Hampden-Sydney College and the Athletics Hall of Fame inducts
its 22nd class on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 11 am in the Kirk
Athletic Center. Included in the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of
2009 are former baseball, football, golf and lacrosse greats and a
Hampden-Sydney athletics fixture.
Ed Keefer '75, Football, 1971-74
Keefer played a large role in the Tigers' three-year Mason-Dixon
Championship run from 1971 to 1973. As a freshman in 1971, he was a
standout on the freshman team, and even saw action on the varsity
squad. He got his first experience when he started in the 1971
Knute Rockne Bowl for the injured Mike Leidy. A three-year
letterman, Keefer earned Second Team All-VCAA and Honorable Mention
All-Mason-Dixon honors in 1973. He also led the team that year with
three fumble recoveries. As a senior in 1974, he was a First Team
All-VCAA, All-Mason Dixon honoree and Honorable Mention Little
All-America. He also served as a tri-captain for his senior
campaign. Keefer resides in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is the owner
of Keefer Lumber Company.
Berk Jolly '96, Golf, 1992-96
Jolly was a four-year letter winner for the golf team from 1993 to
1996. He is one of the best and most decorated golfers in Tiger
history. Jolly was named First Team All-ODAC every year of his
career, while earning ODAC Player of the Year honors as a sophomore
in 1994 and again as a senior in 1996. During his career he helped
lead the Tigers to their first appearance in the Division III
National Championship since the mid-1970's. Jolly was a medalist at
the Virginia State Intercollegiate Championships. In ODAC play, he
won an individual title and led his team to win the ODAC Team
Championship. Jolly is the chief operating officer of Select
Management Resources in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Dr. Jamie Worthen '98, Lacrosse, 1995-98
Regarded as one of the best defensemen in Hampden-Sydney history,
Worthen was a three-time First Team All-ODAC honoree. During his
freshman season, he helped guide the Tigers to their second-ever
ODAC Championship. As a sophomore and junior, he led the nation in
groundballs with a two-year total of 312. His 156 groundballs as a
junior are still a single-season Tiger record. In those two
campaigns, Worthen also earned Honorable Mention All-America
accolades. In his senior year, he again led the Tigers to an ODAC
Championship while being named a First Team All-American, ODAC
Player of the Year, and the National Defenseman of the Year. He is
Hampden-Sydney's only National Player of the Year at any
position. He was the 1998 Gammon Cup recipient, and his 428 career
groundball tally remains atop Hampden-Sydney's all-time list.
Worthen is an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama. His
brother Thacher Worthen '93 was inducted into the hall of fame in
2004.
SPECIAL CITATION
Bill Blair '53, Baseball, Football
Blair was a standout on both the football and baseball
fields in his four-year career at Hampden-Sydney. He mainly played
quarterback and was the Tigers' leading passer as a freshman. Not
only did Blair throw touchdowns, but he also kicked extra points.
Beginning in his sophomore year, he also played baseball and batted
.300 on the diamond. He was a co-captain of both teams and garnered
All-State honors for each sport. Blair was also involved around
campus in various clubs, and in his junior year he served as class
president. Five years after graduation, he returned to his alma
mater, Fork Union Military Academy. He first served as a teacher
and coach, but was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in 1962.
He was again promoted, to Athletic Director, and served as such
until his retirement in 1995. As AD he founded and developed the
prep athletic program and brought the Academy into the Virginia
Preparatory League. He is also a member of the Twin Counties
(Southwest Virginia) Sports Hall of Fame and of the Fork Union
Military Academy Sports Hall of Fame. Blair is retired and lives in
Galax, Virginia.
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.
