Cumberlands Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021

Williamsburg, KY – The University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department in conjunction with the UC Alumni Association has announced its four-member class that will be inducted into the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame as the Class of 2021.  First baseman Guy Franklin, women’s runner Danielle Hoop-O’Dell, women’s swimmer Charlotte Parent, and women’s tennis player Neesha Thirumalaichelvam are the four former student-athletes that will represent the 2021 class that will be inducted on February 13, 2021.

Guy Franklin, Baseball, Class of 1990

Franklin was a standout first basemen for the Cumberland Indians that graduated from Cumberlands in 1990.  Franklin is a two-time District 32 Player of the Year, earning the honor in 1987 and 1989, in addition to being named an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention in 1989 and 1990.  The Lexington, KY native had a storied career for the Indians and is currently ranked in the top-five of two season categories and three career categories. He is ranked second with 156 RBI, tied for third with 31 homeruns, and concluded his Cumberland career with a .370 career average. Additionally, Franklin recorded the NAIA’s best slugging percentage during his senior season (.815). Franklin graduated from Cumberland College with a major in Health and a minor in Psychology.  

Danielle Hoop-O'Dell, Women's Track & Cross Country, Class of 2015

Hoop-O’Dell is arguably the best runner to ever come through the Patriots women’s cross country and track program.  A nine-time NAIA All-American, Hoop-O’Dell found success in both cross country and track compiling the most All-American honors being the only runner (female or male) to automatically qualify for the NAIA National Championships 12 times.  As a cross country runner, Hoop-O’Dell was a three-time NAIA All-American, the 2014 MSC Runner of the Year, and a four-time MSC First Team All-Conference selection. In 2012, Hoop-O’Dell and fellow UC Hall of Famer Darcy Whyte made program history as they became the first Patriot duo to earn All-American honors in the same season.  Danielle followed that up with a tenth place finish in 2013, the highest finish in program history.  On the track side, Hoop-O’Dell recorded six NAIA All-American honors, five stadium and program records, and five MSC All-Conference honors. She once again set program history in 2013 when she finished as the NAIA runner-up in the 3,000 steeplechase, the highest finish by a Patriot.  Hoop-O’Dell graduated from UC in 2015 with a degree in Biology. 

Charlotte Parent, Women's Swimming, Class of 2015

Like Hoop, Parent is arguably one of the best swimmers in program history.  The 2015 graduate, Parent is a two-time NAIA National Champion, a 24-time CSCAA All-American, a nine-time NAIA All-American, a nine-time individual MSC champion, and was name the 2015 MSC Female Swimmer of the Year.  In addition to that success, Parent broke 10 different school records, three of which she currently still holds.  Parent found success at the 2012 and 2013 NAIA National Championships as she became the third Patriot to win a national title in the 200 butterfly and the first to win a title in the 200 IM.  Parent is also just the second UC swimmer to win a national title in consecutive championships.  Her 24 CSCAA All-American honors we the most in program history upon her graduation and are still tied for the most in the program’s history.  The Belgium native also found success at the conference level finishing with 16 MSC conference titles and helping Cumberlands win the first three MSC team titles.  Parent legacy is still lasting on the swim program as she is current school record holder in the 200 backstroke (2:02.02), the 200 butterfly (2:04.95), and the 200 IM (2:03.10).  

Neesha Thirumalaichelvam, Women's Tennis, Class of 2014

The final inductee is Thirumalaichelvam, who graduated from UC in 2014, posted a career 61-11 singles record and a 32-30 doubles record.  Thirumalaichelvam had a stellar four-year career for the Patriots earning NAIA All-American honors four-times, being named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year twice, and was a five-time MSC all-conference selection. Thirumalaichelvam began her Patriot career by going 18-4 in singles during her freshman season, earning a pair of all-conference honors as well as being named an NAIA Second Team All-American, the first in program history. She added an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention accolade during her sophomore season where she went 14-4 in singles and 9-7 in doubles. Neesha’s success carried over into fall season as she won the ITA Regionals singles bracket in both 2012 and 2013, becoming the first Patriot to win it multiple times.  Thirumalaichelvam continued to build on that success during her junior season as she posted a 15-1 singles record and 9-5 doubles record en route to being named the MSC Player of the Year.  She capped off that season by being the first Patriot in program history to be named a NAIA First Team All-American.  Thirumalaichelvam senior season was filled with accolades including NAIA Second Team All-American, MSC Player of the Year, and MSC First Team All-Conference selections.

These four inductees will be honored at a lunch on February 13, 2021.  For more information about the lunch or to purchase tickets visit: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/alumni/hall-fame.