COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict Athletic Hall of Fame inducted six new members on Thursday, October 30, adding to an already impressive group of Hall of Famers.
 
This year's class includes three softball standouts, a track and field champion, a football leader on and off the field, and a baseball star who led the Tigers to multiple championships.
 
The event was held at the Doubletree by Hilton ballroom, and a large number of previous Hall of Famers attended to welcome in the new class.
 
The six new inductees brings the total number of members in the Benedict College Athletic Hall of Fame to 243.
 
Ms. Loraine Dunbar, 1984
Softball
 

A dynamic three-sport athlete, Loraine was known as "the Ozzie Smith of Softball," a tribute to her incredible skill at the position of shortstop. She was a defensive powerhouse in basketball, earning the nickname "Rainbow" from her Coach Nathaniel "Perk" Perkins, who relied on her tenacity, speed and ability to spark fast breaks. She made history as the first female to start the College's women's cross-country team, training alongside the men with encouragement from Ms. Mary Davis.

Loraine's impact on softball was immediate, earning her Rookie of the Year honors as a first-year student. She continued to shine throughout her college career, receiving the Coaches Award each season and capping it off with MVP honors in her junior and senior years. She was selected as an All-Conference for all four years, standing alongside Hall of Famers Sharon Williams (Basketball), Mavis Golston (Softball) and Valerie Brown-Locklin (Basketball/Softball). Loraine's athleticism was captured in an Illustrated History of Benedict College Athletics 1907-2005 written by the late Julian L.D. Shabazz.

Beyond athletics, Loraine displayed exceptional leadership on campus, earning recognition in Who's Who Among College Students, Ms. Freshman, Ms. Sophomore, and First Runner-Up to Miss Benedict. She also excelled in academics, kept a 3.0 plus GPA all four years, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

After college, Loraine continued her dominance in softball, competing at the highest level in Columbia and across the country, becoming a key member of national championship teams. Her name is still synonymous with greatness in softball, widely regarded as one of the best infielders the city has seen.

Loraine is proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is defined by a moment in history when recruited to Benedict College by Coach Perkins. "He saw the winner in me, when I didn't see it in myself, and I've been winning in softball and in life ever since."
 
Ms. Bridgette Edwards, 1999
Softball
 

Bridgette Edwards was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is the middle child of Don and Martha Edwards, and the sibling to Donnise Moore and Don Edwards, Jr. By the age of 13, she joined her first softball team, in Neu Ulm, Germany starting at first base. By the age of 18, Bridgette would have attended six schools in 2 countries before graduating from Leesville High School in Ft. Polk, Louisiana, where she started as pitcher for the girl's fast pitch softball team.

After graduating high school, Bridgette enlisted in the United States Army Reserve with a medical MOS of 68G. Once she finished basic training and AIT, she enrolled at Benedict College as a Criminal Justice major. She was a walk-on for the Lady Tiger Softball Team, solidifying a scholarship with a three pitch try out. Bridgette was the starting pitcher during entire tenure at Benedict College and received numerous accolades and accommodations to include MVP Pitcher (2), Softball All Tournament (3), Softball All Conference (2), EIAC All Conference Team (2), EIAC Tournament Champions (2), as well as the John E. Brown Award for Exceptional Student Athlete. During her senior year and last season with the Lady Tigers, the team had an undefeated conference season, giving Bridgette the most wins for any pitcher to attend Benedict College.

After graduation, Bridgette would be mobilized with her United States Army Medical Support Unit because of the 9/11 attacks. For the next 16 years, she would go on to support her country against terroristic attacks under Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She retired with a total time of 23 years in the military. Currently, Bridgette lives in Atlanta, Georgia where she holds multiple licenses to include Master Cosmetologist, Master Barber, and Master Cosmetology Instructor. She has provided hair, makeup, and barbering services for the Atlanta Falcons, Lifetime Network, VH1 Network, CNN, WISB-TV (ABC), APPLE TV, Netflix, Soul Train Music Awards, and a host of other productions.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
 
Mr. Marquez Gibson, 2010
Football
 

Marquez Gibson was a ball-hawk free safety whose athletic career is noticeable by his dedication and leadership. Born in Augusta, Georgia, Gibson made a decision that changed his life. In 2008, after sitting out of college for three years, he decided to major in Mathematics at Benedict College.

He was a three-year starter where his impact was extended far beyond the football field. He was dual-sport student athlete (football and track & Field) under Coach Stanley Conner and Coach Frank Hyland. Marquez quickly proved himself as a leader, serving as team captain and finishing his career with 187 tackles, 19 interceptions, 27 pass breakups, and 3 touchdowns. He earned the impressive honors of two time All American and three-time First Team All-Conference. He was selected to play in the 2010 HBCU All-Star game in Atlanta, Georgia. He was known for being very coachable with a high IQ on and off the field.

After graduation, Marquez dedicated his life to education and his community. He holds three master's degrees and is a Math Professor at Augusta Technical College. He has also coached football and track for over a decade at both high school and collegiate levels. Currently, he is the head coach of a nationally ranked AAU youth Track & Field program run under his 501c3, ASAP Performance Foundation.

Marquez has a passion for empowering youth in the Central Savannah River Area through sports, academics, mentorship, and personal development. He shares his life and sports experiences for the next generation of student athletes.

Ms. Cherae Rice, 2011
Softball
 

Cherae Rice attended Nansemond River High School. Her athleticism was displayed as a two-sport player in basketball and softball, with a particular passion and success in softball. As a three-year lettered athlete, she honed her skills and thrived on the softball field.

