PEMBROKE – Six student-athletes will be officially inducted into the UNC Pembroke Athletics Hall of Fame as part of Homecoming Week in early October, athletics department officials announced Friday afternoon. 
 
"I am truly proud and grateful to our committee for navigating one of the deepest and most talented nomination pools that I have seen during my tenure," said Director of Athletics, Dick Christy. "An astounding collection of accolades in this class, achieved by even better people."
 
Former Braves Club Member of the Year, and two-sport athlete, Dr. Wiley Barrett, two-time wrestling National Champion Daniel Ownbey, ninth round MLB draft selection and all-American Jordan Edgerton, all-American and school record holder Ben Major, three-time all-Peach Belt Conference selection for women's basketball Natasha (Stotler) Gainous, and the cross country long distance specialist Delton Oxendine, will comprise UNCP's 46^th Athletics Hall of Fame Class. 
 
The 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on October 10 in the University Center Annex. Ticket information will be announced to the general public at a later date. 
 
Members of the 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame committee include Hall of Fame members David Lewis (cross country/track & field) and Dr. Barbara Green McWhite (basketball), Braves Club members Don Metzger, and Lenore Taylor, and Dr. Yawo Bessa, an associate professor in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department. 
 
A longtime supporter of the Braves Club, Barrett played basketball and golf at UNCP during his time as a student before graduating in 1969. Barrett has served on the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees, including a term as chair, and is a member of the UNCP Chancellor's Club. He earned the prestigious NCHSAA Golden Whistle Award as well as the NCHSAA Distinguished Service Award for basketball and football. He and his wife, Dianne, established the Wiley and Dianne Barrett Basketball Scholarship. 
 
A four-time all-American, Ownbey won his first NCAA National Championship in the 141-pound weight class during the 2013-14 season. He captured another NCAA National Championship title in the 141-pound weight class at the end of the 2014-15 season to become the first wrestler to win back-to-back titles in program history. A two-time NCAA Regional Champion, Ownbey was named the NCAA Super Region II Wrestler of the Year following the 2014-15 season. He ranks third on the program's all-time win list with 133 victories.
 
A standout on the baseball diamond, Edgerton was a key cog in the success of the program from 2012 to 2014. Edgerton earned the Rawlings Region Gold Glove in 2013 and was named the NCBWA National Hitter of the Week in 2014. A 9^th round MLB Draft Selection to the Atlanta Braves, Edgerton was a 1^st team all-region honoree from three organizations, a 2^nd team all-region selection from one organization, and was an all-American from two different organizations. 
 
A 1983 graduate of UNCP, Major earned all-American honors in track & field during the 1982 and 1983 seasons. Major ran a leg on the 4x400 Relay team that placed third at the NAIA National Championship. He also placed fourth in the 400-meter Run at the NAIA National Championship. His 4x400 Relay team set the school record for the event in 1980, which still holds today. He was named the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Chief of the Year in 2019. 
 
 A three-time all-conference honoree, Gainous ranks 14^th on the program's all-time scoring list scoring 1,275 points. A 2007 graduate, Gainous recorded over 650 rebounds and over 150 assists in her career. She was named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week during the 2003-2004 season. Gainous is one of just three players in the history of the program to be named all-Peach Belt Conference in at least three seasons. 
 
A long-distance specialist for the cross country team, Oxendine went undefeated during home races for three consecutive years, with his only defeat coming once during his senior season. He qualified for the North Carolina Cross Country Championship held at NC State during his collegiate career. Oxendine also ran the anchor leg for the 2 Mile Relay during track & field season for the Braves.