There’s a rich history of athletics at NHTI, Concord’s community college, and this fall there will finally be a place to honor it all as the college announced its inaugural Hall of Fame class slated for induction on Sept. 20.

Fifteen former players and coaches, including a pair of Concord natives, will be honored during the ceremony on a night that will serve as a celebration for their athletic excellence. Festivities are scheduled to begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. before the entire Hall of Fame class is introduced and welcomed in at NHTI’s Sweeney Hall at 6:30 p.m.

“I’m sure I’m going to have goosebumps. I’ve got them just thinking about this the more time we spend looking at the records and accomplishments for the athletes,” said Paul Hogan, NHTI’s longtime athletic director. “This is going to be a very meaningful and exciting celebration with some great people involved. It’s going to be an incredible night.”

Being the first class in NHTI history, this crop of Hall of Famers is a large one with 13 players and two coaches. The list includes Claremont’s Katie Stockton (soccer), Peterborough’s Chris Lawes (basketball), Concord’s Mel Keeler (softball), Lawrence, Mass., native Shalynn Napolitano (softball), Concord’s Lauren Daniels (basketball), Raymond’s Nick Papamichael (soccer), Spain’s Nacho Hernando (cross country), Henniker’s Heather Searles (cross country), Northwood’s Katie O’Connell (volleyball), Pittsburg’s Luke Merrill (basketball), Hooksett’s Austin Fox (golf), Manchester’s Bob Bechard (basketball) and Hollis’s Andrew Bird (soccer), as well as women’s soccer coach Steve Ambra and men’s soccer coach Don Welford.

“The two coaches, I hired both of them and of the 13 athletes, 11 have played during my timeframe here,” Hogan said. “I know them very well. I’ve watched them all compete and watched them be successful from my standpoint as director of athletics. Their accomplishments are incredible.”

Keeler was a standout performer on the softball diamond after graduating from Concord High in 1998. She helped NHTI capture a Northern New England Small College Conference championship after a 14-1 season and was named a USCAA All-American, as well as the NHTI 2001 William O’Claire Female Athlete of the Year.

Keeler’s success wasn’t limited to NHTI, though, eventually moving on to play at Southern New Hampshire University, where she starred and was inducted into the Penmen’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Daniels, a fellow Concord native, was an MVP for the basketball team, earning USCAA Second Team All-American honors in 2006 before playing herself into a key role for the Plymouth State women’s basketball team. Searles, a Henniker native, remains the only athlete in NHTI history to earn a national title after winning at the 2008 National Cross Country Championships in Virginia.

“We’ve got an amazing group of athletes and when they’re all on the stage individually or as a group, it’s going to be pretty darn cool,” Hogan said. “It’s some incredible athletes who’ve all contributed to NHTI athletics, to their sport or sports they love and they’ve all gone on to be successful in various professional and personal journeys.”

Limited tickets for the general public will be available beginning Sept. 6 at no cost.

(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3371, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)