PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Bethune-Cookman Bowling Head Coach Chelsea Gilliam was recently honored with an induction into the University of Pikeville Athletic Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place over the October 19-21, 2018 weekend.
 
Along with her fellow teammates, Gilliam and the entire 2012 Pikeville Women's Bowling Team was inducted into the Bears Hall of Fame for their NAIA National Championship. The 2018 UPIKE Athletic Hall of Fame class was honored in a special pre-game ceremony prior to the Bears football game against Union.
 
The 2012 women's bowling team made history, winning the already powerhouse program's first NAIA championship. Led by two-time NAIA Bowler of the Year Kim Yioulos and NAIA First-Team All-American Brandy Hensley, UPIKE opened the season No. 1 in the Coaches Poll and cruised through the season, earning the No. 3 seed in the NAIA tournament. At the NAIA's, UPIKE had to defeat Webber International, who it had lost to earlier in the tournament, twice to claim the title. The Bears also finished 7th in the USBC ITCs later that season.
 
"This is such a great honor to be inducted into the UPIKE Athletic Hall of Fame," said Gilliam. "This was a special team, and I am so glad to have been a member of this amazing group of ladies. We laughed together. We cried together. And in the end, we won together. It is just all so surreal right now."
 
UPIKE women's bowling coach Ron Damron said he was proud of his 2012 team for their induction.
 
"It's always great for our teams to be recognized and know how much we appreciate them as a university and how much we appreciate them as being part of our lives," said Damron.
 
In all, the 2018 UPIKE Hall of Fame class presented by Pike County Farm Bureau had six individuals and two national championship teams entering the ranks.
 
"This is an honor that I will always cherish," expressed Gilliam. "Not everyone can say they're a national champion or a hall of fame member – and I have the honor of being both. I will never forget this moment. I am just so happy for everyone in this year's class, and I am happy to be a part of it, especially with my team and coach."
 
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