MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Athletic Department and the University take great pride in the Athletic Hall of Fame. Each October during Homecoming week, the University honors individuals who have excelled as athletes, team members, coaches and staff, or contributors.
Due to Covid-19 the Hall of Fame recognitions for the 2020 class took place March 26, 2021, at Homecoming. That group of honorees marked the 40th induction class.
The 41st class will honor three former great athletes, one contributor, and one team with induction into the hall on Saturday, November 6, at 9 a.m. The event will be held in the Vera Low Student Center. The 2020 class will also be honored that morning. With the combined classes, 104 individuals and six teams will have now been enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
Tickets are $20. Registration is required.
Tickets:
https://bethelu.networkforgood.com/events/33950-hall-of-fame-and-alumni-awards-breakfast
The Cats will host Thomas More University in the Homecoming football game that day. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. The inductees will be honored at halftime.
Here is a look at the 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame class:
MICHELE CUNHA
Michele Cunha made her mark as a standout volleyball performer at Bethel. She continues to have an impact on the program as a coach.
Cunha is in her 10th year as an assistant coach with the Lady Wildcats.
She is from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and a graduate of Pedro II High School.
Coach Cunha was a four-year member of the Bethel volleyball team, finishing her career in 2010. While at Bethel, she received conference Libero of the Week honors six times. Cunha still holds Bethel’s single season records for digs (891), digs per set (8.17) and receptions (1,091), all set during the 2007 campaign. She also received TranSouth Conference honors in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Coach Cunha is third all-time in most digs per game in the NAIA volleyball record book. Her career totals include 2,576 digs and 2,881 serve receptions, both of which are school records.
She was also three-time conference Scholar Athlete, receiving that honor in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Coach Cunha graduated from Bethel in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She also earned a Master of Arts in education, summa cum laude, from Bethel in 2012.
Coach Starla Cupples said, “I’m so happy to see Michele get inducted into the Hall of Fame. She was a tremendous player and is very deserving of this recognition. Her records are still standing here at Bethel and will be very difficult to break.”
JOHNATHAN DEBERRY
A native of Lexington, Tennessee, Johnathan Deberry is recognized as one of the best baseball players to ever wear the purple and gold. He was a member of the Wildcat program from 2006-2010.
Deberry was a two-time all-conference selection. During the 2010 season, he batted .421 and was hit by a pitch 22 times, the Bethel single season record in that category. He is one of only 17 players to hit .400 or better in a season in school history.
Deberry ranks 5th in program history in hits (176) and at bats (500). He is second all-time in triples with seven. Deberry is 7th all-time in home runs with 16. He drove in 180 runs, which is 6th in Wildcat history. He is the all-time leader in runs scored with 154.
Deberry was named the Bethel Male Athlete of the Year in 2010.
After his sterling career at Bethel, Deberry was drafted by the San Francisco Giants. He played two seasons in the minors for the Giants.
Deberry received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2011 and his master’s degree in 2012, both from Bethel. In 2016, he earned his licensure in instructional leadership.
Johnathan is married to Sarah Halsall Deberry, whom he met at Bethel. Sarah ran track and played soccer at Bethel. She is originally from Orrell, England. The couple resides in Lexington with their two beautiful daughters, Jaycee (age 7) and Jozie (age 3).
He currently teaches at Lexington High School.
Johnathan’s father is David Deberry from Lexington. His mother LaRhonda Scott is from Parsons, Tennessee.
Deberry stated, “Bethel meant so much to my overall success. The close-knit instruction along with my coaches pushing me extremely hard made the best player I could be and prepared me for success after my playing days.”
Coach Rusty Thompson expressed his pride and excitement about the induction. “We are excited Johnathan Deberry is receiving this prestigious induction into our HOF. He is a great example of the type of athlete and character that it takes. He was a multi-talented athlete who excelled in other sports but in baseball he truly grew to an unbelievable player during his four years. He started out as a freshman with tremendous speed and potential. During that span of time, he is one of the rare ones who truly tapped into that upper echelon of potential. He had speed, power, and was a great glove who played centerfield as well as anyone and better than most. He grew to be a great leader on the field, off the field, and in the classroom. When he was drafted by the Giants after his senior season it was a remarkable accomplishment, we all celebrated, and it was so deserved. I’m proud to know he was a part of our program, and we take great pride knowing he is a Wildcat and he exemplified that while here, and now as a father of two and being an educator and coach in his hometown of Lexington he is still exemplifying those character traits that helped make him such a special player and person. We just can’t express how happy we are for him and this great honor. He is a true Bethel Wildcat. Johnathan is all over our record books for his play on the field but the intangibles of his character and representation of our school and program standout even above those numbers. He is the first player we’ve coached to be inducted.”
