GRANTHAM, Pa. - On Friday, Apr. 1, 2022 the Messiah Athletics department inducted seven new members into the Messiah Hall of Honor as part of the Class of 2022. The seven-member class included, Brian Hoyt '79 (men's basketball), Ben Martin '88 (men's soccer), Cathy (Hevener) Erickson '92 (softball), Stef (Rowe) Moore '08 (women's soccer), JD Binger '09 (men's soccer), Kristen (Bates) Arnold '10 (women's track and field), Julie (Barton) Pachella '11 (field hockey). The 2022 induction comes after consecutive missed induction ceremonies due to COVID-19.
See below for each of the complete words that their coaches and teammates submitted about the Class of 2022.
Cathy (Hevener) Erickson '92 - Softball
- 1992 First Team All-Region - First Regional Honor in Program History
- Three-time First Team All-Conference
- Member of MAC Northwest Division Championship Teams in 1990 and 1991
- Member of the 1990 MAC Runner-Up team
From teammate Cindee Trapp:
Two score and twelve years ago Mr. & Mrs. Hevener brought forth on this continent, a new child, conceived in… (Well, this is Messiah. We won't discuss that detail.)…, and dedicated to the proposition that not all softball players are created equal.
Those of you who know Cathy can appreciate the nod to her historical hero, Abraham Lincoln. Although a great president, I suspect his softball skills were compromised by his exceedingly large strike zone. As for Cathy, she had no such difficulties at the plate, which is one of the reasons we are here to honor her this evening.
Cathy's statistics are gaudy by any metric. She owns the top spot in Messiah's softball record book in five different categories. As you listen to her numbers, keep in mind a few facts. The average college softball pitching speed is 58-65 mph, giving a batter 0.4 seconds to react. This is the same average reaction time required of Major League Baseball hitters. Additionally, Cathy played on a home field that had no fence at the time. Opponents were free to position their outfielders in the middle of the Yellow Breaches to keep Cathy's bat in check. Yet, among 4-year players, Cathy still ranks number one in single season batting average (.567), single season slugging percentage (.872), career batting average (.465), career slugging percentage (.760), and career on-base percentage (.503). She is number two all-time in triples…which, if we're honest, might have been homeruns had Coach Linger not fed us donuts for Saturday morning pre-game meals. Additionally, Cathy is among the record book leaders for hits in a season, homeruns in a season, RBI's in a season, and career RBI's. However, what stands out even more to those of us who played with Cathy was her uncanny ability to hit any pitch, anywhere, at any time. No matter how opponents tried to work around her, Cathy would find a way to get the ball down on a green part of the field. And it seemed the bigger the situation, the better she became.
In addition to her amazing hitting prowess, Cathy was a phenomenal third baseman. If a ball came anywhere near her, it was quickly in the glove then on its way to first base. Errors were like politicians agreeing on policy…rare to behold. Cathy was named first-team all-conference third baseman her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. She lead Messiah to its first ever MAC division titles in 1990 and 1991, which today would have earned automatic berths into the NCAA tournament. She became the first ever Messiah softball player to earn National Fastpitch Coaches Association honors, being named first team all-region her senior year.
Cathy's induction into Messiah's Hall of Honors is simple to understand. Her athletic skills would easily earn her a starting position on any team Messiah has ever fielded. But even more impressive than any diving play, any game winning hit, is Cathy's character. When asked for their thoughts, former teammates shared the following: A fierce competitor, laser focused, encourager, kind, a leader, humble, funny, confident, extremely high work ethic, a servant, a woman of high integrity, the single biggest influence on my faith outside of my parents, an amazing human being.
Cathy, we your teammates, friends, and family, are so proud of you. You are not simply a Hall of Fame athlete, but a Hall of Fame person. Congratulations on this much-deserved honor. In the far lesser known words of Honest Abe, "You knocked it out of the park."
