Hall of Fame
The intent of the WWC Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize the extraordinary efforts and achievements of athletes, coaches, teams and contributors to WWC, and reinforce a sense of history, tradition and respect for WWC intercollegiate athletics.  In its inaugural year, the committee determined that the first inductees, the charter members, should embody the intent, spirit and historical context of WWC athletics.

The inductees have been highly valued by students and alumni for decades. Each of them has nurtured stories of service and excellence that are held as examples of WWC athletics at its finest.

Nomination Form

Nomination & Induction Criteria

Photo gallery from this year's induction weekend

Hall of Fame Members



Dave Davis '83
Class of 2012
Dave Davis was a member of the Owls basketball team from 1979-83.  He was captain his senior year, helping the 1981-82 and 1982-83 teams win regional championships and advance to the national tournament both years.  Davis began his stellar 21-year coaching career at Warren Wilson, coaching the Owls during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons.  After successful coaching stints at Barton College and Pfeiffer University, Davis is currently in his second season as the head men's basketball coach at Newberry College.  Davis has amassed a career record of 372-226 for a 62 percent winning percentage.  Click here for complete bio...




Sam DeVries
Class of 2012
Sam DeVries, namesake of DeVries Gymnasium, was a member of the Owls community for 42 years from 1934-76.  Known around campus simply as "Coach," DeVries served as the Warren Wilson athletic director and head coach of the football, basketball and baseball teams for many years.  DeVries helped establish the Warren Wilson College athletic department and led the department through the 1950s and 1960s. Click here for complete bio...




Hugh Himan
Class of 2012
Hugh Himan, a former economics professor and baseball coach for the Owls, began working for the College in 1974 and served the school for over 20 years. He was the program architect of the baseball team and served as the head baseball coach for the Owls for nine years. Himan positively influenced numerous students in the classroom and on the field.  Click here for complete bio...




Ernst Laursen '49
Class of 2012
Ernst Laursen played on the Warren Wilson football team from 1945-48.  After graduation, Laursen worked on the college farm for 40 years. He was also the head men's basketball coach for a decade during 1960s and 1970s.  Click here for complete bio...





Sam Millar
Class of 2012
Sam Millar was hired by Warren Wilson College as the building architect in 1957 and stayed through 1971. He began the Owls soccer program in 1960s, and as the head coach, built it into one of the most successful junior college programs in the nation.  Later Millar founded the soccer program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.  Click here for complete bio...





Rodney Lytle '73
Class of 2010
Rodney Lytle was a member of the Owls basketball team from 1969-1973.  He twice earned all-conference honors and helped the Owls win two conference championships.  After graduation, Rodney was the assistant coach from 1973-1975 and head JV coach from 1973-1974.  He was named head coach from 1984-1989.  For nearly 40 years, Rodney has remained a long time recruited and mentor for WWC athletics.  Click here for complete bio...


2012 Hall of Fame Committee Members:

Tim Deuitch '83, Co-Chair

Rodney Greene '87, Co-Chair

Steven Kane '87, Board of Trustees

Rodney Lytle '73, Director of Alumni Relations

Stacey Enos, WWC Athletic Director

Ian Robertson, Dean of Work

Jil Meadows '84, College Counselor

Diana Sanderson, College Archivist

Kevin Waldon, Former Men's Basketball Coach

Kelly Ball, Administrative Assistant