NC State inaugurates Hall of Fame

Raleigh, N.C. — Legendary coaches, national champions and record holders made up the first class to enter North Carolina State University's Athletic Hall of Fame.

The university celebrated its first group of honorees Friday night in a ceremony at Reynolds Coliseum. 

They are:

Kay Yow: In a 34-year career at NC NC State, Yow's women's basketball team compiled 680 wins, 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 Sweet Sixteens and went to the 1998 Final Four. She also led Team USA to gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1986 World University Games in Moscow.

Jim Valvano: The coach's jubilant celebration after winning the 1983 NCAA men's basketball tournament is on of the most memorable moments in Wolfpack sports history. His teams won the ACC regular-season title in 1985 and 1989. They won the ACC Tournament in 1983 en route to that fairy-tale national title and again in 1987.

Everett Case: Case's men's basketball teams won nine conference championships in 10 years. He coached from 1946 to 1964.

David Thompson: The Shelby, N.C., native led the Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA men's basketball championship after winning ACC titles in 1973 and '74. He towering talent made him one of the first college basketball players to elevate the game and play above the rim.

Julie Shea: A seven-time national champion in cross country, Shea is perhaps the school’s most decorated female athlete.

In recorded comments, Shea told Friday's gathering that when she heard State would create a Hall of Fame she just hoped to be considered. The still-spry Shea kicked off her shoes and ran across the stage to accept her honor.

Tab Ramos: The soccer player was a three-time All American who went on to a 13-year professional career.

Genia Beasley: The first women's basketball player to amass 2,000 points, the Benson, N.C., native played for early Kay Yow teams that went 59-0 against other North Carolina teams and 46-4 in Reynolds Coliseum from 1977 to 1980.

Ted Brown: The tailback, a member of the Class of 1978, holds the ACC records for rushing and scoring.

Jim Ritcher: The Wolfpack center won the 1979 Outland Trophy as the best college football interior lineman in the nation and played in four Super Bowls.

"I feel a little unworthy about being in the first class," Ritcher said. "I'm just thrilled about it and my family's thrilled about it."

Roman Gabriel: As Wolfpack quarterback, Gabriel was a two-time All-American in 1960 and ’61 and the NFL's MVP in 1969. "Everything that I did both on and off the field I credit to my education," Gabriel said.

The Hall of Fame inductees will greet fans in the Fan Zone outside Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday before the Wolfpack plays Florida State. They will then be honored at halftime.

WRAL-TV sports anchor Jeff Gravley served at emcee for the evening.