2009 Hampden-Sydney College Hall of Fame Inductees

Hampden-Sydney College and the Athletics Hall of Fame inducts its 22nd class on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 11 am in the Kirk Athletic Center. Included in the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2009 are former baseball, football, golf and lacrosse greats and a Hampden-Sydney athletics fixture.

Ed Keefer '75, Football, 1971-74
Keefer played a large role in the Tigers’ three-year Mason-Dixon Championship run from 1971 to 1973. As a freshman in 1971, he was a standout on the freshman team, and even saw action on the varsity squad. He got his first experience when he started in the 1971 Knute Rockne Bowl for the injured Mike Leidy. A three-year letterman, Keefer earned Second Team All-VCAA and Honorable Mention All-Mason-Dixon honors in 1973. He also led the team that year with three fumble recoveries. As a senior in 1974, he was a First Team All-VCAA, All-Mason Dixon honoree and Honorable Mention Little All-America. He also served as a tri-captain for his senior campaign. Keefer resides in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is the owner of Keefer Lumber Company.

Berk Jolly '96, Golf, 1992-96
Jolly was a four-year letter winner for the golf team from 1993 to 1996. He is one of the best and most decorated golfers in Tiger history. Jolly was named First Team All-ODAC every year of his career, while earning ODAC Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 1994 and again as a senior in 1996. During his career he helped lead the Tigers to their first appearance in the Division III National Championship since the mid-1970’s. Jolly was a medalist at the Virginia State Intercollegiate Championships. In ODAC play, he won an individual title and led his team to win the ODAC Team Championship. Jolly is the chief operating officer of Select Management Resources in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Dr. Jamie Worthen '98, Lacrosse, 1995-98
Regarded as one of the best defensemen in Hampden-Sydney history, Worthen was a three-time First Team All-ODAC honoree. During his freshman season, he helped guide the Tigers to their second-ever ODAC Championship. As a sophomore and junior, he led the nation in groundballs with a two-year total of 312. His 156 groundballs as a junior are still a single-season Tiger record. In those two campaigns, Worthen also earned Honorable Mention All-America accolades. In his senior year, he again led the Tigers to an ODAC Championship while being named a First Team All-American, ODAC Player of the Year, and the National Defenseman of the Year. He is Hampden-­Sydney’s only National Player of the Year at any position. He was the 1998 Gammon Cup recipient, and his 428 career groundball tally remains atop Hampden-­Sydney’s all-time list. Worthen is an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Alabama. His brother Thacher Worthen ‘93 was inducted into the hall of fame in 2004.

SPECIAL CITATION

Bill Blair '53, Baseball, Football
Blair was a standout on both the football and baseball fields in his four-year career at Hampden-Sydney. He mainly played quarterback and was the Tigers’ leading passer as a freshman. Not only did Blair throw touchdowns, but he also kicked extra points. Beginning in his sophomore year, he also played baseball and batted .300 on the diamond. He was a co-captain of both teams and garnered All-State honors for each sport. Blair was also involved around campus in various clubs, and in his junior year he served as class president. Five years after graduation, he returned to his alma mater, Fork Union Military Academy. He first served as a teacher and coach, but was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in 1962. He was again promoted, to Athletic Director, and served as such until his retirement in 1995. As AD he founded and developed the prep athletic program and brought the Academy into the Virginia Preparatory League. He is also a member of the Twin Counties (Southwest Virginia) Sports Hall of Fame and of the Fork Union Military Academy Sports Hall of Fame. Blair is retired and lives in Galax, Virginia.

Hampden-Sydney Athletics Hall of Fame

The Hampden-Sydney Athletic Hall of Fame was created in 1988 and is designed to honor men who have made outstanding contributions to Hampden-Sydney athletics and have helped bring recognition, honor, excellence and distinction to the College and its intercollegiate athletics program. Members are selected annually by the Hall of Fame Committee from nominations submitted by alumni and friends of the College.