Rich Hand

Richard Allen Hand is an American retired professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, he played for four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and California Angels.

Born in Bellevue, Washington, Hand graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended the University of Puget Sound. Drafted three times, he signed with the Indians when they selected him in the supplementary phase of the 1969 MLB Draft. Named the number three pitcher in the starting rotation in 1970, he posted a 3.83 earned run average (ERA) in 35 appearances. Hand was sent to the minor leagues for part of 1971; he threw a no-hitter for the Wichita Aeros but posted a 5.79 ERA in the major leagues.

Traded to the Rangers for the 1972 season, Hand began the season in the minor leagues but was promoted to the major-league team after only two starts. He posted a career-best 3.32 ERA but had only a 10–14 record, partly due to poor run support. He was traded to the Angels midway through the 1973 season, pitching mainly out of the bullpen after coming to California. Following one last professional season in 1974, Hand retired, his pitching arm sore from injuries sustained over the years. Remaining in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Hand worked in business, real estate, and construction.

James A. Gordon

An outstanding track performer, Jim Gordon was the first Miamian to participate in the Olympics. He was a finalist in the 400-meters in the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles in 1932. Gordon led Miami to three consecutive Buckeye Conference track championships from 1929-31. He was the top point producer on the team, participating in the 100-, 220- and 400-yard dashes, mile relay and low hurdles. He was undefeated and Buckeye Conference champion for three years in his specialty, the 440. His best time in the 440 came in the final American trails for the Olympics when he was clocked in :47.8. He lettered three years as an end in football under Coach Chester Pittser and was a teammate of Paul Brown. He caught two touchdown passes from Brown in a game against Wittenberg in 1928. Following graduation from Miami in 1931, Gordon coached eight years at Cleveland West Tech High School and two years at Lehigh University. He received his master’s degree from Ohio State in 1935. Gordon returned to Miami in 1946 as an assistant in track, football and basketball. He became Athletic Manager in 1948. In 1950 he assumed the position as Chairman of Men’s Health and Physical Education Department. He is the author of a textbook entitled Track and Field: Changing Concepts and Modern Techniques. Speaking of his book, which is dedicated to George Rider, Gordon said: “I felt the need to document Miami’s track history and to help preserve on record Miami’s track tradition.”

Kenny Selmon

Kenny Selmon, UNC ’18, is a USA Olympian who competed at the Tokyo Olympic games in the 400-meter hurdles. Although his semi-final time did not qualify him for the finals, he continues his professional track and field athlete status, remaining committed to rigorous training for the next big event.

From Mableton, Georgia, he attended Pace Academy High School where he played basketball, managed the volleyball team, and received a technical directors award in theater for work as stage manager. He went to The University of North Carolina from 2014-2018 and focused on sprints and hurdles. He has amassed the following achievements: World Youth Championship competitor, USATF Champion, USA Junior champion, USA Olympic Trials qualifier, Pan American Juniors silver medalist, four-time All American, four-time NCAA Championships qualifier, three-time NCAA preliminary round qualifier, three-time ACC champion, ten-time All ACC, record holder at UNC, and received UNC’s highest honor given to an athlete, The Patterson Medal.

At UNC, he was elected to the Student Athlete Advisory Council to represent the track and field teams in regular forums to discuss issues pertinent to the success of the UNC Athletics program, such as its Life Skills programs, athletic department policies, conference regulations and other NCAA legislations that impact student-athletes.

His time with SAAC built a community among all the athletic teams while also promoting communication between administration, coaches, and students-athletes.

After graduation, Selmon went professional and signed a contract with Spider Korea (2018-2020) who sponsored his athletic program. Selmon shared the importance of being represented by a sports agent and the sudden death of Selmon’s agent three weeks before Olympics, a challenge he faced by necessity. He’s finalizing a new sponsor and agent agreement.

Not advancing from the semifinals was a great disappointment, however, he emphasized “the pain and grief of the loss was temporary, slowly rising after a few hours after the race.” He credits his strong and loving family and upbringing for the healthy perspective that allowed him to look forward and not back, to keep from mulling over the disappointment. He has a future ahead. He is prepared to continue his professional status in track and field as long as his body allows, and as long as it’s still fun

Selmon now trains full time with Georgia Tech Coach Nat Page and on the universities track facilities (most of the time). He coached alongside the Georgia Tech team, which is common that professional track athletes share the facilities of college teams. Page was alongside Selmon for preparation of 2020 Olympics, then on to 2021 games.

Selmon’s participation on five USA teams and two Senior teams were important preparation for the international stage of the Olympics.

