The USCAA Announces the Hall of Fame Class of 2023
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The United States Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame committee announced Tuesday that five new members will be inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame Class on June 11th in Winston-Salem, NC.
The USCAA’s 5th Annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies are scheduled for June 11th at the Marriott Winston-Salem. The ceremony will take place with a dinner and reception at 5:30 p.m. prior to the start of the 2023 USCAA National Convention.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to honor this year's inductees." says USCAA Chief Operating Officer, BJ Bertges. "The National Convention is one of my favorite events each year and to be able to honor our former student-athletes, coaches and meritorious contributors is very special. This ceremony not only recognizes and celebrates our inductees but serves as a reminder of where the Association has grown from and those who have made significant contributions along the way. In many ways, it serves as our motivation to continue to provide opportunities for our memebrs and student-athletes to succeed at the highest level".
Former student-athletes include: Jamie Plummer Chesley (University Maine Augusta / Women’s Basketball) and Tyler Wooldridge (Andrews University / Men’s Basketball).
Coaches in the 2023 class include: Bill Michaels (Williamson School of Trade / Men’s Basketball), Chris Christiansen (Berkeley College of New York / Men’s Basketball) and Paul Hogan (NHTI / Men’s Basketball).
Jamie Plummer Chesley University Maine Augusta Women’s Basketball – Player: A member of the Moose from 2012-2016. Plummer is the school record holder in points scored in a career with 1,997 total points scored throughout her career, while ranking second in points per season, third in career field goal percentage and first in rebounds during a single season. Plummers major accomplishments include four USCAA All-American selections (three first team and one honorable mention) and three USCAA Academic All-American picks. During her time at UMA, Plummer led her team to their first ever tournament bid to the USCAA National Basketball Tournament, serving as a captain all four seasons and being a vocal leader throughout her career. Plummer graduated from UMA with a degree in Biology in 2016 and earned her Master’s degree from North Florida in Physical Therapy in 2020.
Tyler Wooldridge Andrews University Men’s Basketball – Player: A member of the Andrews University Men’s Basketball team from 2010-2014, Wooldridge scored 1,000 points in just two seasons, lighting up the basket his junior and senior year, helping his team to a 44-12 record over the two year span. Wooldridge was a member of the 2010-11 Division II National Championship team, earning an All-Tournament team selection. In his sophomore campaign, Wooldridge was named the 2011-12 Division II Tournament MVP after leading his team to back to back National Championships and earning First Team All-American honors. A First Team All American selection in 2012-13, Wooldridge led his team back to National Championship honors in 2013-14, being selected the tournament MVP and a First Team All-American.
Bill Michaels Williamson School of Trades Men’s Basketball – Coach: Serving as the Head Basketball Coach at Williamson College of the Trades for over 20 years, Michaels is the schools all time leader in wins, picking up his 300th win last season. Michaels boasts a career record of 301-209 and won the Division II USCAA Men’s Basketball Championship in 2008 and 2009, Michaels led his team to the National Championship in 2010 but came up just short picking up a second place finish. A staple in the Williamson community, Michaels has served the close knit community for 20 years, developing his student athletes into upstanding citizens and members of the community. Michaels truly lives out the five core values of Williamson, Faith, Integrity, Diligence, Excellence and service.
Chris Christiansen Berkeley College of New York Men’s Basketball – Coach: Chris Christiansen was the Head Coach of the Berkeley College New York men's basketball team for 22 seasons. During his tenure, he guided the Knights to nine Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017) in 12 years as official members of the conference. In 2011, Berkeley began competing nationally in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Under Christiansen’s guidance, the Berkeley College Knights qualified for seven consecutive appearances in the USCAA Division II National Basketball Tournament. He led the team to the institution's first National crown back in the 2014-2015 campaign, when the Knights won 11 consecutive contests to close the season en route to a USCAA title. The following year - 2015-2016 - he paced Berkeley to a 24-1 mark and another National title. In his final season, he was named the USCAA Division II Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, as he paced the Knights to an unblemished 29-0 record and a third consecutive USCAA title. Christiansen boasts a career record of 203-74, while claiming three USCAA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championships.
Paul Hogan NHTI Men’s Basketball – Coach: Paul Hogan was the head coach and Athletic Director of the NHTI Lynx for 23 years, retiring in June of 2022. Hogan Boasts 649 career wins, while claiming the USCAA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship in 2005 and 2020. Hogan was selected as the USCAA Coach of the Year two times, during the 2002 and 2018 seasons. Hogan was also selected as the USCAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2013. During his time within the USCAA, Hogan served as a chairman on numerous USCAA committees. Hogan was inducted into the NHTI Hall of Fame in 2020, while serving as a chairperson for the distribution and growth of two NHTI Academic Scholarships.
About the USCAA
The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) is a national organization that exists to provide quality athletic competition on a national level. The USCAA, which has been in existence since 2001, focuses specifically on smaller institutions of higher learning and their student-athletes. The USCAA provides opportunities for small colleges to compete against like institutions for national championships and student athlete recognition. The association believes that all athletes and programs deserve the same national opportunities as larger institutions. We are the organization that provides those opportunities. The USCAA is 501(3c) non-profit.