March 19, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will induct four members into the KSU Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Monday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the KSU Center.

The Class of 2008, the sixth class of inductees in the history of the Hall of Fame, features the first-ever men's basketball honoree in Herman Smith, softball great Tonya Carlisle, baseball star Chris Bowen and former registrar Bill Hamrick.

Smith, who played for Kennesaw State from 1986-90 is still the Owls all-time leading scorer with 1,683 points and was the second Kennesaw State player to score 1,000 points for his career. Smith played on Kennesaw State's first winning team in 1988 and was a two-time all-conference and all-district performer in 1989 and 1990.

Carlisle played third base for the Owls from 1992-95 and is one of the most decorated players in school history. The Columbus, Ga. native was a member of the 1995 NCAA Division II National Championship team and is one of only two, four-time All-Americans for the Owls. Carlisle was a three-time NAIA All-American and was an NCAA Division II honoree in 1995.

Bowen enjoyed an impressive four-year career with the Owls baseball team and was a member of the 1996 NCAA Division II National Championship team. A First Team All-American selection in 1998, Bowen was third in the NCAA in wins and 12th in ERA. His 35 career wins puts him second on the all-time list and he is also listed in the top 10 in nearly 20 single-season and career categories.

Hamrick is the former registrar at Kennesaw State, serving in that position from 1988 until his retirement in 2007. An avid supporter of KSU athletics and student-athletes for nearly a quarter of a century, Hamrick was not only a friend to the athletic department, but was also a steadfast supporter of the rules and regulations of intercollegiate athletics as he assisted in the transitions from NAIA to NCAA Division II to Division I in 2005.

The KSU Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 2002 with the first Class inducted in January of 2003. KSU Athletic Director Dr. Dave Waples founded the Hall, which honors former student-athletes and individuals, who by their leadership, support, foresight and generosity have helped Kennesaw State achieve its success in the realm of intercollegiate athletics.

With the addition of the Class of 2008, the KSU Athletic Hall of Fame now has 27 members including 17 student-athletes, five administrators, three donors and two coaches.