North Carolina State University Athletics
Thompson, Shea and Benoit Among ACC's Top Ten
3/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
March 13, 2003
Former NC State basketball star David Thompson and distance runners Julie Shea and Joan Benoit were honored on Wednesday night when the Atlantic Coast Conference recognized the league's Top 10 male and female athletes during the 50th Anniversary Gala at the Greensboro Coliseum. Thompson finished second to Michael Jordan in balloting for top male athlete while Shea and Benoit were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the women's Top 10.
Generally considered the greatest basketball player in ACC history, Thompson was somehow rated behind Jordan in voting for the league's No. 1 male athlete of the last 50 years. Shea was a four time All-America while Benoit was similarly recognized on two occasions.
David Thompson, NC State (1973-1975)
A three-time unanimous, consensus first-team All-American ... Named the AP National Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 ... UPI Player of the Year, Dunlop Player of the Year, Naismith Award winner, Kodak Award winner in 1975 ... ACC Player of the Year in 1973, 1974 and 1975 ... Earned MVP honors in 1973 World University Games ... ACC all-time scoring leader following his career ... Named to All-tournament team in every tournament he ever played in ... Was the first pick in the 1975 NBA draft.
Julie Shea, NC State (1977-1980)
Earned All-America honors in 1977, 78, 79 and 80 ... Member of the 1979 and 1980 AIAW National Championship squad ... Named AIAW Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 1980 ... Won the AIAW Individual National Championship in 1979 and 1980 ... Member of the USA Cross Country team in 1977, 78, 79 and 80 ... Recipient of the McKelvin Award in 1980 and 81 (ACC's Outstanding Athlete) ... Winner of the 1981 H.C. Kennett Award (NC State's Outstanding Athlete) and the Alumni Athletic Award ... Received the Broderick Award for Cross Country in 1980 ... ACC Individual Champion in 1979 and 1980 ... All-ACC in 1978, 79 and 80 ... Women's team MVP in 1980 ... Member of Raleigh City Counil from 1995-1999.
Joan Benoit, NC State (1978)
All-American in 1977 and 1978 ... All-ACC in 1978 ... Won Boston Marathon in 1979 and 1983 ... Won the Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
ACC's Top 10 Male Athletes of Last 50 Years
1. Michael Jordan....North Carolina
2. David Thompson....... NC State
3. Charlie Ward....... Florida State
4. Arnold Palmer..... Wake Forest
5. Randy White........Maryland
6. Ralph Sampson......Virginia
7. Lawrence Taylor.....North Carolina
8. Tim Duncan......... Wake Forest
9. Phil Ford.......... North Carolina
10. Renaldo Nehemiah... Maryland
ACC's Top 10 Female Athletes
1. Mia Hamm....... North Carolina
2. Marion Jones.... North Carolina
3. Dawn Staley......Virginia
4. Julie Shea.......NC State
5. Joan Benoit......NC State
6. Sue Walsh........ North Carolina
7. Alana Beard.......Duke
8. Jen Adams.........Maryland
9. Vanessa Webb......Duke
10. Charlotte Smith........North Carolina
