Francis Marion University Athletics

Francis Marion University athletic officials recently announced the Class of 2025 inductees for the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame:  four-time softball All-American Kim Booker (’24), two-time tennis All-American Dilshod Sharifi (’10), and two-time All-Region baseball outfielder Buddy Sosnoskie (‘14).

The induction ceremony took place during Homecoming activities on Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Smith University Center gymnasium at approximately 3:30 p.m. between the women’s and men's games of the FMU and Emmanuel University basketball doubleheader.

Booker, a native of Carlisle, S.C., Lettered four years (1984-87) on the volleyball court, but it was her four seasons (1986-89) on the softball diamond where she really excelled.  Now retired, she recently returned to campus to finish her degree in general studies.

During her playing career, she became only the third NAIA player to earn All-America honors four times, three times as a first-team (’86, ’87, ’88) outfielder and one time as a second-team pick (’89).  Her final year, she accomplished the feat despite having been moved to play shortstop as a left-hander because of injuries to other Patriots.

She was a four-time All-NAIA District Six Team selection, including being named the 1989 District Six Player of the Year – when she led the nation with nine home runs. 

Her career totals include 170 games played, a .416 batting average (school record until broken this past year), 215 runs scored (school record), 224 hits (4th on career list), 25 doubles, 15 triples (3rd on career list), 29 homers (school record), 137 RBIs (5th on career list), 131-of-143 SBs (both school records), and a .680 slugging percentage (third in program history).  She struck out only 20 times in 611 career plate appearances.  She also holds the FMU single-season slugging record (.835) and stolen base mark (46).

She helped Francis Marion to a four-year team record of 142-35, including three trips to the NAIA World Series and a national runner-up finish in 1987.

She batted .413 in 1986 as the Patriots went 40-11, won the District Six championship, and advanced to the World Series in San Antonio, Texas.  The following year, she hit .396 with 6 homers and 40 RBIs as Francis Marion posted a 42-4 mark; earned a No.3 national ranking, won the District Six title, and lost 1-0 in the national championship game (after which she was named to the All-Tournament Team).  As a junior, she batted .431 with seven homers and 35 RBIs as the Patriots went 33-8, won the district championship; and advanced to the 1988 World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. As a senior in 1989, she batted .437 with nine homers and 26 RBIs as the Patriot finished 27-12 and ranked 19th in final Top 20 poll.

During her volleyball career, she tallied 668 kills, 715 digs, and 123 service aces (13th on career list).  She twice earned All-District recognition and was selected to play in the 1987 NAIA District Six All-Star Match.