Kelch, Mappas head 2014 HoF class
WYE MILLS – Mike Kelch says he was part of “a very special team with a very special coach.” Now he’s in a very special place – the Chesapeake College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Kelch, who played on head coach Frank Szymanski’s 2005 NJCAA Division II World Series team, heads the Class of 2014 that was inducted October 16th. The former shortstop was inducted along with the 2010 state co-championship women’s softball team and 2007-08 region titlist men’s basketball squad along with two surprise inductees – former men’s basketball head coach John Mappas and Hall of Fame founder Dr. Richard Midcap.
“I’m just honored,” said Kelch, who played his final two collegiate seasons at Division I Temple University before graduating from Temple in 2008 with a degree in psychology. “It’s very flattering and a very special thing to be part of that group of people that are in the Hall of Fame.”
“Any time you have championship teams as part of your class it’s an outstanding achievement,” said Szymanski, who also serves as the college’s athletics director. “And Mike Kelch is an excellent individual choice. Mike was a good student and excellent baseball player. What really stood out about Mike is he was a great teammate.”
Mappas, who compiled a 123-70 over seven years in two different stints as the college’s men’s basketball coach, was also inducted. Mappas is not only the career leader in men’s basketball coaching victories, he also produced three 20-win seasons and the 2007-08 NJCAA Division I Region XX championship.
Dr. Midcap, Chesapeake’s vice president for student success, was also inducted for his role in founding the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. The inductions of Midcap and Mappas were both surprises, with Midcap actually presenting Mappas for induction and Chesapeake College President Dr. Barbara Viniar announcing Midcap’s induction.
Mappas was ostensibly there to see his 2007-08 regional championship team inducted while Midcap was there in his role as chair of the Athletic Hall of Fame.
