Greenville, S.C. – A former NCAA strikeouts leader, the most decorated track athlete in school history, an NFL offensive lineman, and a World Cup superstar highlight the Furman University Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023, which was announced on Monday.
Softball standout Lindsey Bert, distance runner Alllie Buchalski, lineman Dakota Dozier, and United States National Team centerback Walker Zimmerman will be inducted into the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame on a date, location, and time to be announced.
"Furman University is honored to announce our Class of 2023 Hall of Fame inductees and recognize their significant accomplishments, leadership, and excellence on and off the field," said Vice President for Athletics Jason Donnelly. "The Furman Athletics Hall of Fame is the highest honor that a Paladin can receive, and this special group is worthy of this distinction. We are so proud of Lindsey, Alllie, Dakota, and Walker and look forward to celebrating with them soon."
Bert, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., captured Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018. The lefthander paced the Paladins to a share of the SoCon regular season title in 2017 before fanning an NCAA Division I-high 353 batters while leading Furman to 41 victories as a senior the following season.
Buchalski finished her Furman career as the most honored runner in school history with a program-record seven All-American citations. She captured Edna Hartness Furman Female Athlete of the Year accolades twice, posted a national runner-up finish in the 5,000m at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship, and finished fifth in the 5,000m at the 2021 Olympic trials. Buchalski also was the recipient of an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship.
A two-time All-American and three-time All-SoCon selection, Dakota Dozier was a four-year starter for the Paladin football team from 2010-13. He paved the way for Furman's 2013 SoCon title and second round NCAA playoff appearance before being selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Dozier has played nine seasons in the NFL for the Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears.
Zimmerman was a two-time All-America, two-time All-SoCon selection, and the 2011 SoCon Freshman of the Year during his two-year stint with the Furman men's soccer team. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native has served as captain for the United States Men's National Team and guided the U.S. to the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup this past year. A four-time MLS Best XI honoree and two-time MLS Defender of the Year, the Nashville SC defender is currently playing his 11thseason of professional soccer.
LINDSEY BERT — Softball (2015-18)...pitcher/outfielder/designated player…finished her career as the most decorated pitcher in Paladin history and one of the most dominant pitchers in Southern Conference history…the 2017-18 Edna Hartness Furman Female Athlete of the Year…named 2017 and 2018 Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year while garnering NFCA All-South Region Third Team honors…three-time first team All-Southern Conference selection (2015,'17, '18)…also earned second team All-SoCon honors as a utility/pitcher in 2016…2015 SoCon All-Freshman choice and 2016 All-SoCon Tournament pick…the only player in league history to win pitcher of the week 12 times and pitcher of the month honors four times…finished her four-year career as Furman and the Southern Conference's all-time leader in wins (88), strikeouts (915), shutouts (32), and complete games (110)…set Furman single-season standards for wins (28), complete games (34), and shutouts (14) in 2018 while pacing NCAA Division I softball with a school-record 353 strikeouts…her 14 shutouts and 353 strikeouts in 2018 also stand as SoCon single-season standards…pitched Furman to a share of the SoCon regular season title in 2017 going 18-12 in the circle with a 2.10 ERA…went 28-9 with a 1.51 ERA in 2018 to power the Paladins to 41 wins, the second most victories in school history…career .293 hitter who totaled 39 doubles, 16 homers, and drove in 87 career runs…ranks fifth in school history with 80 career walks.
ALLLIE BUCHALSKI - Cross country/track and field (2013-18)...seven-time All-American…named Furman Edna Hartness 2018-19 Female Athlete of the Year for her performance during the spring of 2018...was the national runner up in the 5,000m at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, marking the highest finish by any Furman track and field athlete at the national championship meet...passed two runners in the final 100m to finish as the national runner-up and capture her second-straight first team All-American honor in the 5,000m...earlier in that outdoor season, she won the 1,500m at the Southern Conference Championships, setting a meet record with a time of 4:19.44, and went on to take the league title in the5,000m...also honored with the Edna Hartness award in 2017...voted a CoSIDA Academic All-American...holds Furman indoor track records in the 3,000m and 5,000m...signed a professional contract with Brooks Beasts...three-time SoCon Runner of the Year for cross country and two-time selection as the SoCon Indoor Track Most Outstanding Performer...represented Team USA as a member of the junior national cross country team at the Bupa Great Edinburgh XC International Challenge...earned an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship and completed an MBA in 2021 while competing professionally...finished fifth in the 5,000m at the 2021 Olympic trials.
DAKOTA DOZIER — Football (2010-13)...four-year letterman/starter...two-time All-American: 2nd Team by Sports Network (2012) and Associated Press (2012) and consensus 1st Team (2013) by Sports Network, AP, AFCA, and Walter Camp...three-time All-SoCon selection by league head coaches and media — 2nd Team (2011) and 1st Team (2012 & '13)...2013 SoCon Jacobs Blocking Award recipient...played a key role in Furman winning the 2013 SoCon Championship and advancing to second round of FCS playoffs...dominant play cleared the way for two-time All-SoCon running back Jerodis Williams (5th in Furman history with 3,097 rushing yards)...selected in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, making him the fourth highest drafted Furman player in modern day history...recently concluded his ninth season in the NFL, having played for the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears.
WALKER ZIMMERMAN — Men's Soccer (2011-12)…defender...two-year letterman…currently ranks as one of the most recognizable figures in United States men's soccer after leading the U.S. Men's National Team into the knockout stages at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar…captured College Soccer News First Team All-America accolades, United Soccer Coaches Second Team honors and was named to the Soccer America MVP Second Team in 2012 after garnering United Soccer Coaches Third Team laurels as a freshman in 2011 at Furman…named 2011 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year…a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team choice and two-time first team All-SoCon pick…scored 11 goals and added five assists to lead the Paladins to a 26-8-7 record in his two seasons in Greenville, including a 14-4-4 mark and NCAA Tournament at-large berth as a freshman…tabbed as the No. 7 pick by FC Dallas in the 2013MLS SuperDraft…currently in his 11th season in MLS, he has played for FC Dallas, LAFC and Nashville SC…garnered 2019, '20, '21, and '22 MLS Best XI honors at centerback and won 2020 and 2021 MLS Defender of the Year accolades…netted three goals for the United States, including a tally in a 2-0 victory over Honduras this past February in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier.
