Lancers Past

Kelsey Pardue was arguably the best women's soccer player since Longwood started the program in 1993. The two-time All-Big South Conference and All-Southeast region selection took her game to the major league stage as a member of the Washington Spirit. While injuries derailed her pro career, the Business Administration and Marketing major now focuses on the next generation as a coach for Loudoun Soccer. Now known as Kelsey Surkamp, she describes how total immersion led to growth and success.

Michael Edge was known by his coaches and teammates as a quiet leader that led by example. A native of Chester England, he adjusted well to college soccer earning first-team DII All-American in 1988 and finishing his Longwood career with 22 goals and nine assists as a midfielder and a defensive back. After earning a B.S. in chemistry in 1990, Edge has worked for an international fragrance and flavor corporation for 30 years. He is now the vice president of sales and global accounts.

It's not official, but chances are that Aaron Mitchell holds the Longwood men's basketball record for the longest professional basketball career in the Division I era. Nine and counting. The 32-year-old guard from Matoaca Virginia just completed a year in Iraq and is looking forward to returning to the Middle East, perhaps in Kuwait for number 10. Listen to Longwood's veteran basketball globetrotter describe how he has worked hard to reinvent and sharpen his game.

For four years, Kaylynn "Bug" Batten was a fixture behind the plate for Longwood softball. The three-time all-conference catcher managed Longwood's best in the circle. In the batter's box, she hit a career high .371 during her junior year and earned and three trips to the NCAA Regionals. She is now an Environmental Health Specialist in Wilson County North Carolina and an assistant softball coach for her alma mater, North Johnston High.

Three-time NCGA All-American and Academic All-American, Small College All-American, Longwood Athletic Hall of Fame, 19-year LPGA veteran. For Tina Barrett, the list of accolades and accomplishments goes on and on. Now, she leverages her experience to develop the next generation of golfers as the head men's and women's golf coach at Ottawa University in Surprise Arizona.

Lemish came to Longwood in 1982 to build the fundraising arm of the college. After Longwood, Lemish headed the advancement office and athletic department at James Madison University. He returned to Farmville in 1999 as the athletic director and helped the Lancers study the eventual move to Division I.

As a sophomore, Scooter and the Longwood men's golf team made Longwood history as the first team in any sport to qualify for the NCAA Division I post-season play. Scooter is now the Head Golf Professional at Champion Hills in Hendersonville North Carolina where he manages golf operations and teaches members.

Dennis Hale, Longwood '91, was one of the all-time pitching greats with a career record of 33-6 and an appearance in the 1991 NCAA DII College World Series. A true student-athlete, the physics major earned All-American and Academic All-American honors. Since 2004, he leads his team of hometown heroes as the chief of fire and EMS in Dinwiddie County.

Jenny Holm quickly learned the challenges as a college student-athlete as she was thrust into the #1 singles slot as a freshman. She grew with her young team and made Longwood tennis history as the first team to post three consecutive winning seasons. Now, a physical therapist in Norfolk, Dr. Holm specializes in treating musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.

Cal Luther guided the Longwood men's basketball team for nine season (1981-90), including three years with late NBA veteran Jerome Kersey. Listen to a former assistant coach and players reminisce about coaching and playing for Luther. The podcast features interviews with Mo Schoepfer, Kevin Ricks, Robert Pierce, Doug Poppe and Kevin Jefferson.