DALLAS – Conference USA announced today its 2020 Hall of Fame Class. The five-person class is comprised of a pioneering administrator, a record-setting head coach and three highly decorated student-athletes.
“It is our honor to recognize this impressive group for induction as our second Hall of Fame class,” said Judy MacLeod, Conference USA Commissioner. “The contributions to their universities and to Conference USA are remarkable, but also noteworthy in the history and growth of Conference USA. We are proud to commemorate their lasting legacy to our conference.”
2020 C-USA Hall of Fame Feature
The 2020 C-USA Hall of Fame class features student-athletes and coaches from three different sports and five institutions.
Criteria to be eligible for the Hall of Fame includes the following:
*A minimum of two years played for student-athletes, minimum five years served for
coaches/administrators (coaches/administrators in current roles are eligible)
*Student-athletes are only eligible five years after their last C-USA competition
*Considerations for student-athletes will be based on but not limited to All-America selections and
national honors, C-USA superlative awards, academic standing and off-the-field contributions
*Considerations for coaches/administrators will be based on contributions to C-USA as a whole
The league’s Hall of Fame Committee selects the nominees and the league’s Athletics Directors serve as the voting panel for the C-USA Hall of Fame.
The league’s inaugural class made its debut in 2019 with 20 student-athletes, three coaches and two administrators. Current and future C-USA Hall of Fame class size will be a minimum of one inductee and a maximum of five inductees per year.
Nominees not selected in this class will remain on the ballot for future years.
2020 CONFERENCE USA HALL OF FAME CLASS
Natalie Beazant, Rice/Women’s Tennis (2012-2015)
- Two-time ITA All American (2013, 2015)
- Two-time C-USA Player of the Year (2012, 2015) and 2012 C-USA Freshman of the Year
- Four-time All-C-USA first team singles and three-time All-C-USA first team doubles recipient
- Twice named Outstanding Singles Player of the C-USA Championship (2012, 2014) and a part of two Outstanding Doubles Players of the C-USA Championship (2012, 2014)
- Three NCAA singles appearances (2012, 2013, 2015) and three NCAA doubles qualifications (2012, 2013, 2014)
- 2012 ITA Texas Region Rookie of the Year
- Finished her career 73-18 as a singles player and 61-25 in doubles
Brad Lincoln, Houston/Baseball (2004-2006)
- 2006 Dick Howser Trophy winner as top Division I college player; 2006 ABCA National Player of the Year
- 2006 consensus First Team All-American; 2005-06 C-USA Co-Male Athlete of the Year; 2006 First Team All-C-USA; 2004 C-USA All-Freshman team
- Led Houston to the 2006 NCAA Championship and the final game of the C-USA Championship
- Was the earliest MLB Draft selection in C-USA history (No. 4 overall) and pitched five seasons in the majors for three different teams.
Dave Ragone, Louisville/Football (1999-2002)
- First three-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2002, 2001, 2000) in league history; Three-time Honorable Mention All-American (2002, 2001, 2000); Three-time First team All-C-USA selection; C-USA Football Player of the Decade (1995-2005)
- Led Louisville to back-to-back C-USA Championships in 2000 and 2001; Played in three consecutive bowl games for Louisville and was on the roster for a fourth.
- Went 27–11 as a starting quarterback, including an 11–1 mark in 2001. He finished his career as Louisville’s second all-time leading passer.
- Played for three NFL teams and was NFL Europe MVP in 2005; Has coached in NFL since 2011, currently serving as the Chicago Bears Passing Game coach.
Rick Jones, Tulane/Baseball Head Coach (1996-2011)
- Inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame in 2012; Won 1,121 career games
- Head coach of Team USA in 1999; Five of his Tulane student-athletes played for Team USA during his tenure
- Led Tulane to four C-USA regular season championships (2005, 2001, 1998, 1997) and five postseason tournament titles (2005, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996)
- Guided Tulane to C-USA’s first College World Series appearance in 2001 and also reached the CWS in 2005 as the No. 1 seed; Made 11 NCAA appearances as a member of C-USA, with three Super Regional trips
- Three-time C-USA Coach of the Year (2005, 2001, 1997); C-USA Baseball Coach of the Decade (1996-2005)
Judy Rose, Charlotte/Athletics Director (1995-2018)
- Served as 49ers Director of Athletics for 28 years before retiring in 2018
- Helped Charlotte become a founding member of Conference USA in 1995 and oversaw the school’s return to the league in 2013, following an eight-year stint in another conference
- Spearheaded the University’s efforts to begin a football program that led to the return to C-USA
- In 2012, the football fieldhouse was named by donor Dale Halton in her honor: Judy W. Rose Football Center
- She helped develop over $100 million worth of athletic facilities which have enhanced playing venues, academic services, strength and conditioning programs, training and medical support for student-athletes
- NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, 2000-2004, the first woman to serve on committee
- Served as President of NACDA (2003-04) and was NACDA Southeast Region Athletic Director of the Year (2001)
About Conference USA
Conference USA is an NCAA Division I athletic conference based in Dallas, Texas, that services 14 institutions of higher education – Charlotte, FIU, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Old Dominion, Rice, Southern Miss, UAB, UTEP, UTSA and WKU. Now in its third decade, Conference USA has adapted to the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics with an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity and leadership in competition, academics and community.
-ConferenceUSA.com-