NINA DJOKOVIC
Nina Djokovic wore No. 33 during her basketball career as a Lady Wildcat. But to many Bethel fans, she was No. 1. Djokovic was an instrumental figure in Bethel’s transition to Division I and the TranSouth Conference.
The Serbia native graduated from Bethel in 2010. She is the third all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,651 points. Nina is the all-time leader in rebounds with 1,041 and ranks third in field goals made with 613. She was named first team NAIA All-American in 2010. She was named NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 2008 and 2009. She helped the Lady Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16 before falling to Vanguard in double overtime in 2010. The game is still regarded as a classic and one of the best in tournament history.
Djokovic averaged 19.5 points and 10.2 rebounds during her senior season.
Djokovic was named first team TranSouth All-Conference in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was also named to the TSAC All-Tournament squad in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Nina earned conference all-academic status each year as a Lady Wildcat.
After graduating in 2010, Djokovic played professionally with several teams including:
2010 – Belgrade University European Champion
2010-2011 – Ibaizabal (Bilbao, Spain) 2nd division
2011-2012 – Heli girls (Nordlingen, Germany) 1st division
2012-2013 – Voždovac (Serbia, Adriatic league) 1st division
2013-2014 – Brasov (Romania) 1st division
2013-2014 – Red Star (Serbia, Adriatic league) 1st division
2014-2015 – Andratx (Mallorca, Spain) 2nd division
2015-2016 – Andratx (Mallorca, Spain) 2nd division
2015-2016 – Bahia (Mallorca, Spain) 2nd division
2016-2017 – Alcovendas (Madrid, Spain) 2nd division
2017-2018 – Alcobendas (Madrid, Spain) 2nd division
2018-2019 – Andratx (Mallorca, Spain) 3rd division
She currently resides in Mallorca, Spain (one of the Balearic Islands). She works at Palma Aquarium. She feels it is more than a job; it is a passion.
Nina’s father and three brothers live in Serbia. She is also a proud aunt with four nephews: Mila, Vuk, Petra and Viktor (five months old).
Coach Chris Nelson noted, “Nina is and always will be one of the all-time greats. She helped establish the standard and the culture of our program. We entered the TranSouth her freshman year and she not only competed against the best post players and coaches in the country, but she also eventually turned herself into one of the best players in the NAIA. Personally, she helped me as a young coach establish creditability in a tough league and also made all her teammates better daily. We had a great recruiting class and supporting cast around her and her personality and work ethic made it easy to be our go to player. Nina took her game and our program to new heights. Players like her only come around every so often and we were lucky to have her during a key transition for our team to NAIA Division I. We can’t celebrate Nina without mentioning Coach Martina Mihailovic. Coach Martina is the one who recruited and signed Nina while on her visit back home in Serbia. After coming to the states Coach Martina helped improve Nina’s game with daily workout drills and individual workouts. Nina not only brought a finesse European style to her game but also mixed a physicality back-to-the-basket post play that was extremely hard to guard no matter the match up. When other teams would double team her, she was great at squaring up or turning away from the defense with her hook shot. Nina is a true hall of fame player and person.”
2014-15 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
The 2014-15 Bethel women’s basketball is recognized as the best in program history.
The Lady Wildcats finished 32-4 which is the best record in program history. They ran the table in the SSAC with a perfect regular season record of 18-0. The squad was 17-1 in Crisp Arena and had the longest winning streak in program history with 24 straight victories. Bethel was the SSAC Tournament Runner-up.
The Lady Cats made it to the NAIA National Tournament Elite 8. It was the first team ever to make it to the final eight. Their great run included two heart stopping wins in Independence, Missouri.
One of the best reasons for Bethel’s success was the dominating play of Tayla Foster. Foster was named NAIA First Team All-American. She led the NAIA in scoring averaging 23.0 points per game. Foster was fourth in three-pointers made (101) and seventh in three’s made per game (3.16). The Kentucky native collected 6.53 rebounds per outing which was 13th in the nation. Foster collected 241 rebounds and shot 41 percent from the field. She had seven double-doubles and was named the WBCA Player of the Year.
Another player on the squad which helped set the team apart was Kenyatta Drake. Drake was a rebounding machine. The third team All-American ranked among the NAIA leaders in offensive rebounds per game (second, 4.86), field goal percentage (fifth, .557), rebounds (fifth, 365), rebounds per game (eighth, 10.14). Drake also averaged 5.28 defensive rebounds per outing and had 469 points on the season.
Lorna Hudson and Martessia Williams were named NAIA Scholar Athletes.
