CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Following another notable year of athletic and academic achievement, The Citadel Athletics proudly recognizes six former cadets as future inductees of the the Hall of Fame Class of 2025, per an official release from the department Wednesday.

The six honorees for the Class of 2025 include Marty Blair, '83 (Baseball), Kenyon Doyle, '02 (Football / Track & Field), Duran Lawson, '08 (Football), Mark Slawson, '81 (Football / Men's Basketball / Track & Field), Mark Nash, '90 (Honorary) and F. Xavier Starkes, '84 (Honorary) with an official induction slated for Friday, Oct. 10 at the 47th annual The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame banquet. For additional details regarding the banquet as well as registration information, fans are encouraged to CLICK HERE.

47th Annual The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet
Friday, Oct. 10 | 6 - 9 pm ET
Charleston Marriott | Charleston, S.C.
Tickets: $150 per individual | $2000 per table (10 tickets)
REGISTRATION CLOSES OCT. 6

 
Marty Blair | Baseball | Class of 1983
A four-year starter for the Citadel baseball team from 1980-83, Blair excelled at both shortstop and second base, leaving an indelible mark on the program's history. His leadership was pivotal, serving as team captain for the nationally ranked Southern Conference Champion teams in 1982 and 1983, both of which advanced to the Eastern Regionals.

Notably, Blair finished his career a two-time first-team Academic All-American, a singular achievement as the only baseball player in The Citadel history to earn this distinction twice, securing the most votes nationwide on the 1983 ballot. Throughout his collegiate career, Blair consistently demonstrated offensive firepower, graduating as the career leader in runs scored, walks, triples and stolen bases. A South Carolina first-team All-State choice, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in June 1983, where he played professionally from 1983 to 1987.

Academically, Blair earned Gold Stars every semester at The Citadel, graduating second in his class with a B.S. in Business Administration. He racked up a number of academic accolades during his time as a Bulldogs, including membership in the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society, the Economic Honor Society and the National Honor Society. Additionally, he received the prestigious President's Award, given to the student who "most exemplifies The Citadel on and off the field." Further underscoring his academic distinction, Blair was awarded a Rhodes Scholar equivalent scholarship by the St. Andrew's Society to attend the University of Edinburgh. He also served as the Regimental Religious Officer and was Chairman of The Citadel United Way Campaign.

Beyond his time at The Citadel, Blair's professional and community contributions have been substantial. He rose through the ranks at E. John Schmitz & Sons, Inc., serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer before being appointed to the Board of Directors in 1993 and ultimately becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2008. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to community in his roles as Director at Greenspring Wealth Management, Trustee for the Graphic Arts Benefit Corporation and Calvert Hall College High School and Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Cardinal Diamond Foundation. He also founded and serves as a Trustee and founder for the William E. Blair Foundation. Born on January 23, 1961, in Baltimore, Md., Blair has been happily married to Joyce Janowiak since 1985, with whom he has two children, Alexis and Spencer.
 
Kenyon Doyle | Football / Track & Field | Class of 2002
Hailing from Moncks Corner, S.C., Doyle competed both within football and track & field from 1998-03. On the football field, he was a dynamic running back and kick returner from 1998 to 2001, serving as an explosive kickoff returner still recognized in the record books as fifth all-time in school history.

In track & field, he was a dominant force in the Southern Conference, earning distinction as a six-time league champion, four-time runner-up, and an impressive 14-time All-SoCon honoree. In 1999, he was recognized as the SoCon Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year, a testament to his immediate impact. Doyle has etched his name in The Citadel's annals as a school record holder in the Outdoor 4x200m relay and the Indoor 4x400m relay. Individually, he holds freshman school records in the Outdoor 100m and Outdoor 200m. Overall, his speed translated to multiple top all-time performances, ranking third in the Indoor 60m, second in the Indoor 200m and ninth in the Indoor 400m. In outdoor events, he sits at fourth all-time in the 100m along with third all-time in the 200m.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Doyle is recognized for embodying the core values of The Citadel, committing to service within the United States Air Force after graduation before transitioning into a career as a civilian contractor assisting in various projects globally. Furthermore, he has actively engaged in community mentoring, particularly within his father's church, inspiring youth and supporting their educational pursuits while also remaining connected to The Citadel, serving as a mentor for The Citadel African American Alumni Association.
 
