USP
Athletics
Press
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Overton and Richards to be Inducted into USP Athletic Hall of Fame
Two former basketball players, Shannon Overton, P’99 and Kathleen Hudak Richards, MPT‘93 will be inducted into the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 29, 2007 as part of the University’s Alumni Association Awards Ceremony and Fall Fest celebration.
Overton was a four year starter at point guard on the men’s basketball team from 1994-1998 when the university was known as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (PCPS). The former Academy Park High School athlete is the Devils all-time leading scorer with 2,195 points and recorded more steals than any other men’s basketball player in school history, 374. In addition to points and steals, Overton ranks amongst the top ten all-time USP men’s basketball leaders in games played, field goals, free throws, three-point field goals and assists.
Shannon was a three time Gallaudet holiday tournament most valuable player, was named to the NAIA first team All-Northeast region team two years, was ranked 15th nationally in scoring his senior year, was an honorable mention NAIA All American in 1996, and Second Team NAIA All American in 1998. Overton served as the captain of the team during the 1997-98 season. In his four years at PCPS the men’s basketball team had a record of 93 wins and just 24 losses, the best winning percentage of any individual basketball player in school history.
In 1996 and 1997 Shannon played in two national NAIA tournament games in Nampa, Idaho where he averaged 22 points a game.
Kathleen Hudak Richards was a four year starter in both women’s basketball and women’s softball in 1989-1993. She was also co-captain of both teams in her senior year.
In basketball, Richards was the first 1,000 point scorer in school history and is currently ranked 11th on the Devils all-time list with 1,108. The former Bishop Hoban High School athlete still ranks eighth in scoring average with an 11.4 average, sixth in field goals made with 469, and fourth in rebounding with 806. As a center, she was named to four all tournament teams, was first team NAIA District 19 in her senior year, and a three time PAIAW all star her last three seasons. The teams she played for won 61 games under head coach Charlie McErlaine for a winning percentage of 65%.
In softball, playing for coach Lou Hegyes, the PCPS squad made the playoffs all four of her playing years. Richards was a lifetime .385 hitter, and ranks in USP’s top 10 all-time in runs scored, singles, triples, home runs, RBI, and total bases. Primarily a center fielder she had one of the finest fielding averages in team history. Richards played two of her four seasons without an error. As a hitter she not only hit for power, but also led the team in singles in two years. Kathy used her speed to help the team win 70 games and a 67% winning percentage. Her outstanding play earned her two PAIAW all star team spots and two NAIA District 19 conference teams.
Kathleen is recognized as one of the finest two sport student-athletes in USP sports history.
The induction ceremonies will take place Saturday afternoon at the McNeil Science and Technology Center’s AstraZeneca Auditorium.
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University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Department of Athletics
600 S. 43rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-895-3133