McPherson, Kan. – McPherson College Director of Athletics Josh Daume announced today that three former Bulldogs will be inducted into the McPherson College Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend. The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will include Samson Shivers '14, Aaron Lafitte '10 and Sharica Pleasant '14.

"We're excited to induct this outstanding group of Bulldogs into our Hall of Fame this fall," stated Daume. "One of the most rewarding parts of my job is having the honor of calling a former student-athlete and telling them they are being inducted. All three of these recipients were extremely gracious and humbled when they received the call. Their accomplishments speak for themselves, as they were all excellent throughout their distinguished careers both in competition and in the classroom."

Samson Shivers played four seasons for the men's basketball team from 2010-11 to 2013-14. The Houston, Texas native still holds numerous records at McPherson, including the all-time scoring record. He ended his career with 2,075 points and was one of just two 2,000-point scorers in program history. In addition, he holds the record for most 3-pointers made (8) and attempted (14) in a single game, most made (87) and attempted (284) in a single season and most made (336) and attempted (1,013) in his career. He also holds the record for free throws made and attempted in Bulldog history, going 527-for-684 in his four years at McPherson. Additionally, he owns the record for most field goals attempted in his career with 1,594 and most games played with 136. As a freshman in 2010-11, Shivers was named First Team All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and was also named to the All-KCAC Freshman Team. He then earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC accolades as a sophomore and Third Team kudos as a junior and senior.

Aaron Lafitte, from Ironwood, Arizona, was a standout running back during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Lafitte also set several school records that still stand, including most points scored in a single season with 140, most rushing touchdowns in a single game with four and holds the top two spots for most touchdowns scored in a single season with 23 in 2009 and 18 in 2010. He is also second all-time at McPherson with 248 career points and 41 career touchdowns. As a junior in 2009, Lafitte was named College Fanz Sports Network NAIA Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-KCAC. He also earned First Team All-KCAC honors in 2010 as a senior. The Bulldogs qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series during both of Lafitte's seasons, winning a KCAC Championship in 2010.

Sharica Pleasant competed on the Women's Track and Field indoor and outdoor teams in 2013 and 2014. A two-time NAIA All-American, she placed sixth in the Pentathlon at the 2014 NAIA Indoor Championships with 3,380 points and at the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Championships was part of the Bulldogs' 4x100m relay team that placed fifth with a time of 47.12. She was the KCAC Outdoor Championships "Female Athlete of the Meet" in 2013 and 2014 in addition to being the KCAC Indoor "Female Athlete of the Meet" at the 2014 Championships. At the 2013 KCAC Outdoor Championships she won the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.89 and was part of the first place 4x100m relay team that finished in 48.45 seconds plus placed in five other individual events. At the 2014 KCAC Indoor Championships she won the 60m hurdles title with a meet record time of 9.11 plus placed in four other individual events in addition to a second place 4x400m relay. She concluded her conference career at the 2014 KCAC Outdoor Championships by winning the 100m Hurdles in 14.69 seconds, was part of the winning 4x100m Relay team, which recorded a meet record time of 47.03 seconds, plus placed in three more individual events and the 4x400m Relay. The Long Beach, California native still also owns two McPherson school records, including the indoor pentathlon with 3,380 points that she posted at the 2014 NAIA Championships and the outdoor heptathlon record with 4,538 points.

The three inductees will be honored on Friday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Salina Regional Health Center. This year's banquet will be held at the McPherson Opera House and registration is required to attend. The Hall of Fame class will also be recognized at halftime of the Bulldog football game against Bethany that starts at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3.