USC Aiken Hall Of Fame Ceremony A Huge Success

Story Courtesy of Pacer Sports

Aiken, SC (03/01/2018) — The University of South Carolina Aiken inducted eight former Pacers into the Athletics Department Hall of Fame during its homecoming weekend.

Dagoberto Darezzo, a native of San Carlos, Brazil, holds the school record for most singles wins (56), doubles wins (56) and overall victories (122). He is the only Pacer to claim the title at the Fall ITA Regional (along with doubles partner Ed Horne). Darezzo held the highest national doubles ranking in school history at No. 2. He helped guide the program to a No. 5 national ranking in 2009, marking the highest team ranking in the program's history. An All-American in 2009, Darezzo picked up all-conference honors in 2007 and 2009 in singles action and in 2008 and 2009 for his performance in doubles matches.

Roberto Diaz, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, was a four-time PING All-American. He was named to the National All-Freshman Team after the 2005-06 season. A four-time all-PBC performer, he led the Pacers in scoring average twice. Diaz notched 20 top-10 finishes for his career, including a career-best eight as a junior. He claimed titles at the 2006 Bobcat Invitational (+3, 213), 2007 Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate (-2, 208) and the 2009 Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate (-2, 214). Diaz's 71.90 scoring average during the 2008-09 season is the third best in school history.

Bruno Seves, a native of Araraquara, Brazil, is third on the school's overall wins list with 116. He holds the school record for most career wins at No. 2 singles (31-4). Seves is fourth in school history for most singles wins (50) and doubles wins (66). He helped guide the program to a program-best No. 5 national ranking in 2009). An All-American in 2008-09, Seves was a two-time all-conference performer (2008, 2009). He holds the third most wins in a single season in school history with 18. Seves played No. 1 on the school's best team in history. He also picked up three PBC Player of the Week honors.

Ray Shepherd was a standout baseball player while USC Aiken was competing in the NAIA. Shepherd, who played from 1987-89, was a two-time NAIA, ABCA and Converse First-Team All-American. He was a NAIA all-District Six selection. A two-time all-state honoree, Shepherd garnered a pair of all-Area 7 selections. Shepherd was solid in the classroom as well. He was named a NAIA Baseball Scholar-Athlete in 1988. That same year, he was a District Six all-academic team member. Shepherd was a two-time Scholar-Athlete while at USC Aiken.

Kim Thomas was a two-time NAIA all-District 6 selection. The all-middle South region honoree was selected to play in the NAIA District 6 all-star game. In 1982 she was also a District 6 Player of the Week. Thomas finished her career as the school's career leader in scoring with 1,489 points. Additionally, she holds the single-game record by tallying 41 points. Thomas was on the team from 1980-83.

Nick Wandless was on the team from 2003-06. He ended his career as the NCAA saves leader in Division II with 32. Wandless claimed the school and PBC-best 17 saves in the 2006 season. Throughout his time, he appeared in 107 contests. A first-team ABCA and NCBWA All-American, Wandless was an all-region and all-conference selection in 2006. He was drafted in the 36th round by the Cincinnati Reds.

After 39 years with the institution, Randy Warrick stepped down at the end of May, 2017. During his time, teams excelled. The golf team won three straight national titles, men's basketball had a Final Four appearance and a pair of Elite Eight berths. The volleyball team became the first women's team to reach the Elite Eight. The baseball team had two appearances at the NAIA Baseball World Series. In all, programs appeared in 76 NCAA Division II National Tournaments, won 29 regular-season PBC championships and 14 tournament titles.

The athletic department had 25 PBC Player of the Year awards, 20 Freshman of the Year honorees, three PBC Defensive Player of the Year award winners, two Libero of the Year honorees, one Setter of the Year honoree, 24 PBC Coach of the Year awards, five Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards and 207 PBC all-academic team selections. One student-athletes was named NSCAA National Player of the Week and one earned NCBWA National Hitter of the Week as well.

Warrick was an integral part of the formation of the PBC and helped guide USC Aiken from NAIA to Division II. He was also the longest serving Director of Athletics in the history of the South Carolina system. Under Warrick's watch, the intercollegiate programs expanded from seven to 11 teams with the addition of men's tennis, softball, cross country, women's tennis and women's soccer.

Raymond Werts was a four-year starter on the men's basketball team from 1973-77. A two-time MVP, he was the school's all-time leading scorer upon the completion of his career. Werts guided USC Aiken to a PAC Championship during the 73-74 campaign. A three-time team captain, Werts was an all-academic team selection.

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