Duran Lawson | Football | Class of 2008
A product of Conway, S.C., Lawson served as an immediately impact figure for The Citadel football program, culminating in a senior season that garnered recognition on Walter Payton Award Watch List as well as notable national distinction as the Football Gazette National Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 13) and Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 13).

In 2007, Lawson orchestrated a potent offense that ranked fifth in the nation in scoring (40.1 points per game) and ninth in total offense (444.3 yards per game) prior to suffering a season-ending injury. Individually, his stats logged national attention as well, including: 17th in passing efficiency, seventh in total offense, t-21st in points responsible for, t-16th in passing, 15th in total passing yards and 17th in passing yards per game. Under his leadership, The Citadel also ranked 27th in rushing offense, 22nd in passing offense, 14th in passing efficiency, 24th in third-down conversion percentage, and t-11th in fourth-down conversion percentage.

A senior campaign flush with memorable moments, Lawson opened the season with a dominant 35-14 victory over local rival Charleston Southern, throwing for 224 yards and two touchdowns while adding 67 rushing yards. In a remarkable display against No. 7 Wisconsin, he led The Citadel to a 21-21 halftime deadlock, completing 23-of-35 passes for 254 yards. He recorded his 10th 200-plus yard passing performance at Chattanooga, throwing for 221 yards and pacing the rushing corps with 108 yards on the ground. In a clash with No. 8 Wofford, Lawson accounted for 222 yards through the air, becoming the school's all-time passing leader.

In the performance to overshadow all others, though, Lawson led the Bulldogs to a thrilling 54-51 overtime victory against league rival Furman, setting a career-high with 386 passing yards while also contributing 100 yards on the ground, shattering the 22-year-old school record for total offensive yards in a game (486 yards). Further, the victory also saw The Citadel offense register a new school mark with 641 total offensive yards.

Overall, Lawson and his leadership both on and off the field proved instrumental in The Citadel finishing the 2007 season with a 7-4 record, good for the most wins since the SoCon Championship season of 1992. Beyond his athletic achievements, the gunslinger demonstrated a commitment to service, taking his commission into the U.S. Army at halftime of the 2006 VMI game alongside four teammates. Even with his athletic career cut short by injury, Lawson undoubtedly left an indelible legacy of offensive excellence and leadership at The Citadel.
 
Mark Slawson | Football / Men's Basketball / Track & Field | Class of 1981
Slawson, a multi-faceted athlete native to Summerville, S.C., logged a strong collegiate tenure at The Citadel from 1977 to 1981, concluding the four-year stint with numerous record-breaking performances.

On the football field, Slawson played as a wide receiver and kick returner from 1977 to 1980. Notably, he still maintains position in multiple places within the record book, including: longest pass play (79 yards, good for fifth), single-game receiving yards (201 yards, good for first; 178 yards, good for sixth), total receptions (87, good for ninth), receiving yards (1,509 yards, good for fourth), career all-purpose yards (3,007 yards, good for 11th) and total punt returns (101, good for first).

For the track & field squad, Slawson excelled as a sprinter from 1980-81, and still holds the school record in the 400m with a time of 48.9 seconds. He also played as a guard for the men's basketball program from 1977-78.

Beyond his athletic career at The Citadel, Slawson embarked on a professional football career, spending two years with the New York Giants before signing with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. He later joined the Buffalo Bills for the 1985 preseason.

After his playing days, Slawson transitioned into a career dedicated to youth development and education. He served as an educator, coach, disciplinarian and teacher-in-charge before becoming the Assistant Principal and later the Director of Youth Services for the Borough of Tenafly, N.J. In this role, he was responsible for designing the current facility's layout and creating comprehensive social-recreational programs for the borough's middle and high school-aged students. He continued his educational journey, earning an M.A. in Education with a focus in Administration & Supervision from the University of Phoenix along with an M.A. in Education with a focus in Sports Management from Adelphi University.

