Five new members will be inducted into the Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies that will take place in Goodman Gym on the evening of Friday, November 10, 2017. Joining the Hall of Fame as the Class of 2017 will be Mike Delabar ’02, Adrian Whitley Gantt ’98, Bill Griffin ’71, Danyel Locklear Jolicoeur ’04 and Luke Samples ’05.
Delabar played both men’s soccer and men’s lacrosse for Catawba. In soccer, he helped Catawba to a South Atlantic Conference title as a freshman then a league tournament title in 2001 where he was named the SAC Tournament MVP.
A two-time All-SAC pick in men’s soccer, Delabar was an All-Southeast Region performer in 2001 as a senior. He also twice earned All-Deep South honors in men’s lacrosse and earned honorable mention All-America honors in his senior season.
Delabar scored 27 career goals in soccer with a high of 18 in 2001 which stands fifth-best all-time. In lacrosse, he tallied 82 goals and added 64 assists. His goal total ranks ninth all-time with his assists ranked seventh.
Gantt was also a two-sport athlete at Catawba, competing in both field hockey and softball. She was twice named an All-American in field hockey and was a two-time All-SAC selection in softball.
In field hockey, Gantt scored a pair of goals and handed out nine assists. She collected a team-high six assists during her senior campaign. Gantt started in centerfield in softball and rapped out 109 career hits with 67 runs scored. Her 38 career stolen bases still ranks fourth all-time.
Gantt is married to Jim Gantt, Catawba’s current head baseball coach and was a Class of 2015 Catawba Sports Hall of Famer. The have a daughter, Blakely.
Griffin starred in football and track and field for Catawba. He was a two-way lineman in football, playing both offense and defensive line. Griffin was drafted in 1971 by the Dallas Cowboys and also had a stint with the Miami Dolphins in 1972.
Griffin twice earned all-conference honors as a defensive lineman and was an All-NAIA District 26 performer. In track and field, Griffin earned all-conference and All-District 26 honors four times in the shot put and discus.
Jolicoeur was a standout in women’s basketball, helping Catawba to three conference titles and a pair of league tournament titles. Catawba qualified for the NCAA II Tournament three times during Jolicoeur’s career. Among her school records are most points in a game (41) and a career (1,838).
In 2004, Jolicoeur was named the SAC Player of the Year and also claimed tournament MVP honors that season en route to honorable mention All-America honors from the WBCA. She was a three-time first team All-SAC pick. Jolicoeur shot a career-record 57.4% from the field, ranked third with 985 rebounds, second with 134 blocks and fifth with 214 steals.
After graduation, Jolicoeur played professionally in Belgium. In 2012, she was named the Robeson County Coach of the Year, coaching women’s basketball at Purnell Sweat High School. Jolicoeur and her husband, Jonathan, have a son, Jonathan, Jr.
Samples quarterbacked Catawba to the NCAA II football semifinals in 2001. He went on to be named first team All-SAC three times and was the league Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. Catawba won a pair of conference titles and earned three NCAA II Playoff berths during his four years.
Samples threw for a school record 9,650 yards in his career and also holds the mark for completions (744) and touchdowns (74). In a 2003 contest at Carson-Newman, he set the school record with 392 yards passing and 38 completions.
If you are interested for tickets to the induction dinner on November 10, please contact Pam Barber in the Catawba Athletic Department at (704) 637-4474 to reserve your spot.
