50th LetterWinner of Distinction Banquet: Mike Hopkins, Pearl Washington to be Honored

Syracuse University will honor five former athletic standouts at the 50th annual LetterWinner of Distinction banquet on Friday, November 7 at the Turning Stone Event Center.

You may have heard of some of the 2014 honorees.

Mike Hopkins: A two-year starter for the Syracuse Orange basketball squad, Hopkins joined Jim Boeheim's staff in 1995 and has since been a part of three Final Fours and a National Championship. He's also been selected as the head coach in waiting for the storied basketball program (if and) when Boeheim retires.

Dwayne "Pearl" Washington: All Pearl Washington did in three years as a member of the Syracuse basketball team was be named Big East Rookie of the Year,  three-time All-Big East First-Teamer and 1986 All-American. Oh and he led the Orange to the 1984 Big East Championship. Oh and he broke Boston College's heart, which would be enough on its own.

Gerald Everling: A two-sport athlete, Everling played in the 1965 Sugar Bowl as part of the football squad and earned All-America honors as a wrestler in 1963. He also won the Eastern wrestling championship in 1965.

Robert Stem: A three-year starter at center and linebacker, Stem was a member of the 1959 National Championship team. He was also co-captain of the 1961 squad that defeated Miami in the Liberty Bowl.

Betsy [Gottlieb] Zaplin: One of the first women to receive an athletics scholarship to Syracuse, Zaplin played basketball and tennis, eventually focusing on tennis where she registered 82 career singles victories and won the 1977 New York State Championship. She was elected to the Orange Plus Hall of Fame as well.

Want to attend? You still can. Tickets start at $125 per person and you can purchase them here.