Slawson reconnected with the New York / New Jersey professional sports world as an educator, raising funds for the Borough of Tenafly and engaging with various charitable organizations. He organized and hosted numerous charity basketball games and golf tournaments, raising millions for various causes. After retiring from teaching and directing the youth center in New Jersey, Mark returned to Charleston, where he now teaches at Baptist Hill Middle High School in Hollywood, S.C. He is currently involved in promoting the LowCountry Charity Golf Tour.
 
Mark Nash | Honorary | Class of 1990
Nash began his journey at The Citadel as a walk-on to the football team, a testament to his determination and resilience, which ultimately led him to earn a starting scholarship. He played four years, primarily as a receiver, blocker, and special teams player. Academically, he excelled while on campus, earning multiple Gold Stars and eventually emerging as the Tango Company Athletic Officer.

Beyond the gridiron, Nash has created a powerful impact on The Citadel and the broader community, garnering significant achievements in various fields, including business, community leadership and religious service. In spite of his success, however, Nash has demonstrated unwavering commitment to his alma mater, as evidenced by his involvement with several key organizations. A former President of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation and board member of The Citadel Alumni Association, he has a proven track record supporting both current and former cadets and cadet-athletes alike, helping shape the direction of the alumni network.

Additionally, he also has served on Hospital and YMCA Boards, underscoring his continued commitment to public health and community well-being, while also acting as a leader within his church.
 
F. Xavier Starkes | Honorary | Class of 1984
Starkes spent his foundational years at The Citadel, earning a B.S. in Business Administration in 1984. During his time as a cadet, he was an integral part of the basketball team, playing under the tutelage of the legendary Les Robinson, an experience which not only honed his athletic skills, but also instilled discipline, teamwork and resilience. Following his graduation from The Citadel, Starkes pursued advanced legal studies, earning his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1988, a testament to his intellectual rigor and commitment to lifelong learning.

As an alumnus, Starkes has served in pivotal leadership roles aimed at positively affecting cadets and cadet-athletes, notably contributing as a former member of The Citadel Board of Visitors, helping provide strategic guidance and oversight that shaped the college's trajectory. Further, he was recognized in 2020 when he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws, a rare distinction acknowledging his exceptional contributions. Starkes also dedicated his expertise as a former member of The Citadel Foundation Board, ensuring the financial health and future prosperity of the institution, and has been a lifetime member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Of particular note, he also was inducted into the prestigious Mark Clark Society for Lifetime Giving, with the majority of his generous contributions specifically earmarked for athletic scholarships, directly supporting the next generation of The Citadel cadet-athletes.

Beyond governance and philanthropy, Starkes has showcased a palpable passion for The Citadel Athletics. He served as a former President of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, a testament to his leadership in fostering support for the athletic programs, as well as a member of the exclusive Generals Club. He also proved critical as a member of search committees for basketball coaches and athletic directors, playing a direct role in shaping the future leadership of The Citadel. Furthermore, as a key member of the Class of '84 40th Reunion Committee, he played an instrumental role in raising in excess of $4 million in donations to The Citadel.

Professionally, Starkes has an established reputation within the legal community with direct affiliations to the South Carolina Bar, the Richland County Bar Association, the South Carolina Black Lawyers Association and the National Trial Lawyers. He is also a member of the American Association for Justice, reflecting his dedication to justice and advocacy. Additionally, Starkes acts as the Chairperson of the South Carolina Ethics Commission and is also a current member and past President of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Former key roles include serving on the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Lawyer Conduct, the Columbia Airport Commission, the Palmetto Health Richland Board of Trustees and as a United States Assistant Attorney for the District of South Carolina. Finally, he has shared his extensive legal knowledge as a former Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law and currently works as an injury lawyer at Starkes Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, S.C.