^{Caption: The Class of 2022 inductees into the Guilford College Athletics Hall of Fame includes Erik Webster-Rashad ’85, Dave Walters, Arden Miller ’01, Dell and Tula Pendergrast, the parents of the late Kevin Pendergrast '96, and Ben Strong ’08.}

“I just had the most amazing experience here, the best decision I ever made was coming to Guilford,” said Arden. “This place completely changed me, changed my life for the better.”

Arden’s words set the tone for the College’s first Hall of Fame induction ceremony in seven years. Surrounded by family, friends, and current student-athletes, the Class of 2022 inductees spoke about what the honor of being honored meant to them, but mostly they spoke of their love for Guilford.

“Everything about Guilford — the campus itself, the people that I met here — are so special to me,” said Arden, who played basketball and softball at the College. The faculty, my teachers, friends, and I shared so much together.”

Arden and the other inductees — basketball players Ben Strong ’08 and Erik Webster-Rashad ’85 and longtime sports information director Dave Walters — all spoke lovingly of Guilford and shared fond memories of their time at the College. The late Kevin Pendergrast ’96, who died of a rare adrenal-gland cancer in 2015 at age 40, was also inducted. His parents, Dell and Tula Pendergrast, were on hand to receive their son’s honor.

Erik, who played basketball at Guilford after transferring from Jackson State, competed professionally overseas for six years and was the National Olympic Team head coach for Guyana and Bahrain. His travels around the world, he says, were sparked by taking a class on the history of world religion his first year at Guilford. 

“It was very transformative for me. Being able to learn about the different religions, different thoughts and concepts,” he said. "For me that was the foundation for my wanting to travel the world and to use basketball as a vehicle to touch so many people. Everywhere I’ve been, Guilford has been the foundation for me being there.”

Dave thanked all the student volunteers who helped him from 1996 to 2020 as Guilford’s sports information director. “I think probably close to 200 students worked with me in my time here. Sitting up here I feel like I'm a representative of them because they did so much and they brought so much information and covered so much ground. One man can only do so much and so the students really carried on a lot of weight. I’m thankful for them.”

Dell said, “Guilford was a primary force in Kevin’s life and for us, the College embodied the best of America. Its atmosphere, culture and values were instilled in him: community, integrity, diversity, and humility. For that we are very grateful.”

Ben acknowledged the close-knit relationships he developed at Guilford within the men’s basketball team, and he credited high school and College teammate Caleb Kimbrough ’08 for pushing him to succeed. Ben coached collegiately, played professionally and is now an assistant coach with the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League.