Main navigation

News

Back to news

King announces 2019 King Athletic Hall of Fame Class

April 8, 2019

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Two individuals and one team will be inducted into the 2019 King Athletic Hall of Fame as part of Dogwood Weekend on Saturday, April 13.

The inductees include the 2001 women’s soccer team, basketball player Travis Mains of the Class of 1998, and soccer player Jeremy Tittle of the Class of 1993. The 1957 men’s soccer team will also be honored as a Team of Distinction.

Jeremy Tittle ’93 – men’s soccer (1989-93)

Tittle had an impressive career in the Tornado backfield where he played every minute of every game in his four-year career. He was a two-time captain and became the first junior to be selected captain in 1991. Tittle led the Tornado to a No. 1 region ranking his senior year, with the Tornado advancing to the NAIA District Championship game.

Following that senior season, Tittle was a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All-America selection while garnering honorable mention All-America honors from the NAIA. During his career, he was a three-time All-District selection and a two-time Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference (TVAC) all-conference selection. Tittle was selected King FCA Christian Athlete of the Year in 1992 and 1993 while being selected King Male Athlete of the Year in 1993.

Travis Mains ’98 – men’s basketball (1994-98)

Mains had a remarkable career donning the scarlet and navy, scoring 1,313 points, placing him 11th in school history, and accumulated 513 rebounds in his career on the hardwood. Following his senior season, he was selected All-TVAC and garnered honorable mention All-America recognition as an NAIA Division II athlete.

He helped lead the Tornado to a TVAC championship, posting a league record of 13-5. Overall King went 20-14 and qualified for the NAIA Division II National Tournament for the second time in program history. That season Mains scored 513 points, a mark that ranks eighth in program history.

2001 Women’s Soccer Team

The 2001 women’s soccer team had a spectacular season, spending six weeks in the national rankings, climbing all the way to a ranking of 10th. The Tornado finished the season with a 19-6-1 mark while going 6-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. In the 26 games, the Tornado scored 52 goals while only allowing 16. King was even better in their eight AAC games, scoring 25 goals against only seven allowed.

“I am honored that the 2001 team has been chosen for induction into the King Hall of Fame,” head coach Matt Yelton said. “In the 18 years I spent in college coaching, this team was one of the most talented that I worked with. It was an incredible year and one in which I will always have fond memories of. It was a group that achieved a high level of success and many of the players who were seniors in 2001 were a part of the first actual recruiting class to commit to play women’s soccer at King.”

The Tornado started the season with five straight wins, including victories over 23rd-ranked William Carey and NCAA Division II foe Presbyterian. Later in the season, King rolled off 10 straight wins where the Tornado outscored their opponents 41-2, including a 5-0 victory over crosstown rival Virginia Intermont, who entered the season ranked 19th in the country.

King won a pair of games in the AAC Tournament, including a 3-0 win over Covenant, and advanced to the program’s first NAIA Tournament. After picking up a pair of wins, the magical season for the Tornado came to an end in the regional final with a loss to host Milligan 1-0.

“One of the things that really stands out for me about the members of the 2001 team was the hardworking nature that they all brought and to see the success that the members of the team are now having in their professional lives is not a surprise to anyone who was associated with the team,” Yelton continued.” Not only was it a team that did exceptionally on the soccer field, but they were leaders in the classroom, on campus and in all facets of life on campus at King. It is a team that I am exceptionally proud to have been a part of.”

2001 Women’s Soccer Roster Jessica Brower
Misty Bush (Gregory)
Beth Coombs
Emily Fernandes (Wilbourn)
Catherine George (Baldwin)
Ruth Harrison
Jennifer Hudson (Zaveckas)
Eryn Johnson
Cristin Joyner (Ragan)
Amy LiCausi (Patterson)
Andria Murphy (Meade)
Stacy Petrie (Berry)
Kristin Sargent (Baker)
Baker Snider (Locklear)
Katy Stigers (Morrow)
Barbara Tomaszek
Holly Wagner (Neurdenburg)
Michelle Gray
Sarah Vallanueva (Allen)
Meghann Wilson (Underwood)
Jenna Garraux (Logan)
Cassie Murray (Oliver)
Jordan Wilburn (Lee)
Head Coach: Matt Yelton
Assistant Coaches: Louis Thorpe, Jennie Glasgow (Clover)

Team of Distinction – 1957 Men’s Soccer Team

In 1957, incoming students Sandor (Alex) Lehoczky and Endre Sarkany established the men’s soccer program at then King College. Horst Betz, who was teaching in Assistance in Languages was the coach and the three recruited all of the foreign students that were on campus and gave a general announcement to the student body. King posted their first win on November 15 when they defeated Maryville College 3-2 following a pregame ceremony where President Liston kicked out the first ball.

The team is being recognized for establishing the men’s soccer program, laying the foundation for a strong tradition that continues today.