CHARLESTON, S.C. -- In the wake of another 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 2026, per an official release from the department Tuesday afternoon.

The six honorees for the Class of 2026 include Sharlissa de Jesus, '21 (Volleyball), John Murphy, '84 (Football / Baseball), Tony Starks, '78 (Football), Brad Stowell, '91 (Baseball), Mike Groshon, '76 (Honorary) and John W. Rosa, '73 (Honorary) with an official induction slated for Friday, Sept. 25 at the 48th 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.

"The 2026 Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame class is an extraordinary group that includes many remarkable individuals who truly embody everything we seek in a Hall of Famer," said Kris Kut, The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame board member. "President Rosa and Mike Groshon exemplify the very definition of honorary inductees through their unwavering commitment, leadership, and service to The Citadel and its athletic programs. Tony, John, Brad, and Sharlissa were outstanding athletes whose accomplishments extended far beyond their individual successes.

"Each not only excelled in competition but also elevated the performance of their teammates and helped make everyone around them better. This exceptionally talented class has established a new benchmark for excellence and has raised the bar for what it means to earn induction into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame."


48th Annual The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet
Friday, Sept. 25 | 6 - 9 p.m.
Charleston Marriott | Charleston, S.C.
Tickets: $150 per individual | $2500 per table (10 tickets)
REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPT. 21


The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame | Class of 2026
 
Sharlissa de Jesus | Volleyball | Class of 2021
Sharlissa de Jesus concluded her career as one of the most statistically accomplished players in The Citadel volleyball history. A native of Guayama, Puerto Rico, she competed for the Bulldogs from 2017-21 and established program records in several categories.

During her career, de Jesus became The Citadel's all-time leader in kills, kills per set, total attacks and sets played while ranking among the program leaders in service aces (second) and digs (sixth). She finished as one of only five players in school history to record more than 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs during her career.

De Jesus earned Southern Conference All-Freshman team honors in 2017 and received All-SoCon recognition three consecutive seasons. She was named First Team All-SoCon in 2020-21 after leading the Bulldogs in multiple offensive categories.

Her final season coincided with one of the most successful campaigns in program history as de Jesus garnered the Most Outstanding Player award of the 2021 Southern Conference Championship after leading The Citadel to the league tournament title and the program's first NCAA Volleyball Championship appearance. Notably, the championship serves as the first women's title in The Citadel Athletics history.

Following graduation from The Citadel, de Jesus has competed professionally in Greece, Cyprus and Puerto Rico, earning Rookie of the Year in the the latter's Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino (LVSF).

 
John Murphy | Football / Baseball | Class of 1984
John Murphy served as a two-sport athlete at The Citadel, competing in both football and baseball from 1980-84.

On the baseball field, Murphy was a member of teams that compiled a 131-52 record and won Southern Conference championships in 1982 and 1983. During his junior season, he led the Bulldogs in at-bats, hits, doubles, total bases and game-winning RBIs while earning All-SoCon honors.

Murphy continued to be a key contributor during his senior season before being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1984 MLB Draft. He spent several seasons in professional baseball, advancing through the Cardinals organization and reaching the Triple-A level.

On the gridiron, Murphy initially joined the program as a quarterback before transitioning to wide receiver. Notably, he owns the second-longest reception in program history, an 84-yard touchdown courtesy of Lee Glaze in a win over Davidson in 1983.

Following his athletic career, Murphy worked in the financial services and medical fields, eventually emerging as a leader in orthopedic surgery. After receiving his specialty, he practiced medicine at the Mid-Michigan Medical Center, and was even selected as the team doctor for the LA Dodgers' minor league team, the Great Lakes Loons, for the 2007 season.

 
Tony Starks | Football | Class of 1978
Anthony "Tony" Starks competed for The Citadel on the gridiron from 1974-77, establishing himself as one of the leading defensive players of his era.

Originally recruited as a linebacker, Starks moved to the defensive line early in his career and earned a starting position during his freshman season. He remained a starter throughout the remainder of his collegiate career and secured recognition as the defensive team captain during this senior season.

Starks received All-South Carolina accolades three times and was selected All-Southern Conference on three occasions, including a pair of honorable mentions. He currently ranks 11th and 16th on the all-time single-season tackle list in program history for performances during the 1977 (151) and 1976 (139) campaigns, respectively, and slots in second behind Brian Ruff for career tackles with 533 amassed across his four-year stint with the Bulldogs.

In addition to football, Starks competed in the shot put for the track & field team.

Following graduation, he remained connected to the Citadel community until his passing in 2005.

 
Brad Stowell | Baseball | Class of 1991
Brad Stowell pitched for The Citadel from 1988-91 during one of the most successful periods in baseball program history.

Over four seasons, Stowell compiled a 22-8 career record with two saves and ranked among the team's leaders in appearances, wins and strikeouts throughout the era. Notably, he tossed 8.0 frames while only surrendering four hits en route to the regional-clinching victory over Miami in the 1990 NCAA tournament, helping the Bulldogs punch their ticket to the College World Series.

As a senior, Stowell posted a 7-1 record and earned first-team All-Southern Conference recognition. Following the season, he was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 1991 MLB Draft.

In The Citadel record book, Stowell ranks 12th in career wins (22), owns a top 30 ERA (4.27) and struck out just over seven batters per nine innings.


Mike Groshon | Honorary | Class of 1976
Mike Groshon graduated from The Citadel in 1976 and spent more than three decades serving the college and the athletics department.

A former member of the tennis program, Groshon returned to The Citadel in 1981 and held a variety of roles supporting athletics operations, facilities management, coaching and student development. Over the course of his career, his responsibilities touched nearly every aspect of the department.

Groshon served as head coach of The Citadel tennis program and was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2000. He also played a significant role in maintaining athletic facilities and supporting day-to-day operations for numerous sports programs.

In addition to his formal duties, Groshon became closely associated with The Citadel's live bulldog mascots and represented the institution at athletic events, ceremonies and community functions. His service to The Citadel extended for 35 years until his retirement. Throughout that time, he worked with generations of cadets, student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

Groshon passed away in 2016 after a battle with leukemia.

 
John W. Rosa | Honorary | Class of 1973
Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa graduated from The Citadel in 1973 with a degree in Business Administration and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. Following a military career that spanned more than three decades, Rosa returned to his alma mater in 2006 to serve as The Citadel's 19th president.

A command-rated fighter pilot, Rosa accumulated more than 3,600 flight hours in aircraft that included the A-7, A-10, Hunter, Jaguar, F-16, F-117A, HH-60G and HC-130. His assignments included command positions at the squadron, group and wing levels in South Korea, Idaho, South Carolina, New Mexico and Georgia. He also served as inspector general for Pacific Air Forces, commandant of the Air Command and Staff College and deputy director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

As deputy director for operations, Rosa led the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks and served as spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff during military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2003, he was appointed superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a position he held until his retirement from active duty in 2005 as a three-star general.

During his tenure as president of The Citadel, the college maintained its position among the nation's leading public colleges, completed a $175 million capital campaign and advanced the objectives of its LEAD 2018 strategic plan.

Rosa earned a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University and completed advanced military education at the Air Force Command and Staff College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and U.S. Army War College. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.