JD Binger '09 - Men's Soccer
- 2008 NCAA Division III National Player of the Year
- Two-time First Team All-American
- Three-time First Team All-Conference
- Member of NCAA Division III Championship teams in 2005, 2006, and 2008
From head coach Dave Brandt:
When I think of JD Binger, I think of……. Wheaton College (who I was SURE we were going to lose him to), Scooby Doo sheets, which I think he still uses; or Star Trek, can't remember-but does it really make any difference? Because, either way, I have it on good account that he sleeps on cartoon sheets to this day.
I think of a long-legged gangly Freshman who played as an attacking center midfielder, and fancied himself to be an attacking center midfielder, and was not happy at all when I told him I was moving him to Center Back in the Spring after that first Fall. The rest with JD is history, so I'll stop and say no more about that.
I also think of a fun and goofy personality, a GIGANTIC smile most of the time, a sincere friend to all, an extremely caring person, a deep thinker, but also a fierce competitor, which is really the reason he is here tonight.
If I am remembering correctly at all, then if not for the fact that I ran into JD as he got off the elevator at the Final 4 the year BEFORE he came to Messiah, his SR year of high school-fortuitously, or more likely by God's providence, he was there because his sister, Jen, was playing in the Final 4 on the women's side for Wheaton, and of course, we were there on the men's side-we might never have connected, and he might never have come to Messiah. It was a brief conversation as he got off the elevator and I got on, but I made a definitive mental note that after the Final 4, I was going to dig into who this JD Binger kid was a little more, and, right, the rest is history, as JD became one of the most physically dominating central defenders in Messiah's history, and indeed in the history of Division III.
I have a small personal tradition, and JD would know this, of talking about Seniors at the banquet within a framework of my 1
st memory of them, my best memory of them, and what I call "the story behind the story", and so, if you will allow me, I will do that quickly now, one more time, for JD.
My 1
st memory of JD is that elevator meeting in Greensboro, NC. Providential? 100% yes. Thankfully for me and for Messiah Men's Soccer, God was going to use whatever day to day pragmatic things He needed to in order to direct JD to Messiah, and we are certainly thankful that He did.
My best memory of JD could easily have been his game-tying goal in the Elite 8 game his SR year with exactly, precisely, 1:00 left on the clock-that was BIG; huge as a matter of fact-but, actually, it's a memory from his SO year, 2006, his first season at center back. We had a particularly challenging round of 16 game against Williams, at Williams. There were times in that game when we were on the ropes, the outcome very much in question-we ended up winning on Penalty Kicks; but there was a moment late in that game which I'll never forget-we had been having trouble containing their two forwards. JD had been stellar, but, again, there were some nervy moments, and the outcome was in doubt for sure. Late in the game, still tied 0-0 and wondering if we could keep it that way, their forward appeared to get loose down the right flank, and it looked like he would slip by JD to get in on goal; but JD reacted more quickly than any of us thought he might, and reached his leg out to just absolutely cement this kid with a great tackle, won the ball, passed it out the other way-and then let out a monster scream of momentary, individual triumph-and at that moment, I knew that, one way or another, this game was going to be ours. One of those moments when you sensed that the will of this team, exemplified in a moment by one of its best players, was somehow going to prevail.
The story behind the story? Well, it's all I've told you. A larger than life, Star Trek bedsheet, awesome kid, and fierce competitor who was meant to be at Messiah. To know JD is to love JD. Not sure it's possible that he could have an "enemy" in the world-except for maybe that Williams forward! A great player, a great competitor, a great friend, and a great ambassador for and representation of Messiah and it's men's soccer program, and one of my personal favorite players of all time for both who he is and how he played. JD Binger.
Kristen (Bates) Arnold '10 - Women's Track and Field
- Three-time Division III National Champion - 55m Hurdles, Pentathlon, and 100m Hurdles
- 46 All-Conference Honors
- 29-time MAC Individual Champion
- 11-time All-American
- Member of seven MAC Team Championships
From head coach
Dale Fogelsanger:
Track and field is a little different, similar to wrestling and swimming, where competitors are beside each other during the competition and get to know each other personally. Kristen became highly respected at the conference, regional, and national level by her competitors and represented by a college and are track and field program with compassion, dignity, excellence and a Christ centered approach.
