SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 2020 Southern Conference Hall of Fame class includes members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame, a 10-year Major League Baseball veteran, an NCAA pioneer and an NCAA record-holder. This year's group of individuals represents the ninth class of inductees into the league's Hall of Fame, highlighting 99 years of athletic success.
Inductees include Lynne Agee (UNC Greensboro), Eric Breitenstein (Wofford), Terrell Owens (Chattanooga), Rod Thorn (West Virginia) and Wayne Tolleson (Western Carolina).
Student-athletes who competed for a minimum of two seasons in the Southern Conference were eligible for consideration, along with coaches and administrators who spent at least five years in the league. A pool of more than 200 candidates from the conference's current and former member institutions were nominated for consideration. The pool of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators was cut down to 40 individuals who comprised the final ballot. A voting panel of 20 media members and league administrators made the selection of the induction class.
Eric Breitenstein played football at Wofford from 2008-12. A first-team All-American in each of his final three seasons, Breitenstein finished his career as Wofford's career rushing leader with 5,734 yards, a mark that ranks second in SoCon history. The fullback set the SoCon's single-game rushing mark with 321 yards in a win over Elon in 2012 and surpassed his own single-season school record with 2,035 rushing yards that season, second-most in league history. Breitenstein, who first set the school record with 1,639 rushing yards in 2010, finished his career with 32 games with at least 100 yards rushing, including an NCAA-record-tying 11 straight in 2012. He ranks fifth in SoCon history in career rushing yards per game (114.6) and all-purpose yards (5,843) and is second in career carries with 912. Breitenstein is also third in SoCon lore with six 200-yard rushing games, 65 touchdowns scored and 65 rushing touchdowns and is fifth in career scoring (390) and seventh in yards per carry (6.3). A two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year and the 2012-13 SoCon Bob Waters Male Athlete of the Year, Breitenstein helped the Terriers reach the FCS playoffs and finish in the top 15 in the national rankings in each of his four full seasons. Breitenstein was inducted into Wofford's Hall of Fame in 2017 and had his No. 7 jersey retired by the school in 2019.
Breitenstein becomes just the second Southern Conference Hall of Fame member from Wofford, joining football coach Mike Ayers who was inducted in 2018.
2020 Induction Class
Lynne Agee, Women's Basketball
Eric Breitenstein, Football
Terrell Owens, Football
Rod Thorn, Men's Basketball
Wayne Tolleson, Baseball/Football
Eric Breitenstein Quotes
This is an incredible honor. I am thrilled to be listed alongside some of the greatest athletes of all time, not just in our conference, but in the history of sports. Seriously, Steph Curry! Arnold Palmer! The Southern Conference has had a storied history, and as it nears the 100th year of existence, I am proud to say I had the opportunity to play in this league. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Mike Ayers and the entire coaching staff at Wofford College, to study at Wofford College, and to work with my teammates. Maybe I could say that another way, I am grateful for the privilege.
Honestly, my life has been filled with privilege. I grew up the son of a high school football coach, the grandson of a college football coach, and the brother of a three-time college football champion. My parents traveled to every sporting event I ever played. I had every piece of equipment I ever needed, and I wanted for nothing. I was given every opportunity to succeed.
I could draw parallels of privilege in my recent life outside of football, as well. In the past three weeks, I have had the privilege to return to my home state, to buy a house, to get a new job, and to have the honor of being named a member of the Southern Conference Hall of Fame. All the while, in these same three weeks, the gross inequalities of our nation are playing out on a global stage. This juxtaposition is troubling to say the least, and I'd like to take this moment to recognize the head start I was given in life and the opportunities I have been afforded daily. I'd also like to say, none of my achievements would be possible if not for my teammates, coaches, and family. I will never fully understand the struggles my Black teammates may have faced on their way to or while at Wofford. I will never understand the challenges they encountered as student-athletes in their daily lives. I want to say to each of you who worked and played beside me, those who came before me, and those who will follow – I see you, I hear you, I value you, and I will be an advocate in the journey towards real change. Furthermore, I am proud to be a member of the SoCon, which has already made a public statement against racism. I would be honored to be a part of any future conversations and actions that pursue justice and equity.
Thank you to the Southern Conference Hall of Fame for bestowing me with this honor. Thank you to my parents and family, the love of my life, my coaches, my trainers, the athletic department, and Wofford College. I have been truly blessed and am humbled and appreciative of this honor.
