Francis Marion University Athletics

Francis Marion University athletic officials have announced that former Patriot athletic coach Tom C. Davidson and former women's tennis players Mary Hirst and Lee Whitwell, both two-time national champions,will be the newest inductees into the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 16, 2002.

Although separated by one year in school, Hirst and Whitwell became synonymous with each other, as they teamed on the tennis court to win back-to-back NCAA Division II women's doubles national championships in 1993 and 1994. The first year, they entered the national tournament as unknowns, and the following year as unlikely repeat champions. It was only the third time in Division II history a doubles team had successfully defended its title. The individual singles and doubles championships were discontinued in 1995, thus not allowing the duo a chance to "three-peat."

Hirst played on the Patriot tennis team from 1992 to 1995 and earned All-America honors three times. She helped guide FMU to a four-year record of 47-29 and a pair of end-of-the-season national rankings. She earned a B.A. degree in history in 1995 and currently resides in her native England.

Off the playing court, she was named to the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll three times and was selected to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 1995.

In addition to her doubles prowess, she played in the 1994 Division II singles national championship tournament. She was the 1994 Patriot team's most valuable player.

As a freshman, she played in the NAIA singles and doubles national championship tournaments. That season, she also earned All-Palmetto State Conference and All-District Six recognition.

Whitwell and Hirst also teamed to place second at the 1994 fall Rolex National Small College Championships, and sixth at the 1993 fall ITA/Rolex NCAA Division II National Tournament, both held in Edmond, Okla.