South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Announced

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference will induct five members into the 2026 Hall of Fame Class, the League announced today. Receiving honors will be Tusculum's Bo Cordell, Mars Hill's Tim Clifton, Catawba's Melissa Powers Cox, and Wingate's Bryan Grier. The SAC will also honor the recipient of the Conference's Distinguished Alumni Award, which will be given to Mars Hill's Que Tucker.

"It is an honor and privilege to induct these five individuals into the SAC Hall of Fame," said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. "Four of these individuals have embodied what it means to be a SAC student-athlete through both academic and athletic excellence during their time at their various institutions, as well as success after graduating. The other was a long-time and very successful head coach in our league who molded and guided hundreds of student-athletes during his tenure. We look forward to celebrating their numerous accomplishments on May 28."

Cordell, a Tusculum standout, is one of the most prolific quarterbacks in South Atlantic Conference history. From 2009-13, he set numerous NCAA Division II records, finishing his career with 16,265 passing yards and 16,432 total offensive yards, both ranking among the top marks across all NCAA divisions. He also established multiple SAC records, including career touchdown passes (112) and touchdowns responsible for (127).

A two-time SAC Offensive Player of the Year, Cordell was also a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the top player in NCAA Division II football. He recorded 16 career 400-yard passing games, including six 500-yard performances. Off the field, Cordell was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and a member of the AFCA Good Works Team®. Following his career, he signed as a free agent with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and was inducted into the Tusculum Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Clifton, who led Mars Hill from 1993-2025, is the winningest coach in program history and ranks second in South Atlantic Conference history in both overall and conference victories. Over a distinguished 49-year coaching career, he built a legacy defined by sustained success and a commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field.

During his tenure, Clifton coached more than 20 All-Americans and over 100 All-Conference selections, with six former players advancing to the NFL. He also coached Jonas Randolph, the only Harlon Hill Trophy winner in SAC history. In his final four seasons (2021-24), he guided the Lions to two Mountain Division titles while posting a 28-12 overall record and a 24-9 mark in conference play.

Powers Cox, a Catawba standout, is one of the most accomplished players in program and conference volleyball history. She remains the only student-athlete in SAC history to earn SAC Female Athlete of the Year, Volleyball Player of the Year, and Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the same season (2008).

An AVCA Third Team All-American and CoSIDA Southeast Region Player of the Year, Powers Cox is Catawba's all-time leader in kills for a match, season, and career, as well as career hitting percentage. She led the Indians to their only NCAA Regional final appearance in program history, highlighted by an upset win over top-seeded Wingate in 2008.

A three-time First Team All-SAC and two-time All-Region selection, Powers Cox helped guide Catawba to 78 wins during her career, cementing her legacy as one of the program's all-time greats.

Grier, a Wingate standout, is one of the most dominant defensive players in NCAA Division II men's basketball history. He remains the all-time leader in Division II history with 455 career blocked shots, ranking seventh in NCAA history across all divisions and more than 200 blocks ahead of any player in SAC history.

In addition to his record-setting shot-blocking, Grier totaled 1,394 points and 889 rebounds while shooting 61.9 percent from the field during his career. He ranks among the SAC's all-time leaders in both field goal percentage and rebounds and is the only player in conference history to record 100 blocks in a season, accomplishing the feat three times, including 151 blocks in 2005-06.

Grier helped lead Wingate to two SAC titles and the program's only NCAA regional championship in 2006-07. He is a member of the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame.

Tucker, the recipient of the SAC Distinguished Alumni Award, has built an outstanding career in athletic administration and leadership. She has served as Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association since 2015 and has been with the organization since 1991, overseeing governance for more than 400 member schools, 14 sports, and 90 state championships annually.

A Mars Hill graduate, Tucker began her career as a teacher and coach before serving as an assistant women's basketball coach at NC State under Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow. She has earned numerous honors throughout her career, including induction into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, and recognition with the National Federation of High Schools Citation Award. She is also a member of the Mars Hill Athletic Hall of Fame and currently serves on the Mars Hill Board of Trustees.

The 2026 South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on May 28 as part of the Conference's Spring Meetings in Charlotte, N.C.