 97 points ... Holds NCAA Tournament career and single-game records for goals, assists and points ... Has starred on U.S. National and Olympic Teams throughout her career ... Has scored more international goals than any player in history, male or female.
Candy Hannemann, Duke (1998-present)
Member of Duke's 1999 and 2002 NCAA Championship squads ... 2001 NCAA Individual Champion and 1999 NCAA runner-up ... has won four career tournaments in three years ... 2000-01 first-team All-America and ACC Player of the Year ... three-time All-ACC selection ... her 20 top-10 finishes rank fifth all-time at Duke.
April Heinrichs, North Carolina (1983-1986)
Third-team All-American in 1983 and first-team in 1984, 1985 and 1986 ... National Player of the Year in 1984 and 1986 ... All-NCAA Tournament team from 1983-1986 ... NCAA Tournament Overall MVP in 1984 and the Offensive MVP in 1985 and 1986.
Tara Heiss, Maryland (1975-1978)
Maryland's first ACC tournament MVP (1978) and led the Terps to the 1978 championship as a senior, leading Maryland to a final national ranking if sixth ... Maryland's 12th leading scorer all-time with 1,350 points and is one of three retired jerseys in the program's history ... Led the ACC in assists in 1978 with 249 ... In the Top-10 on the following Maryland career charts - scoring average (No. 5- 14.2 ppg), field goals made (No. 9- 571), assists (No. 2- 504) ... holds the record for assists in a single season (249 in 1977-78) ... Member of the 1980 Olympic team, she competed in the World University Games in 1981 and was on the United States' Pan Am Games team in 1979 ... Played for two years in the ABL from 1997-98 to 1998-99.
Monique Hennagan, North Carolina (1995-1998)
All-American 400 meters in 1996 and 1997 and 1996 4x400 ... 1996 NCAA champion 400 ... ACC 400m champion in 1996-1998 ... 2000 Olympic gold medalist as part of the 4x400 relay team and participated in the 400 meters.
All-American 400 meters in 1995,1997 and 1998, and 800 meters in 1996 ... 1996 NCAA champion 800 meters ... ACC outdoor champion for the 400m in 1995,1996 and 1998 and was a member of the 1997 ACC outdoor champion 4x100 team ... Gold medalist in the 2000 Olympics 4x400 relay team.
Shannon Higgins, North Carolina (1986-1989)
First-team All-American in 1988 and 1989 ... National Player of the Year in both 1988 & 1989 ... Won the Honda Award in 1989 ... All-NCAA Tournament team in 1987, 1988 & 1989, winning Offensive MVP honors in 1988.
Nancy Hogshead, Duke (1981)
Won the 500 and 1650 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 400 IM at the 1981 ACC Championships ... two-time All-America selection ... owns six Duke records ... captured four medals (three gold and one silver) at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif ... the first female inducted into the Duke Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.
Donna Holt, Virginia (1985-1988)
Two-time Kodak All-American ('87, '88) ... UVa's first-ever Kodak All-American ... 1988 ACC Player of the Year ... three-time All-ACC selection ('86, '87, '88) ... MVP of the 1987 ACC Tournament ... named to the 1988 NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team ... the UVa and ACC career steals leader with 529 ... one of just four Cavaliers to have her jersey (#11) retired.
Charmaine Hooper, NC State (1987-1990)
All American (1989,1990) ... All-NCAA Final Four (1988) ... All-ACC (1988,1989,1990) ... NC State's all time leader in goals (58, ninth in ACC history) and points (145, eighth in ACC history) ... NC State single season records and led the ACC with 26 goals and 57 points in 1989 ... H.C. Kennett Award in 1991 (NC State's outstanding female athlete) ... Canadian National Team (1987-present) ... Canadian Player of the Year 1995 ... 1999 World Cup (Canada) ... MVP of World All-Star Game in 1999 ... Norway professional league (1993): Team MVP and Golden Boot runner up ... Japanese professional J-league (1994-1997): Golden Boot Award for High-scorer (1994, 1995) Runner-up (1996,1997) League MVP (1995) League All-Star (1994,1996, 1997)... Chicago Cobras USWISL League (1998-2000) (2000 League Champions) ... Atlanta Beat WUSA League (2001).
