SMC's Dr. Mirick Named Dr. Larry Inkster FAR of the Year

WALESKA, Ga. - Dr. Judy Mirick of Spartanburg Methodist is the 2025-26 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Dr. Larry Inkster Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) of the Year, the league announced Wednesday.

The award was voted on and selected by the athletic directors of the AAC.

Dr. Mirick has been instrumental in her role as Spartanburg Methodist College has transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution. She plays a vital role as the liaison between the faculty and the athletic department at SMC. Mirick also helped implement the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, which recognized 165 honorees during both the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters. Additionally, 11 teams earned a grade-point average above 3.0 during the Spring 2026 semester.

The award was renamed after Dr. Larry Inkster of Union in 2021. Inkster served Union as well as the AAC in the position of FAR for nearly two decades. His level of integrity, professionalism, and dedication to this position is second to none in the profession. Inkster was involved at Union in a variety of capacities for 52 years and left his post as FAR at the end of the 2020-21 academic year.