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Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame - Class of 2009

2009 Awards Recipients

2009 Rick Crawford Philanthropy Award - Marla Esgar Robbins

Marla Esgar Robbins became a friend of Tiger Athletics during her experience as a student-athlete at Georgetown College . As an undergraduate from 1975 to 1979, she was a two-sport athlete for most of her collegiate career, playing both volleyball and basketball every season and even was a part of the men’s tennis team as a freshman, when there was no women’s program. Since then, the former team captain has contributed generously to Georgetown College Athletics and to the women’s programs in particular. She also continues to be involved with Sigma Kappa sorority. She and her husband, Tyler, live in the suburbs of Cleveland. Her willingness to financially support Tiger women’s sports has allowed for improvements to facilities and the overall growth of the programs and, thus, makes her an obvious selection for this annual award.

Donna Hawkins Coaching for Significance Award - Bruce Owens

Coach Bruce Owens knows the ins and outs of Tiger Football as well as anyone, having played four years as a student at Georgetown College and currently serving as assistant coach at his alma mater. He has been an integral part of Bill Cronin’s staff for each of his twelve seasons as head coach. In fact, Owens’ hiring was one of the first decisions Cronin made when coming back to the Georgetown campus. The 1986 graduate played for Cronin at offensive line and then worked with him as an assistant coach under Kevin Donley. Aside from coaching four seasons at California University of Pennsylvania, Tiger football has been a big part of the Cincinnati native’s life. Owens takes his coaching duties as a matter of pride and also serves as recruiting coordinator for the Tiger Football program. “He is genuinely personable with our recruits and our players,” said Cronin. “More importantly, he is concerned with not only what they do in our program but what they do after they leave our campus.”Campbell and his wife Kathy, have two sons, Sean Patrick and Connor William.

Jim Reid Memorial Scholarship - Chandler Gilbert

The third annual recipient of the Jim Reid Memorial Scholarshipis Chandler Gilbert. Gilbert, a Lexington native and graduate ofHenry Clay High School, is a sophomore at Georgetown College. Heis a member of the golf team and maintains a grade point averageof 3.4 as a Business Administration major.

The Brad Davis Award for Game Administration - Clyde McConnaughhay

Clyde McConnaughhay’s career has centered around football, the sport in which he has played, led high school programs and continues to coach here at his alma mater, Georgetown College. As a Tiger, McConnaughhay was a member of the track team and the legendary 1965 undefeated football team. He was selected to the All Southern Team in both his junior and senior seasons. However, it is his dedication to the necessary work behind the scenes that we recognize tonight. This work includes game clock operations at nearly every home basketball game, where he has given of his time and expertise for over 23 years. To say he goes beyond the call of duty is an understatement and thus, his contributions to Tiger athletics are recognized by this award. He and his wife, Dawne, have two sons and daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.

The Milton "Shorty" Price Service Award - Winnie Bratcher

Winnie Bratcher has served as Registrar at Georgetown College since July of1981 after working in a wide range of positions within the field of education. When she arrived on campus from Scranton, Penn., it was late Coach Jim Reid’s first year to add the duties of athletic director to his plate. He was well-versed in NAIA rules and regulations and together they established systems of checks and balances to ensure Georgetown College followed the necessary procedures. Bratcher remembers pouring over the NAIA Official Handbook with a yellow marker and red pen until she knew every page. Outside of the demanding day-to-day duties of being registrar, her responsibilities also include determining the eligibility of over 400 student-athletes. Bratcher works tirelessly to be proactive in identifying eligibility issues early so that, if possible, resolution is available in a timely fashion. Bratcher and her husband, Wes, have three children who are each Georgetown College graduates– Vicki, Rebecca, and Kris. They are also the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. She has been a behind-the-scenes partner of athletics throughout each of her 28 years on campus and every student-athlete, coach and administrator relies on her experience and dedication. Bratcher is an obvious choice for this special service award.

