Shawnee High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame to induct its sixth class
The induction will be held on Friday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.
Shawnee High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its sixth class on Friday, Sept. 28. This year’s inductions include a tremendous amount of athletic talent at Shawnee, in college, and even the professional ranks. The inductees span over four decades of Shawnee’s rich tradition of excellence in athletics.
Representing the 1970’s is Cathy Reynolds (’79), who was the first female golfer at Shawnee to compete on the boys team and also was a member of the 1977 State Championship field hockey team and was named Unsung Hero. Reynolds also played in the professional ranks in golf, competing in thirteen USGA National Championships and made five LPGA tour appearances.
Gregg Rakoczy (’83) was a three sport athlete at Shawnee competing in football, winter track and spring track. Rakoczy earned a total of seven varsity letters throughout his career and was an All-Group IV football player. Rakoczy continued his football career in the NFL playing for the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
The 1990’s are well represented with Shawnee basketball players. Brian Earl (’95) was a starter on Shawnee’s first two State Championship basketball teams (92 and 95). Earl was an All-State basketball player and 1,000 point scorer who continued his career at Princeton University helping the Tigers earn multiple Ivy League Championships. Earl is currently the head coach of Cornell University men’s basketball team.
Malik Allen (’96) helped guide the Renegades to two State Championships in basketball and was also named South Jersey Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American. Allen continued his basketball career at Villanova University and was an All Big East Second Team selection scoring over 1,000 points for the Wildcats. Allen also played in the NBA for seven different teams spanning an 8-year professional career.
Lynlee Phillips (’99) was a powerful force in both basketball and spring track and field. Phillips is a member of the 1,000 Points Club in basketball and a member of two South Jersey Group IV Championship teams. Phillips was a State Champion in the Javelin for 3 years and Meet of Champions winner in the javelin and second place finishes in shot put and discus. Phillips continued her Track and Field career at Michigan State University and still holds the school’s record in the javelin.
The 2000’s are represented by three top athletes. Sean Doolittle (’04) earned four varsity letters in baseball and was named the 2004 New Jersey State Player of the Year by the Star Ledger, Baseball America and Gatorade. Doolittle led the Renegades to its first State Baseball Championship with an impressive 23 strikeouts in the State final game. Doolittle was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2007 and is now currently a Major League Baseball All Star reliever for the Washington Nationals.
Jamie Franks (’05) was one of the best midfielders in the history of Shawnee soccer. Franks helped lead the Renegades to State Championships in 2001 and 2003 and was named Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year in 2004. Jamie continued his soccer career at Wake Forest University and also drafted by Major League Soccer. Currently, Franks is Head Coach of the Men’s Soccer team at the University of Denver. Franks was named National Coach of the Year in 2016.
Holly McGarvie Reilly (’05) excelled in field hockey, winter track and lacrosse. She earned a total of 10 varsity letters in her career at Shawnee. McGarvie Reilly was named a US Lacrosse All-American in 2004 and 2005. A true student-athlete, she was also valedictorian for her graduating class. She continued her career at Princeton University earning 8 varsity letters in field hockey and lacrosse.McGarvie Reilly was also a member of the Boston Storm, in the first ever women’s professional lacrosse league.
Susan Rudderow Murphy is being inducted as one of the most successful coaches in Shawnee history. Rudderow Murphy began coaching girls’ lacrosse in 1979 and led the Renegades to seven State Championships, four Sectional Championships and twenty-two League Championships. She was honored as Coach of the Decade for the 1990’s. Rudderow Murphy also served as assistant field hockey Coach for thirteen years helping the Renegades to seven State Championships. She also served as Shawnee’s Athletic Director from 2006 to 2015.
Richard “Dick” Brown will be inducted into Shawnee’s Hall of Fame as a contributor. Brown, in 1965, helped organize and develop the “Lenape Youth Athletic Association,” which has since been known as the “Medford Youth Athletic Association.” The purpose of the association was to develop programs for local athletes, allowing for gender equity. Brown served the organization for over 40 years.
These ten outstanding inductees will join the Shawnee High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. A public presentation of the inductees will be made prior to kickoff at the Moorestown/Shawnee home football game on Sept. 28.
Please contact Shawnee High School Athletic Director, Rich Dodd (rdodd@lrhsd.org) if you would like to have an ad placed in the Hall of Fame program.
