Over the Homecoming weekend, October 19 and 20, the University of Lynchburg Alumni Association recognized numerous people for contributions they have made to the University, their communities and churches, and other areas of society.
James E. Deady ’62 was presented the T. Gibson Hobbs Award, the highest honor given by the Alumni Association to an alumnus or alumna.
Deady started his career as advertising manager for the Salem Times Register, worked in copywriting and sales, and spent 33 years running his own advertising and convention display agency.
He has volunteered with the City Reads, Junior Achievement, and New Life for Youth programs. In addition, he tutored at Elijah House, an intercity, faith-based k-12 school; participated 33 years in Bon Air Rotary; and works in the call center for Mission to North America’s Second Career ministry. As chair of the Missions Committee at his church, he spearheaded the first Ukrainian work/missions visit to Richmond.
Deady also has been an outstanding volunteer and supporter of the University, serving on the Alumni Association Board for four years.
Jeffrey D. Krantz ’87, Susan Manning-Hughson ’86, and Dr. Oneal C. Sandidge ’78 were recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, given to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to one or more areas of society.
Krantz serves as CEO of his own Day Support Program, in Lynchburg, called Blue Ridge Day Support. At University of Lynchburg, he has presented at Hornet-to-Hornet career panels and served on the Alumni Association Board.
Manning-Hughson has made a lifetime commitment to helping others through community service and advocacy, particularly in the area of special education. Among other things, she developed the Parent Involvement Program to assist parents in helping their children reach their maximum potential. The program was featured on New Jersey public television.
Dr. Sandidge is a Harvard Fellow, lecturer, professor, minister, and author. He established Lifelong Ministries, through which he distributes food to the homeless. He was recognized as one of the Most Noted Educators of the 20th Century by Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. He was the 1993 recipient of the University’s M. Carey Brewer Award.
Joseph C. Sancio ’10 and Dustin C. Williams ’05 were each presented the M. Carey Brewer Alumni Award. The award recognizes young alumni who have made contributions to society so outstanding that they have brought distinction to themselves and to their alma mater.
Sancio is product sales and strategy coordinator at Seeking Alpha, where he is responsible for creating new digital media products at the financial news provider as a founding member of their product sales and strategy team. On the volunteer side, he is a production assistant for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association and a social media project consultant for Audi Summer Tour.
Williams founded Wolfbane Productions, a professional theatre company in Appomattox County, Virginia. Williams and Wolfbane have provided internship opportunities for Lynchburg students and have helped make Appomattox a historical and cultural destination. Wolfbane has received support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, and the Town of Appomattox.
The website BroadwayWorld.com also ran a story on Williams and his award.
Elise Togbe ’18 was awarded the John G. Eccles Leadership Award. The award recognizes exceptional leadership capabilities through energetic participation in student activities, dedication to Lynchburg and engagement with the Alumni Association.
Togbe was a resident assistant and held integral positions with the Environment and Sustainability Society, French Honor Society, Bonner Leader Program, International Society, Alpha Phi Omega, Catholic Community, and The National Society of Leadership and Success.
Rhonda Johnson and Sim Stidham were each presented the Honorary Alumni Award, given to non-alumni for their exceptional interest, dedication, and/or service to the University.
Johnson worked on campus for 10 years, first in the business office, then as housing coordinator. She was the driving force behind the “LOVE” sign on campus, and worked tirelessly with alumni, the board of trustees, physical plant, grounds, and other offices to make sure all details were addressed.
Stidham has volunteered at dozens of Lynchburg events. He talks to prospective students at his church; travels the east coast for alumni events; greets alumni; cooks tailgate food and sets up tailgate tents; proofreads newsletters; gives directions on campus; and attends every Westover Council and Alumni Board meeting, Homecoming, Westover Weekend, and Westover Holiday Lunch.
The following alumni were inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame:
Peter C. Crassweller ’70, Men’s Tennis. Crassweller was a four-year letter winner and captain. Accomplishments at Lynchburg: All-Conference, singles and doubles (Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference); NCAA, Eastern Regional Tennis Tournament; NAIA District 29 champion, team and doubles; and NAIA National Tournament champion.
After graduation, he achieved a U.S. Tennis Association Southern Regional Ranking of #29 in singles and USTA Southern Regional Ranking of #5 in doubles. He coached the National Junior Tennis League National Champions in 1972.
Caroline D. Cubbage ’07, Women’s Softball. Cubbage was the first Lynchburg softball player to earn All-American honors. She played softball four years and basketball two years.
