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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The 15th Annual Friends of Skidmore Athletics Benefit and Hall of Fame Induction took place on Oct. 6 at the Williamson Sports Center.
 
The event was part of the College's 2018 Homecoming celebration.

Individual student-athletes entering the Hall of Fame were Christine Kemp '11 (field hockey, women's basketball), Chris McMahon '97 (ice hockey), Katherine White Papaccio '93 (women's swimming and diving), and Clifton (Ned) Watkins '00 (baseball).

Entering in the Special Recognition category was Dana Freier '88.

The Team honoree was the 1997-98 golf team, while the Team of Distinction was the 2010 baseball team.

A three-time NFHCA All-American, Kemp was the Liberty League Player of the Year three times. A two time NFHCA North Atlantic Player of the Year, she ranked second in NCAA III assists per game in 2009 and 2010 and was fourth in points and sixth in goals per game in 2010. She set the program season assist (22) and points (72) record as a senior, leading Skidmore to its first 20-win season and an NCAA III Final Four appearance. On the court, she was team captain and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, finishing third in the Liberty League in assists. Kemp received the 2011 Skidmore Senior Athlete Award.
 
One of the most influential players in the history of Skidmore hockey, Chris McMahon was instrumental in a program record 20 wins in 1995. He was the ECAC South Player of the Year (1997) and a two-time ECAC First Team All-Star (1995, 1997), earning Skidmore's 1997 Senior Athlete Award. Team captain as a senior, he led the Thoroughbreds to four straight ECAC South regular season titles and a combined 48-3-1 league record. He remains fourth on the program's all-time scoring list with 65 goals and 102 assists for 167 points.
 
Katherine White Papaccio is the first Skidmore swimmer to qualify for the NCAA III championships.She set program records at the time in the 50-yard freestyle (24.89) seconds and powered through the 100 free (55.43). Her 50 time still ranks third on the program record board, while the 100 time is eighth. Her record setting performances earned her the 1993 Skidmore Senior Athlete Award.
 
Clifton "Ned" Watkins ranked near the top of almost every Skidmore offensive category, He continues to be all-time leader in career batting average (.368), stolen bases (154), hits (166) and runs scored (136).His career record remains among the best for all-time RBI, slugging percentage, walks and games played. A two-time Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association First Team selection (1999, 2000), Ned led the Thoroughbreds to their first UCAA Championship in 1999.
 
Dana Freier played a key role in helping the women's basketball program develop into a regional and national competitor. She was the team's Rookie of the Year (1984) after leading in rebounds and ranking second points and third in steals. She led the team in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore, earning All-Tournament honors at Connecticut College and Skidmore Tournaments. She was a co-captain and team MVP, leading the team in scoring and rebounds as a junior. She ranked 17^th nationally in rebounds per game. As senior tri-captain, she was all-tournament at the Skidmore and Seven Sisters tournaments. Freier finished her career at the program's career points (1114) and rebound leader (862). In addition to basketball, she was a standout player for the women's lacrosse team.
 
The 1997-98 golf team finished sixth in the NCAA III tournament, capping a successful campaign that saw them win the ECAC Open Championship. They claimed victories in nine of 14 tournaments in whichthey competed. Dominating all season, the Thoroughbreds notched a string of dramatic victories at the Middlebury, Williams and Skidmore Invitationals and the Skidmore Fall Classic. They powered through to first place finishes at the ECAC Qualifier, Upstate Colleges Athletic Association Championship andPalamountain Invite.The Thoroughbreds competed in three NCAA Division I tournaments, finishing first, sixth and 17th. This exceptional team boasted five All-District and four All-American players, as well as one All-American Scholar.
 
The 2010 baseball team set a program record with 30 wins on the way to a 30-15 record that included 16 Liberty League victories and the Liberty League Championship. The Thoroughbreds wereranked as high as second in NCAA New York Region. The pitching staff led NCAA DIII in lowest hits allowed per 9 innings (7.6) and was second in Earned Run Average (2.88).The team had five Liberty League honorees, three ABCA/Rawlings Regional stand-outs and 10 Liberty League All-Academic selections. Coach Ron Plourde was named Eastern College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and, together with his colleagues, garnered Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors.