Shippensburg University added six new members to its Athletics hall of Fame during its 39th annual induction ceremony on October 18.

The inductees were Jill Edwards Restino ’14, Herman Kirkland ’13, Lee McClintock ’05, Amy Sokalski ’85, Ashley Watt Cush ’07 and Sidney L. Wells Jr. ’60.

SU Athletic Director Jeffrey Michaels began the ceremony by thanking those who organized it and welcoming the inductees. Pastor Hunter Prough gave the invocation, then lunch was served to the attendees.

Shippensburg University President Charles Patterson congratulated the athletes and discussed how the skills they learned both on and off the field at Shippensburg got them to where they are today.

The first athlete recognized was Jill Edwards Restino, Class of 2014. Restino holds several school records in volleyball, including the single-match, single-season, and career records in kills. She is the only SU volleyball player to be name an AVCA All-American, earn four All-PSAC first team selections, and record 500 or more kills in a season, which she did twice. She spoke about her first volleyball camp at SU before she even committed and thanked head coach Leanne Piscotty for the sisterhood she formed in the team.

Herman Kirkland, Class of 2013, was the next to be recognized. Kirkland was a decorated long jumper and sprinter for SU’s track and field teams. He qualified for NCAA championships eight times and was a three-time NCAA All-American, thrice in the long jump and once in the indoor 60 meters. He still holds the PSAC indoor record for the long jump at 25 feet, 3 ¼ inches. Kirkland discussed the mindset he experienced while competing and paid tribute to his late father, mentioning how he “wouldn’t have even thought of college” if it was not for him.

Following Kirkland was Lee McClintock, Class of 2005, a star pitcher for the Raiders. McClintock holds school records in pitching wins at 28, 285 innings pitch and 1.61 walks per nine innings. He also threw eight complete game shutouts in his career and was part of the 2004 team that set the school record with 43 wins. McClintock thanked his teammates for their support and the bond they formed, with several teammates being in attendance.

The fourth inductee was Amy Sokalski, Class of 1985. She was one of the best hurdlers in school history and the only Raider to win four consecutive PSAC championships in the 100-meter hurdles and held the conference event record for five years. She was the first ever SU athlete to compete in the women’s track and field national collegiate championships. She used her speech to thank coaches along with Rodney Milburn, the 1972 Olympic champion in the 110-meter hurdles, as she studied film of him to learn her technique.

Ashley Watt Kush, Class of 2007, was then celebrated for her phenomenal field hockey achievements. She was a three-time All-American and All-PSAC player who graduated with the Shippensburg University records in career goals, career points, single-season goals and single-season points. Kush expressed gratitude for her teammates for all the fun they had, adding “The winning was nice, too.”

The last inductee was Sidney L. Wells Jr., Class of 1960. Wells is the only SU athlete to win three straight PSAC titles in shot put, with the first of the three being a key part in Shippensburg winning the 1958 team conference title. He was also a running back for the SU football team, finishing second in rushing in his senior season.

Wells’ four children, Debora, Pamela, Cindy and William, were on hand to accept the award, as Wells sadly passed away in 2023. Debora spoke on his behalf, mentioning how Sidney always discussed how much he loved the university. He ended by saying, “This is the first time I’ve done this: Go Ship!”

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