MHU Athletics announces 2022 Hall of Fame Class

MARS HILL, N.C. – Mars Hill Athletics will induct Natalie Haithcox, Jon Richt, and Wayne Higgins into the 2022 Hall of Fame Class on Saturday, November 5.

Haithcox is the most decorated softball player in Mars Hill history.

Enrolled from 2007-2012, Haithcox was named the South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year, an All-SAC First Team selection in 2008 and 2010-12, an All-Region First Team Selection in 2008 and 2012, an All-Region Second Team selection in 2011, an All-American First Team Selection in 2008 and an All-American Third Team Selection in 2012. 

In 2012, Haithcox was the NCAA DII Slugging Percentage leader, posting a .966 on the season. She was named the Mars Hill Female Athlete of the Year and Woman of the Year as well.

Haithcox, who started as an outfielder in 2008, but transitioned to third base the following year and remained there for the rest of her career, set five single-season records and is in the top-10 in 10 single-season categories with multiple marks.

She leads in the following categories:

• Home Runs: 18 (2012)
• Hits: 71 (2008)
• RBI: 62 (2008)
• Total Bases: 125 (2008)
• Slugging Percentage: .966 (2012)

For her career, she holds seven records, including:

• Home Runs: 43
• Batting Average: .408
• Slugging Percentage: .727
• Runs Scored: 137
• On Base Percentage: .480
• Total Bases: 420
• Walks: 81

She graduated from Mars Hill in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in history. Off the field, Haithcox was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) throughout her academic career and was named SAAC President in 2012. She then obtained her master's in social science from Morehead State University in 2014.

At the time of induction, Haithcox is a high school history teacher at Pelham High School in Alabama.

Richt was the quarterback for the Mars Hill football team from 2009-2013. He helped lead the Lions to a South Atlantic Conference Championship in 2011 and an NCAA Tournament appearance the same year. He threw for 1,900 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Over his career, Richt threw for 8,169 yards and 69 touchdowns in 40 starts. His best season came during his senior year where he threw for 2,914 yards and 25 touchdowns. At the conclusion of his career and at the time of induction, Richt holds 13 of the 18 Mars Hill University passing records which include:

• Attempts in a game: 61 (2012)
• Attempts in a season: 386 (2011)
• Career attempts: 1,111
• Completions in a game: 38 (2012)
• Completions in a season: 200 (2012)
• Completions in a career: 569
• Yards in a game: 487 (2012)
• Yards in a season: 2,936 (2012)
• Yards in a career: 8,169
• Touchdowns in a season: 25 (2012)
• Touchdowns in a career: 69
• Yards of total offense in a season: 2,912 (2012)
• Yards of total offense in a career: 8,093

Off the field, Richt was part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Leadership all four years on campus and was a school chaplain in his senior year. He graduated from Mars Hill with a bachelor's degree in physical education.

Upon graduation, Richt coached football from the high school level all the way to the NFL. He served as the University of Georgia's Offensive Assistant Coach during the 2013 season. He then became an Offensive Quality Control Coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2014-16. Richt was named the University of Miami Quarterbacks Coach in 2016 and served in that role until 2018.

Upon induction, Richt is the Prince Avenue Christian School football Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. The team is currently undefeated and ranked No. 1 in 1A Georgia high school football. In 2020, Richt also opened DI Training in Athens, Georgia.

Higgins, an avid supporter of Mars Hill and university athletics will be the third member of the 2022 class. Higgins, who graduated from Mars Hill in 1975 with a bachelor's in business administration with a concentration in accounting, has played a key role in the growth and advancement of Mars Hill. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 1998 and was twice the Chair of the Board. He also served on the Board of Advisors and as Chair of the Board.

In 2007 and 2021, he was awarded the Board of Trustees Leadership Award. In 2011, he was awarded the North Carolina Baptist Heritage Award for his service to MHU and in 2014, he and his wife, Patty, were awarded the Philanthropic Impact Gift of the Year by the university.

At his time of induction, Higgins serves on the Executive Committee of the Mars Hill Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Liaison Committee, as well as the Chair of the "Together We Rise" Mars Hill University Capital Campaign Steering Committee.

In 2021, Higgins retired from Carolina Farm Credit as Senior Vice President and member of company senior management team after 40 years of service. Outside of his service to Mars Hill, Higgins has received a plethora of accolades. He currently is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of WNC and has served as President on three different occasions. In 2016-17, he was awarded Lender of the Year by the association and in 2021, was awarded a lifetime membership.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries from 1990-2006, serving several years as the Chair of the Board. In 2000, he was recognized by the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina for his dedication and support to the organization and in 2002, he was inducted into the Optimist International-North Carolina West District Optimist Hall of Fame. He has been named the Optimist of the Year by the North Buncombe Club on two occasions and was named the Distinguished Presidents Award winner twice.

Higgins is also heavily involved in serving the church as he is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Weaverville where he serves on the deacon group, teaches Sunday School, and serves on various committees. He has been involved in mission work in the community and with home missions as well as being involved in prison ministry for over 15 years.

The Lions' football team hosts Tusculum University on Saturday, November 5 as the teams compete to determine the winner of the South Atlantic Conference's Mountain Division and advance to the SAC Championship game on Saturday, November 12.