Radford University Athletics has announced four new members to be inducted into the Radford Athletics Hall of Fame in October. The Class of 2018 will include Dr. Donald N. Dedmon (university president), Nikki Porter (women’s soccer), Denny Van Pelt (baseball) and Jackie Clouse Snell (athletic trainer/senior woman administrator).
The four-member class is the 17th to be inducted into the Radford Athletics Hall of Fame. This year’s induction ceremony will again take place during Homecoming Weekend and will be held inside Kyle Hall on Oct. 19.
Dr. Donald N. Dedmon
University President | 1972-1994
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A current member of the Big South Conference Hall of Fame, Dr. Donald N. Dedmon was named the fourth president of Radford College on March 20, 1972. He was at the forefront of Radford being granted university status, allowing men to be admitted and giving the athletic programs the nickname “Highlanders.”
During the two decades that Dr. Dedmon served as Radford’s president, the university experienced unprecedented growth in campus size, curriculum and student population. As the campus grew, so did the amenities around it. Located adjacent from the New River, the Dedmon Center, named in honor of Dr. Dedmon opened in 1981. He was instrumental in the building of the center, which became one of the first buildings designed with an inflated air-supported roof. In 1981, Dr. Dedmon led Radford to NCAA Division II status and then onto a NCAA Division I affiliation in September 1984 with a move to the Big South Conference in 1983. He served as Big South President from May 1986-92 and his tenure included the conference becoming a full-fledged NCAA Division I member in September 1986. Dr. Dedmon will enter the hall of fame posthumously.
Nikki Porter
Women’s Soccer | 2001-04
One of the most prolific offensive players to don a Radford uniform, Nikki Porter’s name can be found throughout the program’s record book. Porter holds the career record for shots with 295, while ranking second with 41 goals. Earning Big South First Team honors four times, Porter opened her career as the Big South’s Freshman of the Year in 2001 before leading the Highlanders to a championship in 2002. The Maryville, Tenn., native was named Big South Player of the Year that season after leading Radford with 13 goals. The 2002 season saw the Highlanders win 15 games and its second tournament championship. Tallying 33 points in 2002, Porter completed her career with 104 points, ranking second in program history. The 2003 season saw Porter win her second straight Player of the Year award, becoming the only Highlander in program history to earn the honor in consecutive seasons.
Denny Van Pelt
Baseball | 1991-94
Dennis “Denny” Van Pelt proved to be one of the best all-around players in program history, setting the tone for future Highlanders. The New Jersey native etched his name within the Radford baseball record book, ranking inside the Top 10 in nine career categories. Van Pelt ranks second in career walks (105), fourth in on-base percentage (.431) and fourth in RBIs (151). After hitting 11 home runs and swiping 22 of 26 bases as a senior, he became the fourth Highlander selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft as the California Angels took him in the 25th round. With three All-Big South selections, Van Pelt earned a spot on the Big South’s 1990s All-Decade team in 2014.
Jackie Clouse Snell
Athletic Trainer/Senior Woman Administrator | 1985-2008
This former athletics staff member contributed countless time and effort to the Radford Athletics Department as head athletic trainer for three decades. Beloved by hundreds of student-athletes, coaches and staff; Jackie Clouse Snell began her career at Radford as a graduate assistant in August 1983. She was appointed as head athletic trainer in 1985 after completing her Master of Science degree in Physical and Health Education at Radford. Clouse Snell was the guiding force in the upstart of the Radford University Athletic Training Education program and served as the athletic department’s Senior Woman Administrator. A native of Somerset, Ohio; Clouse Snell currently serves as the head athletic trainer for Pulaski County High School in Dublin.
–RU Athletics
