LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Kendrick Office, Charles Martin and Valisha Fincher compose the 2017 induction class for the University of West Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame.
The UWA HOF was founded to honor former student-athletes, coaches, students and administrators who have honored the university with outstanding play, coaching or leadership, both while on campus and/or in their careers. There is a five-year waiting period for former UWA student-athletes and coaches to be inducted. There is no waiting period for administrators.
Office and Martin are former Tiger football players who went on to play in the National Football League. Finch was a UWA and professional softball star who earned induction in her first year of eligibility.
Office was a four-year starter (1997-2000) at defensive end for the Tigers, a three-time first-team All-Gulf South selection, Office recorded 239 career tackles, 20.5 quarterback sacks and 38 tackles for loss.
After being signed as a free agent by the Buffalo Bills in 2001, Office played two seasons for the Bills, recording 28 tackles and three sacks in 18 games played and earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors for his play against the New England Patriots. The Butler, Alabama, native also played in the Arena League for San Jose and helped led the SabreCats to a 2007 Arena Bowl Championship.
Martin was an All-American defensive lineman for the Tigers from 1980-82, was All-GSC twice and the GSC Defensive Player of the Year in 1982. Over his three-year career he recorded 173 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 19 sacks.
From Canton, Georgia, Martin began his professional football career with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983. He then played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers (1984-87) and Houston Oilers (1987) before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons (1988). In 76 career NFL games, he recorded 11 sacks.
A career .375 hitter, Fincher was the 2011 GSC Softball Player of the Year, an All-American and a three-time all-conference selection. She had 44 career home runs and 29 career doubles. From Tarrant, Alabama, Fincher had 143 career runs batted in, stole 43 bases in 50 attempts and collected 181 hits, despite an injury shortened junior season.
Following her UWA career, Fincher played and coached softball in Gelfe, Sweden, with the Gelfe Baseboll Club. She coached and played in a five-team, summer series in Sweden.
Both Office and Fincher earned Bachelor's Degrees from UWA and are currently pursuing their Master's Degrees. Office is a graduate of the UWA Sports Management program and Fincher earned her degree in Business Administration. Martin passed away in 2005 at the age of 46.
The inductees or their family members will serve as grand marshals for the 2017 Homecoming Parade and will be officially inducted in the Hall of Fame at the Annual National Alumni Association Meeting on Oct. 28. They will serve as Honorary Game Captains at the football game that day against West Florida.