The team was No. 1 in three-pointers made with 302 on the season. They were fourth in total points scored with 2,705. The Lady Wildcats finished with a program high in assists with 552.
Coach Nelson was assisted by Martina Mihailovic and Joanna Ortiz. Deiondria Pitts, Teirca Williams, Tiana Gray and Peyton Robertson served as mangers.
Members of the team included: Cayla Sheets, Cherron Teague, Martessia Williams, Jasmine Whittemore, Shey Robinson, Jackliann Street, Meleah Goodin, Kenyatta Drake, Mariah McKenty, Lorna Hudson, Shamon Pearson, Carnation Hart, Tayla Foster and Claire Hart.
Coach Chris Nelson spoke about the team and that special season. “What a special group of players and people. Every day was a gift to be around this team. We had the experience, the chemistry, and the toughness it took. I wish I could tell you that it was hard, but the majority of that year was fun and easy. We battled some adversity early in the season but after we got in a groove it just started steam rolling. The hardest part about the whole journey was the recruiting process and getting the pieces together and getting them to campus. Once everyone got here, they understood their roles and executed them on the daily. We had star power, numerous defenders and drivers, rebounders, and shooters and that made our job as a coaching staff really easy. As I look back on pictures and videos of that group, we realize that it was much more than all the victories and the win streak, the conference championship and national tournament runs. It was about the time we spent together, and all the memories made. I remember that ride home well from the national tournament and it really hit that group hard, but they made memories that will last a lifetime.”
KERRY MCELHINNEY (CONTRIBUTOR)
Former Bethel President Dr. Robert Prosser’s message at Kerry McElhinney’s funeral service was titled “A Remarkable Life.” All who knew him would totally agree. Kerry passed away September 6, 2013.
Kerry graduated from Bethel in 1994. He received his M.A.Ed. degree in 2004.
Kerry was a “Bethel” guy to say the least.
He was employed by the University Success Program as an instructor.
To the Bethel family, however, he was “The Voice” of Bethel sporting events. His voice was part of the “Bethel Experience.”
He served as the public address announcer for Bethel events for years.
Kerry was married to Dr. Phyllis Campbell.
Bethel Sports Information Director Dave McCulley said, “Kerry’s distinctive style was a huge part of the ‘Bethel Experience.’ The Bethel fans loved his style. He had a passion for his service to Bethel College and University. He loved being around press row, the coaches, the players, and the fans. When the basketball season opened in November of 2013 it wasn’t the same. Everyone missed hearing …. three ball, side pocket and Willlllllldcat basketball.”
Here is a look at the 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame Class:
1991 Men’s Golf Team
The team holds the distinction of being the first team in school history to ever compete in a national tournament. They compiled a record of 36 wins and 3 losses. They came in second at the Tennessee Intercollegiate Championship and second at the TSAC Conference Tournament.
The squad competed at the District 24 tournament where they trailed by 12 strokes after the first nine holes. With a berth to the national tournament on the line, they rallied and forced a playoff with a brilliant effort on the back nine and captured the win and headed to Oklahoma City.
The team was coached by Bethel Hall-of-Famer Jerry Wilcoxson. Team members included, Wayne Lawson, John Austin, Trent Frizzell, Adam Davis (Bethel HOF member) and Troy Hendrickson.
Austin, current golf coach at Bethel, commented, “It is an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with an amazing team. In the spring of 1991, we felt we were good enough to make the national tournament and we proved it to ourselves by doing so. I played with a lot of good players during my time at Bethel. This team was a special group of men who accomplished what we set out to do.”
Patience Opara
Patience Opara played women’s soccer for the Lady Wildcats from 2001-2003. She was first team all-conference each season. Opara was also named to the all-region team each season. The three-year captain was named conference MVP each year. She is the only defender in school history to receive these awards.
In 2003 Opara was named first team All-American, becoming the first female athlete at the school to ever garner that award. She was named to the national all-tournament team, also the first to earn that honor in school history. She was a defender but scored 48 goals in her career.
Opara was named a 2003-2004 Academic All-American. She was the first woman to have her jersey retired in women’s soccer at Bethel. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethel in 2010. Her sister, Ugochi Opara, was also a member of the women’s soccer team and a 2009 graduate of Bethel.
Opara was a member of the Nigerian National team. She is originally from Umuanuma Nguru, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria. Opara currently resides in Washington, D.C. She is happily married with four children: Winston 15, Beltran 13, Olivia 9, and Joseph, two months. Her husband, Victor Onyeoziri, is a net branch owner of a large mortgage company in Silver Springs, Maryland.
