2023 Inductees

William Shelhorse '70

William S. Shelhorse is the co-founder and president of Chesapeake Bay Contractors (CBC) and a member of the inaugural graduating class of Virginia Wesleyan (Class of 1970). A native of Tappahannock, Virginia, Shelhorse founded Chesapeake Bay Contractors in 1978 with his father, a company specializing in underground utility and site development service. Shelhorse faithfully served as a member of the VWU Board of Trustees for many years and now enjoys the role of Trustee Emeritus. Thanks to his generosity, Chesapeake Bay Contractors has provided services for all outdoor athletic venues, making many campus projects possible. Shelhorse was also a major contributor to the Virginia Wesleyan’s 400-meter track and field complex, the Betty S. Rogers Track & Field Center, which is named in memory of Bill’s sister. 

Marissa Coombs '18 (Women's Track & Field)

Coombs was a trailblazer, becoming the first athlete in program history to be named an All-American. She earned four All-American accolades in total, the first at the 2016 Indoor Track and Field National Meet in the Mile, was runner-up during the 2017 Indoor Track and Field National Meet in the Mile, runner-up at the 2017 Outdoor Track and Field National Meet in the 1500m, and was third in the Mile at the 2018 Indoor Track and Field National Meet. She is an eight-time National Qualifier; 3x in the Mile, 3x in the 1500m, and 2x in Cross Country. Coombs is a seven-time ODAC Champion in 2017 Cross Country, 2017 Indoor Track and Field in the 800m and Mile, 2018 Indoor Track and Field in the 800m and Mile, and 2018 Outdoor Track and Field in the 1500m and 4x400m relay. As of 2023, she holds 11 VWU records in the Indoor and Outdoor 800m, Indoor and Outdoor 3000m, Distance Medley Relay, Mile, 1500m, 4x400m Relay, 4x800m Relay, Sprint Medley Relay, and Cross Country 6000m. She tallied 18 All-Region Selections and 18 All-Conference Honors, and was named ODAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year and ODAC Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Meet. She holds the ODAC record for the best time in the Mile and 1500m and has the fastest time at the Indoor ODAC Track and Field Championship Meet in the Mile. She earned the Donald M. Forsyth Award in 2017 and the Norfolk Sports Club Award in 2018.

Evan Cox (UK '18) (Men's Golf)

Cox is the first in program history to be named a NCAA National Champion (2016). On his way to the top, Cox earned 2016 PING First Team All-American (2016), PING All-Southeast Region (2016), All-State Player of the Year (2016), All-State First Team (2016), ODAC Champion (2016), ODAC Player of the Year (2016), and All-ODAC First Team (2016). In 2015, he was named All-State Rookie of the Year, All-State Second Team, ODAC Rookie of the Year, and All-ODAC Second Team. During his two years of conference play, he was named ODAC Player of the Week four times (2015, 2016).

Kala Guy Herman '13 (Women's Volleyball)

The first All-American in program history, Herman made an impact in her time for the Marlins, setting multiple records as an outside hitter. She was a 2013 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) honorable mention All-American and First Team All-South Region honoree, a pair of firsts for the VWC program. She was also a three-time First Team All-ODAC selection, another program first. She also garnered All-State recognition three times. Herman finished her career as VWC’s all-time leader in kills (1,245) and total attacks (3,533). She set the single-match record for kills with 27 against North Carolina Wesleyan College in route to setting the Marlins’ single-season record of 416.

Cassetty Howerin '18 ( Softball)

The VWU Career Home Runs leader, ODAC Career RBI and Walks leader, and NCAA Division III All-Time Walks leader (136), Howerin was essential in the 2017 and 2018 NCAA Division III Softball National Championships, being named the NCAA Regional Round Most Outstanding Player (2018) and to the All-Tournament team (2017, 2018). Howerin was named the State Player of the Year (2017), All-State First Team (2017 & 2015), First Team All-Atlantic Region (2018 & 2017), a Second Team All-Atlantic Region (2015), First Team All-ODAC (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015), ODAC Championship All-Tournament Team (2018, 2017, 2016), and ODAC Championship Most Outstanding Player (2016). Her national accolades include NFCA First Team All-American (2018, 2017, 2016), FPN Second Team All-American (2017), NFCA National Player of the Week (02/28/16), NFCA Top-10 Players to Watch List (2018) and FPN Preseason All-America Honorable Mention (2018 & 2017). In addition to her incredible athletic performances, Howerin was named to the ODAC All-Academic Team in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and deemed the VWU Female Athlete of the Year in 2018.

2018 NCAA National Championship Softball Team

The 2018 Virginia Wesleyan University softball team had a historic season in the record books. Winning back-to-back NCAA National championships and reset the NCAA Division III mark for wins in a single season with a 55-3 overall record, a record they broke the previous season, and set the record for most consecutive wins with 41 from 2017-2018. The 2018 team collected eight All-ODAC honors, four All-State laurels, three All-Region selections, and two NFCA First-Team All-Americans in Hanna Hull and Cassetty Howerin. Hull received Schutt Sports/NFCA Player of the Year, FPN Sports All-American, and was the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. The Marlins' coaching staff composed of Brandon Elliott '03, Bobby Wills, Jim Quinn, Chris Smith, and Jenna Wilson was named NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year, All-Region, VaSID All-State, and All-Conference for their efforts.