Athletic Hall of Fame inductees announced

By Devon Jeffreys and Martin Vazquez

The third annual Flagler College Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony is coming up and this year’s group will join 15 men and women who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“This is the third class to be inducted,” said Daniel Stewart, dean of student services and class of 2005 inductee. “In 2004 the first class had ten individuals and last year had five.”

There are three categories under which a person can be inducted. Whether the person was a standout Flagler athlete, a coach or administrator, or a benefactor of a team such as a donor or fan, they may be honored with induction. This year four former athletes and a former coach will join the Hall, bringing total membership to 20.

Jim Twigg, a 1978 graduate, was on the men’s tennis team for their first national championship in 1977 and was an All-American selection that year. He was also one half of the national doubles champion team that year with teammate Gordon Jones. Twigg was also a member of Flagler’s first men’s basketball team.

Lorraine Rossmeyer graduated in 1980 and was a member of the Lady Saints basketball teams four of her five years at Flagler. She is the number two scorer in school history. Her career included MVP honors in 1976 and 1979 and state championship teams in 1975, 1976 and 1978.

John McMahon was on the Flagler baseball team in 1980 and 1981 and was a member of the first team to make it to the post-season. He holds records for the Saints that include top batting average for a season and career. McMahon was named MVP both seasons and was named to the all decade team.

Kathy Kessler, also a 1978 graduate, was a three-sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball and softball at Flagler. She was a member of six state championship teams in her 10 seasons among the three sports. Kessler played basketball and softball from 1975-1978. As a member of the basketball and softball teams, she took home state championships in 1975, 1976 and 1977 in both sports. Kessler was also named MVP of the 1978 basketball team and scored more than 1,500 career points.

Dr. Tom Graham started coaching cross country at Flagler in 1978 and also coached track when Flagler had the sport. He coached for 16 years and retired from coaching the men’s team in 1992, but still teaches history at Flagler. Graham coached a number of All-Americans and NAIA National Championship competitors.

The induction ceremony will be held on April 27 in the dining hall and will kick off Alumni weekend.