The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Genia Beasley, one of the earliest stars of Kay Yow's women's basketball program, is a pediatric optometrist in Charlotte. The rest of the class included former track and field All-American and standout wide receiver Danny Peebles, women's soccer player Charmaine Hooper and women's basketball player Chasity Mel- vin. "This is really, really cool," Hooper said of her inclusion as the first representative of her sport. "I've been nominated for other honors like this before, and each time it has been very exciting. But this one caught me a little off guard." For Melvin, who helped take Yow to the coach's only appearance at the NCAA Final Four and was a long-time profes- sional player in the WNBA, the honor was a particular thrill. The native of Roseboro, N.C., always wanted to make it to the big time, and, for her, this fulfills that dream. "There weren't people around me mak- ing it big where I came from, especially in professional sports,'' Melvin said. "They were thinking I was crazy when I was talking.'' And for Peebles, who grew up in the heart of Raleigh and dreamed of mak- ing it to the NFL, entering the Hall was particularly relevant. He's still involved with Wolfpack athletics, and his youngest daughter, Jada, just committed to play for Wes Moore's Wolfpack women's basket- ball program. Peebles was not only a two-sport ath- lete, he is also a double graduate of the school. "I left NC State fulfilled, academically and athletically," said the 48-year-old Pee- bles. "I earned two degrees while running track and playing football. I have used all three of those things to do the things I wanted to in life. "To be included in this Hall of Fame, I still haven't been able to wrap my head around it. I don't know if it will ever sink in." But it will, especially since each of the new 10 members will have a permanent place when the Reynolds Walk of Fame and History opens in a little less than two years. ■ Tim Peeler is a regular contributor to The Wolfpacker. He can be reached at tmpeeler@ncsu.edu. Past Classes Of The NC State Athletic Hall Of Fame Class Of 2012 Genia Beasley Women's Basketball, 1977-80 Ted Brown Football, 1975-78 Everett Case Men's Basketball Coach, 1946-64 Roman Gabriel Football, Baseball, Basketball (freshman only), 1958-62 Tab Ramos Men's Soccer, 1984-87 Jim Ritcher Football, 1976-79 Julie Shea Track & Field/Cross Country, 1977-81 David Thompson Men's Basketball, 1972-75 Jim Valvano Men's Basketball Coach, Athletics Administration, 1980-90 Kay Yow Women's Basketball Coach, 1975-2009 Class Of 2013 Tommy Burleson Men's Basketball, 1971-74 Mike Caldwell Baseball, 1967-71 Earle Edwards Football Coach, 1954-70 Steve Gregg Men's Swimming, 1973-77 Torry Holt Football, 1995-98 Ronnie Shavlik Men's Basketball, 1953-56 Norman Sloan Men's Basketball, Football, Track & Field 1946-49 Men's Basketball Coach, 1966-80 Betty Springs Geiger Women's Track & Field/Cross Country, 1979-83 Andrea Stinson Women's Basketball, 1988-91 Sylvester Terkay Wrestling, 1989-93 The Class of 2014 will be the last 10-member group in the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame, with future classes limited to a total of five former athletes and one coach or special contributor. PHOTO BY RYAN TICE Danny Peebles was a nine-time All-American in track and field, and he also played football, making him one of the most accomplished two-sport athletes in school history. PHOTO BY RYAN TICE