Winthrop legends enshrined in 2012 Hall of Fame Class
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:00PM By David Thackham
thackhamd@mytjnow.com
From left: President Anthony DiGiorgio, Clayton Almeida, Rusty Theinart, Tom Hickman, Octavia Goode, Catherine Rheiner and Janiva Thompson. Photo by Jenni Buker • Special to The JohnsonianWhen the city of Irishtown, New Brunswick, Canada started advertising that Winthrop alumna Janiva Willis (nee Thompson) had lived there, it became clear that the former Eagle softball star needed some extra recognition.
She and five other equally worthy alumni received just that as they were inducted into the Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Friday night in the Richardson Ballroom of the DiGiorgio Campus Center. Over 150 Winthrop fans, including friends, families and the inductees, saw Clayton Almeida (men’s tennis), Octavia Goode (track and field), Catherine Rheiner (nee Shealy) (women’s golf), Kevin Slowey (baseball), Rusty Theinert (men’s soccer) and Willis (softball) join 35 others in the Hall of Fame which also boasts historically successful former men’s basketball coach Nield Gordon.
Slowey was unable to be in attendance due to team commitments following his recent move from the Colorado Rockies to the Cleveland Indians.
“Each of these inductees is a tremendous ambassador for our university,” said Scott McDonald, associate athletic director. “They are truly Winthrop people and will always be a part of the Winthrop family.”
Winthrop: “So many opportunities”
All five inductees present made sure to stress the connection and importance that their school played on their collegiate and future lives.
“I always wanted to be a tennis player and Winthrop helped me do just that,” Almeida said. The Brazilian native helped his squad win the Big South Conference championship every year he played tennis in Rock Hill from 2002-2005.
“It is very humbling to be inducted here,” Rheiner said. “The university provided me with so many opportunities. I have always cherished my time here.”
She’s left her mark on Winthrop as well. The former golfer turned businesswoman won a spot on a Winthrop women’s record three straight All-Big South Conference teams in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Willis summed it up more simply.
“Winthrop’s been a second home to me,” she said. “I’ve gone from a small town in Canada to a small town in Rock Hill, but it’s been a great decision for me.”
“Drive and determination”
Much was said on Friday regarding the six athletes’ ability to persevere and work hard for their achievements, inside and out of the playing field. Steve Kirby, who accepted Slowey’s award on behalf of the pitcher, said that Cleveland’s new star is still looking to finish his degree. Slowey was drafted by the Minnesota Twins during his junior year.
“The drive and determination to hold that job and still come back in the offseason to work on schoolwork is just outstanding,” he said. “He’s a great citizen of this community, a great baseball player… and an even better person.”
Octavia Goode, holder of 11 individual Big South championships and five school records, attributes much of her success to an old coach.
“[Former assistant coach Bobbie Schreiner] helped me build my confidence,” Goode said. “I want to thank her for pushing me to everything I achieved. Hard work does pay off.”
Almeida also paid homage to his former coach.
“To me, Cid [Carvalho, now head women’s tennis coach] was not only a coach, but a mentor and a friend as well.”
“It makes a huge difference to anything we pursue,” Shealy later added, “when we put our heart into it.”
Largest class since 2005
The 2012 class is the largest since 2005, when six former Winthrop athletes were honored in McBryde Hall.
According to the Winthrop Athletics website, the Winthrop Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and recognize former Winthrop student-athletes, coaches, administration and supporters whose contributions brought distinction to Winthrop and themselves.
