LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University inducted three alumni and the 2000-01 men’s basketball team into the Pioneer Hall of Fame on Saturday during an evening ceremony in the Beck Center.
The individual inductees and years they graduated are Heather Adams-Blair ’95, Judy Henry ’82 and Michael Ray ’03.
“Each year our Hall of Fame ceremonies present us a list of exceptional individuals with remarkable achievements, both during their careers at Transylvania and after, but this year’s group is in a class unparalleled,” said Holly Sheilley, vice president for enrollment and student life. “Heather, Judy, Michael and the members of the indelible 2000-01 men’s basketball team have forged legacies that speak to the types of students that we are fortunate to have in our community and as our alumni.”
2016 Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees
- Heather Adams-Blair lettered all four years in basketball and two years in softball. As a senior captain on the basketball team, she left her mark with 808 career points, 292 rebounds and 180 assists. She finished her Ph.D. in 2000 and is a professor at Eastern Kentucky University in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science.
- Judy Henry was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in field hockey, basketball, softball and cross country. She was a four-year starter in field hockey who scored the final game penalty stroke to win the state tournament for the Pioneers, and she was instrumental in winning the Kentucky Women’s Intercollegiate Conference (KWIC) Championship her junior and senior years. She also was a member of the KWIC Champion cross country team. A three-year starter in basketball, she served as co-captain her senior year. Henry was district president for UPS prior to retirement.
- Michael Ray was a catalyst in launching the men’s golf program to the national stage. As a four-year letter winner in golf, he won the HCAC conference tournament and was named Transylvania Male Athlete of the Year. He also was a member of the Verizon Academic All-District IV Men’s At-Large Team. Ray is the chief financial officer for Modern Distributing in Somerset, Ky.
- The 2000-01 men’s basketball team holds the longest winning streak in program history with 22 straight, and the most wins by a Transy basketball team with 27. The team was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NAIA for most of January and all of February, leading into the national tournament, where they were seeded No. 1. The team made it to the Sweet 16 before suffering a loss, ending its storied season with a 27-2 record.
Go here for more information on the Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Photo: (clockwise) Coach Pat Deacon (l) with Heather Adams, Judy Henry, Michael Ray, the 2000-01 men’s basketball team—including Coach Don Lane.