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Garden City, N.Y. - On Thursday, April 18, the Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics celebrated its 43rd annual Hall of Fame Dinner. Adelphi honored six inductees as well as special recognition award recipients, and inducted the 1975-76 cross country/track and field team as a Panther Legendary Team. In total, approximately 250 guests were on hand for the prestigious event.

The evening began with a special pre-event reception for current and former Hall of Fame honorees held on the second floor of the Ruth S. Harley University Center. The event then moved to the ballroom for a cocktail reception for all guests.

The induction portion of the program began with Associate VP/Director of Athletics Robert E. Hartwell providing the welcoming speech, followed by remarks from President Dr. Robert A. Scott. Hartwell then returned to the podium to present the first awards of the night, beginning with the Frank Cassell Memorial Award and the Woodruff Award.

Brian Rothschild, Assistant Dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, received the Cassell Award for going above and beyond in his contributions to Adelphi athletics. Along with his duties of personalized academic and career advising to business students, Rothschild has taken a keen interest in Adelphi athletics, personally mentoring numerous athletes who have come through the Willumstad School of Business over the past decade. His interest turned into a passion three years ago when he was asked to become a member of the coaching staff of the golf team.

Wendy Hilliard was honored with the Woodruff Award for her life-time achievement in athletics on the local and national stage. A long-time major force in women's sports, Hilliard was the first African American to represent the United States and remained on the Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team a record setting nine times, serving twice as National Team Captain. A four-time United States National Team Coach, Hilliard coached 1996 Olympian Aliane Baquerot, and founded the Wendy Hilliard Foundation, which provides free and low cost gymnastics to local youth. In 2008, she was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame and was the first African American and gymnast to become the President of the Women's Sports Foundation.

Next, Adam Siepiola, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations, took over emcee duties for the induction portion of the ceremony. Chris Bernard '99 (men's basketball), Eugene DuChateau (men's soccer), Diana Lopez '07 (women's lacrosse/soccer), Lauren Lopez '07 (women's lacrosse/soccer), Charlie O'Donnell '79 (men's soccer) and Lisa Tunstall '76 (women's basketball) were each honored and gave an acceptance speech.

The Legendary Team award closed the evening and was presented to the 1975-76 cross country/track and field team, which produced two NCAA Individual Champions and participated in the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Slippery Rock, Pa. The squad posted the best finish ever by an Adelphi track and field team, placing third overall against the country's best Division II institutions. William Dabney became an Adelphi legend, outrunning the competition and breaking the tape in a time of 1:49.72 to earn an NCAA Individual Championship. He was joined an an NCAA Champion by the quartet of Steve McBride, Nat Spencer, Mel Richardson and Kevin Price, who sprinted away from the field in the 4x400 meter relay to post a time of 3:09.77.

The Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1961, under the direction of former Athletic Director George Faherty, to honor those former Adelphi athletes, coaches and friends who have distinguished themselves during their time at the University or thereafter.