2009 Hall of Fame Inductees

Robert T. Hinton

In many ways, Robert T. Hinton is responsible for the success of Georgetown College Athletics.The gifted athlete won athletic fame as a football and baseball player and served as team captain of both sports during his collegiate careeras a Tiger. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Yale University and, once again, excelled in athletics, this time winning the Intercollegiate Gymnastic Individual Championshipin Philadelphia in 1902. His extended experience in athletics prepared him as the perfect choice for the position of associate professor and director of athletics in 1906. Upon his return to campus, he coached every varsity team. Throughout his 28 years as coach and athletic director, the baseball/football field was enlarged and refurbished and was renamed Hinton Field in his honor . He also led the campaign to raise money for Alumni Gymnasium to be built, which under his direction was completed in just two and a half years. Along his career, he also served as head of the Biology Department and was named Dean of the College.

He was an original member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association and served as secretary and president, where he traveled to represent the school and state in the athletic governing body. He was known and respected nationally as a proponent of fair play and good sportsmanship.

A tribute to him in an old yearbook reads: “Throughout the years, Dean Hinton remained faithful to the college, its ideals, its scholastic standing, and its relationship to educational organizations and the denomination...Through him we learned the purposes, the plans and the ideals upon which the college was founded, for the Dean was Georgetown. He was a genuine friend upon whom we all could depend.

”While the original Hinton Field, is no longer used as an athletics facility, the “rock,” known as the heart of the former field was moved to Toyota Stadium upon its completion in 1997 and is honored by the current football players before each game.

Steve Blankenbaker

Steve Blankenbaker’s career at Georgetown College didn’t start out as planned. Recruited as a quarterback/defensive back, he was moved to noseguard just three days after reporting to campus and admits he was disappointed to the point of calling home wanting to hang it up. A late night soft drink with Coach Cronin changed his decision and he quickly moved to backup at his new position, the beginning of a special Tiger career. The four-year letterman was a1989 Kodak All-American and is a three-time All-District and All-Conference selection. He ranks fifth in career tackles for a loss (321yards) and fourth in career yards for a loss from sacks (227). Despite his personal success, his favorite memories involve being a part of the Tiger Program, including each time the Tigers gathered at the Rock , seeing his father’s face after his first collegiate game and a very special touch down involving teammate Howard Ensor.

Blankenbaker is production superintendent /launch coordinator for the Ford Motor Company in Louisville and is the proud father of three children—Katie,17, and twins Michael and Matthew, 16.

Sarah Foushee

In volleyball, middle blocker is a position of hard work and sacrifice . Only coaches and defensive back court players are truly able to recognize the true impact of a good middle blocker. Former Tiger Sarah Foushee was exactly this type of athlete. Not only was she self-sacrificing and a diligent worker, but her sheer talent and level of play, makes her arguably the best blocker in Tiger history. Foushee’s hard work on the court led to many accolades off court. She was a four- year letter winner and won the team’s blocking award for three years. She was named First Team All-Regional in 1999and was selected First Team All-Conference for three seasons in a row. Sarah holds the career records for solo blocks (279) and ranks second in total blocks(562) and fourth in block assists (283). She tallied as many as 94 blocks in a single season (1996) and six solo blocks in one match. During her career, the Tigers made it to the Elite Eight of the NAIA National Tournament.

She and her fiancé, Joseph Gorman, will be married in July and are making their home in Roseville , Ca., where she is accounts manager with Kaiser.

Allen McCowan

Allen McCowan was the Deion Sanders of Georgetown College, as no player has ever excelled in three sportsas he did during his time on campus. Playing baseball, basketball, and football, the product of Henry Clay High was known as a first-class teammate who was respected and loved by his peers while being a highly acclaimed student-athlete. The two time NAIA All-American in basketball was also named a football All-American in the one season he played for the Tigers, 1992. He holds the single season record for receiving yards (1,122) and is currently second in career yards per catch (23.4). On the baseball diamond, McCowan was named First Team All-KIAC and District 32 in 1993 and was the Tiger’s MVP at shortstop. He holds the school basketball record for career steals (253) and ranks fifth in career blocks (69).