Kristen approached competition and competed with a very healthy humble confident (not always common in an individual/team sport like T&F.) And she had just the right amount of positive pre-meet anxiety to perform at an optimal level. She never seem to become stressed out. I recall her senior indoor pentathlon in the high jump event where you get three attempts to clear a bar, she had 2 misses at several bars but stayed composed and confident under pressure to clear several bars on her third and final attempt and ended up jumping a personal best height and that national meet. In the hurdles, where she was also national champion, she didn't consider that there may be other see times faster than her, she 'did not look lateral' she was just going to focus and attack those hurdles aggressively and run as fast as she can as she tried to win each race. Even during her warm up just prior to the gun start, she gave of fibs of humble confidence to her competitors, who may have chose to become intimidated by her.
On the team, she was a model of emotional balance and positive responses, even with a broken wrist two weeks before the national meet, and she was happy to serve with leadership to the rest of our team. She also volunteered coaching with our team for many years afterwards.
Ben Martin '88 - Men's Soccer
- 1987 Third Team All-American - First National Honor in Program History
- 1987 First Team All-Region
- Two-time First Team All-Conference
- Member of 1986 Final Four Team - First Final Four Appearance in Program History
Doug Martin (teammate): Ben is one of the "old guard" that helped get the program on the national map. He epitomized the true Messiah player. Great technical ability, a head for tactics on the field, true toughness and desire, an endless work ethic all the while setting a high bar for sportsmanship in a competitive environment. He would also break out a good Layton impression to keep us laughing.
Steve Brandt (teammate): Ben was the front point of our diamond defense and he prevented attacks from coming down the middle, he forced teams to use the outside. He had the biggest foot I have ever seen! I'll never forget in the closing minutes of the '86 regional finals against Etown when Charlie Rynex built a tee out of mud in Mountain Man's Lake(I can't believe the officials let him do it, he was on his knees building it up 8-10 inches high) and the Ben hit it 70-80 yards-it was ridiculous. Then the next game at Ohio Wesleyan he saved my beacon with a goal-line clear. Ben was a natural; leader who treated people well and had an infectious enjoyment of the game and his teammates.
Todd Parnell (friend): Ben Martin steady and dependable, always there for everyone on and off the field. A quiet strength that was a force to be reckoned with and a friend who is strong for all. He has a sharp sense of humor with a warming smile to match. Great athlete, even better human being.
Doug Miller (track coach): After 42 years of track and field at Messiah Ben Martin is still on the top 10 list of three events: the 110 hurdles, the 400 m hurdles, and the 1600 m relay. That's really impressive. The other thing that of course I remember about Ben is that he was just such a great spiritual leader on the team and captain of course. He was so well respected by all the athletes and all of his opponents.
From
Mike Russ (soccer coach): Ben Martin was such a joy to coach. Every game he was "switched on" He possessed a wonderful combination of size, speed, technical ability and tactical awareness. His position was called stopper in those days and it required two primary roles. Defensively it was to stop the opponents attack from developing and offensively it was to distribute the ball for our attack to get going. Few players could cover the ground to stop opponents the way Ben could and almost no one could deliver a ball on the money 50 yards or longer the way Ben could. Two images of Ben are indelibly planted in my mind. One is of a goal that Ben scored from the top of the center circle. The ball never got above five feet and I think it was still rising when it hit the net. The keeper had no chance. The other was at the Ohio Wesleyan game to get us into the final four for the first time. They were the number one ranked team by a wide margin and we got pounded on the field. I think we had one shot and they had 33. Ours scored. With a few minutes in the game they took a shot that was a sure goal headed for the left upper 90, out of nowhere Ben Martin rises up and robs the goal with a bicycle save that cleared the ball to almost mid field. Ben was not just a joy to coach because he was a great player even more so because he had a great heart. He had a strong desire to serve others. His quiet natural leadership was expressed by his example. Ben Martin is one of those players that humbles a coach to think of the privilege, honor and blessing it is to be called coach. Congratulations and thank you Ben.
P.S. Ben I know Layton would be thrilled to see you getting this honor.
