Hampden-Sydney College and the Athletics Hall of Fame inducts
its 20th class on Saturday, November 3, 2007, at 11
am in Kirby Fieldhouse. Included in the Athletics Hall
of Fame Class of 2007 are former basketball and football greats and
a Hampden-Sydney athletics fixture.
Tracy Powers '74, Football,
1970-73
Tracy Powers was a member of Hampden-Sydney 1974 senior class
that posted a 34-8 overall record, won four consecutive Mason-Dixon
Championships (1970, ‘71, ‘72, and ‘73), and
appeared in two straight Knute Rockne Bowls. Noted for his powerful
running style and good speed, Powers is only one of six Tigers to
rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, while his 2,495 career
yards place him sixth in the Hampden-Sydney record books. Powers
rushed for a then-record 216 yards against Randolph-Macon his
freshman season. That mark is now tied for second all-time for
single game totals. His 56 carries against Macon is still a
Hampden-Sydney record. In 1973, Powers was selected to the
first team All-Mason-Dixon and All-Virginia Small College teams, in
addition to his team Most Valuable Player and honorable mention
All-America recognitions. Despite suffering injuries during the
1971 and 1972 seasons, Powers totaled 2,495 yards on 617 carries
for a 4.0 yards-per-carry average.
Dale Marks '78, Football,
1974-77
Dale Marks lettered for the Tiger football team for four
seasons from 1974-1977. Described as both a great runner and
accurate passer, Marks was influential in leading the Tigers to an
ODAC Championship in 1977 and a berth into the Division III
playoffs. Marks garnered first team All-ODAC honors in 1977 from
his quarterback position, and held the old Hampden-Sydney
single-game passing record for yards with 344 against Albany State
in that same year. During the 1977 season, He threw for 1,410 yards
and was voted the team’s Most Improved Player. For his
career, Marks rushed for 331 yards and five touchdowns and
completed 136-of-277 passes for 1,961 yards and 18
scores.
SPECIAL CITATION
John Luster Brinkley '59
Professor John Brinkley graduated from Hampden-Sydney College
in 1959 and returned to the College in 1967. Since his return,
Brinkley has taught in the Classics Department with teaching
interests in Greek, Latin, Classical Mythology, and Rhetoric. As
the College’s Historian, Brinkley completed On This Hill: A
Narrative History of Hampden-Sydney College from 1774-1994.
Brinkley is a fixture at Hampden-Sydney football, lacrosse, and
baseball games, and during Tiger football games, he has a permanent
spot at the 15 yard-line adjacent to the Gammon end-zone.
During Macon Week, Brinkley serves as the annual speaker at the
BEAT MACON BONFIRE and in the spring, Brinkley can be found behind
home plate, cheering on the Tiger baseball team. He
constantly receives the honor of throwing out the first pitch to
start Tiger baseball seasons.
Steve Snyder '65, Basketball
Known as “Pa” to his teammates, Steve
Snyder was a three-year letterman for the Hampden-Sydney basketball
program. Snyder was regarded for his diligent work ethic, and Coach
Bill Pegram described Snyder by stating, “The thing you could
say about Steve was that he gave 125% of himself.” During his
senior season, he was selected as a co-captain, averaged 13.3
points-per-game, and was awarded the sportsmanship award. Snyder
also scored a career-high 33 points against Roanoke College.
Immediately after graduation, Snyder received a commission in the
Marines; he had been promoted to second lieutenant and was a
platoon leader at the time of his death, in action, on August 26,
1966. Snyder was the only alumnus to die in combat in Vietnam and
received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as Lieutenant
Snyder volunteered to attempt to relieve a trapped platoon. Phillip
L. Hickman, a member of Snyder’s platoon, stated,
“there has never been a more courageous platoon leader or
better human being!”
Hampden-Sydney Athletics Hall of Fame
The Hampden-Sydney Athletic Hall of Fame was created in 1988 and
is designed to honor men who have made outstanding contributions to
Hampden-Sydney athletics and have helped bring recognition, honor,
excellence and distinction to the College and its intercollegiate
athletics program. Members are selected annually by the Hall of
Fame Committee from nominations submitted by alumni and friends of
the College.
