AAC Unveils Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

WALESKA, Ga. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) will induct five in its inaugural Hall of Fame class, the league announced on Thursday.

Receiving the honors are Virginia Intermont alum David Cheromei, Union alumna Alessandra Tavoloni, former Tennessee Wesleyan athletic director and coach Stan Harrison, former Milligan athletic director and coach Duard Walker, and former AAC Commissioner John Sullivan.

"We are thrilled to finally induct the first class into the AAC Hall of Fame," AAC Commissioner Bill Popp said. "This conference has a rich and vast history, and we want to honor those who have made this league great.

"The members of this inaugural class laid the foundation of what this conference was and continues to build on," Popp continued. "Colonel John Sullivan, Stan Harrison, and Duard Walker were all key players in forming and shaping the AAC in the early 2000s, setting it on the trajectory it is on today. Meanwhile, Alessandra Tavoloni and David Cheromei were among the conference's first standout stars, and their records and accomplishments stand the test of time."

Cheromei ran cross country and track & field for Virginia Intermont, helping the Cobras to three NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships (2004, 2005, 2006). He finished his career with 10 NAIA individual championships and was twice named the Outstanding Performer at the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet.

Tavoloni helped guide the Union women's soccer team to the NAIA National Championship semifinal round in 2002 and finished her career as the league's most prolific goal scorer. Tavoloni owns the conference records for most goals in a game (6), most points in a game (15), most goals in a season (37), most points in a season (91), most goals in a career (105), most assists in a career (56), and most points in a career (266).

Harrison won over 500 games as the Tennessee Wesleyan women's basketball coach. He served Tennessee Wesleyan in a variety of other roles including as athletic director, women's golf coach, and interim president.

Walker served Milligan, his alma mater, for over 50 years as a coach and athletic director. He coached baseball (eight years), basketball (15 years), cross-country (20 years), track & field (20 years), and tennis (25 years) for the Buffaloes, and he served as the athletic director for over four decades. The conference's all-sport trophy is named after Walker.

Sullivan was the conference's first-ever commissioner, a role he served in until his retirement in 2022. He was a leader in the NAIA, serving on numerous national committees including as the chair of the National Administrative Council.

The 2024 AAC Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, in Kingsport, Tenn.