West Virginia Wesleyan will induct three individuals and one team as its 2010 Class into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Those to be enshrined in the Rockefeller Center lobby are Angela “Tex” Demel Cecchini ’98 (Softball), Eric Chandler ’96 (Track and Field, Cross Country), Atle Nesheim ’93 (Soccer), and the 1985 Men’s soccer team. The honorees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 13 during a banquet in the Social Hall. Tickets are still available to the event for $25. Please contact the athletic department at 304-473-8099 for ticket information.

West Virginia Wesleyan has a proud tradition in the sport of soccer and no one did it any better on the soccer field that Atle Nesheim. Atle was a four-year starter for the Bobcats and a member of the 1989 and 1990 NAIA National championship teams and the 1992 national semi-finalists teams. He was a four-time NSCAA/NAIA All-American for his prowess on the soccer field. During the team’s run to the national title in 1990, he was named the tournament MVP.

He was also routinely named to the All-WVIAC and All-Region teams during his four years at Wesleyan. Wesleyan won the WVIAC all four years Atle was a starter on the team from 1989-1992. He was named the WVIAC Player of the Year in 1992. He played in the 1993 Senior Bowl for the nation’s top players. He is currently second all-time on the Wesleyan scoring list with 88 career goals.

Atle played under head coach Tom Martin his for two years and then finished his career under the direction of head coach Gavin Donaldson.

“At any time period and at any level, if you can score as many goals at Atle did, that sets you apart from the other players,” remarked Donaldson. “He certainly had a gift of being in the right position to score and being able to finish off his shots. He was probably one of the most intelligent players I have ever coached. He actually challenged me to be a better coach as he always wanted to gain more knowledge. He was a great student and a great player. Probably one of the most consistant scores we have ever had.”

Atle currently lives in Ashburn, VA, with his wife Erin Lippencott ’93 and their two children – Kristian and Helene.