NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Coast Guard Academy will add eight new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m in the Otto Graham Hall of Athletic Excellence located in Billard Gymnasium.

The 2024 Hall of Fame Class features five individuals and three teams. Individual inductees include Steve Arguelles('10), Bethany Stafford('15), and Susan Dymond('02), as well as Pioneer Nominee Cheryl Harvey('84) and Honorary Nominee Bill George. The three teams inducted are the 1994 tennis doubles team of Thomas and David Cooper, the 1988 Football team, and 1995 Men's Soccer team.

Steve Arguelles was a 2006 NCAA All-American and All-New England defensive back as a Freshman. That year Steve was also named to the NEFC First Team defense and was voted the NEFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. The following year he was again named to the NEFC First Team.

Bethany (Gollin) Stafford is one of the greatest track and field athletes to ever wear the Coast Guard uniform. A three time competitor at the NCAA Track & Field Championships, Bethany is still the Coast Guard 3k Steeplechase record holder. Stafford was not only a three time qualifier for Nationals, but was also All-NEWMAC twice and All-New England once in cross country, Division III All-New England four times and All-ECAC three times indoor, and was Division III All-New England three times and Open All-New England once outdoors. 

Susan (Van Der Veer-Parrish) Dymond was a three sport athlete, earning varsity letters in softball, basketball, and soccer. In her time at CGA, Susan set softball career records in hits, RBI, doubles, home runs, extra base hits, and batting average. She is still the single season record holder In batting average and slugging percentage for her 2002 senior season in which she hit .496 with a .903 slugging percentage. Susan was a third team All-American in 2002, the first in program history. She was also a three-time All-New England nominee and a first team NEWMAC shortstop two times.

The 1994 doubles team of Thomas and David Cooper achieved the highest national ranking in program history at #17. In the Northeast Region, they were the #2 ranked doubles team and were selected to the NCAA National Tournament. Thomas and David also won the CGA Invite title and made it to the 1994 CAC Championship.

The 1988 football team is one of the most successful in school history. They went 9-1, which is tied for the most single season wins in school history. The .900 winning percentage is second only to the 1951 team that went 6-0-1. The 1988 team won the ECAC North with a 28-19 victory over Plymouth State. In the season, the Bears outscored their opponents 283-135.

The 1995 Men's Soccer team had a program best record of 15-3-1 in route to their third consecutive CAC Championship. Along the way to the 15-3-1 record the Bears had a 12 game winning streak, the longest in program history. They also won the program's second ever postseason title and first in over 30 years with their ECAC championship.. Four players were selected to the CAC 1^st team, and one to 2^nd team. CGA also had the 1995 co-rookie of the year and CAC player of the year.

The Pioneer Nominee is 1984 Cheryl Harvey. Harvey was an exceptional three sport athlete at CGA, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was the first female athlete to earn 11 varsity letters and captain three teams. In her time at CGA, Cheryl was honored with the Captain H. Lee Baker Award, Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Award, and two Monogram Club Awards. She then returned to the Academy as a Tactical Officer and Admiral's Aide.

The Honorary Nominee is Bill George. Bill coached 21 football seasons from 1999-2019. He has 75 wins, the most in program history. He led Coast Guard to back to back NEFC Championship games in 2006 and 2007, while also making the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl in 2006. Under his leadership, Coast Guard set over 30 offensive records and led the nation twice in fewest sacks allowed per pass attempt. Bill also has more wins over Kings Point than any other coach in Coast Guard history.
 
Congratulations to our eight nominees on this prestigious honor.