Rocky Mount, N.C. - North Carolina Wesleyan's 2014 Homecoming festivities culminated on Saturday night with the induction of its 16th Athletics Hall of Fame class. Alyson Patrick Beicker of women's soccer, Ken Bowers of men's soccer, long-time Bishop head coach John Brackett, and Chontae Uptegrow of softball were all officially enshrined, and each offered remarks about their Wesleyan experiences that are indicative of what it means to be a Battling Bishop.
Since 1999, the Department of Athletics has now honored 60 former athletes, administrators, teams, coaches and contributors by bestowing this honor upon them. These individuals have created a higher standard for NCWC athletics and were selected based on their outstanding accomplishments and/or contributions to the College. This year’s class meets these same standards.
With over 25 years of service to the Department of Athletics, John Brackett is the 12th head coach to garner Hall of Fame induction and becomes the first to also call North Carolina Wesleyan his alma mater. The all-time winningest coach in NCWC women’s basketball and softball history, Brackett is a five-time Coach of the Year with nine league championships to his credit.
CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXTENDED BIO ON JOHN BRACKETT!
Joining her coach as a 2014 inductee is former softball standout Chontae Uptegrow, who staked her claim as one of the greatest outfielders to ever sport the Blue & Gold by being honored as a four-time All-Region, All-Conference AND All-Tournament selection from 1998 to 2001. Uptegrow, in fact, remains the only player in Battling Bishop history to garner Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-East Region accolades on four occasions.
CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXTENDED BIO ON CHONTAE UPTEGROW!
Ken Bowers was a standout soccer player for the Battling Bishops from 1985 to 1988, completing his career among the program’s top-5 all-time leading scorers with 55 total points (17 goals, 21 assists). A four-year starter and two-year team captain, Bowers was the only player from the 53-team South Region to earn NCAA Division III All-American honors in 1988, becoming just the fourth Bishop to accomplish the feat at that point in program history.
CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXTENDED BIO ON KEN BOWERS!
Like Bowers, Alyson Patrick (now Beicker) also made a name for herself on the pitch. Just the third women’s soccer player in Bishop history to garner All-American status when she did so in 1996, Patrick still holds program records for goals scored in a season with 21, as well as total points in a season with 47.
CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXTENDED BIO ON ALYSON PATRICK!
The Department of Athletics extends sincere congratulations to all four inductees, whose contributions to the overall mission of the College have been exhibited in their successes and accomplishments both on and off the court and field. To these inductees, the Battling Bishops offer thanks and admiration by bestowing this honor upon them.
Congratulations to all four inductees on this much deserved recognition!