Marion Jones, North Carolina (1994-1995, 1997)
All-American (Basketball America) in 1997 ... 1997 ACC Tournament MVP ... All ACC-Tournament in 1995 ... All-ACC in 1995, '97 ... ACC All-Freshman team 1994 ... 1995 NCAA West Regional All-tournament team ... Starting point guard on the 1994 NCAA Championship team ... Career scoring average (16.8) ranks third in UNC history ... In three years at UNC, ranks fifth on the school's career assists list, third in steals and seventh in blocks ... Also All-American in track at UNC ... Won five medals (three golds) at the 2000 Olympics.
All-American in 1994 in long jump, 100m, 200m, 4x100m ... 1995 All-American long jump, 4x100 team ... 1995 ACC champion 100m, long jump ... 2000 Olympic gold medalist 100m, 200m, 4x400m ... 2001 world champion 200m, 4x100m ... 1999 World Champion 100m, 200m ... World No. 1 1997-2001 in 100m and 200m.
Kate Kauffman, Maryland (1993-1996)
1996 Olympic Team member in Atlanta and a member of the field hockey national team since ... most internationally celebrated
Maryland field hockey athlete ... First-team All-American in 1994 and 1996; Honda Award finalist in 1996 ... Two-time All-ACC
selection (1994, 95); three-time ACC All-Tournament honoree (1993, 94, 96); three-time ACC honor roll member (1993, 94, 96) ... 1993
NCAA Champion ... currently in her fourth season as a volunteer assistant coach at Maryland while in the U.S. National Team
residency program.
Barbara Kennedy, Clemson (1979-1982)
All-American 1981 and 1982 ... First-Team All-ACC 1980-1982 ... ACC Tournament MVP 1981, 1982 ... Her 908 point season of 1981-82 is still tied for 4th best in NCAA history ... 29.3 scoring average is still 10th best in NCAA history ... ACC and Clemson's all-time leader in scoring with 3,113 career points ... ACC and Clemson's all-time leader in rebounding with 1,252 ... ACC and Clemson's all-time career leader for most field goals (1,349), and field goal attempts (2,688) ... Holds ACC and Clemson's single season records for most pts (908), pts per game (29.3), most field goals (392), field goals attempts (760), rebounds (400), and most rebounds per game (12.9) ... Led the nation in scoring in 1981-82 with a 29.2 pts per game ... Scored the first points in the inaugural NCAA tournament.
Tina Krebs, Clemson (1983, 1985-1987)
Three-time National Champion ... won the 1000yd in 1983 ... won the 1500m in 1985 and 1986 ... three-time All-American ... Clemson's all-time leader in the one mile with a time of 4:38.30 ... ranks second on Clemson's all-time list in the 800m with a time of 2:06.09.
Three-time All-American ... NCAA runner-up in the 800m in 1983 ... finished fourth in the 1500m in 1985 ... placed third in the nation in the 1500m in 1986 ... four-time ACC Champion in the 800m (1983-1986) ... Clemson's record holder in the 800m with a time of 2:02.07 ... also holds the Lady Tiger record in the 1500m with a time of 4:15.23.
Mitzi Kremer, Clemson (1987-1989)
Sixteen-time All-American ... NCAA Champion in the 200 & 500 free in 1987 & 1989 ... Led Clemson to three straight ACC Championships ... 1987 & 1989 ACC Championships MVP ... holds ACC records in the 100, 200, 400 & 1000 free events ... holds Clemson records in the 50, 100, 200, 500 & 1000 freestyle ... 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist in the 100 free relay ... first female swimmer inducted in the Clemson Hall of Fame ... Olympic Trial Qualifier in 100, 200 & 400-meter free style events in 1988 ... five-time individual ACC Champion from 1987-89.
