Hampden-Sydney College and the Athletics Hall of Fame inducts
its 25th class on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 11 am in the
Kirk Athletic Center. Included in the Athletics Hall of Fame Class
of 2012 a former soccer great, and three Hampden-Sydney athletics
fixtures. The four man class features soccer star Jeff Mencini '84,
and three special citation alumni in John Ellis ’70, Bill
Kirk ’72, and Joe Viar ’63.
Jeff Mencini '84, Soccer
In his three year soccer career, Jeff Mencini was a two-time
ODAC Player of the Year, earning the title along with First Team
honors in 1981 and 1983. He still stands as one of the
program’s best goal scorers as his 21 goals in 1981 are a
school record, and his 15 goals in 1983 stand second. He ranks
second in career goals with 46 and career points with 105, and his
47 points in 1981 are a program best. In the ODAC ranks, he is in
the top ten for career goals though just playing three years. His
rookie mark of 21 goals is tied for third in league history.
John Ellis '70, Special Citation
Ellis, a 1970 graduate, played one year of varsity baseball in
1967 before founding the College’s rugby program in 1968 and
serving as team captain for two years. Ellis has since been a vital
part in increasing rugby’s status to a varsity club program
– the only in the state of Virginia. Heavily involved as a
student, he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes, Circle K Club, and the president of the
Virginia Association of Student Governments. Ellis’ strong
involvement has continued in his post graduate years as he has
served on the Athletic Committee of the Board of Trustees for nine
of the last 11 years and helped support the College and the
athletic department in immeasurable ways.
Bill Kirk '72, Special Citation
Kirk played four years of football and two years of wrestling
and saw success at both. On the gridiron, Kirk was a four-year
starter and earned All-State and All Mason-Dixon Conference honors
as a senior while leading the Tigers to their first ever 10-0
season in 1971. The defensive tackle started on a defense that led
the nation in total and scoring defense. As a wrestler, Kirk
finished fourth overall in the 1970 Mason-Dixon Tournament. Since
his graduation, Kirk has served on the Athletic Committee of the
Board of Trustees for five years. In addition, he was the major
benefactor for the Kirk Athletic Center, drastically improving the
athletic department.
Joe Viar '63, Special Citation
Viar was a two-way player on the football field as a defensive
end and tight end from 1959-62. As a senior, he led the team in
receiving yards with 204 to go with a touchdown. He was also named
First Team All Mason-Dixon Conference and All Little-Eight that
season. Viar has shown continued support and devotion to the
College throughout the years, highlighted by co-founding the
Athletics Hall of Fame with Hall of Fame Athletic Director Louis
“Weenie” Miller; he has served as the Master of
Ceremonies of the induction ceremony for a number of years. In
addition, Viar serves on the Gridiron Club Advisory Board and has
served on the Athletic Committee of the Board of Trustees for ten
of the last 12 years. He is now a Trustee Emeritus.
