2017 Hall of Fame Inductees

MARS HILL, N.C. – Mars Hill University inducted three new members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during the halftime ceremonies of the football contest against UNC Pembroke. The three members included Nichole Gilstrap Criminger (Volleyball), Terrance Stokes (Football) and Daniel Waymont (Men's Soccer). The new members' plaques will permanently be displayed on the Hall of Fame Wall in Chambers Gymnasium.

Nichole Gilstrap Criminger was a setter for the Lions' volleyball team from 1995-99. She was the 1995 South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year. Nichole was a member of the 1998 SAC regular season and Tournament Championship team that went undefeated in league play. She was named the 1998 SAC Tournament Most Valuable Player as well as earning All-SAC First Team accolades in her senior campaign. She was named Captain of the Lions' team three times (1996, 1997 & 1998). Nichole still holds school records for most career assists (4,773), single season assists (1,395) and career service aces (182). She is second in the Mars Hill record book for service aces in a single season (63). Nichole was named the 2011-12 Carolina Springs Middle School Teacher of the Year and was inducted into the Pickens High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

Terrance Stokes was a running back on the Lions' football squad during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. He was selected an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association in 2000 as well as being named the 2000 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Stokes was a second team All-SAC selection in 1999 and a first team All-SAC pick in 2000. During the 2000 season, Stokes rushed for 1,558 yards and 13 touchdowns. Those rushing yards places him seventh all-time in the SAC single season record book. In his two-year career for the Lions, Stokes rushed for 2,496 yards, 25 touchdowns, started in all 21 games in those years and averaged 118.9 rushing yards per contest.

Daniel Waymont was a forward on the Lions' men's soccer team from 2004-07. He was a three-time Team Captain (2005, 2006 & 2007). He was a second team All-South Atlantic Conference selection three consecutive years (2005-07). Waymont was named second team All-District in 2005 and first team All-District in 2006 and 2007. He ended his career at Mars Hill with 38 career goals, six assists and 82 points playing in 72 contests. He notched nine game winning goals in his career at Mars Hill. Waymont won the SAC Scholar Athlete three times as well (2005-07). The SAC Scholar Athlete Award is presented to one player per sport who possesses the best combination of academic and athletic excellence and service to their community. He was named the SAC Presidents Award winner in 2008. The Presidents Award is the highest individual honor presented annually by the South Atlantic Conference. Waymont was a four-year Grayson Scholar and was inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society in 2007. After graduation Waymont played professionally for the New Orleans Jesters, Buffalo City FC and the Atlanta Silverbacks.