ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Former Tusculum University football quarterback Bo Cordell has been selected for induction to the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame announced league officials on Friday.
Joining Cordell in the 2026 induction class are Mars Hill head football coach Tim Clifton, Catawba volleyball standout Melissa Powers Cox and Wingate basketball All-American Bryan Grier. Mars Hill women's basketball alum Que Tucker is this year's SAC Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
The 2026 South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on May 28 as part of the Conference's Spring Meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Cordell becomes the 13th Tusculum representative named to the SAC Hall of Fame. He joins former TU greats: Ed Hoffmeyer (athletic director), Lesley Murray Hawk (tennis/basketball), Ricardo Colclough (football), Alan Dunn (football), Amanda Musick Hale (cross country), Bob Dibble (golf coach), Dr. Nancy B. Moody (president), Corey Russell (football), Dr. Jarrell NeSmith (football), Doug Jones (baseball coach/athletic director), Tommy Arnett (tennis coach) and Kyle Cavanaugh (men's basketball – SAC Distinguished Alumni Award recipient).
"It is an honor and privilege to induct these five individuals into the SAC Hall of Fame," said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. "Four of these individuals have embodied what it means to be a SAC student-athlete through both academic and athletic excellence during their time at their various institutions, as well as success after graduating. The other was a long-time and very successful head coach in our league who molded and guided hundreds of student-athletes during his tenure. We look forward to celebrating their numerous accomplishments on May 28."
Cordell played quarterback at Tusculum from 2009-2013 where he accounted for one of the most prolific passing careers in NCAA Division II history. At the time of his graduation, he established 15 NCAA II records, including career passing yards (16,265), career passing yards per game (353.6 ypg), career completions (1,397), career completions per game average (30.4 cpg), career pass attempts (2,187), career total offensive yards (16,432), career total offensive yards per game average (357.2 ypg) and total offensive plays in a career (2,572).
Cordell was named the South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year on two occasions and was a two-time national finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which recognizes the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year.
He was a two-time All-American (2010 & 2013) and was the 2013 NCAA II Region Offensive Player of the Year. He was the 2009 SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year and later garnered All-Conference first recognition on two occasions.
Cordell was named the SAC Player of the Week nine times including twice as the National Player of the Week twice and four times as the State College Player of the Week by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association (TSWA).
The Cincinnati, Ohio native still owns 13 SAC football records, including career touchdown passes (112) and touchdowns responsible for (127). He threw for over 400 yards in 16 games during his career, including six occasions eclipsing the 500-yard plateau.
Cordell was recognized for his success off the gridiron after being named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy presented by the National Football Foundation.
In 2010, he was named the TSWA College Football Player of the Year while also receiving the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Outstanding Achievement Award that same season.
Cordell graduated from Tusculum in 2013 while majoring in business administration with a concentration in international business. In the spring of 2014, he signed as a free agent with the Montreal Alouttes of the Canadian Football League.
Cordell was also named to the prestigious American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team®, where he was one of only 22 collegiate football players in the nation (NCAA-BCS, NCAA-FCS, NCAA II, NCAA III, NAIA) to be recognized.
Cordell was very active on campus and in the community. He volunteered with the Tusculum Mentors Program, Earth Day, Tusculum Lunch Buddies program, Boys and Girls Club Youth Football Clinic, Adopt-a-Highway program and served as a representative with the Pioneer Student Athlete Advisory Council. He also volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Breast Cancer Awareness.
Cordell was inducted to the Tusculum Sports Hall of Fame and the Indian Hill High School Hall of Fame, both in 2018. He was recently inducted to the LaRosa's Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.
