Paying homage to its 134-year athletics tradition, Swarthmore College inducted 12 outstanding members of its athletics community into its inaugural Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame class during the 2012 Garnet Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The members of the inaugural class are Avery "Ave" Blake, Jr. ’53 (lacrosse, football); Charles “Chip” Chevalier ’93 (football); Danielle Duffy ’98 (field hockey, track and field); Dick Esrey ’50 (football, basketball, baseball); Dick Hall ’52 (baseball, track and field, football, basketball, soccer); Eleanor Kay “Pete” Hess (coach/administrator); Patrick “Hondo” Holmes ’82 (wrestling); Gwyneth Jones Cote ’84 (lacrosse, field hockey); Heather Kile Lord ’02 (basketball, lacrosse); Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, Class of 1907 (football, track and field); McWelling Todman ’77 (soccer, track, and field); and the 1984–1985 men’s tennis team.

The celebration began with a dinner for the inductees, their families, and their friends and guests in Upper Tarble. Gil Kemp '69, chair of the College's Board of Managers, gave the opening remarks followed by President Rebecca Chopp. Each inductee then received a Hall of Fame certificate from Marian Ware Director of Athletics Adam Hertz and spoke to the audience about their time at the College.

Following the dinner ceremony, the Hall of Fame Class of 2012 made its way to Lamb-Miller Field House for the public unveiling of the Hall of Fame display. In a front of an overflow crowd in the field house lobby, Hertz removed a Garnet cloth to reveal plaques to honor each of the inductees and an interactive touch-screen display that highlights them as well as the history of Swarthmore athletics. To conclude the special evening, the Class was honored at the annual Garnet Weekend Pep Rally, where a raucous crowd in Tarble Pavilion greeted the inductees with a standing ovation.

The Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame honors the student-athletes and administrators who have contributed to the College’s success. The members of the premier class were chosen from more than 100 nominations by a selection committee of administrators, coaches, and alumni for their significant and distinctive impact on Swarthmore College athletics and the College itself. To nominate a candidate, please complete this nomination form.