UD added a nice touch by having about 15 previous hall inductees on the court to welcome the newcomers, including former basketball greats Ryan Perryman and Ed Young.
Each of the four honorees shared some thoughts about their careers:
Jermaine Bailey
Football, 1998-2001
What are you doing now? "I'm a PE teacher at Centerville city schools and an assistant coach for the varsity football team."
Career highlight: "The biggest thrill probably would be winning the PFL championship game my senior year in the fashion we did it (Bailey, a running back, scored a late game-winning TD against Jacksonville). ... It was the last time I touched the ball. It was 14-iso. I can still see it. Right up the middle. I was fortunate enough to have great blocking."
On coach Mike Kelly: "Great guy. Great character person. After playing and now being a coach, you understand why those guys do what they do. He was very orderly. He ran the program with integrity and dignity."
Mark Ashman
Basketball, 1996-2000
What are you doing now? Head basketball coach at Wright State's Lake Campus in Celina, Ohio.
Career highlight: "My best memory was a win over Kentucky down there when nobody gave us a chance. Somebody just said they were ranked 12th. That was a great win for us. It was my senior year, and it set us up (for an NCAA tourney berth)."
On coach Oliver Purnell: "He was a great coach. He doesn't get the best talent, but he molds his guys into a great team. He's known for rebuilding the program he goes to. He did it at Clemson. He did it at Old Dominion before. And I'm sure if you give him two or three years, he'll do it at DePaul."
Erin Treadway Hazelbaker
Volleyball, 2001-03
What are you doing now? "I'm a physical therapist in northern Kentucky."
Career highlight: "Definitely winning a game against Michigan State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. First we had to get there, and then once we got there, it was a packed house (at MSU). Nobody thought we were going to win, and we won in five sets. It was the greatest accomplishment as a team that we ever had."
On coach Tim Horsmon: "He's what got us from Point A to Point B. He's what got us over the competitive hump."
Megan McKnight Mahle
Soccer, 1998-2001
What are you doing now? "I'm director of operations for an IT company in Louisville, Ky.
Career highlight: "Hands down, it has to be the goal against Xavier (in the Atlantic 10 tourney final) that put us in the NCAA for the first time. Runner-up would be the win that got us into the Sweet 16."
On coach Mike Tucker: "He's remarkable, probably one of the best recruiters Dayton has ever had. He's one of the most caring coaches, but also one of the most competitive ones I've met. He absolutely loves UD."
Contact this writer at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDaily News.com.
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