NEWBERRY ?  The Newberry College Letterman's Club has announced the election of six former student-athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The class comprised of six individuals – will be formally inducted during ceremonies on campus Saturday (Sept. 9) throughout the afternoon.
 
Newberry's class of 2023 is headlined by a cast of successful athletes: Matt Holmes (2006-10), a three-time all-SAC selection as an offensive lineman in football. Tonya Deese-Jeter (03-06), a standout women's basketball player. Ashley Smith (1997-00), four-year goalie for the men's soccer program. Mark Kennedy (1980-84), NAIA All-American defensive lineman. Alber Shealy (1920-23) Two-sport athlete played baseball and basketball. And Michelle Baker-Kish (1996-99). The all-time leader in career goals score for the Newberry women's soccer program.
 
2023 Hall of Fame Inductee Profiles.
Matt Holmes, Football, 2006-10 (Johnston, S.C. / Storm Thurmond H.S.)
National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society (2011)
National Semi-Finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (2010)
SAC Commissioners Honor Roll (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Member of 2006 and 2008 SAC Championship teams
All-SAC selection (2008, 2009, and 2010)
All-Super Region 2 Daktronics selection (2009, 2010)
All-America Selection for Don Hansen's Football Gazette (2010)
Super Region 2 Gene Upshaw Award Semi-finalist (2009, 2010)
 
Tonya Deese-Jeter, Women's Basketball, Volleyball, 2003-06 (Prosperity, S.C. / Mid-Carolina H.S.)
2^nd team All-SAC (2004)
Helped usher in new era of women's basketball at Newberry (leading team to back-to-back 18 win seasons)
Helped lead women's basketball team to the NCAA Division II tournament in 2005 and 2006
Helped lead women's basketball team to the SAC Tournament title in 2006
146 kills in 30 matches in 2006
662 points, 598 rebounds 44% career field goal percentage.
 
Ashley Smith, Men's Soccer, 1997-2000 (Newberry, S.C. / Newberry H.S.)
1^st in career saves (550)
8^th all-time in NCAA Division II for single season saves (194 in 1998)
2^nd all-time in NCAA Division II for career saves (500)
24^th all-time in NCAA Division II for career saves per game (7.05)
1998 NCAA statistical champion for saves per game (9.7)
Team MVP 1997, 1998, and 2000
 
Mark Kennedy-Football, 1980-84 (Mauldin, S.C. )
All-District 6 (1982, 1983)
All-SAC (1983, 1984)
NAIA All-America Honorable Mention (1983)
NAIA All-America Selection (1984)
1^st in career recovered fumbles (8)
2^nd in career sacks (26)
Tied for 2^nd in career forced fumbles (7)
1^st in single season forced fumbles (5)
3^rd in single season QB sacks (11)
 
Albert Shealy, Baseball, and Men's Basketball, 1920-23 (Chapin, S.C.)
Member of baseball team from 1920-1923 and basketball team in 1923
Considered to be the Babe Ruth of college baseball in S.C.
Played in the minor leagues from 1926-1939 (126-113 overall record as a Pitcher)
Played 47 games two years in the major leagues (1928 and 1930)
Member of 1928 New York Yankees team that won the World Series
 
Michelle Baker-Kish, Women's Soccer, 1996-99 (Greenville, S.C. / J.L. Mann H.S.)
2^nd team All-SAC in 1999
2^nd in career points (100)
1^st in career goals scored (43)
3^rd in career assists (14)
2^nd in career shots taken (212)
Tied for 1^st in single match goals scored (4)
2^nd in single season shots (70)