Emory University headlined the recent 2026 Richard A. Rasmussen University Athletic Association Hall of Fame induction class with six former student-athletes, administrators and coaches being chosen as part of the class of 16 honorees.
A committee formed with representatives from each institution and the Association office nominated and selected individuals to be included in the latest class. To be eligible as a student-athlete, a person must have earned their undergraduate degree from a UAA institution, competed for at least three years in the UAA, and graduated at least 10 years ago. Coaches and administrators become eligible once they have retired from a UAA institution.
This year, the six former Eagles being inducted into the UAA Hall of Fame include John Arenberg (Sports Information Director, 1991-2005), Jenny McDowell (Head Coach Volleyball), Liz Horvat (Swimming & Diving '11), Megan Light (Softball '14), Dillon Pottish (Men's Tennis '12) and Troy Thompson (Men's Track & Field '97)
Through two full induction classes, Emory is tied with WashU for the most honorees with 12 being inducted into the conference's Hall of Fame. Arenberg is the first sports information director from the member schools to be inducted while Pottish is the first men's tennis player to go into the Hall of Fame.
Jenny McDowell (Volleyball, 1996-2022)
McDowell recorded an overall record of 826-182 during her legendary career, ranking fifth all-time in Division III when she stepped down from her post. She led the Eagles to a pair of national championships in 2008 and 2018 as well as seven national semifinals appearances. Under McDowell, captured 10 UAA Championships between 2005-2022 and never missed a NCAA tournament. McDowell was tabbed as the AVCA Regional Coach of the Year eight times and National Coach of the Year twice in 2008 and 2019. Her and her staff were honored as the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year six times throughout her career.
John Arenberg (Sports Information Director, 1991-2005)
Spent 14 years overseeing Emory's sports information department as the school's first full-time SID. Directly publicized the Eagles' 18 varsity sports including the school's first national championships in women's tennis (1996), men's tennis (2003), women's tennis (2003), and women's tennis (2004).
Liz Horvat (Swimming & Diving '11)
Horvat was a 17-time All-American for the Eagles and led the team to a pair of national championships in 2010 and 2011. During her sophomore season, Horvat became the first and only CSCAA National Swimmer of the Year when she was a national champion in four events: 500 Freestyle, 400 IM, 1,650 Freestyle and 800 Freestyle Relay. Additionally, Horvat helped the team to four UAA team championships as she was a 13-time conference champion, a two-time Swimmer of the Year and the Rookie of the Year in 2008. Furthermore, Horvat was a recipient of the NCAA postgraduate scholarship and program record holder in 500 Freestyle, 1,000 Freestyle and 400 IM.
Troy Thompson (Men's Track & Field '97)
Thompson, an Emory Hall of Fame selection in 2008, was a standout performer on the track for the Eagles as he claimed the school's first-ever national championship in any event with his win in the triple jump at the 1995 outdoor national championships. Over his career, Thompson was a four-time outdoor All-American in the triple jump and a three-time indoor All-American in the triple and long jumps. At the UAA championships, Thompson racked up a staggering 19 combined indoor and outdoor championships and was named the indoor and outdoor most outstanding performer in 1996 and 1997. Behind Thompson, Emory won its first-ever conference team titles, winning the indoor championship in 1995 and the outdoor championship in 1996.
Megan Light (Softball '14)
Light, a 2025 Emory Athletics Hall of Fame honoree, became the first three-time NFCA All-American in program history as well as the first two-time First Team selection in team history. To go along with her four-time All-Region honors, Light was a three-time University Athletic Association Most Valuable Player and a four-time All-UAA First Team honoree. Her teams won the UAA championship and qualified for the NCAA postseason each season and led the Eagles to the Super Regionals as a senior. Her record-breaking final year saw her land the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for Division III softball – the fourth person in Emory history to achieve the honor – and was a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year. Following her playing career, she was the recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Dillon Pottish (Men's Tennis '12)
Pottish, an Emory Hall of Fame selection in 2025, became the first three-time UAA MVP in team history as he led the Eagles to a conference championship in each of his three seasons. A three-time All-American in singles, Pottish capped his career by winning the NCAA Division III singles national title as a senior and led Emory to its first-ever undefeated season at 25-0 and the team national championship. The first player in team history to win three ITA Regional singles titles, Pottish registered a school record .874 winning percentage by going 97-14 with his career singles win total ranking third all-time at the time of his graduation. He holds two of the winningest single seasons in program history, racking up 37 wins as a junior and 34 as a senior to rank second and third on the all-time list, and is still the only Eagle to win 30 or more singles matches in multiple seasons.