She was recruited on a full athletic scholarship at Benedict College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in December 2011. She became an integral part of the softball team, playing positions such as 3rd base, shortstop, and catcher. Under the guidance of Coach Gwendolyn Rouse, she learned invaluable lessons about teamwork and perseverance, earning multiple accolades to include an impressive overall batting average of .481. She secured various SIAC conference awards, including 1st and 2nd team ALL SIAC in 2010, ALL SIAC Tournament in 2010, and 1st team ALL SIAC along with the SIAC Player of the Year in 2011. Additionally, she clinched the NCAA Division II Statistical Champion title for batting average in both 2010 (.545) and 2011 (.537). In her senior year, she was named the NCAA Division II Statistical Champion for on-base percentage, runs batted in, and slugging percentage. She was recognized for her well-rounded character and was honored with The Lucius F. Clark Memorial Best All-Around Champions of Character Student Athlete Award and team MVP.

After graduating, Cherae embarked on a new chapter moving to Lexington, Kentucky. There, she taught at Mary Todd Elementary School while pursuing a Master of Education degree from Georgetown University in special education. Engaging in mentoring and coaching, she contributed to the Girls on the Run program and served as an assistant softball coach at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. In 2013, she joined Richland Northeast High School, in Columbia, South Carolina and taught from 2014 to 2022. During this time, she coached softball and cross country, progressing from JV Head Coach/Assistant Varsity Coach to Head Softball Coach in 2019 mentoring student athletes on post-secondary decisions, NCAA Clearinghouse, and the NAIA Eligibility Center.

In the fall of 2022, she transitioned to Nashville, Tennesse as a teacher and softball coach at Hillwood High School. Embracing the mantra that "hard work pays off," Cherae achieved a 3rd place finish in the season, earning her the title of Region 5 District 10 Coach of the Year. Presently, at James Lawson High School, she continues in the role of Head Softball Coach and led the program to a district championship, first region appearance, and the Region 5 District 10 Coach of the Year title for second consecutive year.

Ms. Christine Thomas, 1994

Track & Field
 

Christine Thomas, Class of 1994, is a native of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. She competed four seasons for the Benedict College track team and was an outstanding sprinter in the EIAC and District 6 NAIA conferences. She later earned a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management from Troy University in May 2005, graduating magna cum laude with a 3.8 GPA.

As a high school athlete at Georgetown High School (1985 to 1989), she set records in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4x400m races for track and field. She placed second in the state in 1988, and she still holds her high school 400m record today. In volleyball, she was named the Most Improved Player and Best Defensive Player. In basketball, she earned Offensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and was a member of the All-County teams in 1988 and 1989. She values the camaraderie and life lessons sports provided.

Under the guidance of Coach Michael Stewart, the Benedict College women's track team, won four consecutive EIAC Championships and four NAIA District Championships from 1989 to 1993, making them one of the most successful athletic programs in Benedict College history! She was a key member of the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, and sprint medley relay teams. The team won championships at the Paine College Relay, Edwin Moses Morehouse Relay, and the South Carolina State Classic from 1989 to 1992. In 1989, she helped set the 4x100 relay record. Christine earned All-Conference and All District honors all four years in the 200m and 400m dashes. Additionally, she qualified for the National NAIA Championship in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. In addition to track and field, Christine took part in basketball, volleyball, and cross-country during Benedict's track team off-season.

A decorated Air Force veteran, Airman First Class Thomas received awards throughout her service. She distinguished herself by Meritorious Service in various assignments at Langley Air Force Base (Virginia) as 1st Fighter Squadron (December 1994 to August 1998). She exemplified the highest professionalism, job knowledge, and contributed immensely to the success of assets that were valued at more than $11 million. She earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation Southern Watch while assigned to the 4404th Wing of the Civil Engineering Squadron, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (November 1996 to February 1997). Her work was instrumental in ensuring compliance with United Nations resolutions and the national interest of the United States of America. She served honorably and with distinction, showing responsibility and excellence under pressure.

Christine has over 16 years of federal government experience, earning recognition for outstanding performance. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, she drafted strategies for Congressional hearings, served as a Congressional Relations Officer during staffing shortages, and constructed media analyses to mitigate the impact on hearings and briefings. At the Department of Defense, she was the editor of the newsletter.

Currently, Christine serves as a Senior Instructional System Designer for the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, traveling extensively throughout the United States and its territories. She is recognized for her integrity and her ability to influence, motivate, and lead by example in service to others. She carries the discipline developed through years of competing in track and field and other sports qualities that have helped her achieve success in both her personal and professional endeavors.

An enthusiastic international traveler, Christine has explored over 60 countries, often on her own. Among her favorites are Greece, Singapore, Egypt, Thailand, Ghana, and Portugal. She strives to visit three to five countries annually! Her motto is a quote by Oscar Wilde, "Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret!"

Mr. Jerome Smalls, 1997

Baseball
 

Jerome Smalls is a 1997 graduate of Benedict College. During his time as baseball player at the College, the team won 4 Conference Championships and 4 Tournament Conference Championships. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Jerome played the positions of shortstop, second base, and occasionally pitched. His style of play mimicked Mookie Wilson and Blade Raysor who taught him the importance of intelligence and quick thinking.

Jerome currently lives in Irmo, South Carolina with his wife Robin and children, Jerome II and Addison. He has been employed with Michelin North America for close to 25 years.