NASHVILLE – Trevecca Nazarene University selected four new members for its athletic hall of fame in January of 2020. Due to limitations placed on public gatherings during the Covid_19 pandemic, many such ceremonies were postponed until 2022. Now, the Trevecca Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, originally scheduled for April 18, 2020, is set for Thursday, November 3, 2022.
The new class of honorees includes:
- Michael France (Basketball | HOF Reveal Video)
- Jennifer Bognar Solano (Basketball | HOF Reveal Video)
- Kristin Archie Blankenship (Basketball | HOF Reveal Video)
- Chris Collins (Baseball | HOF Reveal Video). Collins, the former baseball All-American and, later, Trojan head coach, will be inducted at a yet-to-be-determined time.
Each year, one of the most memorable moments in the ceremony occurs as a person, selected by the honoree, introduces the new inductee. This year, Kristin Archie Blankenship has invited her coach, Gary Van Atta, to introduce her. Michael France has invited his coach, Sam Harris, to introduce him. Jennifer Bognar Solano will be introduced by her grandfather.
For the first time in several years, you are welcome to join in the celebration. Make sure to get your seat for the dinner on the Trevecca campus, in the Tarter Student Activities Center (TSAC). A limited number of tickets are available for purchase, but for a limited time.
Don't wait, purchase your tickets now! 2022 HOF Dinner Tickets *Sales end on Oct 27, 2022
With these four additions, the Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame, started in 1993, will have 78 members.
Who is next? You can have a part in that by nominating someone for consideration. The Deadline for 2023 Trevecca Hall of Fame Nominations is January 1, 2023. (email melliott@trevecca.edu)
Categories Criteria (PDF) | Nomination/Induction Process (PDF)
More on these four Trojan Legends of the Hill who make up the 2020 Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame Class:
MICHAEL FRANCE (Basketball 2008-12)
The 2012 NCCAA National Player of the year is one of five Trojans to score more than 2,000 career points, finishing with 2,019, averaging 16.5 points per game.
Known for his high-flying dunks, France was also deadly from behind the three-point line. He made 259 three-pointers, good for third most in a career.
During his junior year, Michael scored 43 points at Martin Methodist (1/29/2011) which was the second-most points in game in program history. He had a 41-point game as a senior against Lyon College as well.
As a senior, France averaged 20.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He added 52 steals while shooting 47% (237-502) from the field and 38% (91-240) from three-point range. His efforts helped the team to the NCCAA Regional Championship and a trip to the National Tournament.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- NCCAA Player of the Year (2011-12)
- First Team NCCAA All Mid-East Region (2011-12)
- NCCAA Athlete of the Week (twice)
- NAIA All-American – Third Team
- Preseason All-TranSouth, Preseason TranSouth Player of the Year (2010-11)
- All-TranSouth First Team (2009-10 and 2010-11)
- TranSouth Player of the Week (8x) eight times
- TranSouth All-Freshman team (2008-09)
- TranSouth Freshman of the Year (2008-09)
JENNIFER BOGNAR SOLANO (Basketball 2005-2009)
Jennifer is the first Trojan to top 1,500 career points and 700 rebounds. She finished career as the programs leading rebounder (743) and also ended her career second-most blocks (166), and third in scoring (1,580) and field goal percentage (50% / 605 of 1,209).
For her efforts, she was named 2009 WBCA All-American and NAIA All-American (Second Team).
In 2009, she finished ranked in several national categories in the NAIA: #11 FG% (54.8%), #19 Blocks PG (1.5), #20 Blocks (51)
She played on four consecutive NAIA National Tournament teams, including the 2008 NAIA Championship Finals Team.
She also finished her career tied for the most games played (137) in school history.
Holds school game FG % record with 10-for-10 shooting vs Bethel in 2008-2009.
Set school record for made Free Throws and Free Throw % in a game vs. Blue Mountain (16-for-16).
AWARDS AND HONORS
- TranSouth All-Tournament Team (2009)
- TranSouth First Team (2009)
- TranSouth Second Team (2007)
- TranSouth All-Freshman Team (2006)
- TranSouth Scholar-Athlete (2009, 2008)
- TranSouth Player of the Week (three times)
KRISTIN ARCHIE BLANKENSHIP (Basketball 2005-2008)
The All-American transferred to Trevecca from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She played three memorable seasons for the Trojans. Her three years are arguably the best in program history with three trips to the NAIA National tournament, each year the team reached at least the NAIA Elite Eight. Her senior season, she helped lead the Trojans to the NAIA National Championship game. That 2008 team is still the only Trojan program to reach the National Championship Final.
In all, she scored 1,092 career points and finished her career ranked in the top 10 of several career categories including career points, field goal percentage, steals, assists, made field goals, assists per game, and free throw percentage. Her standout career totals include shooting 79.9% from the foul line, 46.9% from the field, dishing out 260 assists and knocking down 389 field goals.
During Kristin's three-year career the Trojans were a combined 81-24 overall including going 31-5 her first season.
As a senior Kristin averaged 12.9 points per game while shooting 51.9% from the field, 42.6% from three-point range, and 84.4% from the foul line.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- NAIA All-American - Honorable Mention (2008)
- NAIA All-Tournament (2008, 2007)
- NAIA Scholar-Athlete (2008)
- TranSouth All-Tournament team (2007)
- All-TranSouth (2008, 2007)
- TranSouth Scholar Athlete (2008, 2007, 2006)
- TranSouth Player of the Week (Four times)
CHRIS COLLINS (Baseball 1997-98, 2001-02)
As a senior Collins was selected as an NAIA All-American (honorable mention), NAIA Region XI First team, and All-TranSouth First Team. He was selected the TranSouth Player of the Week on two occasions.
He hit .419 (80 hits), 20 home runs, 53 RBI, 44 runs scored, and 15 doubles. His batting average was sixth best and his 20 home runs second most all-time. His career batting average (.382) was the fourth best all-time and his home runs (26) were sixth most.
Head Coach: 2006-08
Following his playing career, Chris served the program as a graduate assistant, and assistant coach, and was named head coach in 2006. Collins posted a record of 81-34-1 in his two seasons as head coach. During those two seasons, the Trojans' TranSouth Athletic Conference record was a combined 38-9. with two conference championships. He led both teams to the conference championship as well as the NAIA Region XI Tournament.
In 2007, Collins' peers selected him as both TranSouth and Region XI Coach of the Year. Additionally, the Trojans rose to a No. 4 NAIA national ranking, the highest in school history, during that historic season.
During his two seasons at the helm Collins produced:
- Two All-Americans
- One honorable mention All-American
- Ten NAIA Region XI first team selections
- One Region XI Player of the Year
- Three NAIA Region XI Rawlings Gold Glove award winners
- Twelve TranSouth First and seven Second Team selections.
- One TranSouth Player of the Year
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