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 2023.  Head men’s basketball coach Don Butcher, volleyball’s outside hitter Marla Harris, softball pitcher Whitney Piar Cruver, and football and track & field standout Wendall Williams are the four members that will represent the 2023 class that will be inducted on October 13, 2023.

Don Butcher, Men’s Basketball, Head Coach

Coach Butcher led the Patriots men’s basketball program for 21 seasons, compiling a 452-213 career record with 16 NAIA National Tournament appearances, including eight straight to close out his career. Coach Butcher recorded a .680 career winning percentage, while going 18-116 in Mid-South Conference play. Upon his retirement Butcher ranked 12th in the NAIA in wins among active NAIA coaches and won 20+ games in 18 seasons.  He captured the Mid-South Conference regular-season championship in 2003 and won the MSC tournament title in 2009 and 2012.  Butcher earned MSC Coach of the Year honors three times (2000-01, 2002-03, and 2010-11) and guided the Patriots to the Elite Eight during the 2016 NAIA tournament.  Under his leadership, the Patriots tallied four Mid-South Conference Players of the Year, an MSC Freshman of the Year, 25 NAIA All-Americans, 60 MSC All-Conference selections, and 27 Daktronics-NAIA All-Americans.  Prior to taking over the reins, Coach Butcher spent 11 seasons on the sidelines serving as an assistant coach under Cumberlands Hall of Famer Randy Vernon. 

Marla Harris, Volleyball, Class of 2005

Marla Harris will be the first Patriots volleyball player to be inducted into the Cumberlands Hall of Fame after her stellar career.  Harris was a four-time MSC all-conference selection and was named to the MSC First-Team All-Conference selection three times (2002, 2003, 2004).  Harris incredible season in 2004 led her to being named a NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, making her the first All-American in program history.  That season, Harris recorded 523 kills, which was third-most in program history, averaged 3.94 kills per set, and had a .398 hitting percentage, which ranks second in school history. During her junior season, Harris compiled 493 kills, averaging 3.79 kills per set with a .375 attack percentage.  Harris closed out her career ranked second in program history with 1,685 kills, while her 3.1 kills per set are third-most in program history. In addition to her success on the attack, Harris compiled 445 blocks, which is fourth-most in program history. 

Whitney Piar Cruver, Softball, Class of 2008

Whitney Piar had a stellar softball career and graduated as one of the most decorated pitchers in program history.  Piar is the only Patriot in program history to be a four-time Mid-South Conference All-Conference selection.  Additionally, she is also the first and only Patriot pitcher to be named MSC Pitcher of the Year, garnering that honor during the 2008 season.  Piar is the Patriots career wins leader with 45, while her 598 strikeouts is also a program record.  Her 98 appearances and 567.2 innings in the circle are both second-most in program history, while her 2.35 career ERA is currently fifth-best. During her freshman campaign, Piar tossed 93.2 innings, compiling a 1.94 era with 65 strikeouts, which was the fourth-best single season ERA at the time.  She followed that up by tying the program record with a 1.58 ERA during the 2006 season.  She pitched 159.1 innings and fanned 169 batters, which is fourth-most for a season. Piar threw 183 strikeouts during the 2007 season and 181 K’s in 2008 ranking second and third in program history, as well.  During her senior season, Piar pitched 130.2 innings with 17 complete games, five shutouts, and a 12-7 record to earn the conference Pitcher of the Year award.  In addition to her pitching accolades, Piar was a career .286 hitter, with 105 hits, 25 of which went for extra bases and had 44 RBI’s. 

Wendall Williams, Football/Track & Field Class of 2015

Wendall Williams is a two-sport standout for the Patriots that earned six All-American honors in both football and track & field.  In his lone track & field season at UC, 2015, Williams was a five-time NAIA All-American, culminating with his capture of the outdoor track & field long jump national title.  Wendall earned pair of All-American honors during the 2015 indoor championships as he placed third in the long jump and fifth in the 60-meter dash. He followed that up by capturing five MSC titles during the 2015 championship to be named the Mid-South Conference Athlete of the Year.  During the 2015 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship, Williams placed fourth in the 100 meters and 200 meters in addition to his national title.  Williams was also a standout returner for the Cumberlands football team earning All-American honors in 2015, while being a two-time MSC All-Conference selection.  Over his two years with UC, Wendall compiled 1,471 kickoff return yards and 2,711 all-purpose yards.  He holds the program record with four kickoff returns for a touchdown in a career, including three during the 2015 season, while having both top two spots for return yards in a season.  He finished the 2015 season leading the NAIA with 32.4 yards per return. Williams set a pair of single-game program records on September 3, 2015, when he tallied 287 return yards and two scores against Carson-Newman.  After UC, Williams went on make the Houston Texans 53-man roster, playing 11 games including the 2016 playoff run.

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