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RU To Add Two Former Student-Athletes to Hall-of-Fame RADFORD, VA – Radford University will induct its 7th Hall-of-Fame class, Thursday, September 27, at the university’s annual Hall-of-Fame banquet. The 2001 class features two former student-athletes, volleyball great Andi Lawler VanWagner and men’s cross country standout Donnie Tickle. It was announced by Athletic Director Greig Denny and Highlander Club Executive Director Tom Lillard, today. Thursday’s ceremonies, slated to start at 8:00 p.m. in the Dedmon Center main arena, will feature guest speakers Donna Daniels, Team President of the Roanoke Dazzle, and Roanoke Dazzle Head Coach Kent Davison. Andi Lawler VanWagner was Radford's first scholarship athlete in volleyball and Lawler helped take the program to a higher level during her four-year career. The leading hitter on state championship teams in 1980 and 1981, she led Radford to 28-8 and 30-6 seasons and to berths in the AIAW Regionals. She was the co-captain and leading passer on Radford's first NCAA Division II team in 1983, as the squad posted another strong 24-9 record and earned another trip to the regionals. Overall, during her career, the Highlanders were 98-37 (a winning percentage of .726), in moving from the small college ranks to Division II competition. She earned all-state honors in 1981 and 1982, and was also all-region in 1982. Lawler graduated in 1983 with a degree in Liberal Studies. Donnie Tickle was one of Radford's top cross country competitors, leading the team to an ultra-successful transition to Division I in the mid-80s. He was third at the 1983 Division II Southeast Regionals after winning the Virginia state championship as an individual and guided Radford to a second place team finish. Behind Tickle's strong showing, Radford was second at the regionals as a team. In 1985, his second place finish at the Big South Conference championships paced Radford to the team title, and his fourth place showing in 1986 led to another Big South team championship for the Highlanders. The Dublin, Va., native won the Virginia state championship as a sophomore in 1983, was third in the regionals and competed at the NCAA Division II national meet in 1982 and 1983. |
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September 25, 2001 |