MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University Athletic Department has announced that Kenny Chaffin (’02), Justin Clarey (’04) and Laura Kott (’07) will be inducted into MVNU Athletics’ Wall of Fame. The official induction ceremony will take place on Friday evening, Nov. 11, at halftime of the men’s basketball homecoming game against Olivet Nazarene University.
Chaffin graduated from MVNU in 2002 and was an important part of the men’s basketball team. He finished his career ranking in the top five all-time in points, rebounds, blocked shots and field goals made. Chaffin grabbed 834 rebounds and is second all-time in blocks with 196. Chaffin is a member of the 2,000-point scorer club and was named an NCCAA All-American (First Team) in 2001 and 2002. He was also an NAIA Division II Honorable Mention All-American in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2002, Chaffin helped his team win the NCCAA national tournament, for which he was named the tournament’s MVP.
Clarey is a 2004 MVNU graduate and member of the MVNU baseball team. He was an integral part of the team for four years and earned many accolades and honors. Clarey was the American Mideast Conference South Division’s Player of the Year in 2004, an NCCAA All-American First Team recipient in both 2002 and 2004, an NAIA All-American honoree in 2001 and received MVNU’s Champion of Character Award in 2004. As a catcher, Clarey helped his team make both the NAIA World Series and NCCAA national tournament in 2004. His career statistics include 31 homeruns (third all-time) and 175 runs batted in (eighth all-time).
Kot is a 2007 graduate of MVNU. She was a member of the softball team and put together a great career for the Lady Cougars. Kot was named the American Mideast Conference South Division’s Player of the Year in 2007, an NCCAA All-American First Team award winner in 2007 and she was named as CoSIDA’s Academic All-America Player of the Year in 2007. Additionally, Kot was named to the NCCAA’s All-American Second Team in 2005 and was also a recipient of the 2006 NAIA A.O. Duer Award. She also helped her team make the NCCAA national tournament in 2004. Kott is second all-time in batting average (.427), third all-time in hits (209), first all-time in singles (185) and third all-time in stolen bases (41).
Regarding the trio’s induction into the Wall of Fame, MVNU Director of Athletics Chip Wilson said this event helps MVNU give thanks. "We are excited to announce the MVNU Wall of Fame Class of 2022," Wilson said. "Kenny, Justin and Laura are very deserving of this honor for their athletic achievements, and I am even more proud of the way they represented the mission of MVNU while students, and the investments they continue to make in their own families and those around them. This upcoming celebration on Nov. 11 is one small way that we can honor them and say thank you."
