FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson is pleased to announce four new inductees and one Team of Distinction that will comprise the Methodist University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This year's class includes: Tom Austin, Kim Miller '95, Lindsey Pritchard '19, Randy Shaw '90 (posthumously), and the 1987 and 1988 men's cross country teams.

Austin spent more than four decades shaping Methodist Athletics, serving as a professor, head cross country coach (1980–86), director of athletics (1985–92), and, most notably, head baseball coach from 1980–2025. Over 46 seasons, he compiled a 1,318-632-10 record, retiring as both the program's and USA South's all-time wins leader while becoming one of only six NCAA Division III coaches to surpass 1,300 career victories. Under his leadership, the Monarchs captured 20 DIAC/USA South championships, made 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, won six NCAA Regional titles, and advanced to six Division III College World Series, highlighted by the 1995 squad that finished as national runner-up. A 13-time conference Coach of the Year, Austin will enter his fifth Hall of Fame, joining the Bishop Moore High School, Fayetteville Sports Club, USA South, and American Baseball Coaches Association Halls of Fame.

A standout in both volleyball and softball from 1991–95, Miller earned four DIAC All-Conference volleyball selections, including three First Team honors. As Methodist's primary setter, she finished her career with 2,717 assists and 1,241 digs, ranking fifth in program history in both categories. On the softball diamond, Miller was a two-time First Team All-Conference catcher and helped lead the Monarchs to the 1992 DIAC Tournament championship and a share of the 1994 regular-season title. She also remains among the program's career leaders in walks (3rd with 83), triples (4th with 14), and runs scored (4th with 127).

Pritchard established herself as one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Methodist history. After joining the cross country team as a junior, she won the 2017 USA South individual championship, earned First Team All-Conference honors twice, and became an All-Region performer while setting the program's 6K record (22:48.70). In track & field, she established three school records. Off the course, Pritchard became the first student-athlete in Methodist history to earn MU Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors all four years while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA each semester. She also earned four USA South Academic All-Conference selections, CoSIDA Third Team Academic All-America honors in 2018, the USA South Rita Wiggs Woman of the Year Award in 2019, and the prestigious Pallas Athene Award as the nation's top female senior Army ROTC cadet.

Shaw was part of the Methodist men's golf team from 1986–90. A member of three DIAC championship teams, he was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, the 1987 DIAC individual champion, and a First Team All-American. Shaw also played a key role on Methodist's first NCAA Division III national championship team.

The 1987 men's cross country team enjoyed one of the finest seasons in program history, recording six top-five finishes in eight meets, including two team victories. The Monarchs captured the DIAC Championship for the second time in program history, with head coach Jeff DeGraw earning Coach of the Year honors. John Storms claimed the individual conference title, while Storms, Brian Cole, Gregg Coleman, and Brian Tyre were all named First Team All-Conference. Storms and Cole later added All-Region honors.
The 1988 squad elevated the program to even greater heights. The Monarchs posted six top-five finishes, won three meets, and climbed into the national rankings for the first time in school history at No. 19. They concluded the season with a third-place finish at the NCAA South Regional, still the highest regional finish in program history. Rodney Rothoff and John Storms earned All-Region honors and became the first Methodist men's cross country student-athletes to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships.

Including the Class of 2026, the Methodist University Hall of Fame now features 124 members. The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, October 16, at 6:30 PM on the Methodist campus as part of Homecoming Weekend.

Hall of Fame Nominations: The Methodist University Athletics Hall of Fame accepts nominations throughout the year. To nominate a deserving former student-athlete, coach, or administrator for future consideration, please click here to complete the nomination form. To nominate a deserving Monarch team for future consideration, please click here to complete the nomination form.