JACKSON, Tennessee – The Union University Sports Hall of Fame has announced the class of 2021 with six new inductees entering the hall. Brett Barry, Kaitlin Dudley Freeman, Robert Joseph, Tommy Locke, Tommy Sadler, and Steve Beverly (meritorious service) will be inducted during the ceremony, April 23 at 6:30 p.m., in the Carl Grant Events Center on the campus of Union University.
Tickets for the event must be purchased online at www.uuathletics.com/hofpay.
Below is a short introduction to the new class. More information about each inductee will be posted online closer to the event.
Barry was a four-year member of the men’s golf team from 2009-13, leading Union to four national tournaments, three conference championships, and winning one individual conference championship in 2012. He holds numerous Union golf career records including most rounds played (102), lowest scoring average (73.45), most wins (9), most eagles (12), and most birdies (251).
Dudley Freeman was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team from 2006-10. She helped Union to two NAIA National Titles and four conference titles. She was a four-time NAIA All-American and named TranSouth Player of the Year. She is the all-time leading scorer in Union women’s basketball history with 2,385 points.
Joseph was with the men’s basketball program from 2000-02. He was named the NAIA Player of the Year in 2002. Joseph broke the college basketball record at all levels with 242 blocks in a season, passing the old record held by David Robinson with 207. He was recognized on ESPN’s SportsCenter and in Sports Illustrated. He was an All-American and conference player of the year in 2002, averaging 22.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 6.9 blocks per game.
Locke was a member of the baseball team from 1984-86. He was twice named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete and one time held the record for wins in a season with 11. He is second in Union with a .917 winning percentage in a season (11-1). In 1986 he was named All-District 24, All-Area 5, and honorable mention All-American.
Sadler has spent most of his life at Union as both a student-athlete and in administration. Sadler is completing his 36th year working at Union, 12 of those as assistant director of athletics and 13 years as director of athletics. During his time at Union, Sadler has overseen every athletics renovation project and each of the new athletics construction projects including new soccer, baseball, and softball fields, and the Fesmire Fieldhouse. He was also a baseball player at Union from 1972-76. He held the pitching record for appearances for 37 years.
Beverly is entering the hall of fame for his meritorious service to Union Athletics. Beverly was the lead person in getting Union basketball on local television, first on public television and then on the local cable channel. In addition to leading the production of these games, Beverly was the voice of Union basketball on TV, calling over 750 basketball games for the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs.