Selmon also works at a local fitness center as a HIIT instructor and strength trains at the same facility

He and chapter Brother Carter Draughon, UNC ’18, have developed a social network platform called Stoke, a free platform where people connect to chat about Live TV. People can choose from a list of live events including sports, reality TV, among the many programs. Their mission is to virtually connect the existing communities that watch live sports, TV shows, and more. Stoke is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Josh Pauls

Call him “Spudsy” or call him a prodigy. Whatever the case, Pauls has been a staple on the blue line for the USA since 2008, and he captained his team to gold at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

It was the third straight Paralympic champion team Pauls had been a part of.

Not too many people can say at the age of 17 that they won a Paralympic title at Vancouver 2010; but Pauls can. He was the youngest member on the team, and four years later, his hunger to win helped the USA to Paralympic gold at Sochi 2014.

Pauls racked up eight points for the USA across the 2017 World Championships, only to see his side lose out to fierce rivals Canada in the final.

Born without tibia bones in both legs, Pauls had both amputated at just 10 months old. Just barely breaking into high school, Pauls was named a member of the USA’s hockey team and has flourished ever since.

At the 2013 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool, the US lost out again to Canada, but for Pauls personally the tournament was a success. He scored four goals and added two assists in four games.

In the 2014-15 season, Pauls was named Best Defenceman of the World Championships after holding off champions Canada to carry the US to a 3-0 victory.

In 2015-16, he scored four times and racked-up 10 assists.

Pauls is also one of a kind. A very superstitious athlete, he can often be seen looking towards a Mr. Potatohead figure before each game. If the US are victorious, a lot of Pauls rituals, such as wearing the same undershirt and throwing a tennis ball with teammate Greg Shaw, stay the same.

H. Blaine Lindgren

Born June 26, 1939 in Salt Lake City, Blaine grew up in Chesterfield, Utah and began playing sports to honor his twin brother who was killed when they were nine. Blaine attended Cyprus High School where he was an all-state football player and undefeated in the high and low hurdles with four state titles.

After graduating in 1957, Blaine attended the University of Utah where he joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and earned All-American honors before graduating in 1962. Following college, Blaine continued competing for the United States as a 110-meter-high hurdler before winning the Gold medal at the Pan Am Games in 1963 with a new record. After placing third in the Olympic Trials, at age twenty-five Blaine competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games where he won the Silver medal in a photo finish.

After retiring from the banking industry, Blaine resided in Salem, Utah. He remained a member or board member of local and national sports committees and organizations throughout his life, including the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation. With a passion for sport, Blaine refereed high school and college football for over 35 years and influenced thousands of young athletes during his career.

Blaine received many accolades and was inducted into several Halls of Fame including those at Cyprus High School, West Valley City (1990), Utah Summer Games (1991), U of U Crimson Club (1986), Utah Sports Hall of Fame (1972) and the National High School Hall of Fame (2006). In December of 1999, Sports Illustrated listed him as being #10 in The 50 Greatest Sports Figures From Utah.

Douglas Russell

Phi Delta Theta Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Russell was born in New York City, and raised in Midland, Texas. He began swimming in high school for Midland High School, swimming in the new 50-meter “Alamo” which was later renamed in his honor: the “Douglas Russell Swimming Pool.” He was an all-around swimmer in high school” swimming competitively in butterfly, backstroke, and individual medley events. He was a tough competitor who was hard to beat but who brought out the best in swimmers around him.

He attended The University of Texas at Arlington, where he swam for coach Don Easterling’s UT Arlington Mavericks swimming and diving team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition. Doug Russell Park, part of the southern edge of the UT Arlington campus, is named in his honor. At the 1967 Pan American Games, he won a gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley. He also won an NCAA national championship in the 100-yard butterfly in 1968, and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national outdoor title in the 100-meter butterfly.

At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Russell won the first-ever gold medal awarded in the men’s 100-meter butterfly, an event which made its debut at the 1968 Olympics, in an upset over teammate and favorite Mark Spitz. He won another gold medal swimming the butterfly leg for the winning U.S. team in the 4-100-meter medley relay. Russell, together with relay teammates Charlie Hickcox (backstroke), Don McKenzie (breaststroke), and Ken Walsh (freestyle), set a new world record of 3:54.9 in the event final.

Russell was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an “Honor Swimmer” in 1985. He remains involved in swimming as the head coach of the Austin Trinity Aquatic Club. He was initiated into the Texas Kappa Chapter at University of Texas-Arlington and remains an active alumnus.

Mark Ein

Mark D. Ein, born on December 31, 1964, is a prominent American venture capitalist, sports team owner, and retired professional tennis player. Born in Chevy Chase, Maryland, he holds an economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Prior to founding Venturehouse Group in 1999, Ein had worked with Goldman Sachs, Brentwood Associates, and The Carlyle Group.

