O'Neal Celebrates Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame
The O’Neal School proudly celebrated its Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026 with a story‑rich Reception and Commendations in McMurray Library, honoring ten Falcons whose achievements, leadership, and character shaped the school’s athletic tradition. This event followed a panel discussion with inductees and O’Neal students – grades 7-12. After this event, the inductees were recognized at halftime of the boys' homecoming basketball game.
The evening featured personal introductions, reflections from the Interim Head of School, and remarks from Hall of Fame Committee Chair Jared Lina ’97, who noted the months‑long nomination and review process across multiple eras of O’Neal athletics.
Jim Reid — Coach, Educator, Builder of Community
As O’Neal’s first Athletic Director, Upper School Head, and a multi‑sport coach, Jim Reid transformed a vision into an organized program that fostered teamwork, school spirit, and opportunity; before O’Neal, he also pioneered athletics at Sandhills Community College as its first basketball coach and athletic director. At the event, Reid was introduced by his son, Tim ’92, with alumni recalling a mentor who nicknamed students, set high standards, and did whatever was needed—driving buses, lining fields, coaching, and caring—so athletes could thrive as scholars and teammates.
Doak Finch ’96 — Elite Swimmer, Lifelong Teacher of the Water
A decorated Falcon who helped a small O’Neal squad compete with larger schools, Doak Finch went on to become an 11‑time NCAA All‑American (7 First Team), 11‑time ACC Champion, ACC Rookie of the Year (1997), and ACC Championship MVP (1998) at the University of Virginia, later representing Team USA and now serving on the coaching staff at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Honored in absentia, his mother shared memories of 5:00 a.m. practices, holiday training trips, and teammates who became family—underscoring Finch’s belief that swimming teaches resilience, humility, and how to show up for others.
Jill McLester ’91 — Competitor, Teammate, Standard‑Setter
An O’Neal standout in basketball and volleyball, Jill McLester helped secure multiple state titles and ranked among the program’s most prolific scorers; she continued as a dual‑sport athlete and captain at Oglethorpe University—leading the school’s first women’s basketball team—before a career of teaching/coaching and later founding Pine & Palm Real Estate Group. Introduced by O’Neal Coach and Teacher Beth Whitman, McLester was celebrated for poise under pressure, the steady work that elevates teams, and a legacy measured in both banners and the people she mentored.
Lorrie Hogan Stewart ’83 — Record‑Setter and Humble Trailblazer
Among O’Neal’s earliest multi‑sport stars, Lorrie Hogan Stewart excelled in volleyball, basketball, and softball (1979–1983), earning two Athlete of the Year recognitions, multiple MVPs, and a place in the 1,000‑point basketball club, setting standards that shaped the school’s formative athletic years. Family tributes recalled her competitive fire paired with humility and joy; teammates remembered packed gyms and tight‑knit squads that made school days unforgettable and set a culture future Falcons would follow.
Jeff Haarlow ’92 — Competitor, Mentor, Falcon for Life
A three‑sport Falcon in basketball, soccer, and tennis, Jeff Haarlow earned a basketball scholarship to Berry College, later achieving NAIA All‑American honors in golf and becoming the nation’s youngest four‑year college head basketball coach in 2002; today, he mentors athletes through Haarlow’s Hoops Academy and national camps. At the ceremony, his brother, Chris ’87, recalled clutch moments and leadership that lifted teammates; event anecdotes added back‑to‑back state doubles tennis titles with Tim Reid ‘92 and a relentless standard that inspired younger Falcons.
Corey Rice ’94 — All‑Time Scorer, Voice for the ‘Why’ of Sport
Arriving in eighth grade, Corey Rice became O’Neal’s all‑time leading goal scorer (114) under Coach George Mauser, earning multiple Conference Player of the Year awards, First Team All‑State, and Male Athlete of the Year before playing at Princeton under Bob Bradley and later coaching Pinecrest’s women’s team to two 4A state title appearances. On stage, Rice credited Ms. Whitman for an academic roadmap and friendly rivalry with Brian Cox ‘94 for sharpening his focus, sharing why families and fans invest so deeply: sport’s power to connect, lift, and—even spiritually—bring us together.
Michael McGowan ’09 — Opening the U.S. Open, Bringing Joy to the Game
A pillar of O’Neal golf, Michael McGowan helped deliver two state championships, earned six First Team All‑State honors, and was State Player of the Year in 2006 and 2009, later competing for UNC‑Chapel Hill and turning professional. Event remarks highlighted that he qualified for the U.S. Open in Pinehurst and hit the tournament’s opening tee shot, drawing cheers heard across the course as the O’Neal community followed every swing. Friends described McGowan in one word—fun—a teammate who brings energy, gratitude, and joy to every room. Go Falcons.
Roberta Quis Fox ’99 — Triple‑Threat Leader, Collegiate Standout
A versatile star in volleyball, basketball, and soccer, Roberta Quis Fox continued at Davidson College, earning First Team All‑Conference in volleyball while majoring in history; her professional path later included Capitol Hill, an MBA from UNC–Chapel Hill, and leadership roles before focusing on family. Introduced by her sister, Ginny Quis Sloan ’94, Fox was praised for leading by example, embracing big moments in three sports, and modeling balance and service well beyond the court.
Aleksandra Majka ’14 — Sprinter, Scholar, Creative Who Shows Up
A state champion hurdler, Aleksandra (“Ally”) Majka won the 100m and 300m hurdles (2014) and set freshman records at the University of Chicago, contributing to conference titles; she graduated with honors and later earned a master’s in architecture from UCLA, serving today as an Associate Planner for Beverly Hills while thriving as a photographer and jewelry designer. In her remarks, Majka said sport’s greatest lesson is to show up—thanking O’Neal teachers (including Ms. Whitman), coaches, teammates, and family who met her on cold mornings and hard turns to make the work possible.
Cindy Smith Strickland — Architect of a Dynasty, Champion of Joy
Joining O’Neal in 1984, Cindy Smith Strickland built a volleyball powerhouse—15 straight conference championships and nine NCISAA state titles (1989–2000)—while also coaching middle school teams and later basketball and softball; her philosophy: work hard, have fun, play as a team. Former players packed the event to celebrate a coach who mixed demanding practices with humor and care, proving that character and winning can grow side‑by‑side across decades.
A Lasting Legacy
The O’Neal Athletic Hall of Fame honors the people who built and sustained the Falcons’ athletic tradition while inspiring the next generation to strive for excellence—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
© The O'Neal School