Blum-Knezevic, Kirchmayr and McDonald To Be Inducted Into CofC Athletics Hall of Fame
12/21/2018 12:30:00 PM | General
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The 2019 College of Charleston Athletics Hall of Fame Class has been selected and includes three former student-athletes, who all went on to professional playing careers after their time at The College.
This year's induction class is highlighted by former College of Charleston volleyball standout Tiffany Blum-Knezevic (2004-07), women's golf All-American Steffi Kirchmayr (2006-09) and men's golf All-American Bruce McDonald (2000-03).
The Hall of Fame ceremony and brunch will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) in the McAlister Hospitality Suite located on the third floor of TD Arena. Tickets to the event can be purchased for $20. To make your reservation(s), please RSVP by Jan. 17, 2019, to Megan Spellman at: (843) 953-5329 or spellmanmc@cofc.edu
TIFFANY BLUM-KNEZEVIC (2004-07)
(Class of '08)
Tiffany Blum-Knezevic played for the College of Charleston volleyball team from 2004 to 2007 and is still the program's all-time leader in solo blocks (104), block assists (499), total blocks (603) and blocks per set (1.34). In addition, she ranks third all-time in kills (1,490), third in points (1,892.5) and sixth in attack percentage (.301). A two-time All-Southern Conference First Team selection, Blum-Knezevic was named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004. The talented middle blocker was also a two-time National Player of the Week selection and four-time Southern Conference champion. Most notably, she earned conference tournament Most Valuable Player honors three years in a row (2005, 2006 and 2007) and led the Cougars to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances including a berth in the NCAA Second Round in 2005. During her time at CofC, Blum-Knezevic helped the program compile a 111-24 overall record and a 66-4 mark in SoCon play. She also holds the program's single-season record (rally-scoring era) in solo blocks, block assists, total blocks, blocks per set and points per set. The Dubuque, Iowa, native, graduated from the College of Charleston in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Blum-Knezevic recently retired from playing professionally overseas and currently teaches English in Croatia.
STEFFI KIRCHMAYR (2006-09)
(Class of '09)
Steffi Kirchmayr competed for the College of Charleston women's golf team from 2006 to 2009 and played in 34 career tournaments. Twice named Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, she is the only women's golfer in program history to be named a Golfweek All-American Honorable Mention. A three-time All-SoCon First Team selection, Kirchmayr led the Cougars to an at-large NCAA Regional berth in 2007 - the first at-large bid for any women's sport at College of Charleston. She finished 26th individually at the NCAA East Regional in 2007 and qualified for NCAA Regionals as an individual - the first women's golfer in program history to do so, finishing 13th out of 108 players in the field at the NCAA Central Regional in 2008. Kirchmayr owns the fifth-best single-season scoring average in program history (74.06 in 2007-08) and is third all-time in single-season birdies made (88 in 2006-07). She also ranks second all-time in career scoring average (74.82), second all-time in career wins (4) and third all-time in career finish percentage (79.7%) During the 2007-08 season, Kirchmayr finished 28th in the nation in Golfstat's scoring average rankings (74.06). Originally from Pocking, Germany, she graduated from the College of Charleston in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and hospitality & tourism management. Kirchmayr went on to play professionally on the Ladies European Tour.
BRUCE McDONALD (2000-03)
(Class of '03)
One of the top College of Charleston men's golfers from 2000 to 2003 and the first player to be named an All-American in program history, Bruce McDonald played in 47 career tournaments winning three including medalist honors at the Southern Conference Championship in 2003. His senior year was highlighted by being named Southern Conference Player of the Year and to the All-SoCon First Team and Division I PING All-America Second Team in 2003. During the fall 2003 semester, he led CofC to a No. 2 national ranking behind top-ranked Clemson. McDonald competed in 12 tournaments that season with two tournament wins and seven Top-3 finishes. In his time at The College, he was a member of three-consecutive SoCon Championship and NCAA Regionals squads in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The Cougars finished fourth at NCAA Regionals in 2001 and earned a spot at nationals where they placed 16th. In addition, McDonald qualified for NCAA Regionals as an individual in 2003. He carded 24 par-or-better rounds and 18 eagles during his senior campaign – still the most in a single season in program history. McDonald holds the school-record for single-season scoring average (70.97 in 2002-03), single-season finish percentage (88.7% in 2002-03) and is tied for most wins in a single season (2) and career wins (3). He also ranks second in single-season eagles made (7) and second in career birdies made (389). In 2002-03, McDonald finished seventh in the nation in Golfstat's scoring average rankings (70.97). The Cougars were ranked as high as No. 25 and No. 27 in the final team national rankings in 2001 and 2003 respectively. From Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, McDonald qualified for the U.S. Amateur twice in 2002 and 2003 qualifying for match play in both years and reaching the Round of 16 in 2002. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. McDonald turned pro thereafter and won a tournament on the Hooters Tour and was tabbed Rookie of the Year in 2004. He made a PGA TOUR tournament appearance at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2006 and later played on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Sunshine Tour and European Tour. He also won six tournaments on the GProTour in North Carolina. He represented Zimbabwe alongside Brendon de Jonge at the 2011 World Cup held in Haikou, China, where the pair finished 11th in a tournament field comprised of current PGA TOUR golfers in Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIllroy, Francesco Molinari, Charl Schwartzel and Matt Kuchar.
