Belmont Announces Athletics Hall Of Fame Class Of 2021 Inductees

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Courtesy of Belmont Athletics

Belmont University has announced inductees for the Class of 2021 Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame which include Jay Ayres (’08), Ian Clark (’13), Christy Csorna (’04), Kerron Johnson (’13), Cat Mundy (’09) and Derek Wiley (’09). Additionally, Jim and Laurie Seabury were unanimously selected as recipients of the Chaney Memorial Award, while the 2005-06 Belmont University men’s tennis team was chosen as Belmont’s latest Legendary Team.

Ayres ranks among the top men’s soccer players in Bruin history. He earned Atlantic Sun Conference Defender of the Year honors in 2006 and 2007, and is one of three players in program history to earn first team all-conference honors in successive seasons. The central defender became Belmont’s first player to sign a professional playing contract in Major League Soccer, playing with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Clark is one of the most successful Bruins athletes ever, both during his time at Belmont and after his college career. He was named an All-American and OVC Player of the Year in 2013 and is a two-time conference defensive player of the year. Clark also led Belmont to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2011-2013. Graduating as Belmont’s NCAA Division I career leader in points (1,920) and 3-point field goals (340), Clark was a candidate for the 2013 Naismith and Lou Henson National Player of the Year awards. After earning 2013 Vegas NBA Summer League Championship Game Most Valuable Player honors, Clark went on to enjoy six seasons in the association with four teams. Clark was a member of the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.

Csorna is a four-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-South Region selection, and became Belmont’s second-ever qualifier to nationals. The Nashville native placed 12th in the 5,000 meters at the 2004 NCAA Championship, the second-best showing by an A-Sun Conference runner in league history. Part of three consecutive A-Sun Conference team championships, Csorna was named to the conference All-Decade Team in cross country and track & field and was part of two Belmont teams that led the nation in team grade-point average.

Johnson was one of the programs most successful and impactful point guards. Along with teammate Clark, Johnson led Belmont to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2011-2013, posting NCAA Division I era records for single-season victories (30), conference scoring margin (+20.9) and RPI (24, 2013). The Huntsville, Alabama native is among an exclusive list of players in college basketball history to earn conference tournament Most Valuable Player honors in two different leagues (A-Sun, 2012; OVC, 2013). His game-tying and game-winning shots in the 2013 OVC Championship victory over Murray State rank among the most recognizable player in program history. Johnson stands among Belmont leaders in points (1,388), assists (515), steals (206) and free throws made (511).

Mundy is the only player in A-Sun Conference history named all-tournament team three times, and was an integral part of Belmont’s NCAA Tournament volleyball teams in 2006 and 2008. Mundy ranks among Belmont and A-Sun career leaders in kills (1,321) and her 31 kills vs. Lipscomb in 2007 remains the program’s single-match record. The Dallas native went 91-38 during her time at Belmont and was named to the A-Sun All-Decade Team. The 2008 A-Sun Tournament Most Valuable Player was also a four-time academic all-conference selection.

Wiley was one of Belmont baseball’s successful hitters, paving the way for the Bruins’ transition from Greer Stadium and Shelby Park to Rose Park and into NCAA Tournament glory. After earning Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America honors in 2006, Wiley earned All-Atlantic Sun honors in 2007 and 2009. Wiley ranks among conference career leaders in home runs (58), runs batted in (212), total bases (498) and slugging percentage (.585). The only Belmont player with multiple three home run games, Wiley was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2009 Major League Baseball Entry Draft.

The Hall of Fame and Chaney Award inductees will be honored at a dinner Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. CST in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center. Admission for the event is $25 per person. Fans can RSVP to reanna.rice@belmont.edu.

Steven Boero
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