GRANVILLE, Ohio (September 3, 2024) – A tradition begun in 1974, the
Varsity D Association Hall of Fame recognizes Denison alumni, coaches, staff, and friends of the Athletic Department who have made outstanding contributions to the Big Red intercollegiate athletic program. In the 50 years since the program's inception, 279 individuals have earned this recognition based on individual athletic accomplishments as a student athlete, as well as their service and contributions to the Athletic program. Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor the Varsity D Association bestows.
This year's Varsity D Association Hall of Fame inductees span the classes of 1970 to 2014, as well as two former Big Red Coaches, and represent nine varsity athletic programs.
The Denison community will celebrate the Hall of Fame inductees on campus in November during Big Red Weekend. Those interested in celebrating their teammates and friends are invited to register for the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
"It is such an exciting time in Denison Athletics. We are honored to celebrate this incredible slate of inductees as the strength of their accomplishments align with the celebration of our 50 years of our Hall of Fame," said Denison University Director of Athletics Nan Carney-DeBord. "Our Hall of Fame represents Denison's commitment to thriving in both academics and athletics. Denison has a rich tradition of success in athletics. Our current student-athletes understand the quality legacy of those who came before. We are very excited to celebrate the Varsity D Hall of Fame's 50 years of competitive excellence."
Please join us in congratulating the Hall of Fame recipients for 2024.
Michael Barnes '09, Track & Field and Football
Michael Barnes '09 was a two-time North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Sprinter of the Year and was a five-time NCAC Indoor Track & Field Conference Champion. He was 15-time All-NCAC performer and a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American®
Barnes was also a four-year starter on the gridiron and ranks 14th in career passing yards in program history. Barnes was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District® second-team and was a three-time Academic All-District® pick between both track & field and football.
Mike Caravana, Coach
Mike Caravana coached for 28 seasons overall in Granville across two separate coaching stints (1991-2005; 2009-2021).
During his time with the Big Red, Caravana guided Denison to three NCAA Final Four appearances in 1999, 2001 and 2017; 11 NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearances; 18 total NCAA Tournament berths; and 15 North Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Championships.
In 1994, Caravana was named the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's Division III Coach of the Year. He was a seven-time NCAC Coach of the Year. In 2003, he began a four-year commitment as the assistant coach for the United States Lacrosse National Team that earned a silver medal at the 2006 International Lacrosse Federation World Championship. Caravana is a member of the Charlottesville Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Ohio Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame, and the Long Island Metro Chapter Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Gabe Dixson '13, Diving
Gabe Dixson '13 was the 2011 and 2012 North Coast Athletic Conference Diver of the Year and was a six-time All-American. He was a five-time NCAC Champion and was named to the NCAC's 30th Anniversary All-Decade Team. Dixson graduated Denison as the most decorated male diver in school history. Dixson was a huge part of Denison's first two NCAA Division III National Championships ('11, '12).
Marta Drane '10, Tennis
Marta Drane '10 was an ITA All-American in singles and was a three-time All-American in doubles. She advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Doubles Championship three times. She earned the 2007 North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year and 2010 NCAC Player of the Year recognitions. Drane was also named to the NCAC's 30th Anniversary All-Decade Team in both singles and doubles and was a four-time All-NCAC selection in singles and a four-time first-team pick in doubles. Drane ultimately graduated Denison ranked first in career doubles wins and second in career singles wins.
Liz Gillette '08, Soccer
Liz Gillette '08 was an NSCAA First-Team All-Region and a Third-Team All-American goalkeeper, and was a four-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection who earned first-team all-conference honors three times. As a rookie in 2004, Gilette was named the NCAC Newcomer of the Year and has been named to the NCAC's 30th Anniversary All-Decade Team. A member of Denison's 2005 NCAA Quarterfinal team, Gillette saved two penalty kicks during a shootout in the 2005 NCAA Sweet 16 that advanced the team to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. She proceeded to lead Denison back to the Sweet 16 in 2006, followed by a second-round appearance in 2007.
Ellen O'Brien '09, Basketball
Ellen O'Brien '09 was a three-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference performer who graduated as Denison's career leader in assists. She also scored 792 career points, currently ranks fifth in program history in steals, and is ranked fourth in NCAC history in assists. She was the starting point guard of Denison teams that went a combined 84-30 during her four years, won three conference tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times. As a senior, O'Brien served as a team captain and was the NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Statistical Champion in the assist/turnover ratio category.
Al Weik '14, Swimming
Al Weik '14 is one of the most dominant distance swimmers in NCAA history. He was selected by the Collegiate Swimming & Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) for its list of 100 greatest collegiate swimmers and divers in November 2021. Over the course of his career, Weik won the national championship in the 1650 freestyle all four years, twice in record time. He became the first male in NCAA Division III history to win the 1650 freestyle in four consecutive years. Weik was also a three-time national champion in the 500 freestyle.
Weik swam at Denison from 2011 to 2014 and is tied for the most ever national championships at Denison with nine. He was also a key member of Denison's first two NCAA Division III National Championship teams in 2011 and 2012 while helping lead the Big Red to a North Coast Athletic Conference title during each of his four years. At the 2012 NCAA Championships, Weik ended his week with three national championships, which were all Division III records at the time.
Phil Wince '70, Football and Basketball
Phil Wince '70 was unique in that he was a starter in both football and basketball at Denison. He was a rare athlete on the gridiron, playing safety, wide receiver and returning punts, and was the major ball handler on the hardwood, playing outstanding defense and leading the team in assists.
In football, Wince broke the Ohio Athletic Conference single game interception record, a record that still stands at Denison over 55 years later. Wince was also named All-OAC as a safety and led the OAC with eight interceptions, which is currently the third most in a single season in program history.
In basketball, Wince totaled 523 points in 72 career games, led the team in assists during each of his four years of being a starter, and was a starter on Denison's 1967-68 OAC Championship team that went 18-5 and competed in the NCAA College Division Regional Tournament. Wince was considered by his teammates to be a "coach-on-the-floor" while leading the team in assists and being the floor general who ran the offensive plays and was asked to guard the other team's best player.
Jan Hathorn, Coach/Citation
Jan Hathorn spent five seasons (1983-1987) as the head women's lacrosse coach at Denison. She was just the second head coach in program history and finished with a 54-21 career record while being named the 1987 North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. In addition to coaching women's lacrosse, Hathorn was a true team player who made a big impact at Denison not only as a versatile coach in multiple sports (she also assisted with soccer and swimming & diving), but through her work as a faculty member as well.
Hathorn is set to begin her 18th year as the Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics at Washington and Lee University during the 2024-25 school year. She is the first woman and just the seventh Athletics Director in school history. Hathorn was the 2019 recipient of the NCAA Division III Administrator of the Year Award from the Women Leaders in College Sports, receiving the award at the organization's national convention in October.
Hathorn plays an active role within the NCAA and served on the NCAA Management Council from 2011-15. During this time, she was a part of the Honors Committee, the Postgraduate Scholarship Committee and the Division III Subcommittee for Legislative Relief.
In 2010, she earned the Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in the sport of lacrosse.
Varsity D Association Hall of Fame - Class of 2024
- Michael Barnes '09, Track & Field and Football
- Gabe Dixson '13, Diving
- Marta Drane '10, Tennis
- Liz Gillette '08, Soccer
- Ellen O'Brien '09, Basketball
- Al Weik '14, Swimming
- Phil Wince '70, Football and Basketball
- Mike Caravana, Men's Lacrosse Coach
- Jan Hathorn*, Women's Lacrosse Coach
*Varsity D Association Citation Recipient