2019 COFC ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS
Tiffany Blum-Knezevic – Volleyball (Class of '08)
Steffi Kirchmayr – Women's Golf (Class of '09)
Bruce McDonald – Men's Golf (Class of '03)
This year's induction class is highlighted by former College of Charleston volleyball standout Tiffany Blum-Knezevic (2004-07), women's golf All-American Steffi Kirchmayr (2006-09) and men's golf All-American Bruce McDonald (2000-03).
The Hall of Fame ceremony and brunch will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) in the McAlister Hospitality Suite located on the third floor of TD Arena. Tickets to the event can be purchased for $20. To make your reservation(s), please RSVP by Jan. 17, 2019, to Megan Spellman at: (843) 953-5329 or spellmanmc@cofc.edu
TIFFANY BLUM-KNEZEVIC (2004-07)
(Class of '08)
Tiffany Blum-Knezevic played for the College of Charleston volleyball team from 2004 to 2007 and is still the program's all-time leader in solo blocks (104), block assists (499), total blocks (603) and blocks per set (1.34). In addition, she ranks third all-time in kills (1,490), third in points (1,892.5) and sixth in attack percentage (.301). A two-time All-Southern Conference First Team selection, Blum-Knezevic was named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004. The talented middle blocker was also a two-time National Player of the Week selection and four-time Southern Conference champion. Most notably, she earned conference tournament Most Valuable Player honors three years in a row (2005, 2006 and 2007) and led the Cougars to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances including a berth in the NCAA Second Round in 2005. During her time at CofC, Blum-Knezevic helped the program compile a 111-24 overall record and a 66-4 mark in SoCon play. She also holds the program's single-season record (rally-scoring era) in solo blocks, block assists, total blocks, blocks per set and points per set. The Dubuque, Iowa, native, graduated from the College of Charleston in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Blum-Knezevic recently retired from playing professionally overseas and currently teaches English in Croatia.
STEFFI KIRCHMAYR (2006-09)
(Class of '09)
Steffi Kirchmayr competed for the College of Charleston women's golf team from 2006 to 2009 and played in 34 career tournaments. Twice named Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, she is the only women's golfer in program history to be named a Golfweek All-American Honorable Mention. A three-time All-SoCon First Team selection, Kirchmayr led the Cougars to an at-large NCAA Regional berth in 2007 - the first at-large bid for any women's sport at College of Charleston. She finished 26th individually at the NCAA East Regional in 2007 and qualified for NCAA Regionals as an individual - the first women's golfer in program history to do so, finishing 13th out of 108 players in the field at the NCAA Central Regional in 2008. Kirchmayr owns the fifth-best single-season scoring average in program history (74.06 in 2007-08) and is third all-time in single-season birdies made (88 in 2006-07). She also ranks second all-time in career scoring average (74.82), second all-time in career wins (4) and third all-time in career finish percentage (79.7%) During the 2007-08 season, Kirchmayr finished 28th in the nation in Golfstat's scoring average rankings (74.06). Originally from Pocking, Germany, she graduated from the College of Charleston in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and hospitality & tourism management. Kirchmayr went on to play professionally on the Ladies European Tour.
BRUCE McDONALD (2000-03)
(Class of '03)
One of the top College of Charleston men's golfers from 2000 to 2003 and the first player to be named an All-American in program history, Bruce McDonald played in 47 career tournaments winning three including medalist honors at the Southern Conference Championship in 2003. His senior year was highlighted by being named Southern Conference Player of the Year and to the All-SoCon First Team and Division I PING All-America Second Team in 2003. During the fall 2003 semester, he led CofC to a No. 2 national ranking behind top-ranked Clemson. McDonald competed in 12 tournaments that season with two tournament wins and seven Top-3 finishes. In his time at The College, he was a member of three-consecutive SoCon Championship and NCAA Regionals squads in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The Cougars finished fourth at NCAA Regionals in 2001 and earned a spot at nationals where they placed 16th. In addition, McDonald qualified for NCAA Regionals as an individual in 2003. He carded 24 par-or-better rounds and 18 eagles during his senior campaign – still the most in a single season in program history. McDonald holds the school-record for single-season scoring average (70.97 in 2002-03), single-season finish percentage (88.7% in 2002-03) and is tied for most wins in a single season (2) and career wins (3). He also ranks second in single-season eagles made (7) and second in career birdies made (389). In 2002-03, McDonald finished seventh in the nation in Golfstat's scoring average rankings (70.97). The Cougars were ranked as high as No. 25 and No. 27 in the final team national rankings in 2001 and 2003 respectively. From Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, McDonald qualified for the U.S. Amateur twice in 2002 and 2003 qualifying for match play in both years and reaching the Round of 16 in 2002. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. McDonald turned pro thereafter and won a tournament on the Hooters Tour and was tabbed Rookie of the Year in 2004. He made a PGA TOUR tournament appearance at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2006 and later played on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Sunshine Tour and European Tour. He also won six tournaments on the GProTour in North Carolina. He represented Zimbabwe alongside Brendon de Jonge at the 2011 World Cup held in Haikou, China, where the pair finished 11th in a tournament field comprised of current PGA TOUR golfers in Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIllroy, Francesco Molinari, Charl Schwartzel and Matt Kuchar.
2019 COFC ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS
Tiffany Blum-Knezevic – Volleyball (Class of '08)
Steffi Kirchmayr – Women's Golf (Class of '09)
Bruce McDonald – Men's Golf (Class of '03)
John Groce Introductory Press Conference 4/1/26
Friday, April 03
Amanda Butler Introductory Press Conference 4/1/26
Friday, April 03
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Adrian Anderson, Women's Golf
Wednesday, March 18
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Maggie Mrowka, Softball
Wednesday, March 11
