"Pop" Back in Time - A Celebration of the Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell Hall of Fame Throughout the Years

3/15/2021 2:20:00 PM

There will be no induction Class of 2021 to the Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Hall of Fame, so instead we made this a year for reflection. Over the week of March 15-19, we took a look back at the legacy of the man himself, Pop Cassell, talked to his son Jack Cassell in a three-part video series, and remembered the achievements of some of the 89 outstanding inductees into our Hall of Fame. #PopBack

To understand what the Pop Cassell Hall of Fame means to AU Athletics, you need to understand Pop's legacy. Narrated by David Aldridge, this video celebrates the man and his many accomplishments at American University.

The historically significant accomplishments of these two Pop Cassell Hall of Famers go hand-in-hand.

The first minority coach and first African-American player in the Mason-Dixon Conference, David Carrasco & Dickie Wells were true pioneers.

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— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 16, 2021

Who better to talk about the legacy of Pop Cassell than his son, Jack, SOC/BA ’77? We're thrilled he took some time to talk about his dad and so much more, as well as share dozens of photos to make it that much more special. Here's the 1st in a 3-part series.

One of only two players in AU history to have their jerseys retired, Willie Jones is 4th all-time for @AU_MBasketball with 1,982 points.

He holds the program record for a single game with his 54-point effort vs. Evansville in the 1960 NCAA DII Tourney. #PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/6fFwTXprmM
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 16, 2021

Willie Jones, later known as Wil in his coaching days at the University of the District of Columbia, lost his battle with cancer in 2014.@MattSchudel of the Washington Post wrote about his legacy in his obituary.https://t.co/5exEjFhv5a
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 16, 2021

In part two of our series with Jack Cassell, he remembers his younger days growing up around AU Athletics, and how a few special mentors made all the difference after his dad's passing. The Cassell Family, in turn, has made a world of difference at AU.

Kurt & Shawn Kuykendall are the only parent-child duo in the Pop Cassell Hall of Fame.

Both great soccer talents, they went pro after their AU careers.

Shawn, who coached from 2010-13, sadly passed away of thymic cancer in 2014, at age 32.#PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/BdymqfOvEj
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 17, 2021

The Washington Post's @RickMaese wrote about Shawn's life, family and his courageous cancer battle.https://t.co/7rIDz1UuUI
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 17, 2021

For 27 years until her retirement in 1977, Virginia "Ginny" Hawke (1917-2013) made her mark on @AmericanU.

Her remarkable legacy includes serving in the women's branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II.

??: https://t.co/UkOPSCjyhn #PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/jePWLvg15Y
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 18, 2021

We could never say enough about Barb Reimann. She gave 30 years to AU and remains a passionate supporter, always with an eye toward equality for women.

Our own @JamieErdahl profiled Reimann for "Eye on the Eagles" in 2012.

??: https://t.co/vmA6QKZMJD #PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/VY0VSpaiqU
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 18, 2021

Almost 2 years ago, AU Athletics celebrated the naming of Dick Taylor Diamond at the Jacobs Complex.

Taylor played baseball for the legendary Stafford "Pop" Cassell, and was inducted into the Cassell Hall of Fame in '72.

Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.#PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/SVGc1y6rsP
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 18, 2021

Sergio Lopez was an Olympic bronze medalist for Spain before joining @AU_SwimDive. He'd been at Indiana and could have gone anywhere, but transferred to AU mostly because he just flat-out liked it.

The rest, is history.

??: https://t.co/AS0vfpHY4T #PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/ONxKgCLW5K
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 19, 2021

Two-time All-American Gabriella Csepe was no surprise talent - she'd been an Olympic swimmer for Hungary at the age of 15.

When all was said and done at AU, she had 11 program records (2 still stand) and 12 CAA titles. ??

??: https://t.co/RTFB8cC3WH #PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/8FtGfcwBQe
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 19, 2021

In 2019, Andre Ingram made "one of the most emotional acceptance speeches at the Cassell Hall of Fame I'd ever heard," said Jack Cassell.

One year prior, Ingram had lived out his dream when he was called up to the @Lakers.#PopBack | #BeAnEagle ?? pic.twitter.com/xT2zYQexMW
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 19, 2021

While his debut with LA at age 32 commanded a lot of national media attention, one of our favorite moments is the "Magic" (@MagicJohnson) one when Ingram got the news.

Before you settle into March Madness, watch this.#PopBack | #BeAnEagle ??https://t.co/bfi0KYCPIX
— American U. Eagles (@AUeagles) March 19, 2021

In the third and final part of our series with Jack Cassell, he remembers all the people who make the Pop Cassell Hall of Fame event such a special one. Jack has been moved many times over the years. We hope you'll all join us in 2022.

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