Valdosta State inducts Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Jan. 23—VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Athletic Department honored the 2024 Hall of Fame class with an induction ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 20th, at the University Union Ballroom. The VSU Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1997 to honor standout student-athletes, contributors, coaches, and employees for their outstanding contributions to the success of Valdosta State University Athletics. The ceremony was hosted by the voice of Blazer Basketball, Mike Chason, who welcomed the audience and introduced the inductees.

Dr. Cheri and Hamilton Tillman (Contributors, 1995-present) were the first to be recognized during the brunch ceremony for starting the Athletic First Year Experience program, allowing her to be both a classroom professor and student-athlete advisor.

She played a pivotal role in the academic success of student-athletes at VSU, and she was a significant support in these areas to the 2011 men's tennis national championship team, as well as the 2012 and 2018 national championship football teams. Dr. Cheri and Hamilton Tillman have also helped chair and sponsor multiple fundraising events for VSU athletics.

To celebrate their time at VSU, the Tillmans shared special Blazer athletic moments they have been part of through a wholesome slideshow.

Shelby Altman (Softball, 2013-14) was a standout player for the Blazers. She earned All-Gulf South Conference first-team honors in both years at VSU. She earned Second Team All-America at-large in 2014, hitting .406 for the season in 63 games played and started.

Over her career, she racked up 150 hits for 110 runs and 29 doubles, 33 home runs, and 127 RBIs. This helped the Blazers to win back-to-back Gulf South Conference championships in 2013 and 2014 and become national runner-up in 2014.

Reflecting on the honor being bestowed, Altman said, "I didn't see any of this coming. I just love playing the game." She said her journey started when her parents chose to adopt her and allow her to play the game she loves. Discussing her goals, she said, "I wanted to honor my heavenly father, my family, my coaches, my teammates, and eventually my future husband."

Leo Blay (Men's Tennis, 2015-2017) played for the Valdosta State men's tennis team for three seasons from 2015-2017. He earned the GSC Freshmen of the Year in 2015, where he went 8-6 in singles and 8-5 in doubles. The Nice, France native finished the season ranked 19th in the ITA national Poll.

In his final season in TitleTown, Blay earned GSC Co-Player of the Year, going 12-3 in singles and 11-7 in doubles. He helped the Blazer tennis team to a 15-5 record and a NCAA Division II men's tennis tournament berth. Blay addressed the audience with a video message from France. He thanked his friends, teammates, coaches, and the entirety of Valdosta State for shaping him into the athlete he was. Blay ended the video message with an enthusiastic "Go Blazers!"

Michael Doscher (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, 1996-2020) contributed to Blazer Athletics as the head strength and conditioning coach for 24 years.

He helped form the championship mentality in the VSU football program that led to four national championships since 2004. Doscher's work influenced success across other programs as well. He was named the National College Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2005 and the Samson NCAA Division II Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by American Football Weekly in 2007.

In considering this honor, Doscher said his life could be summed up in a prayer he often says, "I thank God every day for his forgiveness. I thank God for my life." Doscher highlighted the importance of family by thanking his wife and children and other important people who are family at heart.

Skip Fite (Baseball, 1976-1977) played second base and shortstop for Valdosta State Baseball for two seasons. During his two seasons, Fite hit .341 with 17 doubles, four triples, 43 RBIs, and 48 stolen bases. He struck out just 22 times in 413 at-bats in his time at VSU.

Fite was named an All-American in 1977 and helped his team to an NCAA Regional Championship and a berth in the 1977 College World Series. Following his playing career, Fite had a successful college coaching career for 39 years. He coached 25 seasons at Augusta University and four at Brewton-Parker before coaching 10 seasons at West Georgia. He amassed over 950 victors and was inducted into the Georgia Dugout Hall of Fame in 2014.

In acceptance of the award, Fite said how honored he was to get the call about the ceremony. In his long career as a head coach in Georgia, Skip reflected on the first time he traveled back to and played against Valdosta State after becoming a coach for Augusta State. Skip told of his pride standing on home plate and thinking, "Did I make it? I think I made it."

Mike Leach (Assistant Football Coach, 1992-1996) came to VSU as an offensive coordinator, quarterback, and receiver coach in 1992 for head coach Hal Mumme.

Leach and Mumme had previously worked together at Iowa Wesleyan College, where they set numerous offensive records. Leach and Mumme led the Blazers to its first NCAA postseason appearance in 1994 and 1996.

