2009 Hood College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Class
Melissa Kelly '00-Alumna, Athlete,
Basketball
Melissa graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and went on to complete a master of arts degree in human sciences from Hood. One of the most decorated women’s basketball players to ever don the Hood colors, Melissa was a four-year starter for the Blazers from 1996-2000. A three-time most outstanding player in the Atlantic Women’s Colleges Conference and four-time all-league selection, she is ranked in the top 10 in program history in numerous statistical categories. An unselfish player who still stands as Hood’s career assists leader, Melissa ranks second all-time in three-point field goals, fourth in steals, fifth in scoring, fifth in rebounding and sixth in blocks. During her senior year, Melissa and the Blazers won the AWCC tournament championship after finishing as the conference runner-up the year before. After graduation, Melissa continued to pursue her passion for college athletics as an assistant coach and assistant athletic director at Hood. Following a two-year stint as the athletic director at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., Melissa returned to Frederick and currently serves as the sports director of Special Olympics Maryland.
Kathleen King Kinsey '87-Alumna, Athlete, Swimming
Kathleen graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in law and society. One of the most dominant swimmers in program history, Kathleen held virtually every school record during her time at Hood. Three of her records have yet to be equaled–the 100 freestyle, the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley. In 1986, Kathleen qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships, a first for a Hood student-athlete. A competitive cyclist and triathlete, Kathleen currently lives in Sicily, Italy, with her husband Chris and their three daughters, ages 11, 9 and 7. She has passed her passion for swimming on to her three girls, all of whom have taken to the water with the same spirit their mother exuded when she competed for the Blazers.
Karen Klisch-Professor Emerita, Department Chair,
Athletic Coach, Interim Athletic Director, Inaugural member of the
Hall of Fame committee
A professor, department chair, coach and aquatics director at Hood from 1966-1999, Karen was instrumental in guiding student athletes to greater athletic prowess. Hood College athletes viewed her as a mentor, role model and advocate. Professor Klisch gained the respect of her players and peers with her professional yet personable demeanor and her demand for excellence. In 1972 she coached four Hood swimmers to the first ever national intercollegiate swimming championship meet for all college and university female swimmers. As the basketball coach she had two almost perfect seasons. The first season she coached, 1966, her team lost all but the last game. The next year, the team won every game but one. Karen continues to practice what she preaches. She is currently a U.S. masters swimmer and ranks in the top 10 for her age group. In 2007 she was ranked second in the nation and seventh in the world in her age group in the 1500-meter swim. She also competes in triathlons. Professor Klisch earned a bachelor of science degree in 1963 from Florida State University, a master of arts degree in 1968 and a doctoral degree in 1982 from the University of Maryland.
Dominique Bustamante Thayil '97-Alumna, Athlete,
Soccer
Dominique graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in environmental science and policy. A three-sport athlete for the Blazers, Dominique participated in field hockey, lacrosse and soccer during her time at Hood. But it was her fortitude as a soccer pioneer at Hood that distinguishes her as an exemplary Blazer student-athlete. Dominique was instrumental in founding the women’s soccer club at Hood in the early 1990s. After one season as a club sport, soccer was elevated to varsity status in the fall of 1995, the same year Hood joined the Atlantic Women’s Colleges Conference. In the inaugural AWCC tournament, Hood defeated Wells College, 3-2, to capture the conference crown. Dominique captained the Blazer soccer squad for three years and was the first Hood soccer player to record a hat trick with three goals against Trinity on October 27, 1996. After graduating from Hood, Dominique coached and taught at Frederick area high schools and is currently an advanced placement environmental science teacher at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
Etta and Albert Cohen H'06
Albert Cohen, a renowned local businessman, builder and investor, and his late wife, Etta, are being inducted into the Hood College Hall of Fame for their dedicated support for and commitment to Hood College athletics. A native of Frederick, Al served on the Hood College Board of Trustees from 1983-1995 and was named trustee emeritus upon his retirement. He was recognized with an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2006. After admirably serving as a captain in the U.S. Army’s 90th Infantry Corps of Engineers in World War II, Al was presented with a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. He then went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1946. Al served as the president of Frederick Construction Co., Inc., which erected many local industrial and commercial facilities, schools in Prince George’s, Montgomery and Frederick counties, the first wing to Frederick Memorial Hospital and Coblentz Memorial Hall here at Hood, just to name a few. Together, Etta and Albert have supported Hood College through generous contributions to athletics, the Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School, the library and the arts.