Kristine Lilly, North Carolina (1989-1992)
National Player of the Year in 1990 and '91 ... One of just two players in soccer history to be a four-time first-team All-American ... 1991 ACC Player of Year ... Played on UNC teams that won NCAA titles in 1989-90-91-92 with combined 93-1-1 record ... Second to Mia Hamm in ACC career goals ... Has been star at midfield on U.S. National and Olympic Teams throughout her career ... Made biggest play in 1999 World Cup finals against China with overtime save at empty U.S. goal ... Has played in more international matches than any American in history, male or female.
Leslie Lyness, North Carolina (1986-1989)
Winner of 1990 Honda Award (National Player of Year) ... One of two UNC players to have her jersey retired ... Two-time All-American, All-NCAA Tournament selection ... ACC Player of Year, 1989 ... Twice named All-ACC ... Played on 1989 NCAA Championship team, four ACC title teams ... 1996 Olympian.
Chasity Melvin, NC State (1995-1998)
Led the Wolfpack to their first-ever Final Four appearance in 1998 ... became the fourth Kodak All-American from NC State in 1998 and earned All-East Regional and Final Four team honors her senior season ... After being named an All-American, Melvin set the record for the most points ever scored in a National Semi-Final game with a career-high 37 vs. Louisiana Tech in her final collegiate game ... only the second player in NC State basketball history, male or female, to earn 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds ... ended her NC State career third in rebounds (1,020), fourth in career points (2,042), field goals (838), free throws (366) and blocked shots (159) ... currently plays for the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers ... one of seven players to have her jersey retired by the school.
Chris Moreland, Duke (1985-1988)
One of the most prolific scorers in ACC history ... 1988 Women's Basketball News Service All-American, 1986 & 1988 ... Kodak/WBCA District II All-American ... 1985 ACC Rookie of the Year ... 1987 ACC Player of the Year and four-time All-ACC selection ... In the ACC career charts, ranks second in total rebounds (1,229), third in points (2232) and third in career points per game (20.1) ... Duke's leading scorer and rebounder in each of her four years and the only Blue Devil to average more than 20.0 points in a season.
Stephanie Neill Harner, Wake Forest (1991-1995)
The first female player in school history to gain All-America recognition four times ... the first Deacon ever to be named an All-American as a freshman ... gained second team honors in 1992 before making first-team her last three years ... won eight career tournament titles, in addition to tying for first on two other occasions ... had only six non-top 10 finishes during her career ... was recognized as the top women's amateur in the United States.
Wendy Palmer, Virginia (1993-1996)
Two-time Associated Press All-American ('95, '96) ... a three-time Kodak District All-American ... a two-time USBWA All-American ('95, '96) ... became the first-ever UVa player to record 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds ... three-time first-team All-ACC honoree ('94, '95, '96) ... two-time ACC All-Tournament Team selection ... is UVa's career rebounding leader with 1,221 boards in her career, the only UVa player to eclipse 1,000 rebound ... one of just four Cavaliers to have her jersey (#31) retired ... just completed her second full season with the Detroit Shock and fifth year playing in the WNBA.
Cindy Parlow, North Carolina (1995-1998)
First-team All-American in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 ... National Player of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 1998, winning the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Sports Foundation award in both 1997 and 1998.
Laura Philo Diaz, Wake Forest (1993-1997)
Continued Wake Forest's string of All-Americans ... was voted to the first- team for two straight years ... finished in the top-10 in nine of the 10 tournaments in which she competed in her senior season and eight of 10 her junior year ... finished among the top five in every tournament except the NCAA Championships during her final spring campaign ... during her All-American seasons she finished second at the ACC Championships twice and second in the NCAA regional once ... won the ACC title in 1995 ... recently earned her LPGA Tour card for 1999 ... ranks seventh on the 2001 LPGA earnings list.
Tracy Reid, North Carolina (1995-1998)
Two-time Kodak and AP All-American ... Two-time ACC Player of the Year ... ACC Tournament MVP in 1998 ... All-Tournament in 1997 ... Three-time All-ACC pick ... ACC All-Freshman team, 1995 ... 1997 NCAA East Regional, 1998 Mideast Regional All-tournament teams ... Leading scorer in UNC history with 2,200 points, an average of 18.2 points per game ... 1998 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Georgia Schweitzer, Duke (1998-2001)
2001 Kodak, Associated Press, Basketball Times, USBWA and Women's Basketball Journal All-American ... ACC Player of the Year in 2000 & 2001 ... 1999 NCAA East Region MVP as a sophomore ... two-time All-ACC first team and All-ACC Tournament selection ... In the ACC career charts, ranks fourth with a .401 three-point field goal percentage and her 202 made is eighth all time ... Led Duke to 104 overall and 51 ACC victories in four years along with a NCAA Final Four, two ACC Tournament and three ACC Regular Season titles.
