Three former Brescia University athletes will be inducted into the Kentucky Legend Athletic Hall of Fame. Hank Stewart (2015), Olivia Warren (2015) and John Benson (2008) were initially scheduled to be inducted earlier this month, but the event was postponed to a later date due to COVID-19 concerns.
HANK STEWART
Stewart played for the baseball team for two years, earning two KIAC Player of the Year awards. He was named the KIAC Male Athlete of the Year for the 2013-2014 season.
In 2014, Stewart was named to the NAIA Baseball All-American Second Team. He ranked first in the NAIA in slugging percentage (.807), second in runs batted in (68), fourth in batting average (.447), ninth in home runs (12), and eleventh in total bases (121).
In individual conference stats, Stewart led the KIAC in batting average (.447), on base percentage (.537), slugging percentage (.807), total bases (121), runs batted in (68), and home runs (12).
Individually, he set the school record for season RBI record (72) and season batting average (.447) in 2014. That year, the Bearcats set a record for most wins (35) and highest winning percentage (.614).
“It’s always an honor to be recognized for the achievements that I worked so hard for,” Stewart said. “I enjoyed my time at Brescia. I have lots of good memories on and off the field, and it was great to leave on a good note on the field and receive a degree off of the field.”
OLIVIA WARREN
Warren ran for the women’s cross country and track and field teams from 2011-2015.
In cross country, she qualified for the NAIA Cross Country National Championship three times (2011-2013). Warren is a three time member of the All-KIAC team.
In track and field, Warren qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championship for the marathon in 2015. She won four KIAC championships and earned seven All-KIAC honors in track from 2012-2015.
Warren currently holds four track & field school records — half marathon (1:30:42.00), 10K (40:51.18), outdoor 5K (19:05.07) and indoor 3K (11:17.07).
“Being inducted in the hall of fame is an honor. It makes me feel proud to be a part of Brescia history,” Warren said. “I will forever be grateful for my coaches and teammates who inspired me to work hard and accomplish my goals. I learned the value of hard work, determination and making sacrifices while being a student-athlete at Brescia.”
JOHN BENSON
Benson competed for the men’s soccer team from 2003-2006 and coached the team from 2010-2012.
As a player, he gained multiple KIAC and National awards, including a spot on the All-American team in 2006. He led the NAIA in assists in 2004, and he holds the Brescia all-time assists record.
After his playing career, Benson served as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams in the 2010-2011 season and as the head coach for the men’s team for the 2011-2012 season.
“I am really proud to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Benson said. “To have my college career recognized is pretty cool. I loved my time at Brescia. It was a great experience and one I look back on fondly. Playing soccer in the U.S. was so much fun and allowed me to meet people from all over the world and make friends for life. I met my wife at Brescia, too. We’ve been married for 10 years and have two beautiful kids. Without Brescia none of that would have happened.”
