The Grace College Athletic Department will induct five members into the Lancer Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday morning: Matt Abernethy, Pam Fair, Ivan and Carol Schuler, and Art Woodruff.
The 2013 induction class is Grace’s sixth class. The group will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame Breakfast on Saturday at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
“It’s exciting to honor Grace’s rich athletic history,” said athletic director Chad Briscoe. “This is a very accomplished group of people who have added so much to Grace athletics. They deserve to be recognized for their contributions to our institution.”
Matt Abernethy was a 2003 graduate who starred on the basketball court for Grace. He was an NAIA First Team All-American in 2003 as well as the NCCAA Player of the Year winner. In addition, he earned NAIA Second Team All-American and NCCAA First Team All-American honors in 2002. Despite playing just three seasons, Abernethy racked up 2,233 career points to rank No. 6 in program history. He also holds the No. 9 and No. 10 spots for the Lancers’ single-season scoring record. Abernethy picked up First Team All-Conference honors in all three seasons for Grace.
His classmate Art Woodruff (2003 graduate) was a standout runner for the Lancers. He hauled in six All-American honors over his career from the NCCAA in both cross country and track, winning the prestigious NCCAA Wheeler Award in 2001. His 4×800-meter relay team was a two-time national champion in 2001 and 2002. Additionally, Woodruff’s relay team won the 4×800 race for the conference in 2002. He was also an NAIA and NCCAA Academic All-American as a junior and senior
The athletic department will also induct Ivan and Carol Schuler for their meritorious service to Grace athletics. Carol has been a lifelong teacher while Ivan has served numerous roles at Grace, including Director of Athletics, Golf Coach, Volleyball Coach, Baseball Coach and Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach. During his time at Grace, Ivan initiated an athletic scholarship program for all sports, assisted with the development of the L-Club, taught classes in the physical education department and even authored a sports devotional book “Huddle Time.”
Pam Fair was a three-sport athlete who graduated from Grace in 1988. Her list of honors includes being named NCCAA All-District for women’s basketball in 1985, NAIA All-District for softball in 1988, and First Team All-Conference for volleyball in 1986 and 1987. She was a two-time NCCAA Academic All-American and even earned Grace’s Female Athlete of the Year award as a senior. She holds numerous career records for the softball team, including being fifth in hits (124) and sixth in stolen bases (32).
“We want to thank those individuals who have brought much distinction and honor to Grace College and have established a tradition of Christian excellence which is incomparable,” Briscoe continued. “These achievements have touched everyone associated with Grace College both in and out of the arena of athletics.”
