A football player from the first graduating class of the then George Washington High School in 1935 and a coach at GW from the 1950s are among those to be celebrated during the fifth annual ACPS Athletic Hall of Fame. Seven athletes and one coach will be recognized at an induction ceremony at T.C. Williams High School on Friday, November 2.
The athletes include two football stars, Paul Shu and Carl Carr, both of whom went on to play for the National Football League; a soccer player, Eduardo Lopez, who went on to play professionally for the Baltimore Blast; a track and field star, Kelli Flynn; and three basketball stars, Karen Bowles, Earl Quash and Kihlon Golden.
Including this year’s nominees and honoree, since its inception in 2014, ACPS has inducted 44 athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame and honored seven coaches. They were selected through a rigorous process undertaken by the Athletic Hall of Fame Advisory Committee from among nominations submitted by the public.
Karen Bowles
Karen Bowles was the second leading rebounder in Titan history. A 1986 graduate, Bowles led the Lady Titans basketball team to district and northern region titles and earned individual recognition as an All District and All Northern region selection. She was inducted into Radford University’s Hall of Fame after being named a three-time member of the All Big South Team. Bowles scored more than 1,000 career points and grabbed more than 1,000 rebounds.
Carl Carr
A highly gifted athlete, Carl Carr earned not only First Team All Met and All State honors as a linebacker, he was also honored as a Parade All America and earned All Met honors in both indoor and outdoor track. Upon graduation in 1982, his number, 58, was retired. Following a stellar career at the University of North Carolina he was drafted by the New York Jets and played for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League.
Kelli Flynn
The greatest high jumper in Alexandria history, 1990 graduate Kelli Flynn was Virginia state high jump champion and a member of T.C. Williams’ nationally ranked 4×400 relay team. Flynn was also a star in field hockey and cross country and served her school as student council president. At Louisiana State University (LSU) on a full track scholarship, Flynn was the number two all-time LSU high jumper with a personal best of six feet six inches.
Kihlon Golden
A four-sport star, Kihlon Golden was a State Champion in cross country and indoor track and rowed crew at T.C. A 1992 graduate, Golden’s basketball talents earned him a full scholarship to Bucknell University, where he twice led the Patriot League in rebounding.
Eduardo Lopez
A three-time All Met and All Northern Region selection, 1976 graduate Eduardo Lopez led the Titans soccer squad to two Northern Region titles. He was also an All District and All Northern Region selection in football as a kicker. At American University, he was the team’s most valuable player and was recognized as a second team All America selection. After being invited to try out for the 1980 United States Olympic Team, he went on to play professionally for the Baltimore Blast.
Earl Quash
Basketball player Earl Quash was known for his speed and solid jump shot at then George Washington High School. During his senior year in 1969, he led the Prexies deep into the State tournament, was named to the All Tournament Team and was honored as an All Met selection. At East Carolina University, he led the team in scoring during the 1972-73 season, helped the team to the NCAA tournament and was selected to the All Southern Conference Team.
Paul Shu
A member of the first graduating class at the then George Washington High School in 1935, Paul Shu excelled at basketball, baseball and track. It was on the football field that he earned the nickname “Pounding Paul” in the backfield at GW. He continued to shine at Virginia Military Institute with Third Team All America honors and with the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League. Shu was also inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Also being honored is basketball coach Steve Osisek.
Steve Osisek
Steve Osisek began teaching physical education at George Washington High School in 1952 and was named chairman of the department in 1956. At the University of Virginia, he played football and basketball and was named an Honorable Mention All America in 1949. He served as head coach of the GW basketball teams during the late 1950s and 1960s and was named Alexandria Coach of the Year by the Alexandria Sportsman’s club in 1963. He received the Outstanding Educational Leadership Award from The Washington Post in 1986 and the Distinguished Educator award from The George Washington University.
The athletes and coach will be celebrated during a reception, which will be followed by the induction ceremony on Friday evening.