Swarthmore Athletics Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Class
Six exceptional individuals have been named to the Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023, and will be inducted on the evening of Friday, October 6 to kickoff 2023 Garnet Weekend.
The tenth class in Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame history is composed of Megan Colombo '11, Octavius 'Tave' Holland, Michael Mullan, Kathryn Riley '10, David Rowley '65, and Kelly Wilcox '97.
The 2023 Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame Class:
A three-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region selection, Colombo made a significant impact on the women's soccer program during her time at Swarthmore. Colombo garnered All-Centennial status in all four seasons with the Garnet, while earning Player of the Year honors during her senior campaign. Colombo currently ranks sixth all-time in points (75) and goals scored (31), while tying for eighth in assists (13). She is also one of only three players in program history to collect multiple hat tricks throughout her career. Colombo helped usher in one of the most successful eras of Swarthmore women's soccer, graduating with program records in goals and career points, while helping the team earn their highest NCAA Regional ranking at the time.
During his 50-year career at Swarthmore College, Holland made a profound impact on the Garnet community. Holland worked at the College from 1941-1991. His work began in Environmental Services, before joining the Athletics Department as an assistant athletic trainer and equipment manager. Holland went above and beyond in his role as he served as a mentor for students. He was particularly instrumental in providing counsel to students of color who played for Swarthmore. The Tave Holland Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 to honor his great legacy.
Serving as the head men's tennis coach for 40 seasons, Mullan retired as one of the winningest coaches in college tennis history, with 441 career victories and 27 appearances in the NCAA Division III National Championships. At the helm of the men's tennis program, Mullan led the Garnet to three national titles, seven MASCAC Championships, coached the 1985 NCAA Division III National Doubles Champions and coached 39 All-America selections. Mullan was named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1986 and was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Delco Chapter in 2022. The Delaware County native began coaching at Swarthmore College in 1978 and retired after the 2017-18 season.
Mullan, a graduate of Springfield High School, won two Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state high school championships and went on to play at the University of California, Berkeley under famed tennis coach Dr. Chet Murphy. Mullan also taught in the Sociology Department during his career at Swarthmore College. He holds Ph.D.s in sociology and history.
A two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region selection, Riley stands out as one of the greatest players in program history. The two-way talent impressed in the batter's box and in the pitching circle with a combined nine active program records: hits, home runs, wins, strikeouts, earned run average (ERA), starts, complete games, innings pitched, and no-hitters. During her four-year career, Riley batted .383 with 166 hits, nine home runs and 93 runs batted in, while winning 53 games in the circle with 557 strikeouts and a 1.89 ERA in 83 starts. She was a four-time All-Centennial first-team selection and was named to the Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary Team. Riley remains active in the Swarthmore community as an assistant professor in the Chemistry Department and an assistant softball coach.
At Swarthmore, Rowley served as a team captain and key contributor across three sports. Rowley had his greatest success on the lacrosse field, where he garnered a pair of All-America selections as a junior and senior. He was also a four-time All Penn-Del selection, chosen the Penn-Del Most Valuable Player twice, and selected to the 1965 North-South All-Star game. Rowley also became known as an excellent soccer player, earning an All-MAC selection in all four seasons with the Garnet. He currently ranks tenth all-time with 22 career goals and was selected to the 1960-69 Swarthmore All-Decade Soccer Team. On the basketball court, Rowley led the team in assists for three seasons. Rowley remains involved in the Swarthmore community as a member of the McCabe Scholarship Selection Committee.
A two-sport athlete at Swarthmore, Wilcox left a lasting impact on both the field hockey and women's lacrosse programs. Wilcox arrived at the College as a field hockey midfielder, before transitioning to a goalkeeper. She had never played the position before. As a goalkeeper, Wilcox set records for shutouts and goals against average at both the program and conference level. She helped lead the field hockey team to two Centennial Conference Championships and the program's only NCAA Tournament appearance. She was also an All-Conference selection for field hockey. Wilcox garnered an All-American selection, a North/South All-Star Team nod and was a two-time all-region first-team recipient for lacrosse. She ranks tenth all-time in the lacrosse record book with 227 ground balls. Since graduating from Swarthmore, Wilcox has given back to both programs as a field hockey and lacrosse coach.
Established in 2012, the Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame honors the student-athletes and administrators who have contributed to the College's success. The 2023 class was chosen by a selection committee of administrators, coaches, and alumni for their significant impact on Swarthmore College athletics and the College itself.
Calls for nominations for future Hall of Fame classes will go out in the spring. Please check our Athletics Hall of Fame webpage for future announcements.
