FOREST, Va. – Accomplished student-athletes, Brenda Davis '94 and Ben Strong '08, as well as longtime multi-sport coach Jack Jensen, represented the rich history of Guilford College Athletics as inductees in the inaugural class of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Hall of Fame, kicking off the league's 50^th year celebration, as announced by the conference on Friday morning.

"This inaugural Hall of Fame class embodies the heart and soul of the ODAC," explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. "They are champions, leaders, and trailblazers whose influence reaches far beyond wins and championships. As we celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we are proud to honor individuals whose dedication and spirit have left an indelible mark on the conference and inspired all who have been part of our story."

Among the most dominant dual-sport athletes in ODAC history, Brenda Davis '94 was a force on the court both in Women's Basketball and Volleyball for Guilford College from 1990-94, propelling the Quakers to a playoff berth in every season and the Guilford Volleyball program to their first, and only, ODAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in 1993. (FULL HALL OF FAME BIO)

Center and anchor of some of the best men's basketball teams the ODAC has ever featured, Ben Strong '08 played for Guilford College from 2004-08, guiding the Quakers to their first-two NCAA Tournament berths in 2007 and 2008, and first ODAC Championship in 2008. (FULL HALL OF FAME BIO)

Longtime Guilford College coach and administrator serving as head coach of the Quakers Men's Golf (33 years), Men's Basketball (29 years), Cross Country (six years), and Track & Field (six years) programs, Jack Jensen combined for 74 seasons over 45 years of service to Guilford College and its student-athletes from 1965 through his passing in 2010. (FULL HALL OF FAME BIO)

This first class features honorees from all eight original charter members from 1976 – Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite College (now University), Emory & Henry College (now University), Hampden-Sydney College, Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg), Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, and Washington and Lee University. Each of those schools selected four members for inclusion, while three honorees each from Guilford College, Hollins College (now University), Randolph-Macon Women's College (now Randolph College), Sweet Briar College, and Virginia Wesleyan College (now University) feature in this class.

Inductees must have played, coached, or contributed to their institution during their time as members of the ODAC. Further information about the ODAC Hall of Fame can be found in the conference release. (LINK)

The full inaugural class of the ODAC Hall of Fame can be found at ODACOnline.com. (LINK)

*This story contains excerpts from the release by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)*

#GoQuakes