Four Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College athletics legends got their due with Hall of Fame inductions Sunday, April 12, at Gressette Gymnasium, wrapping up an action-filled Homecoming weekend. Inducted this year were softball star Cindy Shore Spurlin; contributor Shirley Wilson; and coaches Alan Kramer and Larry Byrnes.

The ceremony was the first since ABAC Athletics joined the NAIA, as well as the first to include current athletes alongside the Hall of Fame inductions. ABAC President Tracy Brundage addressed the move to four-year athletics in her opening remarks:

“I see a program that has grown, a culture that has strengthened and a future that is incredibly bright,” Brundage said.

Each ABAC coach introduced his or her team and spoke about this year’s results. There are five sports for each of the Fillies and Stallions, plus the brand-new Golden Girls, who have been entertaining fans at not only basketball games, but at special events on campus as well.

Men's basketball player Nate Mobley was honored in a special presentation. Mobley, injured in basketball’s Feb. 12 contest vs. Brewton-Parker, was unable to take part in Senior Day. Athletic director Charles Wimberly called Mobley to the stage to celebrate his remarkable recovery and to give him the celebration he previously missed.

The keynote speaker, military veteran Eric Elsener, inspired those in attendance. He shared his experiences and encouraged attendees to appreciate the lessons they have learned from being an athlete.

"Sports taught me toughness and grit," Elsener said. "I'll never forget my first football practice in Pop Warner. I had no idea how the game worked, much less how to block and tackle." From there, Elsener went to star in three sports at Thomas Jefferson Academy and then played collegiately at Air Force and Appalachian State before embarking on a military career.

Mike Chason, ABAC’s chief public relations emeritus, inducted Kramer and Wilson; Eric Callaway, assistant vice president of marketing and communication at ABAC, inducted Spurlin; and Byrnes was inducted by his son, Ryan Byrnes.

Kramer came to Tifton in 1993 to lead the revived women's tennis program. Over the next 20 years and a career that saw him coach the women's team, then men's, then both, Kramer amassed a record of 339-207. The Fillies had a national runner-up finish in 1999, and the Stallions in 2002 and 2003. Kramer's squads had nine other national top five NJCAA finishes and he coached 58 All-Americans.

During his decades at ABAC, Kramer served as athletic director and is now assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

Spurlin starred in softball under the equally legendary Coach Ellen Vickers, earning NJCAA All-American honors in 1992. Playing a pivotal role for the GJCAA conference champions and national runners-up, she set ABAC single-season records in runs scored (100), hits (132), doubles (21) and at-bats (253).

In addition to being an All-American in 1992, Spurlin made the GJCAA All-Conference team.
Wilson's contributions to ABAC athletics are immense. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes for all sports, coordinating events, ensuring the events were engaging and doing all the little things to ensure success.

Much of Wilson's work was in eligibility and compliance with the GCAA and NJCAA, a role that requires precision and unwavering commitment to fairness. She also helped modernize ABAC's digital athletics presence and played a pivotal role in ensuring the Hall of Fame's success from the start.

Byrnes' nine seasons with ABAC golf were an incredible run that saw the Stallions recognized among the best in the nation.

In 2018, the Stallions finished sixth at the NJCAA national tournament, and he additionally led ABAC to 10th (twice), 16th and 18th-place finishes in other tournaments. Byrnes coached numerous All-Americans and took much pride in their academic success. In 2022, the Stallions were third nationally in the NJCAA with a GPA of 3.68.