CHARLOTTE, NC — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically Black athletic conference, is proud to announce the 2023 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class. 

The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission. This year's class, which features all women in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, includes Fayetteville State's former volleyball and women's tennis championship coach Elorine Hill.

Elorine Hill once was hailed as the coach with the most wins in Fayetteville State's history with 329 volleyball victories. With 20 years of service to the university, Coach Hill had a stellar resume with eight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships (5 women's tennis and 3 volleyball) with six Coach of the Year Honors.  The one-time FSU Teacher of the Year in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Human Services has coached 25 Academic All-Americans, 8 Arthur Ashe Awardees, 3 CIAA Player of the Year honorees, and numerous All-CIAA student-athletes. 

Elorine Hill joined the staff at FSU in 1989 as the men's and women's cross-country coach until 1994. She became the head coach of the volleyball program in 1991 and assistant to women's basketball from 1992 to 1997. Women's tennis was added to the conference as a sport in 2002, Coach Hill stepped in and immediately began winning championships.

"In this Title IX 50th year of acknowledging the women and trailblazers who have advanced women in CIAA sports, it's an honor to recognize and celebrate the women of the class of 2023," said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. "Each one of these recipients and their teams has made a significant impact in their respective sport. They have left a legacy and developed leaders who have also made significant impact in their communities as well. I salute you all, I could not be prouder, it is a privilege to share in this momentous occasion!" 

Coach Hill developed a successful volleyball program for 18 seasons (1991 until 2008) where she had an above .500 winning percentage for 13 of the 18 years. She accumulated an overall record of 329-262 and a .556 winning percentage. Under Hill's leadership, FSU qualified for six conference championship finals, where the Broncos won three (1996, 1998, 2007), and participated in five NCAA DII Regional Tournaments.  

Fayetteville State won its first-ever CIAA title in 1996 when the Broncos finished 23-9 overall and 14-4 in conference play. FSU won the second in 1998 and the third in 2007. Coach Hill finished with a conference record of 201-73 (.733 winning percentage). 

Hill coached 46 All-CIAA performers and 21 CIAA All-Tournament Team honorees, three Tournament MVPs, and two Players of the Year. She was named the Volleyball Coach of the Year four times (1995, 1996, 1998, and 2007). 

Elorine Hill also coached the University's first CIAA women's tennis title in 2002 and set a record for four consecutive crowns from 2002 to 2005. Fayetteville State won its fifth title in 2007. For her efforts, the CIAA named her Tennis Coach of the Year three times (2002, 2003, and 2007). 

Twenty-eight FSU tennis players were named All-CIAA under Coach Hill from 2002 to 2008. There were 18 CIAA Singles Champions and eight Doubles champions. Three Broncos were named Players of the Year. 

Hill's CIAA journey began as a student-athlete at St. Augustine's College (now-University), where she was an outstanding track & field athlete. During her collegiate career, Hill was a three-time All-American, national champion in the shot put, District 26 champion, and a member of St. Augustine's track teams that won the CIAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships and the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Graduating in 1987, Hill was inducted into St. Augustine's Hall of Fame in 2007. 

She earned her master's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Mathematics from Fayetteville State University in 1988.  

The 2023 John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame class of Allyson Dobbins (Bowie State University), Jessica Hawkins (Shaw University), Elorine Hill (Fayetteville State University), Barbara Pierre (St. Augustine's University) and the 1988 Hampton University Women's Basketball Team will be officially inducted at the CIAA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, February 24. The event will be a part of the week-long schedule of events encompassing the 2023 CIAA Basketball Tournament, being held February 21-25 in Baltimore, Maryland. Ticket packages and information about the induction ceremony are available on the John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame page at www.theciaa.com, also at https://ciaatournament.org, or by clicking HERE.  

Since its inception in 1967, the CIAA Hall of Fame has enshrined 304 honorees. It was renamed after legendary coach and administrator John B. McLendon in 2000. A 1978 Hall of Fame inductee, McLendon is also credited as one of the founding fathers of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, which began in 1946. 
 
For more information about the CIAA and the John B. McLendon Hall of Fame, visit www.theciaa.com.