The Pioneers of North Arkansas College (Northark) will recognize four individuals for their contributions to athletics by inducting them into the Dorm Saylors Hall of Fame.
The Dorm Saylors Hall of Fame was named in 2017 after Athletic Director Dorm Saylors who served Northark for 25 years. There is a large plaque that hangs in the Hall of Fame which includes Special, Distinguished and Athletic recognition categories. Each year, new athletes, fans and volunteer names are added to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions that make Pioneer athletics successful.
The fist inductee is men’s basketball player Jalen Olds. He played for the Pioneers from 2015-2017. In 2015-16, he averaged 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game and was selected to NJCAA All-American team. In 2016-17, he averaged 16 points per game, seven rebounds per game, and three assists per game and was selected again as NJCAA All-American team. He continued his athletic and academic career at Columbia College.
Jolene Shipps, a Lady Pioneer during 2015-17 will also be recognized. In 2015-16, she averaged 19 points per game and eight rebounds per game. In 2016-17, she averaged 17 points per game and nine rebounds per game. Jolene was selected to the NJCAA All-American team both years while at Northark. She continued her athletic career at Central Missouri State University, where her team won a national championship.
Lester Clark, a baseball player from 2010-12 is the third inductee. In the 2010-11 season, Lester was selected as an NJCAA All-American Selection, Triple Crown Winner, NJCAA National Player of the Year, #1 in the nation in hits, RBIs, and Home Runs. In the 2011-12 season, he was named an NJCAA All-American selection, #1 in the nation in Batting average, Hits, RBIs, and #2 in Home Runs. He continued his athletic and academic career at Central Baptist College.
Former Pioneer Baseball Coach Phil Wilson who served the college from 1991-2016 will be inducted. While at Northark, Coach Wilson won almost 700 games in 25 years. During his years as a college coach at K State and Northark and coaching the Ozark Mt. Ducks professional league in Ozark, Mo., Coach Wilson has won over 800 games. There are many baseball players across the state of Arkansas who have played for Coach Wilson and several high school baseball coaches who played for Coach Wilson.
A Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at halftime of the Lady Pioneers game Saturday, Feb. 3. Game time is 2:00 p.m. The Lady Pioneers are hosting Crowder College.