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Calderwood, Cook and Estus Announced as 2013 Class of Inductees into the Fred I. Dickerson Hall of Fame

July 26, 2013. The Lees-McRae College Athletic Department and Director of Athletics Craig McPhail are pleased to announce the 2013 class of inductees into the Fred I. Dickerson Hall of Fame. The College will induct three new members into its athletic hall of fame on Friday, Oct. 4 as part of its homecoming festivities, welcoming new inductees Jennifer Calderwood (’00), Amanda Cook (’01) and former athletic director and women’s soccer coach Reid Estus. 

“What a great class we have for induction to the Lees-McRae College Athletic Department Hall of Fame for 2013,” praised McPhail. “I had the privilege of watching Jen, coaching Amanda and working for Reid. Each possessed the very same traits we ask our student-athletes and coaching staff to exemplify each day. Their dedication to their craft, the sacrifices they made to get better each day and their incredible ability to rise above all challenges made each of them worthy of being inducted.” 

imgresCalderwood dominated the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference for two seasons as a member of the Bobcat women’s volleyball team, winning back-to-back CVAC Player of the Year honors as well as AVCA all-region recognition in 2000. The two-time CVAC Tournament MVP totaled 1217 kills and 963 digs during her two-year career, setting single-season program records in kills (769,2000) and kills per set (5.53, 2000).

The two-time all-CVAC performer ranks first all-time in kills per set, second in points per set, third in total kills, fourth in total points and fifth in digs. She led the Bobcats to back-to-back conference regular season and tournament championships and was named to the All-Time all-CVAC team in 2006. 

Cook starred for the Bobcats from 1998-2001, never finishing lower than second at the conference championships, while earning all-CVAC and all-region first team honors in each of her four seasons. The two-time academic All-American won the region as a senior, leading the Bobcats to four straight championships and a region championship in 2001. 

She recorded 21 top-10 finishes during her career, including 12 wins, while finishing 92nd at nationals in 2001. The Concord native owns the school record in the 5k, 6k and 4-mile. Cook was a two-time CVAC Runner of the Year, as well as the 2001 Southeast Region Runner of the Year. 

“The tireless commitment Jen and Amanda made as student-athletes was something everyone looked up to as their teammates and competitors witnessed their incredible ability to succeed,” said McPhail.

Estus founded the Lees-McRae women’s soccer program in 1987, leading the Bobcats to a 1999-82-8 overall record in 13 years as the head coach. Estus led the Bobcats to the NJCAA National Tournament in each of their first three seasons, earning regional coach of the year hoors four times and compiling a 73-24-3 conference record. 

In his 22 years at Lees-McRae, Estus wore a variety of hats in addition to the head women’s soccer coach, serving as the head women’s tennis coach, head softball coach and a physical education instructor. Estus also served as the Director of Athletics from 1994 to 2009, helping the school transition from the NAIA ranks to NCAA membership. The Bobcats also won their first Joby Hawn Cup during Estus’ tenure in 2000-2001. 

“Reid’s body of work as a coach and administrator will be seen at Lees-McRae forever,” celebrated McPhail. 

“With almost 200 wins as the women’s soccer coach, the Bobcats were viewed as one of the best programs in the country in the early stages of Title IX. As the Athletic Director, he helped make the change from NAIA to NCAA, laying the groundwork on facilities, scholarships, coaching staff and policies to make us the group we are today.”

“These three individuals have made Lees-McRae athletics better and for this we are indeed thankful,” said McPhail.