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AUM Athletics Announces 2027 Hall of Fame Class

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics Hall of Fame committee has announced the 2027 Hall of Fame Class (day/date) and is pleased to welcome four new individual inductees. 

The class of 2027 will be inducted on Friday, Jan. 22, at the Taylor Center on AUM's campus. The reception begins at 6 p.m., and the ceremony will start at 6:45 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at a later date. 
The 2027 class features former standout student-athletes across four Warhawk programs.

2027 AUM Athletics Hall of Fame Class
Elsa Einarsdottir Women's Soccer '06
Desmond DeRamus Men's Basketball '18
Kayla Hale Softball '17
Shawn Holtzclaw Baseball '93 & '98
 

Elsa Einarsdottir | Women's Soccer | 2003-05
One of the premier goalkeepers in AUM women's soccer history, Elsa Einarsdottir anchored the AUM defense during one of the program's most successful stretches. In three seasons, she helped lead AUM to a remarkable 46-15-5 record, two Gulf Atlantic Athletic Conference championships, three NAIA Regional Tournament appearances, and a trip to the NAIA National Championship Elite Eight in 2004. A two-time NAIA All-American and GACC Freshman of the Year, Einarsdottir combined consistency with championship-level play throughout her career. She finished with 65 matches played, 240 saves, and 31 shutouts, posting a career goals-against average under one goal per match. Her name remains prominently displayed throughout the AUM record book, ranking among the program's career leaders in matches played, saves, and shutouts while also holding numerous top-10 single-season marks. She not only excelled on the pitch but also earned Scholar Athlete honors and graduated from AUM with a Bachelor of Science in psychology in 2006. Einarsdottir's leadership, consistency, and poise in goal were instrumental in one of the most successful stretches in program history, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever wear the AUM uniform. 


Desmond DeRamus | Men's Basketball | 2015-18
Desmond DeRamus established himself as one of the most dynamic guards in AUM men's basketball history during his three-year career with the Warhawks. A gifted scorer, playmaker, and defender, DeRamus surpassed the 1,000-point milestone with 1,093 career points and finished among the program's all-time leaders in both assists and steals. After earning Southern States Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and All-Freshman Team honors in 2015-16, DeRamus continued to elevate his game each season. He earned First Team All-Conference honors and NAIA All-America recognition while averaging more than 15 points per game in each of his final two seasons. DeRamus appeared in 82 career games, averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per contest. He ranks fourth in school history in career assists (389) and fifth in career steals (161) and posted one of the program's rare triple-doubles with 13 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds against Coastal Georgia. His scoring, court vision, and defensive intensity left a lasting mark on the AUM record book and helped define an era of Warhawk basketball. DeRamus graduated from AUM with a bachelor's degree in the summer of 2018. 


Kayla Hale | Softball | 2013-16
Few student-athletes have impacted AUM softball the way Kayla Hale did during her four-year career. A true two-way standout, Hale excelled both at the plate and in the circle, while helping lead the Senators through one of the most successful eras in program history. Hale played 218 games at AUM and remains top-5 in career home runs (40), runs batted in (178), walks (93) and games played. She finished her career with 196 hits, a .352 batting average and a .628 slugging percentage, while also contributing 11 victories, five saves and 182 strikeouts as a pitcher. Her career coincided with unprecedented team success, as AUM compiled a 188-36 record, captured back-to-back NAIA National Championships in 2014 and 2015, won the program's first Southern States Athletic Conference championship in 2016, and advanced to four NAIA World Series appearances. Individually, Hale earned NAIA All-America honors, two NFCA All-Region selections and three All-Conference honors, while consistently ranking among the nation's premier power hitters. A dominant competitor whose name appears throughout the AUM record book, Hale's combination of offensive production, pitching versatility, and championship success makes her one of the most accomplished players in program history. Hale earned her bachelor's degree from AUM in the spring of 2017. 


Shawn Holtzclaw | Baseball | 1986-89
Shawn Holtzclaw etched his name in history as the first baseball player from Auburn University at Montgomery to be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. His achievement marked a significant milestone for the university and established a legacy that transcended his remarkable playing career. A three-year member of the program, Holtzclaw earned Team MVP and NAIA District 27 All-District honors as a junior in 1989 after leading both AUM and the district with 45 runs batted in. That same year, the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 10th round of the MLB Draft, launching a professional baseball career that included four seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and the Duluth-Superior Dukes Independent organization. His professional accolades included Pioneer League All-Star, Medicine Hat Blue Jays MVP, Toronto Blue Jays Organizational Player of the Month, and a South Atlantic League All-Star selection. Following his playing career, Holtzclaw continued a life of service, academics, and leadership. He served as a police officer with the Marietta Police Department before spending 22 years as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, retiring as Special Agent in Charge. Since 2022, he has served as Major League Baseball's Senior Director of Global Event Security, overseeing security operations for all domestic and international special events. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from AUM, a master's degree in public administration from Kennesaw State University, and an Executive Leadership Certification from American University. As a trailblazer for AUM Baseball and a distinguished professional on and off the field, Holtzclaw's impact reflects the excellence and character celebrated by the AUM Athletics Hall of Fame. 


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