SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Five individuals will be honored at halftime of the East Stroudsburg-Shepherd men's basketball game on Saturday as part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's (PSAC) 75th Anniversary Celebration. Former Shepherd football player Tyson Bagent (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg) will be honored as Shepherd's PSAC's 75 Greatest Male Athlete, while former Shepherd softball player Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) will be recognized Shepherd's PSAC's 75 Greatest Female Athlete. Additionally, former head women's soccer coach Sam Odell, head football coach Ernie McCook, and sports information director Chip Ransom will be noted as Shepherd's PSAC 75th Anniversary Distinguished Keystones.  

Bagent holds virtually every Shepherd passing mark and held 17 NCAA II records when he wrapped up his collegiate career. He was selected as the winner of the Harlon Hill Award in 2021. Bagent, a two-time All-American, was the first Shepherd player to participate in the Senior Bowl. He is currently a backup quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

Purtell played for the Rams from 2019-23. Purtell is the program's all-time leader in hits (256), runs (192), and total bases (386). A standout on the field and in the classroom, Purtell was a two-time All-American and a three-time Academic All-American.

Odell was the Shepherd head women's soccer from 2021-25. He came to Shepherd as a graduate assistant in 2019 before being elevated to head coach in 2021, He had a 49-28-22 overall coaching mark at Shepherd. Odell led the Rams to an 18-2-4 overall mark in 2024 as the PSAC and Atlantic Region champions. His squad was the first Shepherd team to capture a PSAC title. Odell's 2025 team posted a 12-2-6 mark, won the PSAC title, and made another NCAA II Regional appearance. Odell is currently the head women's soccer coach at USC Upstate.

McCook has served as head football coach of the Rams since 2018. McCook has led the Rams to a 66-22 on the field mark over eight seasons. He led the Rams to three regional appearances and a pair of Super Region One titles. McCook garnered PSAC East Coach of the Year and AFCA Region One Coach of the Year honors in 2022. Prior to becoming head coach, McCook served as offensive coordinator for nine years and was offensive line coach for 10 years for Shepherd from 1999-2008.

Ransom has served as sports information director since 1997. He nominated and promoted 2021 Harlon Hill Award winner Tyson Bagent. Ransom earned the College Sports Communicators 25-Year Award in 2023. He is a member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC), the Football Writers Association of America, the United States Basketball Writers Association, and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.