Ein has been an avid tennis enthusiast and competed in several ATP tournaments. He is the current chairman of the DC Open tennis tournament and the founder of the Washington Kastles team, which participates in the World TeamTennis League (WTT). Apart from this, Ein also owns the Washington City Paper, the Washington Justice team in the Overwatch League (OWL), and holds a minority stake in the Washington Commanders team of the National Football League (NFL).

Ein is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Federal City Council, the World Economic Forum, and the Gridiron Club. He has also been the chair of the President’s Export Council within the International Trade Administration since 2023. In 2013, Ein was honored by the Jefferson Awards Foundation for his “Outstanding Public Service in Professional Sports.”

Thomas Eakin

Thomas C. Eakin was initiated by Ohio Iota Chapter at Denison on March 1, 1953. Since then, his chapter gave the “Mr. Ohio Iota” Award. In 2016, he was given the Fraternity’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for his service to his contributions to the Fraternity and his community.

A member of the Fraternity’s Lou Gehrig Award Committee for 40 years, Eakin is well-known for his accomplishments in the world of sports, and is a member of 15 different Halls of Fame, including: Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, Cy Young Tuscarawas County Baseball Hall of Fame, Youngstown Old Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame, American Athletic Association of the Deaf Hall of Fame, Ohio Record Holders Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame. He is a leader in the Fraternity’s as a frequent contributor with more than 825 gifts made to the Phi Delta Theta Foundation.

He is the founder and president of several sports organizations and sports museums, including: Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame, Cy Young Museum, Ohio Sports Council, Ohio Sports Legends Foundation, Ohio Minor League Baseball Hall of Fame Association, and Founder of Target-Reach-Youth (TRY) program. This program has raised over $1 million for high school and inner-city sports programs.

Eakin founded the Moses Fleetwood Walker Memorial Award, which is awarded annually to a minority college or high school student who has demonstrated excellence in baseball and scholastics. Eakin was honored in 1999 by the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission with its highest honor for community service and sports achievement. Brother Eakin has received some of the highest sports achievement awards, including: Ohio Governor’s Award ” the state’s highest award, the Sport Service Award by Sport Magazine, the Dapper Dan Club of the Upper Ohio Valley, and Ohio Professional and Amateur Athlete of the Year Awards.

Brother Eakin’s volunteer activities and financial contributions span a wide range of organizations, such as Camp Cleveland, Cuyahoga Hills Boys School, Health Hill Hospital for Children, National Junior Tennis League of Cleveland, Shaker Heights Drug Council.

Eakin has been honored by over 300 cities in the US with a Thomas C. Eakin Day proclaimed in his honor. He made the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest biography in the 47th edition of Who’s Who in America. He is also featured in A Treasury of Ohio Tales written about famous Ohioans. He was the youngest person ever inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at age 61, and received the Ohio Masons highest honor, the Rufus Putnam Distinguished Service Award in 1999, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2002.

David Amber

David Amber is a Canadian anchor for Sportsnet as a host and reporter. He is best known for his time doing NHL On the Fly on the NHL Network and as the anchor for Gate 5 Live, Raptors Pregame, and Raptors Post Up on NBA TV Canada. He has also been an anchor and reporter for ESPN and its family of networks.

Amber joined ESPN as an ESPNEWS anchor in 2002 and during his time anchored Outside the Lines, NHL2Night and NCAA basketball. At ESPN, he also contributed to SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and College GameDay. A reporter since 2006, Brother Amber provided coverage from the NBA Finals, MLB postseason and other major events, as well as serving as a sideline reporter for NCAA football and the World Baseball Classic.

Prior to ESPN, Amber served as a reporter and anchor for TSN in Toronto (1997–2002). At TSN, Amber reported from two Olympic Games, and several World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, and NBA Finals. From 1999–2001 he was a court side reporter for TSN’s broadcasts of Toronto Raptors games.

Amber joined the NHL Network before the 2010-11 NHL season as host of NHL Tonight. He also serves as co-host for the Network’s coverage at the NHL’s signature events and exclusive programming. David joined the Hockey Night in Canada team at the start of the 2011-12 NHL season. After Rogers Media secured a deal for the exclusive national NHL rights at the start of the 2014-15 season, Amber joined Sportsnet to serve as a reporter for their coverage. In 2016, he became the studio host of the late game of Hockey Night in Canada.

Brother Amber received his Bachelor of Arts degree in North American Studies from McGill University in Montreal in 1993, and a Master of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University in 1995.

Tommy Mont

Thomas Allison “Tommy” Mont was an American educator, university administrator, college football coach, and National Football League (NFL) player. He played quarterback for the Washington Redskins as a back-up for three seasons. Mont served as the head football coach for three years at the University of Maryland and for eighteen years at DePauw University. He also served as the DePauw athletic director for fifteen years.