11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Southern athletics department inducted the four newest members into the Hall of Fame, Saturday night.
Allison Arreola Delaney was introduced to the crowd by former
teammate and coach Danyel Bellush, who praised Delaney-who played
as Allison Arreola-for more than just her athletic ability, saying
"Allison will be known for her accomplishments on the court, but I
remember her just as much for her personality, attitude and
smile."
An All-Big South selection, Delaney was an Academic All-American for her work on the court and in the classroom, where she earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and was the 1998-99 Big South Christenberry Award winner.
"I am so honored and thrilled to be here," said Delaney. "I want to thank the selection committee, but also want to thank my teammates and the professors here at CSU. I had forgotten what it meant to be part of this school, but after a long flight, as soon as I set foot in the gym, I was immediately reminded of the love and support."
Steve Blanchard took the podium second, earning the honor for
his accomplishments on the club football team at CSU. Blanchard
finished his career with more than 200 total tackles, and 22
career interceptions.
"I am so humbled to be here tonight," said Blanchard, who was part of the inaugural Buccaneer football team. "My time here at CSU definitely changed my life. How often does someone get to be a member of the first team, and meet the woman of the their dreams on the first day of class."
A pair of golfers, Jim Gardas and Patricia Martinson-Earley,
rounded out the inductees, both being introduced by their former
coach, Howard Vroon, who had high praise for both. "Both Jim and
Patricia live and breath achievement every day in all that 
they do. Neither did what they did here for the fame, but because
they didn't know any other way."
Gardas was a Verizon Academic All-American after earning a 3.94 GPA, and was also named the 1998-99 Big South Christenberry Award winner.
"I am so proud and honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I want to congratulate the other inductees as well. To see what has happened here over the last 10 years is really amazing," said Gardas, who had high praise for his former coach as well. "This university is really blessed to have Howard as a coach."
Martinson-Earley, whose credentials rival those of anyone, as a
three-time Big South Player of the Year and three-time Big South
tournament champion, was thankful for the opportunities that her
time at CSU has given her.
"I was so excited to get the phone call letting me know that I was being inducted," said Martinson-Earley. "Because of the opportunity I had to come here as a student and an athlete, so many doors have been opened for me, and I know that even more will be in the future. CSU gave me the opportunity to grow academically, athletically and spiritually. I am proud to wear the Blue and Gold and call myself a Buccaneer."
Basketball and baseball hall of famer John Kammeyer rounded out the evening by telling those in attendance "As proud as you are right now, I promise you that in a few years when you see what this University is doing, you will feel even better."
Both Delaney and Kammeyer charged those in attendance to share with others.
"I want to applaud all four inductees. You have done something that very few have been able to do," said Kammeyer. "Some of you already are, but I really encourage you to give of your talents to other people."
Delaney used Matthew 5:14-16 to encourage all of the student-athletes in attendance to share even more than just their talents.
"As student-athletes, you are in a unique position that allows
you to share your faith with others. Just as the Bible says that a
city on a hill cannot be hidden, I encourage each of you to be a
shining light on this campus."
