SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- The Shepherd University Athletic Hall of Fame will induct three new members this fall at the annual induction banquet on Friday, September 16 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown. Swimming standout Kim Davis Mercier '78 and Mike Essis '81 (football) join Gary Phalen '11 (men's basketball) as the 31st class to be inducted. The "terrific three" bring the total number of inductees in the Shepherd Athletic Hall of Fame to 143. Additionally, the undefeated 1955 Shepherd football team will become the first team to be inducted.

The trio and team will also be honored at the Shepherd-UVa-Wise football game on Saturday, September 17 as part of Hall of Fame Weekend festivities.

Mercier (Baltimore, Md./1974 graduate of Catonsville High School) was a four-year standout  and three-year team captain on the swimming team from 1974-78. She set numerous school records as a sophomore and qualified for the NAIA regionals. Mercier qualified for the AIAW Division II national swimming and diving championship both individually and as a member of the medley relay team as a junior. Mercier became the first Shepherd woman to compete at the nationals as a senior when she competed in three events. Mercier left Shepherd with 10 individual records and was a member of a pair of record-setting relay teams. Mercier garnered Outstanding Senior award honors for being a national participant.


Essis (Chambersburg, Pa./1977 graduate of Central Dauphin High School) was a four-year player and three-year starter on the football team from 1977-80.  The Rams posted a 28-13-1 (.678) mark over his career with a pair of appearances in the Coal Bowl. A three-year starter, Essis was a two-time All-WVIAC choice and gained first team honors as a senior.  He was a named an NAIA honorable mention All-American as a senior. Essis completed his career with 307 total tackles (111 solo), 19 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick. His 307 career tackles rank him eighth on the Shepherd all-time list.

Phalen (Shepherdstown, W.Va./1962 graduate of Martinsburg High School) was a standout on the men's basketball team from 1963-66. He finished his three-year career with 1,068 points with an 18.1 scoring average. Phalen holds the Shepherd rebounding records for most rebounds in a season (449), rebounding average  (14.2) and  most rebounds in a game (29).  Phalen garnered All-WVIAC first team honors as a team captain in 1965-66. He ranks sixth on the Shepherd all-time rebounding list with 839 boards.

The undefeated 1955 football team posted an 8-0-0 mark to become the first Shepherd team to win a conference title. The squad scored 299 points and allowed only 31. The Rams posted four shutouts wins and allowed only one score in three other contests.

The Athletic Hall of Fame banquet will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner and induction ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase beginning on August 15 through the Shepherd University Office of Advancement by calling 304-876-5524.