The South Atlantic Conference will induct six members into the 2023 Hall of Fame Class, the League announced today. Receiving honors will be Anderson alumna Whitney Bishoff, Carson-Newman alum Joe Fishback, Wingate alumna Stormi Gale, Lenoir-Rhyne alumna Kate Griewisch Ryan, and former Tusculum baseball coach Doug Jones. The SAC will also honor the recipient of the Conference’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which will be awarded to Mars Hill alum Mike Kelly.

“Congratulations to these six exceptional individuals on being selected to the Hall of Fame,” said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. “These men and women epitomize the academic and athletic excellence the SAC is known for and their successes while student-athletes and after graduation further exemplify that. We look forward to celebrating their numerous accomplishments on May 22.”

Griewisch Ryan, a 2011 Lenoir-Rhyne graduate, is one of the greatest athletes in Lenoir-Rhyne and SAC women’s cross country history. She was the 2008 SAC Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year, was a two-time SAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2009 and 2011, was a three-time SAC Women’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2009-2011) and was the 2011 SAC Presidents Award Winner. She was a three-time All-Region selection, a seven-time All-American, and was a finalist for the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

Griewisch Ryan was also a successful track & field athlete for the Bears, earning All-American honors on the track and is the Lenoir-Rhyne record holder in the indoor mile, 3,000-meter run, and 5,000-meter run, as well as the outdoor 1,500-meter run, the mile, the 3,000-meter run, the 5,000-meter run, and the 10,000-meter run.

Not only was she highly decorated as an athlete, but she was also successful in the classroom as she graduated with honors earning a 3.85 GPA in biology with a pre-med focus. She went on to earn her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Liberty University. Currently, she is a member of the Bassett Family Practice in Bassett, Va. She also spends time volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at Crosspoint Church.

Griewisch Ryan becomes the seventh female and 14th overall student-athlete from LR to be inducted into the SAC Hall of Fame. She was inducted to the Lenoir-Rhyne Sports Hall of Fame in the fall and makes both the LR and SAC HOF in her first year of eligibility.

The 2023 South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame Banquet will take place as a part of the Conference’s Spring Meetings in Greenville, S.C. on May 22.