Opara said, “It is an honor and exciting to be included as an inductee into the 2021 Bethel Hall of Fame.”
Ron Puckett
Ron Puckett played men’s basketball from 1992-1996 for the Wildcats. The squad was coached by Mike Nienaber. Puckett is still prominent in the Bethel record book.
Single game records:
Most Free Throws made in a game #6 (17/18)
Most 3point FG made in a game #5 (8/11)
Single season records:
Most FT Made #18 140/169
Most 3pt FG made #3, (108/242) #4, (107/263) and #7 (92/235)
Highest FT% #12 (83.8%)
3pt FG % #5 (44.6%)
Steals #12 (62)
Career Stats:
Points #12 (1679),
3PT FG Made #2 (341/802)
3pt FG % #3 (42.5%)
Rebounds #13 (623) (as a guard)
Steals # 4 (200)
Along with his exploits on the court, Puckett was named an NAIA Academic All American.
Ron and his wife, Amy Cook (also a Bethel graduate) reside in Centerville, Tennessee. They are the parents of six children, Isaiah, a freshman in college; Addie-Gene, a sophomore in high school; Elisha, an 8th grader; Timothy, a 7th grader, Rachel, a fourth grader, and Cookie a 2nd grader. Ron is currently the assistant principal at Hickman County Middle School and has served as an educator for over twenty years as a coach, teacher, and administrator in West and Middle Tennessee. He also has been an elected county commissioner for four years in Hickman County.
Puckett spoke about the honor, “I cherish the honor of playing basketball at Bethel University. The life lessons I learned from my coaches and teammates have influenced the person I am today and the career path I chose. The relationships with the Bethel faculty, the friendships with Bethel students and the support of the community made my career at Bethel one of the more special times in my life.”
Ellen Argo
Ellen Argo played women’s basketball at Bethel from 1986- 1990. Argo remains prominent in the Lady Wildcat record book.
Individual Season Record:
12th in Field Goals Made (196) in 1988-89
13th in Points per Game (18.7) in 1988-89
Career
12th with 1157 points
11th with 531 Rebounds
12th with 3pt Field Goal % 34.2%
9th with Free Throw % 76.6 (177-of-231)
Argo also served as coach of the program during the 1996-1997 season.
Argo currently lives in Clarksville, Tennessee. She is a Pediatric Physical Therapist there and an instructor in the Physical Therapy program at Belmont University.
Ellen is the third generation of her family to graduate from Bethel.
Argo said, “I am honored and grateful to be inducted into the Bethel University Wildcats Athletic Hall of Fame. As I was growing up, Bethel University was a part of my life before I wore the Wildcat purple. To be able to represent Bethel as an athlete was a privilege. I value my Bethel experience for how the people and events affected my life. Special appreciation and love go to my family, especially my parents, (both Bethel alumni) Catherine and “Gofer” Argo, for their love, guidance, and support. Susan Argo Reynolds provided invaluable advice and encouragement as only a sister can. There’s not enough space or time to thank the coaches, teammates, professors, and friends from the Bethel community who contributed to my success as an athlete and a person. I can’t acknowledge any success I had without thanking the late Buddy Wiggleton. The blend of humor, toughness, and love that he used brought out the best in me.”
Dr. Deb Thompson (contributor)
Dr. Deb Thompson began her career at Bethel in 1982. She coached tennis, volleyball, and basketball at the school. Thompson was a constant supporter of the school and a regular face at games, no matter what the sport. She contributed financially every year until her retirement in 2017.
In March 2016 she was awarded “Faculty Emeritus.” Thompson passed away in March 2019. As required by her will, her estate left a large (more than $100,000) donation to the athletic department. Along with her support of Bethel athletics, Dr. Deb loved the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Bethel’s Faculty Athletic Representative Missy Vaughn commented, “Deb (Dr. T) taught at Bethel since 1982 except for a couple of years when she took a small break to live at the beach. I was hired at Bethel to teach her classes. Notice, I didn’t say take her place because no one could ever do that. Lucky for me when she returned, Bethel had grown enough that I got to stay. We shared a love of golf, college football (well all sports), Bethel University, casinos (video poker queens we were) and the value of friendship. We both liked ‘collecting memories’ not things. We had the same fashion since-comfort is the only thing that matters. She was a character. I have reflected numerous times, the things she taught me about teaching, staying true to yourself and living the life you want to live. We had a lot of differences too, but we still loved each other. When she retired a few years ago our department established the Dr. T Award in Physical Education for Academic Excellence. She was a scholar. I miss my friend and so pleased she is being recognized with this great honor.”
Congratulations to each of these Bethel icons.