Without a doubt, basketball was McCowan’s specialty, the sport in which he has built his career. Since leaving Georgetown, McCowan lives in Australia, where he played professionally, and currently serves as coach of the Scots School Albury. His family includes wife Caroline and daughters Jade, Aleira and Kijana.

Kelly Middleton

Kelly Middleton’s shoes are big ones to fill. During his four years as a Tiger, Middleton scored 1,553 points and ranks tenth in career steals, tallying 146. The 1986 All-American was also a two-time Academic All-American. But this fall, another Middleton will join the men’s basketball program attempting to fill those shoes, as his son, Russ, will suit up in the orange and black.

In addition to basketball, Middleton was a successful tennis player at Georgetown College. He was ranked first in NAIA District 32 twice during his career and won the KIAC tournament once and was also a runner up. His success as a Tiger has fittingly continued in his career. He currently serves as Associate Superintendent of Mason County Schools, his alma mater and recently authored a book. In addition to Russ, Middleton and his wife, Mary, have a daughter, Erienne, who is a junior at Mason County.

T.G. Shuck

T.G. Shuck proved the value of the position of kicker, scoring 198 points during his four seasons as a Tiger and playing a key role on the 1987 team, the first team to reach the playoffs in school history. Shuck ranks in every career kicking category, including second in field goals, both made (23) and attempted (28). He also ranks fourth in career field goal percentage (82.1%) and field goals made in a season (10in 1987, which led the nation in field goal percentage).

Shuck was named second team All-American that same year. Shuck serves as Chief Meteorologist at WKYT in Lexington, KY, where he has won many national awards. He and is wife, Angie, have three children, Sydney, Brooklyn, and Raleigh.

Charles "Hoot" Gibson - Distinguished Alumni Induction

Charles “Hoot” Gibson’s entire educational and professional careers have centered around Georgetown, Kentucky. Gibson attended Garth for 12 years where he was a four-year letterman and Honorable Mention All-State selection in football, played basketball and ran track. Gibson began his collegiate career at Georgetown College in 1957, where he never missed a game as a four year starter, served on student council and in Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduating in 1962, Gibson was hired as assistant football coach at Carrollton High School where he was named Coach of the Year in 1966. From 1967 to 1995 Gibson dutifully served in numerous roles at Scott County High School, including head football and baseball coach, head assistant basketball coach, Dean of Student and Co-Athletic Director.

Since his retirement in 1995, Gibson has remained an active supporter of Tiger Football. His steadfast dedication to Georgetown College and Scott County makes him a worthy addition to the Georgetown College Athletics Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Kathy Carter Gibson, make their home in Scott County.

2000 Tiger Football Team - Team Induction

The 2000 Georgetown College Football Team adopted the motto of “Finish It” as soon as the 1999 season ended in the loss of the NAIA National Championship. After leading Northwestern Oklahoma 21-0 at halftime, the pain of the defeat served as the inspiration to earn the chance to change the outcome. Ironically, the 2000 NAIA Title Game pitted the same two teams from the year prior but this time with a favorable outcome, as the Tigers won 20-0 in a shutout of sweet revenge. Senior co-captain Brian Landis was named the Defensive Player of the Game, while teammate Cody Brown was the Offensive Player of the Game.

“Our returning players from 1999 made it their goal, and thus, the team’s goal to finish it in 2000 and finish it they did,” said Head Coach Bill Cronin, reflecting on his team.

To call the 2000 National Championship Georgetown College Tiger Team specialis a huge understatement. Anyone associated with the undefeated team, will tell you that it is difficult to find words to do it justice. The Tigers were a perfect 14-0 on the year, averaging 44.7 points of offense per game, while holding their opponents to under two touchdowns (13.9). At the end of the season, individual awards accumulated just like the points on the scoreboard and the record books were forever changed. Coach Bill Cronin was the NAIA National Coach of the Year with quarterback Eddie Eviston as the National Player of the Year. Tiger All Americans included Brown (WR), Kevin Davis (K), Walt DeLong (OL), Eviston (QB), Paul Habas (DL), Adam Jackson (OL), Landis (DB), Steve Lickert (LB), Justin Morris (DL), Shane Pearson (LB) and Tony Steele (DL).