In 1996, the Blazers won its first football league title, finishing 10-3 overall and 602 in GSC play. Leach spent 21 seasons as a head coach, holding an overall record of 158-107. He coached at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State, producing 16 winning seasons and coaching in 17 bowl games.

Leach's son Cody accepted the honor for his father, who passed away in 2022. In a heartfelt speech, the proud son wished to convey the pride and memories his father had at Valdosta State.

"My dad always said if he could go back anywhere, Valdosta State would be his choice," Cody Leach said. Cody highlighted Mike's sense of humor with stories told by his old coworkers. Such as the nicknames he gave the people around him and the time he broke both his wrists at a church softball game just to come into work the following day holding two cups of coffee. Cody finished the speech, saying, "He loved his tenure here so much that to be inducted into Valdosta State's Hall of Fame may be, to him, the greatest award he's ever received in his whole career."

Kenny Moore II's (Football, 2013-2016) time on the field with the Blazers earned him significant recognition. He earned GSC All-Decade honors in addition to AFCA All-America honors in 2016 and USA Today Second Team All-America accolades during his first three seasons.

Moore switched to safety during his senior year and was named to the GSC Fall All-Academic Team. He played in 46 games with 117 solo tackles and assisted in 54 stops for 171 total tackles. Following his Blazer career, Moore signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots in 2017 and then signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he has played since.

In 2021, he was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year, the highest honor of the National Football League. He has played in 103 NFL games with 89 starts and 17 interceptions. Last spring, he was inducted into the GSC Hall of Fame.

In his speech, Moore discussed the moments at Valdosta State that made him better. He reflected on the good and the bad times, which collectively made him better. He reminisced on days when he would just talk about life with his teammates fondly. Moore finished his speech saying, "Thank you from the depths of my heart to everyone I'm looking at right now. I appreciate it."

Cedric O'Neal (Football 2012-2015) was a vital member of the 2012 Nation Championship football team at Valdosta State. He was a standout running back who led the Gulf South Conference in rushing yards in 2012 with 1,198. He sits second all-time in GSC history in career touchdowns with 49 scores and leads the VSU record book in rushing touchdowns.

O'Neal was named to the GSC All-Decade Team and earned first-team GSC all-league honors three times. He was named Freshman of the Year in 2012 and First Team All-America in 2015. O'Neal signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills. O'Neal thanked the people who supported him and give a shoutout to Valdosta State's reputable lawn, saying it was "gorgeous" when he first saw the campus.

Holly Satterfield (Softball, 2009-2011) helped define Valdosta State softball, holding a 72-13 career record as a starting pitcher for third all-time in GSC history in winning percentage. She was named to the All-GSC First team in 2010 and 2011 and earned GSC East Division Pitcher of the Year in both 2010 and 2011 as well.

She recorded 29 shutouts over her career, ranking 10th most in GSC history and third-most in school history. Satterfield sits fifth all-time in school history in strikeouts with 459 while boasting a 1.41 ERA for her career in 558 innings of work in 103 games played with 87 starts. In her speech, Satterfield wanted to thank her coaches, the athletic program, and the boosters that allowed her to play the game she loved.

A special thank you went to her teammates, stating, "No pitcher is ever successful without her team. In 2009, our reign began, and we never looked back. For that, I will always be grateful to you, and you will always be my sisters." Looking back on her experiences, she said," If not for these opportunities, I would not be the wife, mother, daughter, and psychiatric nurse practitioner I am today."

Herb Reinhard (Administrator/Athletic Director, 1992-2024) has served as the athletic director of the Blazer program for thirty-two years. He is credited with putting the Blazer athletic program on the national stage through dominance across NCAA Division II competitions.

During his time, VSU's athletic programs have won 50 of the 54 Gulf South Conference Championships and seven of the eight National Championships. Reinhard came to Valdosta from Florida A&M University, where he was assistant athletic director. Reinhard is the longest-tenured athletic director in the Gulf South Conference.

He is credited with restarting VSU women's volleyball and adding VSU women's soccer in addition to his many contributions in the development of VSU athletic facilities. Reinhard was named one of 45 finalists for the NCAA Gold Award in honor of the 50th Anniversary of NCAA Division II in November 2023.

Reinhard's speech delved into his love for his family and Valdosta State. He told of the times his children would have birthday bashes with the Blazers before they offered birthday bashes with the Blazers. When discussing one of his most memorable moments during his tenure, Reinhard reflected on Valdosta State winning its first-ever national football championship in 2004. " I looked out over a sea of thousands of red and black flag Blazer fans. I thought to myself, we've arrived. We know what we're doing. We are truly here."