By The Beacon Staff

Since 2006, the SMCC Athletic Department has been recognizing, honoring and inducting into its Hall of Fame former students, coaches, administrators and special supporters of the Athletics Department for their outstanding performances and contributions to the rich tradition of the college’s athletic history.

This year’s inductees include Tommy Stirling ‘11 (Golf), Nick Link ‘11 (Soccer), Nate Leeman ‘10 (Baseball), and Dan Walker ’10 (Baseball), all of whom will join the other 26 individuals and one team that have been honored for their achievements on the field , on the court or behind the scenes.

This year’s ceremonies were held in the Ortiz Atrium this past Saturday, following the men’s and women’s basketball games on the South Portland Campus. SMCC representatives, friends, family members and community supporters gathered at 6 p.m. in SMCC’s Campus Center, with the induction ceremonies starting at 7.

For two seasons, Tommy Stirling’s play on the golf course set records that still stand today. Stirling averaged 75.8 strokes per round, ranking him with the all-time lowest average in the golf program’s history. He was also the Yankee Small Conference (YSCC) Champion, earning All-Conference recognition. For the two seasons he played as a SeaWolf, he was also named to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-American selections.  He played in the USCAA National Tournament both years, winning the National Championship in 2011 and shooting a record 140 (-4 par) that still stands today.

On the pitch, Nick Link ended his playing career recording eight goals, four assists, and 20 points as a SeaWolf. Link was a three-season team captain, a two-time YSCC All-Conference selection and a 2011 All-American in the USCAA.

Two SMCC student athletes from the 2009-2010 baseball squad, Nate Leeman and Dan Walker, were inducted. Leeman collected 67 hits in 191 plate appearances, which ranks him ninth all-time in hits recorded. He also ranks seventh all-time with a .351 career batting average, while ranking fourth in the RBI category, pushing across 61 runs batted in.

On the mound, Dan Walker was a dominant pitcher in his two-year career. Walker ranks first all-time in ERA (3.50) among pitchers with 100 or more innings pitched. He also averaged 9.64 strikeouts per nine innings and is a 13-game winner. He left SMCC with a grand total of 135 strikeouts in 21 appearances and threw 13 complete games, which also stands as a program best.

Assistant Athletic Director Ethan Wells stated of the ceremonies, “This event is always special.” This year’s inductees “joined an elite group of alumni last night,” he said. “SMCC Athletics is proud of their accomplishments and their service to SeaWolves Athletics. It was great to bring the inductees back to campus and to have current student-athletes be in attendance in support.”