WASHINGTON - It was a memorable night for many wonderful reasons as American University Athletics celebrated the Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2023 on Saturday, February 18. The four inductees—Athena Argyropoulos, Kyle Borshoff, Garrison Carr and Derrick Mercer—joined what is now a 95-member group of the most celebrated Eagles in the department's history.

Attendees were welcomed to the event with a cocktail reception from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Founders Lobby, followed by dinner and the main program in the Washington College of Law's Claudio Grossman Hall. After opening remarks by Director of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Billy Walker and Vice President of Undergraduate Enrollment, Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence Fanta Aw, there was a special and emotional presentation by Board of Trustees chair emeritus and current member Jack Cassell, SOC/BA ’77, as he announced that the volleyball competition court in the future Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance will be named after legendary and current AU volleyball head coach Barry Goldberg. 

Following dinner, each inductee was presented before giving their own speech. Argyropoulos was presented by longtime field hockey coach Steve Jennings, who worked with her during her entire 20-year career as an athletics administrator for the Eagles. Borshoff was presented by former assistant wrestling coach Joe Henson, Carr was presented by former teammate Jordan Nichols, and Mercer was presented by former teammate Brian Gilmore.

Many former Hall of Fame inductees were in attendance as well as a large number of alumni from field hockey, men's basketball and wrestling in addition to representatives from nearly every other sport. American University's Stafford H. Cassell Hall of Fame has been in existence since 1969. Sponsored by the Cassell Family, the Hall of Fame was developed to recognize the achievement of individuals associated with American University Athletics and Recreation. Cassell was a legendary coach, athletic director, and vice president at the university.