Rio Grande adding trio to Athletic Hall of Fame

The University of Rio Grande is adding a trio of former standouts to its Athletic Hall of Fame.

Kaylee Helton, Brandon Ivery and Whitney (Smith) Roseberry comprise the Class of 2024, which will be formally inducted during the school's Hall of Fame Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 23, at noon, in the Rio Alumni Heritage Room of Davis University Center.

The luncheon takes place on the final day of the annual Bevo Francis Invitational Tournament, which is slated for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23, at the Newt Oliver Arena.

The Class of 2024 - and all other Hall of Fame members in attendance - will be recognized immediately following the Rio Grande men's game on the 23rd at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Tickets for the luncheon, which are $30 each, can be purchased online at http://www.rioredstorm.com/information/tickets. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.

Those planning on attending need to RSVP by calling Annette Ward at 740-245-7214 or by e-mailing alumni@rio.edu no later than Oct. 31.

Helton was a member of the URG women's basketball team from 2007-2012 and finished with 1,511 points and 561 rebounds over 125 career games and helped lead her team to the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) National Tournament as a freshman.

A two-time honorable mention All-Mid-South Conference selection, she was also just the ninth player in Rio Grande history to score more than 1,500 points and have more than 500 rebounds. 

For her career, Helton averaged 12.1 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while shooting 43 percent from the field overall, 33 percent from three-point range and 81 percent from the foul line.

Ivery was a member of the Rio Grande men's basketball program from 2007-2009, serving as a team captain during his senior campaign.

Ivery finished with 1,406 points, 672 rebounds and a 57.3 shooting percentage for his career. As a senior, he averaged 17.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg while recording 15 double-double performances. He also handed out 100 assists as a senior.

Ivery, who is also remembered for a backboard-breaking dunk during a game against Mountain State University on Nov. 20, 2007 at the Raleigh County Armory in Beckley, W.Va., earned All-America Mideast Conference honors and was named honorable mention NAIA All-America during that same season.

Ivery, who is married to former URG women's basketball player Carlesha Chambers, was a third team selection to the 2006 All-California Junior College team as a freshman prior to arriving at Rio Grande.

Roseberry starred for the RedStorm women's volleyball program from 2009-2013 and currently ranks second in kills (1,582), fourth in digs (1,629) and third in service aces (188) on the school's all-time leaders list.

She was a three-time All-Mid-South Conference selection (2010, 2011, 2012) and was an honorable mention All-MSC pick as a freshman in 2009.

Roseberry, an All-Mideast Region pick as a senior, was also was a three-time All-MSC Academic selection and a five-time MSC Player of the Week award winner during her junior campaign.

The University of Rio Grande takes great pride in awarding outstanding alumni, athletes and former faculty members with various recognition awards. Nominations from alumni and former faculty and staff are encouraged.

Nomination forms for alumni awards, Athletic Hall of Fame and Educators Hall of Fame are available through the resources link on the Alumni Relations webpage at rio.edu/alumni.

Nominations are due by Feb. 1 of each year. For more information, or questions, please e-mail alumni@rio.edu