Julie Shea, NC State (1977-1980)
Earned All-America honors in 1977, 78, 79 and 80 ... Member of the 1979 and 1980 AIAW National Championship squad ... Named AIAW Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 1980 ... Won the AIAW Individual National Championship in 1979 and 1980 ... Member of the USA Cross Country team in 1977, 78, 79 and 80 ... Recipient of the McKelvin Award in 1980 and 81 (ACC's Outstanding Athlete) ... Winner of the 1981 H.C. Kennett Award (NC State's Outstanding Athlete) and the Alumni Athletic Award ... Received the Broderick Award for Cross Country in 1980 ... ACC Individual Champion in 1979 and 1980 ... All-ACC in 1978, 79 and 80 ... Women's team MVP in 1980 ... Member of Raleigh City Counil from 1995-1999.
Charlotte Smith, North Carolina (1992-1995)
1995 ESPN National Player of the Year ... All-America by Kodak, Associated Press and the USWBA, 1995 ... Only UNC player to have her jersey retired ... 1994 Final Four MVP after hitting the winning shot in the NCAA championship game ... ACC Tournament MVP in 1994, '95 ... Two-time All-ACC ... Member of World University Games Team (1995), Jones Cup Team (1995), U.S. Select Team (1994), Junior National Team (1992) ... Third in career scoring (2,094) and second in career rebounding (1,200) at UNC ... Plays for the WNBA Charlotte Sting.
Betty Springs, NC State (1979-1983)
All-American in 1980, 81 and 83 ... NCAA National Champion in 1981 and 83 ... TAC National Champion in 1983 ... Member of the 1979 and 80 AIAW National Championship squad ... Member of the USA Cross Country Team from 1980-85 ... Earned All-ACC honors in 1979, 80, 81 and 83 ... Won the ACC Individual Championship in 1981 and 83 ... Won the H.C. Kennett Award (NC State's Outstanding Athlete) in 1982 and 84 ... Won the Broderick Award for Cross Country in 1981 ... Women's Team MVP in 1981 and 83 ... Wife of current NC State head coach Rollie Geiger.
Dawn Staley, Virginia (1989-1992)
1991 Honda-Broderick Cup Award winner ... two-time Champion USA and WBCA Player of the Year and Naismith Player of the Year ... U.S. Basketball Writers Association Player of the Year ... 1991 Sports Illustrated Player of the Year ... 1991 Honda Basketball Sports Award Winner ... two-time U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-American ... three-time Kodak All-American ... two-time Mary Garber Award winner (ACC Female Athlete of the Year) ... two-time ACC Player of the Year ... three-time first-team All-ACC ... 1991 and 1992 NCAA Final Four All-tournament team ... 1991 Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Final Four ... MVP of the 1992 ACC Tournament ... three-time ACC All-tournament team ... currently the head women's basketball coach at Temple University and is also a player for the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA.
Cindy Stern, Clemson (1996-1999)
Clemson and the ACC's first volleyball All-American (1999) ... 1999 ACC Player of the Year ... member of the USPV Dream Team ... first-team All-ACC in 1997 and 1999 ... second-team All-ACC in 1998 ... member of 1996 ACC All-Freshman team ... ranked eighth in the nation for blocks per game in 1997 ... named to 1997 USA National team ... member of AVCA All-District team in 1997 and 1999 ... 1997 and 1999 ACC All-Tournament team member ... third on Clemson's all-time list for most attempts with 3,965 ... second all-time in kills with 1,744 ... ranks fourth on Clemson's all-time best list for block solos with 163 ... Tigers' all-time leader in block assists with 448.
