Five former Scots will be inducted into the Lyon College Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 5:45 p.m. in Patterson Dining Hall of Edwards Commons on the Lyon College campus in Batesville.
“The event promises to be a celebration of outstanding sportsmanship and achievement within the Lyon College athletic community,” said Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni engagement, in a release from Lyon. “We are thrilled to welcome these former Scots back to campus and to celebrate their athletic contributions and achievements both on and off the court and field.”
Scroll down for information about each inductee.
Katie Beineke – Volleyball
Among the inductees is Katie Beineke, of Fort Smith, a Scots volleyball standout and alumna of the class of 2010. Beineke’s athletic achievements include being a first-team TranSouth All-Conference player for three consecutive years from 2007-2009 and securing spots in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) honorable mention All-American team and AVCA All-Southeast Region in 2008.
On the career leaderboard, Beineke holds the second position in kills with 1,305, second in solo blocks with 149, and first in total blocks with 379 from 2006 to 2009. Her single-season leaderboard highlights include tying for third in solo blocks in 2007 with 46, ranking seventh in total blocks in 2006 with 104, and ninth in total blocks in 2009 with 106. Notably, she holds the record for the most total kills in a single match, with 28, achieved on Sept. 6, 2007, against Williams Baptist University.
Recognized for her dedication and support to the Lyon College athletic program, Beineke was awarded the prestigious Winnie Marable Award as a four-year letter winner in women’s volleyball. In 2020, Beineke was awarded the Patterson Decade Award for her consistent support of Lyon College, her successful career, and her valiant work to promote awareness of ovarian and breast cancer and the empowerment of women and girls. Beineke serves as the senior associate athletic director at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
“Katie has not only left an indelible mark on Lyon College’s athletic legacy but also continues to inspire the next generation of student-athletes through her commitment to the sport and community,” said Lyon College Director of Athletics Kevin Jenkins, who nominated Beineke for the honor.
Lauren Ramsey Lawrence – Basketball
An alumna of the class of 2012, Lauren Ramsey Lawrence, of Little Rock, left an indelible mark on Lyon College’s women’s basketball program. During her time at Lyon, she consistently demonstrated outstanding sports performance, earning accolades such as the TranSouth All-Freshman team in 2009 and subsequent placements in the TranSouth All-Conference teams from 2010 to 2012. Her achievements extended to the career leaderboard, where with 1,472 points, she became the sixth member of the 1,000 Point Club and displayed prowess in rebounds and blocks, ranking sixth and third, respectively.
Finishing her career having played in 124 games, Lawrence’s scoring abilities were evident in her shooting statistics, including a field goal percentage of 50.9 percent, a three-point percentage of 34 percent, and a free-throw percentage of 74 percent. Her impact on the court was highlighted by her leadership as team captain, guiding Lyon’s women’s basketball to its inaugural appearance in the national tournament. Despite a close loss to the eventual national champion, Westmont College, by a mere 2 points, Lawrence’s contributions were vital to the team’s historic journey.
Recognized for her commitment to fitness and a well-rounded scoring approach, she became a formidable presence on the court, posing a challenge for opposing teams’ post players with her versatile scoring abilities. Known for her relentless work ethic and dedication, she consistently gave her best, earning the admiration of her peers and coaches alike.
“She was a force down low and scored with either hand. This made her a hard matchup for other teams’ post players. She ran the floor extremely well and as hard as any post I have ever coached,” said former Scots women’s basketball coach Tracy-Stewart Lange, who nominated Lawrence for the award. “I always felt like I got her best every day.”
Lawrence serves as assistant athletic director and theology teacher at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. Even after her collegiate career, Lawrence remained actively involved in Lyon’s athletic community, bringing her own team to Lyon’s team camp over the summer and regularly participating in alumni weekends and games. Her continued support exemplifies her lasting dedication to Lyon College and its athletic endeavors, further solidifying her impact on Lyon’s basketball legacy.
Chris McCrillis – Baseball
Scots baseball standout Chris McCrillis, of Little Rock, graduated from Lyon College in 1997. His presence on the career leaderboard is evidenced by his impressive ranking of eighth in complete games at 14 from 1994-1997, showcasing his reliability and endurance as a pitcher throughout his collegiate career.
Notably, his performance on the yearly leaderboard, particularly during the 1996 season, underscored his contributions to Lyon’s baseball success. McCrillis’ achievements during this season, including a record of 9-2 on the mound, a noteworthy earned run average, and an impressive number of strikeouts and innings pitched, solidified his status as an outstanding player within the Lyon baseball program.
