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Athletics Announces Inductees for 2016 Hall of Fame Class

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Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will induct seven outstanding honorees and recognize a historic team at its 46th annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on Sept. 29 at the Ruth S. Harley University Center in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom.

The ceremony, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Adelphi athletics program, includes honorees from three different decades and seven sports. This year's honorees are Ronald Clarke '80 MS '83 (track & field), Carlyshia Hurdle '06 (women's basketball), John Knesich '93 (men's soccer), Jerri Lester '07 (swimming), Mike Myers '07 MBA '08 (baseball), Wayne Nelson '03 (men's basketball) and John Quinn '72 (swimming).

The Panther Legendary Team award will be presented to the 2004 women's lacrosse team, which won the first of the program's record seven NCAA Division II National Championships. The 2004 Panthers posted a 13-1 overall record, one shy of an undefeated mark, and advanced to the NCAA National Championships in Orlando. After defeating LIU Post in the Final Four, 11-10, the Panthers defeated West Chester 12-11 for the national title. The team recorded a spot in Adelphi history as the first women's program to take home a national title. The team boasted four All-Americans, five All-Region picks, five NCAA All-Tournament honorees, the ECAC Player and Goalie of the Year and the IWLCA Coach of the Year in Jill Lessne. 

One of the fastest men in Adelphi history, Clarke was a three-time All-American on the track in 1978. A member of the 1978 4x100-meter relay team that won the NCAA Championships, Clarke also claimed glory as in individual by winning the national crown in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.38 in 1980. 

Hurdle became one of the most dynamic players in women's basketball program with her excellent ball-handling and scoring touch. At the end of her four years, she capped her collegiate career with a total of 1,465 points to rank fifth all-time, 913 rebounds (second all-time), 569 made field goals (fourth all-time) and 119 blocks (third all-time). She was the 2006 Met Basketball Writers' Player of the Year, a two-time All-Met pick and a two-time ECC First Team selection.

A four-year starting defender for the Panthers from 1989-1992, Knesich helped the men's soccer team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1990-92. 

Lester, a four-time swim team MVP in her time on campus from 2003-07, still holds the school record in the 200 backstroke. In 2006, Lester was the only female swimmer to qualify for the ECAC Championships, where she finished in 13th place overall and in the top 10 in the 100 and 200 backstroke events.

A four-year pitcher for the baseball team after beginning his career at third base, Myers came into his own in the final year of his 2004-07 tour with the Panthers. In his career, he totaled 23 wins, good enough for second all-time, and 233.1 innings pitched to rank seventh. He was named Pitcher of the Year by four organizations (ECC, Daktronics, NCBWA and ABCA) and capped off his career as an NCBWA All-America selection.

Nelson was a team leader in all aspects of the men's basketball program as he donned the uniform from 1999-2003. He competed in four NCAA Tournaments and totaled 1,619 career points (fourth all-time), 263 career three pointers (second all-time) and was a two-time All-ECC selection and was named the All-Met Player of the Year in 2003.

A distance freestyler from 1968-72, Quinn qualified for three staight NCAA Championships in freestyle events in 1970-72. His promise was evident even as a freshman, when in 1969, he was the Division I Metropolitan Collegiate Swimming Conference champion in the 1000 freestyle, setting a freshman record, and second in the 500 freestyle. A three-time NCAA qualifier in the 500 freestyle (1971-72) and the 1650 freestyle (1970), he qualified for three more Division I MCSC Championships in his career.

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 Courtney Chrisman, at (516) 877-4241 or cchrisman@adelphi.edu. The cost of the dinner is $100 per person and reservations are required. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 pm followed by dinner at 7:30 pm.
About Adelphi Athletics
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past seven seasons has collected 18 regular season conference titles, 22 tournament championships, 29 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup three times (2013, 2014, and 2016), while winning five NCAA Division II National Championships.

For the latest on Adelphi University Athletics, follow the Panthers at www.aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat.
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