Campus News

GC inducts prestigious 2024 Hall of Fame class

Eight former Lakers honored as well as a pair of previous nominees

Eight former Laker players and coaches were inducted into the Garrett College Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Five former baseball players – pitchers Mike Johnston, Tobi Stoner, Mark Deutsch, and Ron Kaufman, and Tim Bishop – are among the inductees. Former men’s basketball player Mike Saturday, former men’s basketball head coach Tom Bosley, and the late women’s basketball head coach Thea Garland were also inducted. Cat Whitfield and Mike Nagle – members of the Class of 2017 who were not able to attend that induction dinner – were also recognized.

The Hall of Fame induction dinner was part of GC’s Alumni Weekend.

"We had a tremendous Hall of Fame induction ceremony," said co-Athletics Director Elizabeth Show. "Getting to recognize the achievements and contributions of our finest athletes and coaches – who have exemplified excellence, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout their illustrious careers – is what it’s all about.

"I hope our current and future student athletes who were in attendance will be inspired to pursue their passions with the same vigor and commitment," added Show.

All four former Laker baseball pitchers who were inducted played professionally.

Johnston had a 2-2 record with a sterling 1.36 earned-run average in 1998 during his only season with the Lakers. His professional career spanned 10 seasons, nearly all of it in the Pittsburg Pirates organization.

Johnston played in a combined 25 major-league games for the Pirates in 2004 and 2005, finishing with a 0-3 record and 5.70 ERA. He posted a 29-23 minor-league record while pitching in every level of the Pirates’ system from Rookie League to Class AAA.

"The College had a profound impact on my life," said Johnston. "The lessons I learned, both in the classroom and on the field, were instrumental in shaping me into the man I am today. The work ethic I developed at Garrett was the foundation for success in my baseball career and later in my project management career."

Stoner had a nine-year minor-league baseball career and also played briefly with the New York Mets during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. He finished his major-league career with a 0-1 record and 3.97 ERA in five games.

Stoner had a 38-49 record in the minors with a 4.33 ERA. His best minor-league season was his first in 2006 as he posted a 6-2 record (2.15 ERA) in the Class A short season with the Mets’ Brooklyn franchise.

"I was definitely shocked and very honored to be in the discussion of inductees, let alone actually being inducted," said Stoner. "Especially with that caliber of a class! It was a complete honor to share that day with those amazing individuals."

Deutsch, who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1978, was the top pitcher for the Lakers in 1975 and 1976, helping GC to a 53-14 record. Deutsch went on to play two years for Davis & Elkins College, where he is already in their Hall of Fame.

Deutsch went 4-0 with a 3.18 ERA in 1978 with the Cubs’ Gulf Coast League franchise. That same year, he was 6-6 with a 4.64 ERA with the Class AAA Saraperos de Saltillo club in the Mexican League. That was Deutsch’s only season in professional ball.

Deutsch expressed "gratitude toward the College staff, teammates, coaches, and friends that made it [his Hall of Fame induction] possible." He also recalled fond memories of "spending quality time with top-notch, quality, great, and genuine friends."

Ron Kaufman helped the Lakers go 27-9 in 1978 before pitching four seasons (1981-1984) in the minors. He finished with a 19-14 record, a 3.72 ERA, and 36 saves as a professional.

Kaufman made 147 relief appearances and two starts, with his best season coming in 1982 with Quad Cities of the Class A Midwest League (10-5 record, 3.58 ERA, and 17 saves in 53 appearances).

Bishop, who was the career home run leader when he left Garrett College, is currently fifth all-time in homers at Flagler (St. Augustine, FL) College and was a member of the Saints’ 1980s All-Decade Team.

"It was an honor to play for Coach [Phil] Caruso, who loves baseball more than anyone I know," said Bishop of his Lakers head coach, who was inducted into the GC Athletic Hall of Fame with the 2015 inaugural class.

Saturday at one time held GC records for points, rebounds, field goals, single-season points and made free throws. He was Team MVP in both the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons.

Bosley played for the Lakers from 1972 to 1974 and then coached them to a 51-35 record from 1982 to 1985. He went on to coach the Southern Garrett High boys’ basketball team for 27 years (1978-82, 1989-2005, and 2014-23), winning four region championships and a Class 1A state title in 2019.

Bosley coached the East team at the 45th McDonald’s All-American Game in March 2022.

Garland was Maryland JuCo Coach of the Year in 2005 and guided the Lady Lakers to a region championship and a seventh-place national finish in 2008. That 2008 team, which finished 23-4, also won the Betty Jo Graber NJCAA Sportsmanship Award at the 2008 national tournament.

Nina Garland represented her late sister in accepting Thea Garland’s Hall of Fame plaque.

Whitfield played in 1975 and 1976, claiming team MVP and defensive player of the year in 1976. He was MVP and all-conference first team at Alderson-Broaddus University in 1977, joining their Hall of Fame in 2005. Drafted in the 21st round by the Baltimore Orioles in 1977, he played six years in the minor leagues.

Nagle played for the Lakers in 1982 and 1983, was all-region and all-state in 1983, and struck out a then-school-record 15 batters in his final postseason start. He was drafted in 1983 in the 25th round by the Atlanta Braves.

"What an amazing night celebrating our Hall of Fame inductees," said GC co-Athletics Director Eric Hallenbeck. "The appreciation and love that was shown from all the inductees and presenters during their speeches, you couldn’t help but take away that Garrett was, and still is, a special place for each of them.

"To put a program on of this magnitude takes tremendous teamwork," added Hallenbeck. "Elizabeth and I would like to personally thank everyone for their part in making this event special for our alumni, family and friends."