Forest, Va. -- In its 50th year of existence, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference rolls out its inaugural class for the ODAC Hall of Fame, which includes 50 inductees across all members of the conference. 

"This inaugural Hall of Fame class embodies the heart and soul of the ODAC," explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. "They are champions, leaders, and trailblazers whose influence reaches far beyond wins and championships. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are proud to honor individuals whose dedication and spirit have left an indelible mark on the conference and inspired all who have been part of our story."

Lynchburg has four members being inducted into the 2025 class: Dr. Marie Lewis, Bill Shellenberger, Enza Steele, and Dr. Jack M. Toms. All four people being honored have made a significant impact on the Lynchburg athletics department, the community as a whole, and the ODAC throughout their time in the realm of collegiate athletics.

Inducted into the Lynchburg Hall of Fame in 2016, Dr. Marie Lewis played a pivotal role in the university's athletics by establishing women's indoor volleyball as a sport in 1973. She served as women's volleyball coach for 21 years (1973-77, 1979-80, 1992-2005) and women's basketball coach for 14 years (1979-1992), earning ODAC Coach of the Year honors in volleyball in 1999 and 2000, and in basketball in 1989. She compiled a 337-242 record (.582) in volleyball and a 169-159 record (.515) in basketball. Beyond coaching, she was a professor and department chair for Health, Movement Science, and Recreation.

William H. Shellenberger founded the Lynchburg men's soccer program in 1954 and guided the Hornets for 34 seasons (1954-1988), amassing a 371-167-48 record (.674). Recognized as "the winningest coach ever in college soccer" by Sports Illustrated in 1978, he earned numerous honors, including induction into the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame's inaugural class that same year and recognition by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991. Shellenberger led his teams to 21 conference soccer titles, 10 national tournament appearances, and multiple Coach of the Year awards in both soccer and golf. Lynchburg's main field and a scholarship fund bear his name.

Enza Steele served Lynchburg for 45 years as head field hockey coach (1979-2024) and 23 years as the head women's lacrosse coach (1979-2002), compiling a 666-247-11 (.727) record in field hockey and a 241-146-3 (.622) record in lacrosse. The winningest coach in ODAC history with 907 career victories, she led both programs to their first-ever conference championships, earning 22 ODAC titles in field hockey and five in lacrosse. Steele holds the most field hockey wins in NCAA Division III history. She was inducted into the NFHCA Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. The Enza Steele Champions Walk located on the perimeter of Shellenberger Field honors her legacy.

Dr. Jack M. Toms, a 1969 Lynchburg graduate, served as the university's athletic director from 1989 to 2014 and coached cross country and track & field for 31 years, retiring from coaching in 2010. During his tenure, Lynchburg captured 48 ODAC championship titles across six programs, including a sweep of both indoor and outdoor track & field in his final coaching year. Toms guided 87 USTFCCCA All-Americans and 12 NCAA champions, earning induction into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Lynchburg Hall of Fame in 1988. He also served as a professor of Health Science & Human Performance.

To view the complete list of the ODAC Hall of Fame, click here.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.

Sign up here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox.

Give Lynchburg Athletics a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X.