Francis Marion University athletic officials recently announcedthat former women's volleyball and basketball playerJennifer Grande Parker and former men's basketballplayer Daryl Blume are the newest inductees intothe FMU Athletic Hall of Fame on March 1, 2008.
Blume, a native of Louisville, Ky., played onthe Francis Marion basketball team from 1976 to 1980. A three-timeNAIA District Six All-Academic Team selection and a member ofOmicron Delta Kappa (ODK) honor society, he earned the B. S. inchemistry in 1980, and went on to later receive an M.B.A.degree from University of South Florida in1984.
On the basketball court, the 6-1 guard compiled career totals of1,011 points, 282 rebounds, and 234 assists (against only 222turnovers) in 114 career games. His career field goalpercentage from the guard spot was a sparkling 51.8 percent. He ended his career third on the Patriot career scoring list andfirst in career assists. As a freshman, he was named theteam's most valuable player. In 1977-78, he played on thefirst-ever winning men's basketball team at Francis Marion, andeventually helped the program to its first three NAIA District SixTournament berths. Later, he was named to the Francis Marion1970's All-Decade Team for men's basketball.
A current resident of Pinellas Park, Fla., he is currentlypresident of BCH Mechanical Inc. He is also serving as themiddle school boys' basketball head coach at Shorecrest PreparatorySchool.
He is a member of the Associated Builders & Contractors(ABC) / Board of Directors and served as the 1997 president of theAssociated Builders & Contractors Gulf Coast Chapter(ABC). He is a graduate of the Class of 2004 for LeadershipTampa Bay and was named the 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year byUSF. He owns a State of Florida, Class A, Air Conditioninglicense and is a member of the Associated Builders &Contractors Beam Club Hall of Fame.
