DeLAND, Fla. – Stetson Athletics celebrated a momentous evening as they welcomed four individuals into the revered Stetson Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony, held at the Stetson Room on campus, was a tribute to the outstanding contributions and legacies left by the inductees: Kristin Lind, Brooks Wilson, Jessie TenBroeck, and Logan Gilbert.
The festivities commenced with a warm welcome from the current Stetson Athletic Director, Jeff Altier, followed by a gracious introduction by the chair of the Hall of Fame committee, Stetson women's basketball head coach Lynn Bria.
The evening unfolded with heartfelt inductions that beautifully encapsulated the remarkable careers and impact of each inductee. The journey began with Stetson beach volleyball Head Coach Kristina Hernandez, who honored Kristin Lind, recounting Lind's pivotal role in propelling the program to success. Lind's exemplary achievements, including three ASUN Championships and three First-team All-Conference honors, set an enduring standard for aspiring student-athletes. Lind, in her acceptance speech, expressed gratitude for her Stetson experiences and highlighted her enduring connection with the Stetson community. She also mentioned how she was able to go to practice Friday morning and meet the current team and check out the updated locker room which now features a mural of herself. Lind still stays connected to her teammates and is appreciative of all of her experiences during her time in DeLand.
Brooks Wilson was next in line for induction, and Stetson baseball Head Coach Steve Trimper shared a story about how Wilson started as a pitcher and then played in a summer league, having success at the plate. Upon his return to Stetson, Trimper would then try Wilson out at the plate, the rest is history as Wilson would go on to win the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year award. Despite Wilson's absence due to his commitments on the field, his parents, who are from Lakeland, graciously accepted the award on his behalf. The Wilson family fondly reminisced stories about the many nights they spent driving to DeLand to see their son play and how Wilson's grandparents are his superfans. His family also shared how rewarding it was to meet and become friends with so many other student-athlete families during Wilson's time at Stetson.
Jessie TenBroeck's induction followed, honored by former Stetson head softball coach, Frank Griffin. Griffin reflected on TenBroeck's extraordinary speed and her record-breaking ability in stealing bases, saying she could literally steal any base she wanted as she would go on to be the ASUN and Stetson all-time leader in stolen bases. Griffin shared that the 2014 team that won the ASUN Championship would be his best team he had coached in his over 25 year career. TenBroeck, in a heartfelt moment, recounted her journey from an underrated recruit to a celebrated Stetson athlete. She lined out to third base and watched coach Griffin in the stands walk away, thinking her shot at Stetson was over. Little did she know she would attend Stetson and have remarkable success on the field, while meeting her future husband, who also is a Stetson grad, in the process.
The final induction of the night celebrated the indeliable achievements of Logan Gilbert. Coach Trimper, who had the honor of inducting Gilbert, praised his exceptional athleticism and unwavering focus on the field. Trimper shared how when Gilbert was pitching you knew you were coming out with a win as Logan's focus on the mound was incredible and his passion to win. Trimper still reflects on the how close the 2018 team was to making it to Omaha, stating it was only a couple feet to get the go-ahead run. Gilbert, in his acceptance speech, acknowledged the profound impact Stetson had on his life, cherishing the enduring friendships and meeting his future wife, also a Stetson graduate.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the emcee bid farewell while the newly inducted Hall of Fame members reveled in the moment, capturing priceless memories and sharing anecdotes of their time at Stetson.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
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