ACC Top 50 Female and Male Athletes Named
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Jan. 22, 2003
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Top 50 Female Athletes and 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.
“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.”
About the men, Swofford said, “The success of the Atlantic Coast Conference in its first 50 years is due in large part to the quality of its student-athletes. 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 havebeen 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.”
The Cavaliers had five women and three men named to the team, including world champions Heather Dow and Cherie Greer from the lacrosse team and Olympic champion Dawn Staley. Fellow basketball players Donna Holt and Wendy Palmer were also honored. On the men’s side, three-time National Player of the Year Ralph Sampson was named to the team, as were US Olympian and National Player of the Year Claudio Reyna and US Olympian, NCAA titleist, and world-record holder Ed Moses.
The full list of the ACC Top 50 Women and Men’s athletes appears after the biographies of the Virginia athletes.
Virginia’s representatives on the ACC 50th Anniversary Top 50 Athletes
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 1984-1989 … Member, US Lacrosse Hall of fame … 474 career saves … more medals in lacrosse world cup history than anyone else in the world (4 golds, 1 silver).
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.
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.
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.
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 Illus- trated 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-tourna-ment 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.
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.
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.
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.
ACC 50th Anniversary - Top 50 Female AthletesAthlete Sport School Years HometownJen Adams Lacrosse Maryland 1998-2001 Brighton, So. AustraliaBeth Bauer Golf Duke 1998-2000 Cramerton, N.C.Alana Beard Basketball Duke 2000-2002 Shreveport, La.Genia Beasley Basketball NC State 1977-1980 Benson, N.C.Joan Benoit Cross Country NC State 1978 Cape Elizabeth, MaineBea Bielik Tennis Wake Forest 2000-2001 Valley Stream, N.Y.Vicky Bullett Basketball Maryland 1986-1989 Martinsburg, W.Va.Jenny Chuasiriporn Golf Duke 1995-1999 Timonium, Md.Heather Dow Lacrosse Virginia 1980-1982 Newport News, Va.Laura DuPont Tennis North Carolina 1967-1970 Charlotte, N.C.Lorrie Fair Soccer North Carolina 1996-1999 Los Altos, Calif.Gigi Fernandez Tennis Clemson 1983 Puerto RicoLaurie Gomez Indoor Track/Cross Country NC State 1988-1991 Boardman, OhioKim Graham Indoor/Outdoor Track Clemson 1991-1993 Aberdeen, Md.Cherie Greer Lacrosse Virginia 1991-1994 Narbeth, Pa.Mia Hamm Soccer North Carolina 1989-1990, 92-93 Burke, Va.Candy Hannemann Golf Duke 1998-2001 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilApril Heinrichs Soccer North Carolina 1983-1986 Littleton, Colo.Tara Heiss Basketball Maryland 1975-1978 Bethesda, Md.Monique Hennagan Indoor/Outdoor Track North Carolina 1995-1998 Columbia, S.C.Shannon Higgins Soccer North Carolina 1986-1989 Seattle, Wash.Nancy Hogshead Swimming Duke 1981 Jacksonville, Fla.Donna Holt Basketball Virginia 1985-1988 Chicago, Ill.Charmaine Hooper Soccer NC State 1987-1990 Ottawa, OntarioMarion Jones Basketball/Outdoor Track North Carolina 1994-1995, 97 Thousand Oaks, Calif.Kate Kauffman Field Hockey Maryland 1993-1996 Reading, Pa.Barbara Kennedy Basketball Clemson 1979-1982 Rome, Ga.Tina Krebs Indoor/Outdoor Track Clemson 1983, 1985-87 Holback, DenmarkMitzi Kremer Swimming Clemson 1987-1989 Titusville, Fla.Kristine Lilly Soccer North Carolina 1989-1992 Wilton, Conn.Leslie Lyness Field Hockey North Carolina 1986-1989 Paoli, Pa.Chasity Melvin Basketball NC State 1995-1998 Roseboro, N.C.Chris Moreland Basketball Duke 1985-1988 Alexandria, Va.Stephanie Neill Harner Golf Wake Forest 1991-1995 Charlotte, N.C.Wendy Palmer Basketball Virginia 1993-1996 Timberlake, N.C.Cindy Parlow Soccer North Carolina 1995-1998 Memphis, Tenn.Laura Philo Diaz Golf Wake Forest 1993-1997 Scotia, N.Y.Tracy Reid Basketball North Carolina 1995-1998 Miami, Fla.Georgia Schweitzer Basketball Duke 1998-2001 Columbus, OhioJulie Shea Cross Country NC State 1977-1980 Raleigh, N.C.Charlotte Smith Basketball North Carolina 1992-1995 Shelby, N.C.Betty Springs Cross Country NC State 1979-1983 Bradenton, Fla.Dawn Staley Basketball Virginia 1989-1992 Philadelphia, Pa.Cindy Stern Volleyball Clemson 1996-1999 Cincinnati, OhioAndrea Stinson Basketball NC State 1989-1991 Cornelius, N.C.Carla Tagliente Field Hockey Maryland 1997-2000 Perkiomenville, Pa.Tisha Venturini Soccer North Carolina 1991-1994 Modesto, Calif.Sue Walsh Swimming North Carolina 1981-1984 Hamburg, N.Y.Vanessa Webb Tennis Duke 1995-1999 Toronto, CanadaCindy Werley Field Hockey North Carolina 1993-1994, 96-97 Allentown, Pa.
