INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced that former Lewis University women's basketball player Mariyah Brawner-Henley and men's soccer player John Thompson have been inducted into the GLVC Hall of Fame.
 
"Lewis University athletics has a tradition of excellence forged by great student-athletes," Lewis University Director of Athletics John Planek said. "Mariyah Brawner-Henley and John Thompson have been part of that legacy and we look forward to their induction into the GLVC Hall of Fame. This is a tremendous honor."
 
The GLVC Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be honored at the Enterprise/GLVC Spring Awards Reception at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles, Mo. on Tuesday, May 23
 
Brawner-Henley played at Lewis from 2012-2016. During her time at Lewis, Brawner-Henley played in 124 games, scoring 1,961 points and pulling down 1,282 rebounds in her career, while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor. The former forward was a two-time GLVC Player of the Year while also being a three-time All-GLVC honoree. She was also a three-time D2CCA, Daktronics and WBCA All-American selection. Brawner-Henley also ranks second in NCAA Division II all-time with 72 career double-doubles. In four years, Lewis achieved an 106-18 record and a 65-7 mark in conference play while winning three GLVC regular season crowns and made four NCAA Division II Midwest Regional appearances. Brawner-Henley graduated from Lewis in 2016 with a degree in Sports Management then went on to play professionally overseas for Aabyhoj in Denmark. After the conclusion of her playing days, Brawner-Henley went on to becoming a graduate assistant coach at Northern Illinois while receiving her MBA. She earned the WBCA 30 under 30 award while serving as an assistant coach at Illinois State University.
 
"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame by such a prestigious conference is a huge honor and one I do not take lightly," Brawner-Henley said. "To be able to play for one of the largest Division II conferences has been an experience I'll never forget. The GLVC not only celebrates its student-athletes but also celebrates the dedication, decision, and importance of why we choose Division II. The GLVC celebrates the successes in all demographics. I was proud to represent the GLVC and proud to call this conference my home during my time at Lewis University."

Thompson was on the pitch for the Flyers from 1998-2002.  Thompson had a first impression right away as he was awarded GLVC Freshman of the Year and helping Lewis capture the GLVC Championship. During his time with the Flyers, Thompson was awarded All-GLVC First Team Honors, All-Central Region and All-American three times. In four years at Lewis, Thompson played and started in all 83 matches while recording 21 goals and picking up nine assists. He helped the Lewis defense that allowed only 0.75 goals against average and recorded 38 shutouts as a team. In his four years, Lewis achieved a 60-15-8 record while having a 41-7-4 mark in the GLVC. During his junior season, he led Lewis to the NCAA Division II Tournament semifinals. Thompson graduated from Lewis in 2002 while receiving a degree in Management Information Systems.
 
"It was an honor to be inducted into the Lewis University Hall of Fame and is an even greater honor to be acknowledged by the Great Lakes Valley Conference," Thompson said. "1998 to 2002 at Lewis University was a memorable experience. The culture created by men's soccer coach Evan Fiffles helped shape me as a person and laid a foundation of discipline, leadership and integrity that I have taken into my future professional career. My teammates and I owe a great deal to his program and the support staff in the Lewis University Athletics Department."
 
The 2023 GLVC Hall of Fame Class will be the 20^th class inducted since the establishment of the honor in 2002. The membership will expand to 89 former administrators, coaches and student-athletes after this year's ceremony.
 
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