GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Two premier soccer greats, an influential cross country/track & field head coach, and a local entrepreneur who impacted Paladin Athletics for over three decades highlight Furman University's Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021, it was announced today.

Soccer All-American Shea Salinas '08 and two-time Southern Conference Soccer Player of the Year Stephanie Devita '16 will be joined by influential cross country/track & field head coach Bill Keesling and honorary inductee Tommy Stevenson '65, owner of Greenville's famed Country Ham House, in enshrinement ceremonies next spring on a date, location, and time to be announced.

"Becoming a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame is the highest honor a Furman Paladin can achieve," said director of athletics Jason Donnelly.  "This year's honorees are outstanding examples of the excellence in life, service, academics, and athletics our university strives to pursue and achieve with our student-athletes and alumni. We are honored to announce this year's Hall of Fame class and are thankful for their legacy and impact upon Furman and Greenville."

Salinas was a fixture in Furman's midfield, primarily as a winger, from 2004-07. He earned third team United Soccer Coaches All-America honors and first team United Soccer Coaches Scholar Athlete All-America accolades as a senior in 2007 after guiding the Paladins to a SoCon regular season title, league tournament title, and an NCAA Tournament second round appearance. The Grapevine, Texas, native was a two-time All-SoCon choice and three-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll member. Hewas selected 15th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and is beginning his 14th season in the league, including his 12th in San Jose. He is the franchise's all-time leader in assists, ranks second in appearances and corner kicks, and is third in minutes played.

DeVita, the most decorated player in the history of SoCon women's soccer, played as a midfielder and forward for head coach Andrew Burr's Paladins from 2012-15. The league's all-time leading scorer with 68 goals, she ranks as the only four-time United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region choice in league history and was named SoCon Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014. DeVita, who led Furman to the SoCon regular season and tournament titles in 2013 and another league tournament crown in 2015, remains one of only four players in league annals to earn first team All-SoCon honors four times. A product of Simpsonville, S.C., and Hillcrest High School, she concluded her career with a school-record 29 match-winning goals.

Keesling served as head coach of Furman's cross country/track & field program from 1969-78 and directed the Paladins to SoCon cross country and indoor track & field championships in 1976 while also earning a trio of league coach of the year accolades.  He coached numerous All-SoCon performers and 1971 NCAA participants Tom Malik and Lee Fidler, as well as 1977 All-American David Anderson.  In addition, he was instrumental in luring into the cross country program Chris Borch '78, who has repeatedly acknowledged his former coach's inspiration while becoming one of Furman Athletics' main benefactors.  A co-founder of the Greenville Track Club in 1972, Keesling retired from coaching in 1978 but continued to serve the university as director of the Paladin Club, Furman's former athletics scholarship fundraising organization.  He was instrumental in the establishment of Furman's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.

Through his famed Country Ham House restaurant in downtown Greenville, which he opened in 1985 and which became an institution and daily stop for many Greenvillians and a wide variety of dignitaries looking for a home-cooked meal, Stevenson loyally supported his alma mater and Paladin Athletics for over 36 years, providing catering for team meals and other university events, including hosting Friday night dinners for Furman's football team prior to Saturday home games. A Winnsboro, S.C., native and recipient of the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor accorded by the state, Stevenson, who announced plans to retire in May, will be honored by Furman with "Tommy Stevenson Day" this fall.

Before the enshrinement of the Furman Hall of Fame Class of 2021 next spring, the university will induct the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 this fall — a ceremony that was postponed due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.    The 2020 class includes former Paladin golf coach Willie Miller,  Paladin football All-American Joel Bell '09, women's golf standout Stephanie Kenoyer '11, and volleyball great Natalie Braun Anthony '13.

SHEA SALINAS '08 — Men's Soccer (2004-07)...midfielder…four-year letterwinner who garnered 2007 third team NSCAA All-America honors and 2007 first team NSCAA Scholar Athlete All-America accolades…named to the NSCAA All-South Region third team as a junior and NSCAA All-South Region first team as a senior in 2007…two-time All-Southern Conference selection in 2006 and '07…three-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll member…tallied five goals and added nine assists to help Furman to the 2007 SoCon regular season title, tournament championship and second round NCAA Tournament appearance…earned 2005 All-SoCon Tournament honors…totaled 14 goals and 21 assists in 77 matches as a Paladin…Selected 15th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the second round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft…entering his 14th year in MLS and 12th with San Jose…ranks first in franchise history in assists (48), second in appearances (292) and corner kicks (398), third in minutes played (16,611), and fourth in starts (168)…winger has tallied 21 career goals…has been a "face of the franchise" for the Earthquakes over his 12-year career in San Jose, featuring in the organizations marketing efforts and one of its most active participants in community service projects in the San Jose area.

STEPHANIE DEVITA '16 — Women's Soccer (2012-15)…midfielder/forward...one of the most decorated players in Southern Conference history…the SoCon's all-time leading scorer with 68 goals, nine more than any other player in league history…named 2012 and '14 SoCon Player of the Year…one of just four players to become a four-time first team All-SoCon choice…selected as 2012 SoCon Freshman of the Year…the only four-time NSCAA All-Southeast Region selection in conference history…topped Furman's record books with 68 career goals and 159 total points…Simpsonville,S.C., native and Hillcrest High School product's 29 career match-winning goals rank as the most in Furman history…totaled 23 career assists…paced the Paladins to the 2013 SoCon regular season title…earned SoCon Tournament MVP honors while leading Furman to league titles and NCAA berths in 2013 and '15.

BILL KEESLING — Track & Field Coach (1969-78)... led Furman to SoCon indoor track team title and  league cross country championship team in 1976...helped Furman to a runner-up finish at the 1977 SoCon Outdoor Championships...honored as SoCon Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1976...chosen SoCon Outdoor Track Coach of the Year in 1976...under his direction, the Furman team placed 36th at the 1970 NCAA Cross Country Championships...coached All-American David Anderson in the 400m hurdles in 1977...two Furman athletes in three events competed in the 1971 NCAA Outdoor Championships under Keesling:  Tom Malik (high hurdles) and Lee Fidler (three miles and six miles)...coached Lee Fidler, who was voted the 1971 SoCon Outdoor Track Most Outstanding Performer...coached dozens of athletes to All-SoCon citations...six indoor and 11 outdoor track and field records set under Keesling still stand today...an original founder of the Greenville Track Club in 1972...inducted into the Greenville Track Club Hall of Fame in 2016...served as director of the Paladin Club after retiring from coaching...helped establish the Furman Athletics Hall of Fame.

TOMMY STEVENSON '65 – Served as football team manager as an undergraduate...following graduation and after stints in construction and restaurant equipment sales, bought the Country Ham House in downtown Greenville in 1985....over the next 36 years become an integral part of the Furman, Greenville, and Upstate communities, his restaurant serving as a daily stop for many Greenvillians and a wide variety of dignitaries...loyally and unselfishly supported Furman University and Paladin Athletics, donating meals for teams and catering services to other athletic events, including providing Friday night dinners for Furman's football squads prior to Saturday home games...recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor accorded by the state, he served as an ideal ambassador for his alma mater, touching the lives of of thousands through his restaurant and generosity.