Julie (Barton) Pachella '11 - Field Hockey
- Two-time NCAA Division III National Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010
- Three-time First Team All-American
- Three-time First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference
- Member of three Final Four teams and two National Runner-Up teams in 2009 and 2010
From field hockey coach
Brooke Good:
Julie was a dominant force who commanded the field from the center midfield position. I can remember numerous games where Julie single-handedly changed the trajectory of a game by completely taking over the pace of play. There were moments when she tackled back more than 50 yards to make an incredible stop in our defensive circle, then carried the ball the full length of the field to initiate a scoring opportunity. Julie was simply a beast! Her natural abilities and impeccable work ethic set her apart from many, however, her humility and commitment to making others better was exemplary. Messiah field hockey is a better program because Julie Barton was a Falcon. Thank you for being a standard bearer and congratulations on this amazing honor.
Brian Hoyt '79 - Men's Basketball
- All-Time Messiah Men's Basketball Leading Scorer
- 2,037 Career Points
- 1979 National Christian College Athletic Association District II Champion
- 1979 National Christian College Athletic Association Regional Runner-Up
From teammate Bill Strasbaugh:
Brian's competitive spirit both on and off the courts was and is "off the charts". On the court, Brian never saw a shot he did not like and took advantage of each and every one of them. The line of reasoning went like this: I'm "at least" a 50% shooter - If the first 10 shots in a game did not go in, no problem, the next 10 will. And they did.
Off the courts Brian's drive to be the best is evidenced in his professorial work by his teaching evaluations and awards, research grants received, and continuous search for the next best thing to share with his students.
At home, Brian has led his family with God honoring commitment to his lovely wife Pamela and their wonderful children now grown and successful. The seeds for faith planted by Brian's godly parents (which they sometimes wondered if they might ever bloom fully) have produced a harvest that they could never have imagined.
Brian's loyalty to his teammates (especially to his point guards) was never in doubt and we had the best of times making memories. That same loyalty was demonstrated to his customers when he owned his own business and is now demonstrated to his students in the classes he teaches. Loyalty was also demonstrated in Brian and Pam's commitment to their alma mater via the creation of a scholarship several decades ago.
Brian's scoring records speak for themselves and arose from a fast-paced, high-scoring, fun-to-watch style of basketball that we played in the late 70's. Brubaker auditorium was packed to the gills and loud for each contest. Coach Shaker used to say "I bet we will beat you to 100", a mark which we surpassed several times and Brian was leading that scoring charge.
From my vantage point, Brian's commitments have come full circle. His on the court competitive spirit and scoring leadership have morphed into leading others around him (his family, his students, anyone who comes into his sphere of influence) to strive for excellence flavored with the kind of wisdom that can only come by knowing and following Christ.
Stef (Rowe) Moore '08 - Women's Soccer
- Two-time First Team All-American
- 2006 Conference Player of the Year
- Member of Four Final Four Teams in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007
- Member of the first NCAA Division III Championship team in women's soccer history 2005
From head coach
Scott Frey:
Stef was a central figure in the growth of the Messiah Women's Soccer program to national prominence in the early 2000's. Her on field accomplishments can easily be observed by looking at her stats of goals scored and games won but just as important and even maybe more so was her influence off the field. Stef was a standard bearer when it came to fitness and the infamous mile run. I tried to dig back in the archives to find her times but my computer was no longer able to open those files…I'm pretty sure they were under 5:30, she showed what was possible. That work ethic and commitment permeated the team and program and became foundational to those who have followed.
Stef was the ultimate competitor. Yes, there is a smile on her face but there is a fire in her heart and it showed itself most when it mattered the most as well in big games. She was a "smooth and silky" player on the ball yet deceptively powerful when necessary. She led the team in scoring for three seasons from her mid-field position, which is not often the case on a team.
Her heart for Christ and for others though is what makes Stef a consummate Messiah Women's Soccer player. Stef embraced and exemplified the core values of Servant Leadership and Selflessness. It was never about her and always about the team and her teammates. We have been fortunate to have such a fantastic woman as Stef be a part of this program. She truly deserved this amazing honor.
