The Dr. Jerry F. McLane Family, Cheri Ramsey, Heather Robey, Randy Smith, and Latrell Sprewell are the 2021 inductees in Three Rivers College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Located in the Libla Family Sports Complex, the Hall of Fame will be open for viewing during the basketball games at the annual Alumni Reunion on March 13.
The Hall of Fame can be viewed during events at the Libla Family Sports Complex.
On March 13, the Lady Raiders basketball game versus Mineral Area College begins at 5 p.m. The Raiders basketball team will face the Mineral Area men’s team at 7 p.m. Three Rivers College graduates and former students will receive free admission for these games as part of the 2021 Alumni Reunion.
“Three Rivers College has a long and storied history of excellence in intercollegiate athletics. The athletic programs provide opportunities for our student athletes and fans of all ages to share and support a common goal,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “We are proud to honor these individuals and their achievements.”
The College will host a banquet honoring the inductees on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff. Limited seating is available. Tickets are $50 per person. Reserved named table of 10 is $1,000. Advanced ticket purchase is required. Last day to purchase tickets is March 5. Tickets are available for sale by contacting Janine Heath at 573-840-9698 or jheath@trcc.edu.
The inductees for 2021 are:
The Dr. Jerry F. McLane Family
Dr. Jerry F. McLane, a local physician, businessman, and sports enthusiast, supported Three Rivers College and athletics in a variety of ways for many years. A native of Piedmont, McLane played basketball during his high school years. This is when he met his high school sweetheart, Norma Lee Johnson, and they were married in 1955.
McLane’s most prominent business was the First Midwest Bank group, which his family continues to own and operate. First Midwest Bank has been a constant supporter of the College and the Athletic Department, including sponsoring an annual early season basketball tournament.
McLane and his family have been avid fans and supporters of the Three Rivers sports program since its inception and numerous other programs at Three Rivers College. They have contributed with attendance, financial contributions, and in numerous other ways that have been instrumental in the success of the Athletic Department and Three Rivers College.
Cheri Ramsey
Cheri Ramsey was the Three Rivers College cheerleading coach from 1982 to 2011. During her tenure as coach, she also taught Humanities, Speech, and Theatre at TRC. Ramsey was a graduate of Deering High School in Deering, MO. While in high school, Ramsey was a member of the Twirlers. After high school, Ramsey attended Southeast Missouri State University where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Ramsey married her husband, James C. Ramsey II, on December 31, 1969. Together, they had one son, James C. Ramsey III. Mrs. Ramsey passed away on November 3, 2012.
Heather Robey
A Lady Raiders softball player in 2004-05, Robey is the only TRC softball player to have her number retired. She was a two-time NJCAA All American, earned 3rd Team All-American pitcher in her Freshman season and 1st Team All-American pitcher her Sophomore season. She was All Region 16 and All MCCAC Conference both seasons as a Three Rivers student athlete.
TRC softball records held by Robey include All Time Career Wins with 45 and All Time Career Earned Run Average (ERA) with 0.78. She is first on innings pitched with her career 431 innings and is the career leader in strikeouts with her career total of 529. She holds season records for strikeouts with 319 in ’05 and most innings pitched in a season with 248 in ’05.
Robey has the top two single season ERA records with a 0.92 ERA during her Freshman season in ’04 and 0.68 ERA during her Sophomore season in ’05. No one has had an ERA come within a half run of her record-breaking seasons.
Randy Smith
Originally from Arbyrd, Missouri, Smith was an NJCAA All-American for the Raiders in 1973 when he posted the best single season in Raiders baseball history. He finished with a 9-3 record which ranks third in Raiders history for most wins in a season. Smith’s earned run average was 1.64 which is fifth all time. His 82 1/3 innings pitched is second all time in Raiders history for most innings pitched in a season. Smith still holds records at TRC for Most Strikeouts in one game with 17 and most strikeouts in one season with 107.
After Three Rivers, Smith was selected in the first round, 7th overall in the Major League Baseball Draft by the California Angels. He pitched in the California League, compiling a record of 15-6. He finished his professional career with a 29-27 record and a 3.87 ERA. After his playing career, Smith spent eight years coaching professional baseball in the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves organizations, winning a Northwest League Title in 1998. Smith, who retired from coaching in 2019, is also a member of the American Legion Hall of Fame.
Latrell Sprewell
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sprewell was an NJCAA All-American for the Raiders in 1990. In his sophomore season, Sprewell averaged 26.6 points, 9.1 rebounds. His 1,488 points in two seasons rank at the top of the Three Rivers record books for points in a career. He also holds school records for points in a game with 45 points, points per season with 1,064, field goals per season 421, and points per game with a 26.6 average.
After Three Rivers, he transferred to the University of Alabama where after his senior season, he was the #24 overall in the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He spent six seasons as a member of the Warriors squad before being signed by the New York Knicks and playing five seasons in the Big Apple. Sprewell ended his NBA career playing a total of 13 seasons, the last two with the Minnesota Timberwolves before he retired in 2005. He was selected to the NBA All-Star team in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2001.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.