Athletics Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Class
The Brenau University Department of Athletics announced its 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame class at the Brenau Awards Dinner and Ceremony as swimmers Michelle Billeaud Hille and Mary Katherine (MK) Jabbia Poulicek, swim coach Blaire Bachman Anderson, and track and field athlete Deishane Honeycutt were inducted on Friday.
Vice President for Athletics Mike Lochstampfor noted the impact that this class of inductees had, saying, "The contributions to the university from each of these phenomenal women can't be overstated with all four of them helping to shape the upward trajectory of their respective sports during their time at Brenau!".
Billeaud Hille (2012-2015) was a nine-time NAIA All-American as a member of the Golden Tigers swim team. During her senior campaign, Billeud Hille finished in the top-three in the nation in the 100 Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Medley Relay and 400 Medley Relay. A three-year captain, Billeaud Hille was also a three-time Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) champion and qualified for the NAIA Swimming and Diving Championships in three consecutive seasons. The Lafayette, La. native also holds school records individually in the 100 IM and 200 medley relay, and as a member of the 200 and 400 medley and the 400 freestyle relay teams.
Jabbia Poulicek (2012-15) earned NAIA All-American honors six times during her Golden Tiger swimming career. The Slidell, La. native was a four-time AAC champion and earned AAC swimmer of the week honors in 2016. She stands among the Brenau greats as an individual school record holder in the 200 breaststroke, and joined teammate and inductee Billeaud Hille as members of the record-holding 200 medley relay team.
Bachman Anderson served as head swimming and diving coach for the Golden Tigers from 2010-2015. When named head coach of the Golden Tigers in 2010, Bachman Hille was the youngest collegiate head coach in the nation. During her tenure, Bachman recruited and coached both Billeaud Hille and Jabbia Poulicek and won 2014 NAIA Women's Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year recognition. A three-time AAC Coach of the Year winner, Bachman was also a four-time American Swimming Coaches Association Coach of Excellence honoree (2011-14).
Bachman Anderson parlayed her success into an outstanding coaching career with stints as an assistant coach at Dartmouth (N.H.) College and Indiana University, associate head coach at the University of Virginia, and currently sits as the Director of Swimming and Diving for Texas A&M University.
In her inaugural season, Honeycutt (2012-2016) stormed out of the gate as an impact performer for the Golden Tigers by winning both the Southern States Freshman Track Athlete of the Year and Southern States Female Track Athlete of the Year honors. Honeycutt followed up that performance with a second consecutive Athlete of the Year nod in 2014. Honeycutt set school records in the indoor and outdoor 400, the outdoor 400 hurdles, and as a member of both the 4x400 indoor and outdoor relay teams. She capped off her career with a ninth place finish at the 2014 NAIA National Championships.
Lochstampfor also championed each of the inductee's successes after Brenau, while also continuing to have a strong relationship with the University, saying that, " I'm thrilled that they have all successfully transitioned into successful career paths while maintaining a strong connection with Brenau".
"Each of them represents the best of what the university has to offer and my sincere congratulations to each of them on this well-deserved recognition!".
Additionally, senior soccer player Haley Wilton received the fifth annual Michael Clanton Excellence in Athletics Award. The Flowery Branch, Ga. native excelled on and off the field as a standout player for the Golden Tigers soccer team, but also as a servant leader in the community.
The Clanton award is the highest award given by the Brenau University athletic department. The award honors former head athletic trainer, Mike Clanton, who dedicated his effort, time and passion to the Brenau athletic department. Requirements for the award may include, a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average, have junior or senior status with at least two years enrolled at Brenau, and Brenau and outside community involvement and contribution to the team.
Started in 2013, the Brenau Athletics Hall of Fame is now represented by 51 former athletes, coaches and benefactors of the Brenau Athletics Department.
