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Byrd, Kendall, Nighswander to be inducted into MSU Athletic Hall of Fame

MSU Athletics

Charlie Byrd, Rebekah Kendall, and Nick Nighswander will be inducted into the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame this fall.

Byrd, a football All-American cornerback and kick returner, Kendall, Morehead State soccer's all-time leading goal scorer, and Nighswander, a two-time All-OVC football offensive lineman, will be inducted on Friday, Oct. 20 and recognized during the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 21.

"The Athletic Hall of Fame is the ultimate individual accolade our department can award," Director of Athletics Brian Hutchinson said. "It's my pleasure to welcome Charlie, Rebekah, and Nick to that list. They all made indelible marks on Morehead State through their athletic accomplishments."

Byrd, a native of Oxford, Ohio, played football at Morehead State from 2001-2004 and was named All-Pioneer Football League following the 2002, 2003, and 2004 seasons. He also received several Division I-AA Mid-Major All-American honors as he was named Football Gazette All-American in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and Sports Network Football All-American in 2003 and 2004.

A team captain in 2004 and three-year starter, he helped lead the Eagles to three consecutive Pioneer Football League South Division championships.

He led Morehead State with six interceptions in 2002, and his 25 pass break-ups in 2003 is tied for the sixth highest single-season total in Football Championship Subdivision history.

Byrd has spent the last nine years as assistant strength coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Kendall, a native of Sissonville, W.Va., played soccer at Morehead State from 2004-2007 and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility. She is the first soccer player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Morehead State.

An All-OVC selection as a junior, her 30 career goals are tied for the most in program history. She also ranks first in school history with 11 match-winning goals and 284 career shots. She ranks second in school history with 74 career points, and her 13 career assists rank third.

Her four goals against Murray State during the 2006 season are tied for the most goals in one match, and her four assists against Shawnee State in 2004 ranks best in program history. She recorded a school-record eight points in one match three different times.

Nighswander, a native of Burgoon, Ohio, played offensive lineman for Morehead State from 1970-1973. The three-year starter and two-time team captain was named Team MVP in 1973 and All-OVC in 1972 and 1973.

In 1973, he blocked for an offensive unit that scored 34 touchdowns and averaged 331 yards per game.

Following his career at Morehead State, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, where he played two seasons. After his football career, he coached high school football in Northern Kentucky for ten years.

Established in 1985, the Athletic Hall of Fame honors former Eagles whose achievements in athletics and as ambassadors of the university have had a positive impact on Morehead State. The Hall of Fame has enshrined 143 members.

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