University of North Carolina Athletics
Semmes Inducted Into Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame
May 3, 2017 | Softball
Fayetteville, N.C. – Tar Heel softball alum Michelle Semmes (1998-01) was inducted into the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame this spring for her athletic achievements at the University of North Carolina and Fayetteville Academy. The Tar Heels' shortstop from 1998-2001, Semmes was joined by former Tar Heel football star and 12-year NFLer Bracey Walker, former Detroit Lion and Wake Forest alum Larry Tearry and slow-pitch softball great James McLamb in the 2017 Hall of Fame class.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be inducted into the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame and to be a part of such an incredible group of athletes that have left their legacy on their sport,” Semmes wrote in her acceptance speech. “I was fortunate to have the most dedicated and devoted parents and some of the best coaches, mentors, role models and teammates in my athletic career.”
Semmes' induction ceremony took place at the Fayetteville Sports Club's 14th Annual Banquet on March 8, 2017, held at the Highland Country Club in Fayetteville. Now celebrating its 40th year, the Fayetteville Sports Club was founded in 1978, while its Hall of Fame was established in 2003 as a tribute to Cumberland County's rich athletic heritage. Cumberland County natives and non-natives who have maintained an official residence in the county for 10 consecutive years or whose entire athletic career occurred during his or her residence in the county are eligible for election to the shrine.
“Michelle Semmes was a very talented player for us,” said UNC head coach Donna J. Papa. “She was fun to watch both offensively and defensively. In the field, she made plays at shortstop look so easy; she was a natural there. She had great range at her position and a strong arm, which made it difficult for opponents to hit anything her way. At the plate, she was a force and had a powerful swing. Michelle and her teammates helped us win our first ACC Championship and get our first NCAA Tournament berth.”
The 2000 ACC Player of the Year, Semmes was a three-time All-ACC shortstop for Carolina. A career .355 hitter, Semmes was second only to Christine Kubin (1993-96) in career batting average when she graduated and still sits in sixth place all time. The Fayetteville native set career records (at the time) for hits (238) and total bases (354), while her mark of 434 assists still stands as Carolina's all-time record 16 years later. With 50 career doubles as a Tar Heel, she ranks seventh all time in ACC history.
“I would like to thank Coach Papa for taking a chance on this NC girl and believing I could help lead us to an ACC Championship,” said Semmes. “Playing for you and the Tar Heels was indeed a dream come true and were some of the best memories of my life.”
During her tenure at UNC, Carolina finished atop the ACC standings twice (1998, 2000). As a senior in 2001, Semmes led the Tar Heels to their first-ever ACC Tournament title, punching their ticket to NCAA Regionals for the first time in program history. In 2003, Semmes was one of 10 Tar Heels named to the ACC's 50th Anniversary Team, which recognized the top 50 players in the history of each sport.
“One of the things I remember most about Michelle is how funny and lighthearted she was,” said Papa. “She loved to play practical jokes on people, including me, and always made people laugh. Michelle was one of the best players to come out of North Carolina and represented our program well. She was our ACC Player of the Year in 2000 and deservedly so. I am excited for her to have been inducted into the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame. What a great honor for her and her family.”
