Five to Join Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday
1/26/2024
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson College Athletics Hall of Fame will expand by five members Saturday with the induction of its 31st class.
Sophia Aleksandravicius '13, Rick Bender '93, Graeme Keith '54 (posthumously), Lindsey Martin '11 and Jason Richards '08 will be inducted during an afternoon ceremony and then be publicly honored at halftime of the men’s basketball home game against VCU (8 p.m. tip).
"What a special group representing the 31st class inducted into the Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame," said Director of Athletics Chris Clunie. "These amazing individuals achieved so much while adding to the rich history of Davidson Athletics. We look forward to celebrating them with this great honor and welcoming them into the Hall of Fame."
Sophia Aleksandravicius '13 – Women's Basketball
Sophia Aleksandravicius was a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year, in addition to being the 2013 SoCon Athlete of the Year. Aleksandravicius was also named a three-time All-SoCon First Team selection. As a senior, she led the SoCon in scoring (16.5), rebounding (9.9) and blocks (2.9) per game. Aleksandravicius graduated as the program's all-time leader in points (1,878), rebounds (1,143) and blocks (339) while being just the third player in school history to finish with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.
Rick Bender '93 – Baseball, Former Sports Information Director
Three times a first-team all-conference shortstop, Rick Bender graduated as the program's all-time leader in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, total bases, at-bats and games played. He still ranks among the all-time leaders in those categories, including second with 90 extra-base hits, second with 401 total bases, third with 176 runs scored and fourth with 198 games played. He still owns the single-season assists record with 192 in 1991. Bender later worked as a Davidson assistant coach, spent eight years as the sports information director and served on the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee for two-plus decades.
Graeme Keith '54 – Golf, Men's Basketball
A three-year letterman in golf and basketball, Keith led the golf team to the SoCon championship as a senior (1954) and served as the team's captain. He was also captain of the basketball team as a senior and averaged 12.2 points a game. He scored 18 in a win vs. South Carolina and had 28 in a near upset of Furman in his senior campaign. Keith later served on the Davidson Board of Trustees from 1973-83, and the golf program has an endowed scholarship in his name. He was also co-founder of Tom Scott Memorial Golf Tournament.
Lindsey Martin '11 – Women's Swimming
Lindsey Martin was Davidson's first NCAA Championships qualifier, competing in 2010 for the Wildcats in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events and in the 50 and 100 in 2011. She set program records in all three events and with the 200 and 400 medley and 200 and 400 freestyle relays. She still holds the 50 free record (22.57). Martin was named the CCSA Most Outstanding Swimmer in 2010 after winning three individual and two relay events. She was named a 2010 Mid-Major All-American by collegeswimming.com, a 2009 Academic All-American Honorable Mention (CSCAA) and an All-American Honorable Mention in 2006-07 and 2007-08 (collegeswimming.com).
Jason Richards '08 – Men's Basketball
Jason Richards captained Davidson's 2008 Cinderella squad, while helping the 'Cats to three Southern Conference championships and three NCAA Tournament berths, including the 2008 Elite 8 run. After leading the nation in assists during the 2007-08 season (8.1 per game), Richards was an NCAA All-Regional Team selection. He is Davidson's all-time leader with 663 career assists and also holds the assist records for a season (293) and game (19). In addition to being a 1,000-point scorer, Richards was a two-time all-conference performer, while leading the 'Cats to a 101-32 overall record and 63-6 conference mark during his standout career.