ACC 50th Anniversary – Top 50 Male AthletesShane Battier Basketball Duke 1998-2001 Birmingham, Mich.Jim Beatty Cross Country/Indoor Track North Carolina 1954-1956 Charlotte, N.C.Kris Benson Baseball Clemson 1994-1996 Kennesaw, Ga.Len Bias Basketball Maryland 1983-1986 Landover, Md.Derrick Brooks Football Florida State 1991-1994 Pensacola, Fla.Ted Brown Football NC State 1975-1978 High Point, N.C.Tom Burleson Basketball NC State 1971-1974 Newland, N.C.Len Chappell Basketball Wake Forest 1960-1962 Portage, Pa.Billy Cunningham Basketball North Carolina 1963-1965 Brooklyn, N.Y.Johnny Dawkins Basketball Duke 1983-1986 Washington, D.C.Juan Dixon Basketball Maryland 1999-2002 Baltimore, Md.J.D. Drew Baseball Florida State 1995-1997 Hahira, Ga.Tim Duncan Basketball Wake Forest 1994-1997 St. Croix, Virgin IslandsWarrick Dunn Football Florida State 1993-1996 Baton Rouge, La.David Duval Golf Georgia Tech 1990-1993 Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.Phil Ford Basketball North Carolina 1975-1978 Rocky Mount, N.C.Roman Gabriel Football NC State 1959-1961 Wilmington, N.C.Nomar Garciaparra Baseball Georgia Tech 1992-1994 Whittier, Calif.Dickie Hemric Basketball Wake Forest 1952-1955 Jonesville, N.C.Grant Hill Basketball Duke 1991-1994 Reston, Va.Torry Holt Football NC State 1995-1998 Gibsonville, N.C.T.J. Jaworsky Wrestling North Carolina 1993-1995 Edmond, Okla.Michael Jordan Basketball North Carolina 1982-1984 Wilmington, N.C.Terry Kinard Football Clemson 1978-1982 Sumter, S.C.Christian Laettner Basketball Duke 1989-1992 Angola, N.Y.John Lucas Basketball Maryland 1973-1976 Durham, N.C.Don McCauley Football North Carolina 1968-1970 Garden City, N.Y.Ed Moses Swimming Virginia 1998-2000 Burke, Va.Bruce Murray Soccer Clemson 1984-1987 Germantown, Md.Renaldo Nehemiah Indoor/Outdoor Track Maryland 1978-1980 College Park, Md.Arnold Palmer Golf Wake Forest 1948-1950, 53-54 Latrobe, Pa.Julius Peppers Football North Carolina 1999-2001 Bailey, N.C.William Perry Football Clemson 1981-1984 Aiken, S.C.Mark Price Basketball Georgia Tech 1983-1986 Enid, Okla.Claudio Reyna Soccer Virginia 1991-1993 Springfield, N.J.Jim Ritcher Football NC State 1976-1979 Hinckley, OhioLennie Rosenbluth Basketball North Carolina 1954-1957 New York, N.Y.Ralph Sampson Basketball Virginia 1980-1983 Harrisonburg, Va.Charles Scott Basketball North Carolina 1968-1970 New York, N.Y.Dave Sime Outdoor Track Duke 1954-1956 Key Biscayne, Fla.Curtis Strange Golf Wake Forest 1973-1975 Virginia Beach, Va.B.J. Surhoff Baseball North Carolina 1983-1985 Rye, N.Y.Lawrence Taylor Football North Carolina 1977-1980 Williamsburg, Va.David Thompson Basketball NC State 1973-1975 Shelby, N.C.Charlie Ward Football Florida State 1990-1993 Thomasville, Ga.Peter Warrick Football Florida State 1996-1999 Bradenton, Fla.Chris Weinke Football Florida State 1997-2000 St. Paul, Minn.Randy White Football Maryland 1972-1974 Wilmington, Del.Jason Williams Basketball Duke 2000-2002 Plainfield, N.J.James Worthy Basketball North Carolina 1980-1982 Gastonia, N.C.50th Anniversary – Top 50 Male Athletes