Andrea Stinson, NC State (1989-1991)
The Pack's only two-time Kodak All-American ... rewrote the NC State record books in her three seasons of collegiate play ... Unanimously selected as the ACC Player of the Year in 1990 ... named to the All-ACC team three times ... A consensus All-American selection in 1990 and 1991 ... holds seven Wolfpack records, including an ACC record most points scored in a game, with 50 against Providence during the 1989-90 season ... ranks among the top-five in five of NC State's all-time career categories ... currently a starting guard and leading scorer for the Charlotte Sting of the WNBA ... one of seven players to have her jersey retired by the school.
Carla Tagliente, Maryland (1997-2000)
One of only two four-time All-Americans in Maryland field hockey history (third-team in 1997; first-team in 1998, 99 and 00) and a Honda Award finalist in 2000 ... member of the U.S. National Team since 1997 ... ACC Rookie of the Year in 1997 and ACC Tournament MVP in 1999 ... four-time All-ACC Selection (1997-00), two-time All-Tournament honoree (1999-00) ... four-time ACC honor roll member (1997-00); three-time Verizon/GTE CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American ... 1999 NCAA Champion, NCAA All-Tournament Team ... three-time ACC Champion (1998, 99, 2000) ... Maryland's all-time leading points (187) and goals (73) scorer who started every game of her collegiate career.
Tisha Venturini, North Carolina (1991-1994)
Unanimous selection as 1994 National Player of Year ... She and Kristine Lilly are the only players in women's soccer history to be four-time first-team All-Americas ... ACC Tournament MVP in 1991-93-94 ... Named to NCAA All-Tournament team four straight times ... Led nation in scoring as a freshman ... Played on four NCAA championship teams which had overall record of 97-1-1 ... Member of U.S. National and Olympic Teams in 1990s ... Tied for USA scoring lead in '95 World Cup.
Sue Walsh, North Carolina (1981-1984)
Member of the 1978 World Games team & 1980 U.S. Olympic Team ... won 10 national championships (4 in 100 back, 3 in 200 back, 3 in 50 back) ... won 50-yard, 100-yard & 200-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle & the 200-yard & 800-yard freestyle relay at 1981 ACC Championships ... All-American in the 50-yard, 100-yard & 200-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard medley relay & the 200-yard & 800-yard free relays ... that 200 medley relay won the national title ... captured 5 ACC Championship Titles in 1982 & was an All-American in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard IM, 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard free relay ... in 1983 won six ACC Championship Titles and was named the ACC Meet Most Valuable Swimmer ... All-American in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard IM, 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard and 400-yard free relays ... Six ACC Championship Titles in 1984 as well as the ACC Meet Most Valuable Swimmer for the second year in a row ... All-American in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke, 400-yard medley relay, and the 200, 400, and 800-yard freestyle relay events ... 27-time All-American ... captured 23 ACC Titles ...held the all-time record at UNC for the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard backstroke ... was American record holder in 50 free & 100 free ... two-time CoSIDA/Verizon first-team Academic All-American ... inducted into CoSIDA/Verizon Academic America Hall of Fame in 2002.
Vanessa Webb, Duke (1995-1999)
National Player of the Year in 1998 & 99 ... a four-time All-American and All-ACC selection ... winner of the 1999 Honda Award ... ACC Female Athlete of the Year ... 1996 ACC Rookie of the Year ... Rolex All-Star in 1998 ... NCAA Individual Champion in 1998 and won the Collegiate Grand Slam Championship at the Riviera All-American in 1996 ... led Duke to four consecutive ACC Championships and the team did not lose an ACC match during her four years ... posted a 161-25 singles record at Duke ... is the all-time singles wins leader.
Cindy Werley, North Carolina (1993-1994, 1996-1997)
Two-time Honda Award winner (National Player of Year) ... One of two Tar Heels to have jersey retired ... Three-time All-American ... Three-time All-NCAA Tournament, All-ACC pick ... 1996 & 1997 ACC Player of Year ... Three-time ACC Tournament MVP ... UNC's career leader in scoring, goals ... 1996 Olympian.
