Former two-sport standout was a 10-year MLB veteran
Cullowhee, N.C. – Wayne Tolleson, a former two-sport standout at Western Carolina University and a member of the inaugural class of the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame, is one of five individuals that have been selected for induction into the Southern Conference’s Hall of Fame announced today. Collectively, this year’s class features members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame, an NCAA pioneer and an NCAA record-holder, as well as a 10-year Major League Baseball veteran.
In addition to Tolleson, the SoCon’s 2020 inductees for its ninth class spanning the league’s 99-year history include Lynne Agee (UNCG, women’s basketball 1981-2011), Eric Breitenstein (Wofford, football 2008-12), Terrell Owens (Chattanooga, football 1992-95) and Rod Thorn (West Virginia, men’s basketball & baseball 1960-63).
Tolleson is the second former WCU student-athlete to be enshrined in the league’s Hall of Fame, joining Susan Gardner Mayhorn who was inducted back in 2018.
A middle infielder who fashioned a 10-year MLB career with the Texas Rangers (1981-85), Chicago White Sox (1986) and New York Yankees (1986-90), Tolleson played both baseball and football during his collegiate career in Cullowhee, earning spots on the SoCon’s 75th Anniversary Baseball Team and the Western Carolina All-20th Century Football Team. He was Western Carolina’s first-ever Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year, garnering the honor in 1977-78. Tolleson was also a two-time All-SoCon selection at shortstop and the 1978 SoCon Player of the Year in baseball, while also earning all-conference honors in football at wide receiver in 1977, the first season Western Carolina played a SoCon schedule after joining the league in 1976.
Also, a two-time All-Atlantic Region pick in baseball, Tolleson hit .340 with 58 stolen bases in his two SoCon seasons in that sport and finished his collegiate career with 10 WCU season and career records. He led the SoCon in stolen bases in each of his two seasons in the league, swiping 29 both years with representing school benchmarks at the time, now seventh in the school ledgers. His 84 career stolen bases from 1975-78 remain the most by a Catamount baseball player in program history.
On the gridiron, Tolleson led the nation in receptions per game in 1977 with a 6.6 average and paced the SoCon with 100.1 receiving yards per game. His 73 catches and 1,101 yards that season were both school records at the time and currently rank third and fourth, respectively.
Tolleson, who received tryout invitations from the NFL’s New England Patriots, opted for baseball where he was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 12th round of the 1977 draft but returned to school. Texas drafted him a season later in 1978 with the 202nd pick of the eighth round. He later made his MLB debut with the Rangers in September of 1981 against the Toronto Blue Jays and spent the first five years of his career with the organization before being traded to the White Sox after the 1985 season and then to the Yankees in 1986. He tallied 60 career doubles, 17 triples, and nine home runs with 133 RBI at the plate while collecting 108 stolen bases over his 10-year career including a single-season career-best 33 in 1983 for Texas.
In addition to being a member of WCU’s Athletics Hall of Fame, Tolleson, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., was enshrined in the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame back in May 2010.
Student-athletes who competed for a minimum of two seasons in the Southern Conference were eligible for consideration, along with coaches and administrators who spent at least five years in the league. A pool of more than 200 candidates from the conference’s current and former member institutions were nominated for consideration. The pool of former student-athletes, coaches and administrators was cut down to 40 individuals who comprised the final ballot. A voting panel of 20 media members and league administrators made the selection of the induction class.
Thoughts of Wayne Tolleson on his Induction into the SoCon Hall of Fame:
“First of all, so much of my life perspective comes from my faith, so I like to give God all the glory for this recognition; it’s about Him, not me! Second, I’d like to thank the Southern Conference for allowing me to be a part of this prestigious 2020 Hall of Fame class. I’m humbled and honored. And congratulations to all the other new members: Lynne Agee, Eric Breitenstein, Terrell Owens and Rod Thorn.
Also, thanks to the Western Carolina and Spartanburg High School coaches and administration for giving me the opportunity to play both football and baseball. Both institutions were the perfect spots for me to advance in both my education and athletics. I’m forever grateful for the difference they made.
Lastly, thanks to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the years. Thanks especially to my wife, Kim, who was with me every step of way, high school till present. Thanks to my sons, Steven and Clint, who I have encouraged to be impact people and in return they have impacted me in such a positive way.”
