Hall of Fame
The Columbia College Athletics Hall of Fame purpose is to recognize those student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have contributed the most to Columbia College athletics over the years. It places on record, forever the names and achievements of athletes and others who have brought local, regional, and/or national acclaim to Columbia College through athletics. We want to acknowledge those who, after graduation, have further brought credit to Columbia College, their communities, and themselves by the manner in which they have assumed their responsibilities as citizens.
Columbia College Athletics Hall of Fame is located on the first floor of the Godbold Center and provides a permanent and lasting display to recognize those individuals and teams that are celebrated for their accomplishments. More than 30% of undergraduate students participate in the intercollegiate athletics program at Columbia College. As a member of the NAIA and Appalachian Athletic Conference, student-athletes compete in 15 varsity sports: men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s golf, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
PLEASE REVIEW THE QUALIFICATIONS AND GUIDELINES IN THE LINK BELOW PRIOR TO SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS.
Class of 2018
Lucile "Ludy" Godbold
The first inductee, Lucile “Ludy” Godbold, or Miss Ludy as she is affectionately known was honored posthumously with the award being received by her niece, Jennifer Godbold. Not only was Miss Ludy a 1922 gold medalist in the International Track Meet held in France, but she was also a competitive, compassionate, and extremely humorous woman. She won medals in the hop-step-jump race, the javelin throw, and the 1000-meter race. Ms. Ludy began her only teaching job in the fall of 1922 and was part of the faculty of Columbia College for 58 years. Ms. Ludy taught physical education at Columbia College and found her way into the hearts of generations of Columbia College students. Jennifer Godbold’s fondest memories involved sitting on her Aunt Ludy’s lap listening to the adults converse, and the house filling with laughter. Miss Ludy was remembered by many of the speakers during the Hall of Fame ceremony, each echoing the words of Jennifer Godbold when describing the humor of Miss Ludy.
1975-1976 Basketball Team
The 1975-1976 Basketball Team consisted of Julaan Derrick, Becky Gray, Betty “BJ” Koski, Becky Laffitte, Rita Mullan, Vicki Drawdy Shull, Jeffre Way Sumrall, Susan Peeples Vallotton, Ann Dube Ward, Mildred Cone Webb, Ann White, and Mary Helen Yarborough and coached by Head Coach Don Patenaude, Manager Martha Jones Lyman.
Don Patenaude, Head Coach of the team 1975-1976 Basketball Team acknowledged the team for their accomplishments. He reminisced about the win over Clemson. He ended by saying, “You [the 1975-1976 Basketball team] put the Koalas on the athletic map!” Starting out the season as the only undefeated team in the state, they ended (14-7) having the first recorded winning season by a Columbia College athletic team. Their court time included besting upstate rival Clemson mid-season earning them recognition as The Cinderella Story.
Ann White presented the College’s Athletics Department with the game ball from that year when Columbia College bested Clemson during the season. She also presented one of the first jerseys the team ever wore.
Megan Monahan ’17
Megan Monahan, Class of 2017, was inducted for her accomplishments as a member of the swim team. Introduced by Coach Jason Gallaher, he shared that Megan was the first Columbia College student to be named to the NAIA All-American Team for swimming. Megan is also ranked as the 4th fastest Woman in the 200 Backstroke in the history of the NAIA.
Class of 2019
Deborah Silver Wardlaw '84
Deborah Silver Wardlaw, Class of 1984, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her accomplishments as an athlete and also her many accomplishments as a coach and administrator. While attending Columbia College, Deborah competed in Basketball and Volleyball and received All-American honors in both sports. As a member of the volleyball team, she helped with two state championships in the South Carolina-AIAW (South Carolina Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) before the team made the transition to the NAIA Division II. Deborah was named an All-American after the 1984 season. After receiving her Bachelor's in Physical Education from Columbia College, she went on to teach and coach at Lower Richland High School where she retired after 35 years of teaching.
Coach Deborah Silver Wardlaw (formerly Stroman) won 482 games and seven basketball state championships during her 24-year career, including a four-peat from 2006-2009 at Lower Richland High School. In 2015 Deborah stepped down from coaching and became the Athletics Director at Lower Richland. She was also inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and was honored with the key to the City of Columbia, SC by Mayor Steve Benjamin. Deborah Wardlaw was Athletic Director at Columbia College from 2019-2023.
Class of 2020
Debra Bruce-Sadiq '83
Debra Bruce-Sadiq, Class of 1984, will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame for her accomplishments as an athlete. While attending Columbia College, Debra competed in basketball and volleyball and received All-American honors in basketball. As a member of the basketball team, she helped her team to several division and state championships in the South Carolina-AIAW (Association of Interscholastic Athletics for Women) and Division II NAIA.
Debra held many season and career school records which included the most points in a season/career, highest scoring average, and highest free throw percentage, among others. She finished her career with the school record 1,812 points, two consecutive most valuable player awards, All-District 1st team, and was chosen as the NAIA All-Time District 6 Basketball Team, along with other numerous awards and recognitions.
Class of 2022
Patrick Faulds
Patrick Faulds was the Koalas' first soccer coach. He served as the head coach from 1997 to 2006. Faulds' best season was 2004 when the team finished with a 10-2-2 record and was undefeated on the road, including a road win over NCAA DI Southern University.
1996 Tennis Team
The 1996 Tennis team led by head coach Doyle Loftis had a perfect 12-0 record. The team completed this feat with seven players: Meg Stokes, Laura Bridges, Jan Gunnells, Sarah Boggs, Amy Usher, Kim Atkins, and KelLeigh Benefield.
Class of 2023
Ashley Tanner Gourdin
Ashley Tanner Gourdin made a lasting impact during her four years on the pitch; Tanner graduated as the school record holder for goals (70), assists (50), points (194), and game-winning goals (20). In addition, she was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year and the AAC Freshman of the Year; she also won two AAC Golden Boot awards.
Kendra Blackstock
Kendra Blackstock served as the Women's Lacrosse team captain all four years; she was an inaugural team member and a force between the lines. Blackstock was the first All-American in school history and then tacked on three more All-American nods to become the first four-time All-American in Columbia College history.
Blackstock was named the AAC South Region Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, then switched ends of the field, won the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2015, and earned conference Player of the Year. She was first-team All-South Region in 2014, 2015, and 2016; during her senior season, she ranked in the top 10 nationally in assists, game-winning goals, points, shots, free position goals, and draw controls.