Three individual athletes and the 2004-05 men’s basketball comprised the latest group of athletes inducted into the University of Mount Olive Athletics Hall of Fame inside Southern Bank Auditorium on Saturday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Humble and modest, three outstanding — and diverse — athletes, along with a history-making team, comprised the latest University of Mount Olive Athletics Hall of Fame inductee class Saturday afternoon.
The 2024 group included Racey Bartley, Angel Dache, Stephen Mintz and the 2004-05 men’s basketball squad.
“I’d like to thank the Hall of Fame committee for their work in selecting this year’s class,” said Joey Higginbotham, director of UMO Athletics. “This is getting tougher and tougher every year. This year we’ve come up with an outstanding class … more varsity than we’ve had in a long time.”
It was an extra birthday present for Bartley.
The 2011 alumna earned all-Carolinas Virginia Athletic Conference and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) recognition on numerous occasions. She holds the program record for single-season hitting percentage (.358), ranks third all-time in career kills (1,398) and fourth with 430 blocks.
“Being inducted into the 2024 UMO Athletics Hall of Fame is truly an honor and humbling experience,” Bartley said. “This honor is a reminder that with hard work, determination and a love for what you do, anything is possible. To every athlete out there, keep pushing forward, stay committed and never stop believing in yourself.
“Your journey matters and your hard work will be rewarded.”
A native of Cuba, Dache becomes the first-ever men’s volleyball player inducted. He received first-team AVCA All-American accolades and garnered the Conference Carolinas Offensive Player-of-the-Year award — both in 2014.
Dache is the program’s all-time leader in career kills (1,013), kills per set (3.85) and points per set (4.53). He continues to hold the single-season records for kills (418), kills per set (4.18) and points (466.5).
UMO won back-to-back CC regular-season titles and the 2011 tournament crown with Dache on the court.
“From immigrant dreams to Hall of Fame aspirations, my journey at the University of Mount Olive is a testament to resilience and the power of believing in oneself,” Dache said.
Mintz played just one season of baseball for legendary Hall of Fame member and former UMO head coach Carl Lancaster.
He was drafted in the 17th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990. He started in the minor leagues, but eventually reached “The Show” (Major League Baseball) with the San Francisco Giants.
His first MLB appearance was May 18, 1995 and he eventually played 14 games with the Giants.
A journeyman in the professional ranks, Mintz also served as pitching coach for the Down East Wood Ducks from 2017-2020. He managed the Texas Rangers Class A affiliate in 2022.
“My impact on UMO is small compared to the impact UMO had on my career and life,” Mintz said. “I have always said my 34 years of professional baseball was started by the decision I made to attend UMO. My teammates, who are still my friends today, made everything there so much more meaningful.
“The time and energy that Roger May put into my baseball time on and off the field was huge part of my time there. Finally, a huge ‘thank you’ to Carl Lancaster. He made the biggest impact on me and my baseball career, something that will never be forgotten. On behalf of myself and my family, thank you for this wonderful honor.”
Directed by then-head coach Bill Clingan, the 2004-05 men’s basketball team set a new standard for the program.
The Trojans won the Carolinas Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) regular-season title, Southeast Region championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
UMO logged a 29-5 worksheet and ended up No. 13 in the final national rankings that season.
Members of the team were Mark Bitzenhofer, Plinio Broering, Sharome Holloway, Melvin Creddle, Maurice Horton, Chuckie Jefferson, Victor Young, Chris Bartley, Elton Coffield, Elijah Rouse, Moise Orlean Tchankeu, Montel Jones, Chris Holloway, Joseph Ham and Russell Royal.
Higginbotham was Clingan’s assistant coach.
“I congratulate each member of this outstanding team for their Hall of Fame induction,” Clingan said. “[It’s] a great honor for their Elite Eight accomplishment. It goes down in UMO tradition as the first for the basketball program. It was a privilege to have coached them.
“Their character and determination on the court have been exhibited throughout the past 20 years of life. I am so proud of each one of you.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
