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Three Eagles Honored as Part of Old Dominion Athletic Conference's Second Hall of Fame Class

FOREST, Va. - The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) announced its second class of the ODAC Hall of Fame on Wednesday. 

"The announcement of our second Hall of Fame class is another chance to celebrate the people who have helped make the ODAC what it is today," explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. "Each honoree has their own story, but they all made a lasting impact on our conference and helped set the standard for those who came after them. We're proud to recognize what they accomplished and excited to celebrate the lasting mark they've made on the ODAC."

Each league member earned selections to the second class of the ODAC Hall of Fame based on time spent as part of the league. As a founding member, BC earned three honorees.: Jean Willi, Mary Frances Heishman and Mike Clark.

Jean Willi
  • Inducted into the Bridgewater Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
  • Led the Bridgewater women's basketball program from 1996 to 2017 and tallied 375 victories in her 21 seasons.
  • Took the Eagles to five NCAA Tournaments, including a pair of runs to the Sweet Sixteen. She also tallied five ODAC Coach of the Year honors.
  • Served as the head coach for the women's lacrosse team from 1988-96 and was named the league's coach of the year in 1991.She also led the women's volleyball program for the 1987 season.
  • Graduated from BC in 1980 as one of the program's all-time leaders in rebounds and was a part of the 1980 women's lacrosse team that finished fourth nationally.
  • Served Bridgewater as the Associate Director of Athletics and the College's first Senior Woman Administrator.
Click HERE for Jean Willi's full bio in BC's Athletic Hall of Fame

Mary Frances Heishman
  • Inducted into the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
  • Was a three-sport standout as a student-athlete at BC, competing in basketball, field hockey and tennis.
  • Established the Bridgewater Women's Volleyball program in 1975 and led the program until 2008. She totaled 653 wins during her tenure to rank eighth in Div. III at the time of her retirement.
  • Won five ODAC titles and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament. She was named the ODAC Coach of the Year seven times and was the South Region Coach of the Year in 1988 as BC went 33-2.
  • Tallied 119 wins while leading the BC women's lacrosse program from 1971-87.
Click HERE for Mary Frances Heishman's full bio in BC's Athletic Hall of Fame

Mike Clark
  • Unanimously inducted into the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025.
  • Was at the Bridgewater Football program for 25 years and amassed 164 wins.
  • Led BC to the 2001 Div. III "Stagg Bowl". That team is still the only ODAC program to appear in the Division III Football National Championship Game.
  • Totaled six ODAC Championships and nine ODAC Coach of the Year honors.
  • Retired as the longest-tenured and winningest head coach in the Commonwealth.
Click HERE for Mike Clark's full bio in BC's Athletic Hall of Fame

To view the full ODAC Hall of Fame Class of 2026, click HERE.
 
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