After graduating, Cubbage attended Ball State University from 2007-2009. She was a graduate assistant for their softball program and earned her master’s degree in athletic administration. From 2009-2010, she was head softball coach at Concordia University in Nebraska. From 2010-2016, she was head softball coach at Randolph College.
Her stats at Lynchburg include 38 home runs, 2004-2007; NCAA home run leader, 2006; 108 career walks and 2007 NCAA walks leader, also a Division III record; and ODAC records for on-base percentage in a season and career, slugging percentage in a season, home runs in a season and career, walks in a season and career, third-best career batting average, and second-most RBIs.
Other honors include All-American, 2004, 2006, 2007; All-Region, 2004-2007; All-ODAC, 2004-2007; ODAC Player of the Year, 2006 and 2007; ODAC Rookie of the Year, 2004; and ODAC championship and NCAA tournament, 2007.
Garrett B. Curran ’08, Men’s Lacrosse. Curran played lacrosse four years, serving as captain 2005 and 2008. He played in the ODAC championship and NCAA tournament in 2005, 2006, and 2008. In 2005, he was ODAC Rookie of the Year. In 2008, he was an ODAC Scholar-Athlete, All-State Player of the Year, Scholar All-American, and ODAC Player of the Year. In 2006 and 2008, he was on the ODAC All-Tournament Team, ODAC All-Conference, ODAC Academic All-Conference, and ODAC All-American. He was a North-South Game participant in 2008 and NCAA All-American in 2005 and 2008.
Steven P. Scott ’06, Men’s Baseball. Scott played center field, winning Rookie of the Year in 2003 and the College’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2006. He earned All-Conference, All-State and All-Region/All-ODAC honors in 2004, 2005, and 2006. He holds records for RBIs in a season (67), career games played (156), career hits (227), career RBIs (188), career doubles (46), and career walks (90).
The 2018 Sports Team of Distinction was the 2018 Women’s Softball team. Teams are recognized as “teams of distinction” based on athletic performance and achievement in sports competition as evidenced by exceptional accomplishments at or above the conference level, including advancement to NCAA regional or national competition, regional or national titles, school records, and undefeated seasons.
The women’s softball team is coached by Dawn Simmons ’97. Simmons was a three-sport athlete at Lynchburg, dominating volleyball, basketball, and softball. In recent years, the softball team has had five consecutive 30-plus-win seasons. Simmons has earned multiple ODAC Coach of the Year honors and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
The 2008 Softball team was the first softball team in school history to win the NCAA regional Championship, which was hosted by Methodist University, and the first team ever to advance to the NCAA DIII Championships. Their 2008 Achievements in Sports Competition are highlighted by a season record: 39-8, with 16-2 for ODAC. Other highlights include:
All-American: Elizabeth Perkins
All-Region: Elizabeth Perkins, Brittany Allsop Hinckley, Tara Campbell, Katie Bruce
All-State team members: Elizabeth Perkins-also named Player of the Year, Katie Bruce (Rookie of the Year), Dara Sandifer, Brittany Allsop Hinckley, Tara Campbell
All-ODAC members : Elizabeth Perkins (Player of the Year), Katie Bruce (Rookie of the Year), Brittany Allsop Hinckley, Kirstin Swank Trader, Dara Sandifer
Coach Simmons was named All-State Coach of the Year.
2008 Women’s Softball Team: Barbie Miles Apperson ’09; Audra Della Rose Bianco ’10, ’13 MEd; Katie Bruce ’11; Tara Campbell ’09; Lauren Duguay ’10; Lauren Ewing Freeman ’10; Leslie Bailey Gibson ’10; Caitlin Dolby Givens ’11, Brittany Allsop Hinckley ’12; Ashley Hohenberger ’12; Rachel Gallagher Litz ’10; Amber James Luidens ’09, ’13 DPT; Missy O’Hara ’10; Elizabeth Perkins ’08, ’10 MEd; Dara Sandifer ’08, ’10 MEd, ’14 DPT; Kelly Self ’10; Sarah Spicer ’11; Savannah Tinsley ’10; and Kirstin Swank Trader ’08.
Individuals who contributed to the team’s success:
Head Coach: Dawn Gibson Simmons ’97
Assistant Coach: Kim McCall ’08 MEd
Assistant Coach: Amy Gillis Nixon
Manager: Tabitha Martinez ’08
Athletic Trainer: Kelsey Guisbert Parente
