Hall of Fame | May 31, 2023

MORROW, Ga. – On Saturday, May 20^th, the 2023 Clayton State University Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took over the Student Activities Center (SAC) Ballroom to celebrate two gifted former student-athletes and a former University president. 
 
Joined by family, friends, and past Hall of Famers, the Class of 2023 consisted of former Clayton State University President Dr. Tim Hynes, men's soccer player Barry Casebeer, and men's track & field standout Ahmad Rolle.  
 
The Class of 2023
Dr. Tim Hynes (University President, 2009-21)
Inducted by Leonard Moreland (Hall of Fame Class of 2017)
 
Dr. Tim Hynes was a mainstay at Clayton State University for over a decade and was one of the biggest supporters of our Department of Athletics.  Dr. Hynes was the president of the University during one of the most historic times in our athletics history including seeing the women's basketball team, coached by the legendary and Hall of Famer Dennis Cox, win the school's first and only National Championship in 2011.  During his tenure, Dr. Hynes also oversaw an athletics department that combined to win 11 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Championships and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. 
 
Dr. Tim Hynes also oversaw the dedication of the Athletics' Center Sports Performance room, named after Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2015 inductee Dr. Joseph S. Wilkes, and the dedication of the Sports Medicine Room, named in partnership with OrthoAtlanta. Additionally, Dr. Hynes guided efforts in many different facility updates. 
 
For the University as a whole, Dr. Hynes was instrumental in establishing a rigorous fundraising strategy. In 2016, the University started the Give4Dreams, Day of Giving, initiative.  This initiative was instrumental in the Department of Athletics to raise money for different needs including scholarships, equipment, uniforms, and facility upgrades.  As a campus, the University has raised over 1.5 million dollars and just in the last couple of years, the Department of Athletics has led the campus in fundraising efforts.   
 
Barry Casebeer (Men's Soccer, 2000-02)
Inducted by Shaun Baddock & Stephen Hughes
 

Barry Casebeer was one of the most prolific scorers in Clayton State University men's soccer history.  In his playing career that spanned from 2000 to 2002, Barry played in 49 matches and the Lakers boasted a record of 41-11-5, including earning 18 wins in 2000, which is the second most in school history. In his illustrious career as a Laker, Casebeer placed himself in the record books with scoring 32 goals, which is tied for third all-time in program history, and tallied 76 points, which is tied for second in school history. 
 
The Laker forward led his team in two of the three years in goals, assists, and points. In the 2000 season, Casebeer knocked in a season-second best 19 goals and broke the school record for the most shots in a season with 92.  In addition, Casebeer assisted on six goals, which led the team.  That season, the Lakers won the PBC Tournament and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. This season resulted in Casebeer earning PBC All-Conference honors and an All-Region nod. 
 
In the 2001 season, Barry had an equally great season as he led the team with nine goals and five assists, totaling 23 points. That season, the Lakers earned another trip to the NCAA Tournament and a PBC Regular Season Championship.  As a result of another great season, Casebeer earned PBC All-Conference and All-Region accolades.  Barry, at the time, was the first Laker to be a 2x All-Region selection and is now one of 12 that that has achieved that accolade.  Also, Casebeer was the first Laker to be a two-time All-Conference selection.  Today, there are 22 Laker men's soccer players that achieved that feat.  
 
Ahmad Rolle (Men's Track & Field, 2006-09)
Inducted by Eric Simmons (Hall of Fame Class of 2019)
 

Ahmad Rolle was one, arguably, one of the most impactful and most gifted jumper and sprinter in Laker men's track & field history.  Under the direction of coaches Mike Mead and Clive Caesar, Rolle has etched his name in the record books in the program.  Ahmad is a four-time United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Region Field Athlete of the Year and is a four-time NCAA Championship qualifier.  Ahmad is only the third Laker men's track & field athlete that has qualified for four or more NCAA Championships. 
 
Rolle earned All-American honors in the 2008 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships as he placed fourth in the triple jump.  Ahmad holds five school records combined between the indoor and outdoor seasons.  He holds the school record for the longest mark in the indoor triple jump, which a final mark of 15.12m and the outdoor triple jump with a final distance of 14.94m.  In addition, Rolle holds the school record in the indoor long jump with a final distance of 7.06m and in the 400m hurdles with a final time of 53.45 seconds. 
 
In 2007, his indoor 4x400 meter relay team, which includes Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductee, Eric Simmons, broke the school record with a time of 3:19.48.  Other teammates in that relay team include Nathan Hytower and Lawrence DeShields. In addition, Rolle also places in the top-eight in seven different events. Simmons and Rolle are the only two men's track & field athletes have been inducted into the Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame. 

About the Hall of Fame
Established in 2013, the Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame was created to honor former Laker student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty/staff, and community members who have, by their outstanding achievements, contributed to the ideals of the Clayton State Department of Athletics. Including this year's honorees, the Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame has named nine classes and enshrined 30 former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, special inductees, and teams.
 
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