Little Rock Announces 2022 Hall of Fame Class

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Athletics announced Monday its five inductees that will comprise the 2022 Trojan Athletic Hall of Fame class. Ron Kestenbaum, Frank Filo, David L. Briscoe, the 2014 Volleyball team and the 1988-89 Water Polo team will officially take their place among the Trojan all-time greats during Hall of Fame Weekend, being held Feb. 4-5, 2022.
 
"We are so excited to be able to recognize these three individuals and two teams for the long-lasting legacies they have left on the Little Rock Athletic Department," said Director of Athletics George Lee. "The 2014 Volleyball team and the 1988-89 Water Polo team represent two of the most successful programs we've ever had at UA Little Rock. Coach Kestenbaum played a significant role in elevating our basketball program to the next level and Frank Filo is, without a doubt, one of the most successful individuals that has ever put on a Trojans uniform. I also can't speak enough about the contributions and impact Dr. Briscoe has had on our entire department while serving as our Faculty Athletic Representative."
 
Little Rock will hold an induction ceremony for the honorees on Friday, Feb. 4, the night prior to the Trojan Men taking on ULM on Saturday, Feb, 5.
 
A Letterman's social will be held that Friday, Feb. 4 at the Jack Stephens Center following the induction ceremony. All former letterwinners will have the opportunity to receive two complimentary tickets to the game on Feb. 5 to see the inductees be honored at halftime.
 
With the additions of 2022 class, the Little Rock Athletics Hall of Fame now consists of 74 individuals and six teams.
 
Men's Basketball: Coach Ron Kestenbaum
During his time as Little Rock men's basketball coach from 1979 to 1984, Coach Kestenbaum won two regular season TAAC Championships in 1981-82 and the following season in 1982-83. Coach Kestenbaum also won the 1982 Trans American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Coach Kestenbaum compiled a stellar 85-52 record for UA Little Rock after just having moved to Division I.
 
Soccer: Frank Filo
A standout soccer player between 1991 and 1994 for Little Rock, Filo served as a three year captain for the program. Filo was a three time All-Conference student-athlete, and won the team MVP award in two out of his four years. Filo went on to play professionally, spending the majority of his career with the Dallas Sidekicks. He also played two seasons in the USISL and one season with the Cleveland Crunch of the National Professional Soccer League.
 
Administration: Dr. David L. Briscoe
Dr. David L. Briscoe has served as the UA Little Rock Faculty/Athletic representative for twenty-two years. In this role, Dr. Briscoe works with the compliance office to certify each student-athlete and coach within Trojan athletics as well as serving as a mentor to current Trojan student-athletes. Since beginning his career at UA Little Rock in 1992, Briscoe has been awarded nearly 60 honors including being named the recipient of the 2021 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching as well as the 2020 Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service. Recently, Dr. Briscoe was awarded the Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion for his humanitarian efforts and has the distinction of being the first UA Little Rock faculty member appointed the honorific title of University Professor.
 
Volleyball: 2014 Volleyball Team
The 2014 Trojans put together the strongest season in school history. The team won the Sun Belt Conference championship, the Sun Belt Tournament, and made it to the NCAA Second Round. The team finished ranked #24 in the final National Rankings. The squad had a school record 30-wins, and posted a perfect 20-0 Sun Belt record (SBC record in total wins). The Trojans advanced to NCAA Tournament Second Round after beating Kansas in Kansas in the First Round. They lost to Oregon State in extra points (19-17) in the fifth set in the second round match. They set school records for team hitting percentage (.274) and total blocks (372). They also ranked 3rd in the nation in total blocks, 10th in the nation in hitting percentage and the 30-5 record was the 10th-best record among all Division I teams that season.
 
Water Polo: 1988-89 Men's Water Polo Team
The achievements by this group of student-athletes represent the highest of any team sport in post season NCAA competition in UA Little Rock history. The team had two NCAA (top 8 teams) Championship appearances (1988 & 1989); finished 7th in 1988 NCAA National Championships; finished 8th in 1989 NCAA National Championships; produced two All-Americans (Simon Gould and Antonio Meirelles); 1st Place in the 1989 NCAA East Regional Water Polo Championships (Annapolis, MD - US Naval Academy); and 2nd Place in the 1988 NCAA East Regional Water Polo Championships (Providence, RI - Brown University).
 
 For the latest information on Little Rock Athletics, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the Trojans on social media at @LRTrojans on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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