Feb. 16, 2009
Garden City, N.Y. -
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The Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today its Class of 2009 Hall of Fame inductees. The group of six will be honored on Thursday, April 16, at the Ruth S. Harley University Center on the Garden City campus.
The 39th annual Hall of Fame dinner, which honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletics program includes Allen Boyce `54 (Cross-Country/Track), Nadine (Reid) Chase `80 (Basketball), Lisa Jusino '01 (Softball), James O'Connor (Coach, Basketball), Scott Reh `89 (lacrosse) and David Takach '86 (Baseball).
Boyce (New York, New York) was a member of the cross-country and track teams from 1952-54. On the track, he competed at the middle distances and helped to the team to its first Collegiate Track Championship (CTC) in 1953. He won individual CTC titles in the 440 and half-mile, setting the school record. A consistent team scorer and leader, he served as captain of the indoor team in 1953.
Chase (Hampton, GA), a 6-foot forward, was a four year letterwinner on the women's basketball team from 1976-1980. She helped her team to a #8 seed at the 1978 New York State Basketball Tournament. On December 22, 1979, she became the first woman in Panther history to score 1,000 career points. She finished her career with 1150 and is currently ranked 13th overall.
Jusino (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) was a four-year starter as a catcher/third baseman for the Panthers. During her junior campaign, she guided the team to its first-ever Division II NCAA berth. Along the way, she picked up All-Northeast Region honors as well as being named an ECAC All-Star and a second-team All-East Coast Conference honoree. Her name appears in the top ten in a total of 16 single season and career categories including career leader in runs batted in and doubles. Upon graduation, she went on to serve as an assistant coach for the Panther softball team from 2002-06 where she helped the team to two NCAA DII Regional appearances.
O'Connor served as head coach of the men's basketball team from 1988-1995 and is ranked fourth as Adelphi's all-time winningest coach. In 1990-91 he led the Panthers to an ECAC Tournament bid, Adelphi first postseason appearance in over a decade. Three years later, O'Connor's Panthers would win the ECAC Title. In 1994-95, he took Adelphi to the NCAA Division II Tournament, the school's first bid in nearly 20 seasons. He was named NIT/Met Basketball Writer's Coach of the Year in 1993 and again in 1995. O'Connor also served as an Assistant Athletic Director and was instrumental in the revitalization of the Hall of Fame Dinner and the initiation of the annual university golf outing. As a testament to his success, five of his former players have already been inducted into the Adelphi Hall of Fame.
Reh (Rocky Point, N.Y.), was a member of the Division I men's lacrosse program from 1986-89 and helped guide the Panthers to NCAA DI appearances in 1987 and 1989. He led the team in assists for three of his four seasons as a Panther and is ranked second all-time in career assists. He is also ranked in the top five in career points and ground balls. In 1989, Reh, a two-time team captain at Adelphi, was selected to participate in the North-South All-Star game.
Takach (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) was left-handed pitcher for the Panther baseball team from 1982-84. Takach earned All-American honors in 1984 and was also a multiple all-conference and all region selection. His holds the Adelphi career record for most strikeouts and complete games and is first in single season innings pitched and single season strikeouts. Upon completing his eligibility at Adelphi and he was picked up by the New York Mets where he pitched for two years in their minor league farm system.
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, special recognition awards will be presented. Molloy College President, Drew Bogner will be honored with the Woodruff Award, presented for excellence in coaching, teaching and educating young adults. The Frank Cassell Memorial Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions made to Adelphi Athletics, will be presented to Judith Ann Salerno '66.
New for 2009 is the addition of a formal team recognition award. The first recipient of the Panther Legendary Team award will be presented to the 1963 men's soccer team, which earned the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth, finishing 13-2-0.
The Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 to honor those athletes, coaches and friends who have distinguished themselves during their time at the university and thereafter. For more information, please contact Suzette McQueen, Assistant Athletic Director, at (516) 877-4236. The cost of the dinner is $100 per person and reservations are required. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.