During his junior season in 1996, McCrillis also etched his name in Lyon’s baseball history with a remarkable no-hitter against Rhodes College, a testament to his exceptional talent and skill as a pitcher. Beyond his individual accomplishments, McCrillis played a pivotal role in the advancement and success of Lyon’s baseball program, as noted by Philip Way, who nominated McCrillis for the Hall of Fame.
As one of the four seniors who laid the foundation for Lyon Baseball’s future success, McCrillis played an instrumental role in guiding the team to its first winning season in the modern era of Lyon baseball in 1997. The team’s 30-16 record and victories over Division 2 powerhouses such as Southern Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and Arkansas Tech University, as well as a notable triumph over the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, highlight McCrillis’ contributions to Lyon’s baseball program.
McCrillis’ exceptional performance, leadership, and dedication to Lyon College’s baseball program continue to serve as an inspiration and a testament to the spirit of excellence and sportsmanship cherished by Lyon College, Way said. He is one of four seniors of 1997 “who laid the foundation for the future success of Lyon baseball.”
Louis Raptopoulos – Baseball
Louis Raptopoulos, of St. Louis, Mo., a celebrated name in Lyon College’s baseball history, graduated from Lyon College in 2004. He made an indelible mark on the college’s baseball program, showcasing skill and dedication on the field.
Hailing from St. Charles, Mo., Raptopoulos’ outstanding sports performance throughout his collegiate baseball career is reflected in his rankings on his career leaderboard, including fourth in wins at 26 from 2000-2003, ninth in strikeouts at 154 from 2000-2003, ninth in innings pitched at 245 from 2001-2004, fourth in complete games at 17 from 2001-2004, and sixth in games started at 43 from 2001-2004. His excellence continued on the yearly leaderboard, where he led in multiple categories during the 2004 season, including ten wins, 48 strikeouts, 81.1 innings pitched, and 15 games started. He completed eight games in 2001 alone, six in 2004, and 17 in his career.
Notably, Raptopoulos etched his name in Lyon’s baseball history with a memorable no-hitter in 2001, a testament to his exceptional pitching abilities. His performance during the 2004 season earned him the honor of second team All-TransSouth Conference, highlighting his contributions to Lyon’s baseball success.
Raptopoulos’ on-field brilliance was accompanied by a dynamic and uplifting presence, earning him the reputation of being the driving force of the team.
“He had the greatest pickoff move ever and a tremendous split-fingered fastball. His performance at regionals in 2002 against #1 seed Union University was masterful. He threw a complete game to get us to the regional finals,” said Jason Livernois, who nominated Raptopoulos for the award. “He was the energy we all needed with laughter and Canadian humor. He led the pitching staff by example on the field. He was the energy of the team, even during his year off with injury.”
Beyond his athletic prowess, Raptopoulos remains a dedicated supporter of Lyon College’s athletic programs, actively attending local games in St. Louis whenever the Scots are in town. His continued involvement in the Lyon College community underscores his enduring commitment to the institution and its athletic endeavors.
Leon Threets – Basketball
Leon Threets of Livermore, Cal., a notable figure in Lyon College’s basketball history and 1977 alumnus of Lyon College, has left an enduring legacy as a distinguished athlete and exemplary individual.
Threets’ collegiate basketball journey began at Arkansas State University-Beebe, where he was recognized for his exceptional skills and dedication to the game. His inclusion in the All-Ozark Junior College team for consecutive years in 1972-1973 and 1973-1974 solidified his position as a rising talent in the world of junior college basketball. Notably, Threets set a record at ASU-Beebe with an astounding 29 rebounds in a single game, showcasing his prowess on the court.
Upon transferring to Lyon College, Threets continued to excel, establishing himself as the team’s third-leading scorer during the 1974-1975 season. His dominant performance as the team’s top rebounder, averaging 21.1 rebounds per game during the same season, further underscored his impact on Lyon’s basketball success.
Threets’ achievements did not go unnoticed, as he received the honor of being named honorable mention All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference for the 1974-1975 and 1975-1976 seasons.
Following his college years, Threets embarked on a fulfilling career in law enforcement, making a significant impact beyond the realm of athletics. His remarkable journey exemplifies the spirit and dedication that Lyon College values in its athletes, making him a deserving nominee for the Lyon College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Tickets for the 2023 Lyon College Athletics Hall of Fame celebration are available at lyon.edu/halloffame. All former and current Scots and their families are encouraged to attend.
For more information about the Athletics Hall of Fame celebration, please contact Cindy Barber at Cindy.Barber@lyon.edu.
Images: Lyon College
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