The Pratt Community College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the newest inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame at PCC. Mike Babb, Tony Bennett, Tatiana Grant, and Tina Tibbs will officially join the HOF on February 11 in a ceremony on campus. Below is a short capsule of each inductee.
Mike Babb competed in men’s basketball while attending Pratt Community College in 1979-80 and 1980-81. While at PCC, Babb was recognized in both his freshman and sophomore seasons on the All-Jayhawk West All-Conference team. Following his time at Pratt, Babb signed a National Letter of Intent with Cameron University in Lawton, OK, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree. Following graduation from Cameron, Mike stayed another year and worked with the women’s basketball team as a graduate assistant coach.
Coach Dave Brown, the assistant coach at PCC during Babb’s tenure, said “Mike is well deserving of this honor. He was a first class young man and a tremendous basketball player.” When asked about his experience at PCC, Mike replied, “Pratt is a very special place to me. I built a lot of strong relationships which I still maintain. I am thankful for my experience at PCC.”
Tina Tibbs was recruited to play basketball at Pratt Community College by former coach Greg Morris. After signing to play basketball, Tibbs came to PCC and joined the volleyball squad and softball team. A rare three sport athlete, Tibbs excelled in all three during her two years at Pratt. Tibbs competed in 1988-89 and 1989-90. Her volleyball coach at the time, Dedra Dauner, now Dedra Brant, recalls what a special athlete and person Tibbs was while at PCC. “Tina was an amazing athlete. She added a lot to our volleyball team with her strength, agility, and athleticism. She could jump out of the gym and the skills she processed gave our team more options and allowed us to run a faster offense. Her quickness and strong jumping abilities made her an excellent blocker as well as a strong hitter. She was a presence on the court and the player our opponents focused on and respected.” Coach Greg Morris had this to say about Tina; “Tina was the best athlete that I ever recruited to Pratt. She was instrumental in helping the women's basketball team to its first 20 win season, while she led the team in rebounding that year. Denny Downing, the coach at Tarleton State where she went to school after Pratt, said "you just don't find athletes like Tina very often". Congrats to you Tina, it's well deserved.”
Following PCC, Tibbs signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX. In her senior season, Tarleton State went on to place second in the NAIA National Tournament. That team has since become the first team to ever be inducted into the Tarleton State Hall of Fame. Tarleton State has now transitioned into a NCAA Division I school.
Tony Bennett was a men’s basketball standout in 2002-03 and 2003-04. Originally from Chicago, Bennett was recruited by then coach Jan Handley and quickly became one of the top guards in the KJCCC. Bennett received second team All-KJCCC honors following his sophomore year and was also named Honorable Mentions All-Region VI. Following his time at Pratt, Bennett signed with Bradley University. At Bradley, Bennett continued to blossom. He was named to the Missouri Valley All-Newcomer team after the 2004-05 season and started in all 61 games he participated in while at Bradley. A big highlight of his career was in the 2005-06 season when Bradley defeated the University of Kansas Jayhawks in the first round of the NCAA tournament and then defeated the University of Pittsburgh to reach the Sweet 16. Following his career at Bradly, Bennett embarked on a long overseas career finally ending in 2017. He is back in Chicago and very active in youth basketball organizations currently serving as director of student life at University of Chicago Charter Schools.
Tatiana Grant is arguably the best women’s basketball player to ever play at Pratt CC. The Most Valuable Player in the KJCCC in 2013-14, and a First Team All-American that same year, Grant signed a letter of intent to play at Texas Tech following Pratt. Things didn’t work out for Grant to attend Texas Tech and she eventually finished her career at Central Methodist University in Fayetteville, MO. Grant’s sophomore season at PCC, she averaged 27.4 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. Her coach at Pratt, Stephanie Shanline (now Thompson), recalls what an impact Grant had on the team and program at PCC. “Tati was a tremendous player and could score at will. Coming to a small town from Milwaukee was a big change for her, but she experienced great success on the court during her time in Pratt. She absolutely earned All-American status and it was an honor to coach such a tremendous athlete.”
The official induction ceremony will take place on the PCC Campus at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 11. Persons interested in attending the banquet may purchase tickets through the Pratt Community College Athletic Department. Contact Athletic Director Tim Swartzendruber at 620-450-2174 or email at tims@prattcc.edu for more information. The inductees will also be recognized at half-time of the men’s basketball game that day vs Barton County Community College.
“I am pleased to induct such a quality group of former student-athletes into our Athletic Hall of Fame,” commented Athletic Director Tim Swartzendruber. “This is truly an honor for each and I am excited to meet each person and have them back on our campus.”