2016 Mars Hill Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Lions' Athletic Department will induct its 2016 Mars Hill Athletic Hall of Fame Class on Saturday, November 12. This year's class of inductees includes Kristi Ferris, Claude "Hoot" Gibson, Bob and Lois Merrill, and Ricky Williamson.

Kristi Ferris was a member of the women's basketball team from 2002-06. She was named to the All-SAC Freshmen Team in 2003 and was a three-time All-SAC selection from 2004-06. Kristi led the SAC in three-point field goal percentage in 2005-06. She was an All-South Region selection in 2004 and ranks fifth in all-time scoring for the Lions with 1,710 career points scored. Kristi averaged 16.0 points per game in her four-year career for Mars Hill and led the Lions in scoring her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Kristi was first on the squad in rebounding during her junior and senior campaigns.  She was elected team captain during her senior year. During her career Kristi averaged 30.2 minutes per game, recorded a 47.7 career field goal percentage, 42.7 career 3-point field goal percentage, 82.8 career free throw percentage and pulled down 5.8 career rebounds per game. Kristi was also a member of the volleyball team her freshman year and recorded 123 kills, 89 digs and 68 blocks.

Claude "Hoot" Gibson was the Lions' Head Football Coach from 1973-82. He compiled a 56-36-3 overall record and a 28-25-2 record in the SAC from 1975-82. His 56 wins is second all-time at Mars Hill. Coach Gibson led Mars Hill to a SAC Championship in the 1980 season and the team finished in second place in 1977 and 1979. He was selected the 1980 SAC Football Co-Coach of the Year and the NAIA District Coach of the Year. Coach Gibson was also named the American Football Coaches Association Kodak Coach of the Year for District III in the College Division. He led the team to the 1979 District Championship and the team was ranked ninth in the Region. In 1980, the Lions climbed to a sixth place ranking in the nation and participated in the school's first playoff appearance. He was inducted into the Western North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Gibson played collegiate football at North Carolina State University and played in the College All-Star Game, the Cooper Bowl, the Senior Bowl and the Coaches All-American Game. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and the San Diego Chargers and began his pro career in 1961 with the Chargers. Gibson was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 1963 and set six game, season and career records in most punt return yardage and touchdowns on punt returns. He had coaching stints at North Carolina State, the Buffalo Bills and Tulsa prior to his career at Mars Hill.

Bob and Lois Merrill are longtime supporters of Mars Hill Athletics. They donated the W. Scott Merrill Press Box and all brick work in the Mars Hill Softball Park. They have provided support for the new athletic field house which will soon be under construction. The Merrills are also responsible for all brick entry signs found on the Mars Hill University campus. Bob has served several terms on the Board of Trustees since 1987. Bob was presented Life (Emeriti) Trustee appointments in 2001 and 2008. In 1991, Bob was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Ricky Williamson played defensive tackle on the Lions' football from 1978-82. He was selected to the All-SAC team his last three years of play. Ricky was part of one of the best small college defenses in the nation at that time. In 1981, Mars Hill was one of only four teams selected to compete for the NAIA National Championship. Mars Hill was the top ranked defense in the nation, allowing a slim eight points per game. After his senior year, Ricky was drafted into the United States Football League (USFL) where he played with the New Jersey Generals and the Memphis Showboats. After his playing days, Ricky joined the Army as an Airborne Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., among other Army units over a career of almost 30 years. Ricky was honored to be part of deployments all over the world including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Bosnia, and four deployments to Iraq. Ricky attained the Non-Commissioned Officers rank of Sergeant Major. He served in major positions all over the Army as a Sergeant Major for the last 10 years of his career. He retired with honors including The Bronze Star, The Meritorious Service, The Army Accommodation Medal, The Army Service Medal and sixteen other Army service medals.

The four new members of the Mars Hill Athletic Hall of Fame will be recognized at halftime of the Lions' football game against Brevard on Saturday, November 12, 2016.