April 2, 2003

Garden City, N.Y. - Adelphi University and the Department of Athletics will induct five honorees into the Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 24, at the Ruth S. Harley University Center. The annual event honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Athletics program and this year's honorees include three former basketball players, a softball player and a head men's track coach/Athletic Director. The inductees are Ron Bazil, Perry Herbert ('96), Bella Totino ('87), Mark Schissler ('68) and Steve Sherman ('68).

Bazil, former Adelphi Director of Athletics and Head Track Coach in the 1970's, and the men's track team generated national attention, winning countless honors and awards as well as establishing two indoor 4x400 relay world records. From 1970-75, Adelphi captured five NCAA individual Outdoor titles and two Indoor titles, while producing 42 All-Americans. In his role as Athletic Director, Bazil strived to recruit athletes of all backgrounds and was a pioneer in bringing women's athletics to the forefront at a time when Title IX was still in its infancy.

Herbert played just two seasons (1994-96) of varsity men's basketball for the Panthers, yet managed to become the 12th highest scorer in school history with 1,225 career points. A two-time first-team all-conference player, his 619 points during the 1995-96 season remains an Adelphi single season record, as are his 231 field goals that same year.

Totino, a four-year letterwinner, was a member of the Adelphi softball team that competed in three NCAA Division I College World Series from 1984-87. She led the Panthers consecutive NCAA Northeast Regional titles in 1984 and 1985, and fifth place finishes in NCAA Tournament those same years. Totino served as an assistant softball coach at Hofstra University from 1991-2001 and is currently a physical education instructor for the Manhasset School District.

Schissler, a member of the men's basketball team when freshman season was considered non-varsity, is the only player in Adelphi history to combine for over 2000 career points. In three years at the varsity level from 1965-68, Schissler averaged 17.8 ppg, and is ranked 12th all-time at Adelphi with 1,366 career points. When added with his record 666 freshman points, Schissler combined for 2,032 points at Adelphi. He worked for 34 years as an administrator for the South County School District in Bellport and as the former Superintendent of Schools for Suffolk County, he raised the level of education for the entire community.

Sherman wore the Panther jersey from 1964-68, becoming one of Adelphi's most prolific offensive players. His ranks in the top-10 in six single season categories, including second both single-season scoring and single-season scoring average. Averaging 18.6 ppg over his career, Sherman appears in five top-10 career categories, while amassing 1,302 career points, good for 11th all-time. An educator of 36 years, Sherman currently teaches at Norman Thomas High School in Manhattan.

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, special recognition awards will be presented. The Frank Cassell Award recognizes contributions made to Adelphi Athletics above and beyond and will go to former Adelphi softball coach and administrator Janet L. Ficke. The Woodruff Award is presented for excellence in coaching, teaching and educating young adults, while stressing that the athletic experience enhances the educational experience and quality of life. The award will be presented jointly to C.W. Post Director of Athletics Vincent Salamone and St. John's Associate Vice President of Athletics Kathleen Meehan.

The Adelphi University Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 to honor those former athletes, coaches and friends, who have distinguished themselves during their time at the University or thereafter. The cost is $100 per person and reservations are a must. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. For further information contact Maggie Yoon, Special Programs and Events Coordinator for Athletics via phone 516-877-4235 or email at yoon@adelphi.edu or Dina Zydor, Associate Director for Development at 516-877-4688.