October 15, 2012

Western Athletic Hall of Fame

Anyone can make ONE nomination per year.
The deadline for the 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is February 1, 2013.

Complete the form below and mail to:

WCSU Alumni Office
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810

Call (203) 837-8298 for more information on WCSU Athletic Hall of Fame nominations.

Hall of Fame Nomination Form

 

All-time list of WCSU Hall of Fame Inductees

Ray Boa, '77, Soccer
Inducted: May 2001

• Started all four years
• Captain his junior and senior seasons
• Led team to the District Championship in 1975 and scored only goal in 1-0 victory
• Selected to NAIA District 7 All-Star Team in 1975

Peter Gregory, '62, Basketball
Inducted: May 2001

• First 1,000 point scorer with 1,503 points
• Set career record for most free throws with 503
• Set single-season records for most points (443), field goals (150) and free throws in one game with 22
• Senior Athlete Award winner in 1962

Levi Jackson, '95, Basketball
Inducted: May 2001

• Started all four years
• Three-time captain
• Third all-time scorer with 1,411 points
• Single-season field goal record of 223 and points with 510 upon graduation
• Uniform was retired after his senior season

Joe Mingachos, '91, Soccer
Inducted: May 2001

• NSCA All-American 1989
• Captain and team MVP three times
• All-Conference, New England, and NEISL All-Star
• Led team to two league championships and first-ever NCAA tournament appearance

Paul Pasqualoni, Football Coach
Inducted: May 2001

• 34-17 in five season from 1983-86
• Achieved three best season in school history in three consecutive years with records of 7-3, 9-1 and 10-2
• Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 1983
• Led team to regional ranking for four years
• Transformed football program to perennial power
• Left WestConn to coach at Syracuse University

Al Thomas, Baseball Coach
Inducted: May 2001

• Head baseball coach from 1962-67 and 69-77
• Had 146 wins in 10 winning seasons
• Led five teams to NAIA District Playoffs
• Highly respected by his players, colleagues, family and friends who honored him with a plague mantled on the WestConn dugout in 1998

Tricia Cody, '94, Volleyball
Inducted: October 2001

• Selected All-Conference in 1990, All-New England in 1991 and '93 and NCAA All-Northeast Region in 1994
• Led team to Conference Championship in 1991 and was co-captain three years
• Set records for 24 kills in a match, 667 attack attempt in a season, 48 in a match and three block assists in one game
• Still holds records for 10 kills in a game, which she did twice and 21 attack attempts in a game as well

Phil Colla, '92, Baseball
Inducted: October 2001

• Led team to best-ever 34-6 record in 1991
• Led team to ECAC playoffs in 1987, 1990 and 1991
• Set single-season records with 12 home runs, 40 runs scored, second in runs batted in with 39 and third with a .423 batting average
• First-Team All-Conference selection all four years and All-New England in 1991

Tony Gorman, '63, Basketball
Inducted: October 2001

• School-record of 526 career field goals
• Second all time in points with 1,262 upon graduation
• Known for defensive prowess as much as scoring
• Selected by The News Times as one of the five best players in the first 25 years of WestConn basketball
• Most Outstanding Athlete Award winner in 1963
• Two-time captain from 1961-63

Edward "Ted" Hines, Coach
Inducted: October 2001

• Coached men's soccer from 1965-76
• Led teams to five NAIA Tournament berths
• Won District 31 Championship in 1976
• Best season of 12-1 came in 1974
• Advisor to many WestConn club teams
• Coached many current and future Hall of Fame members

Marko Kirchner, '64, Soccer
Inducted: October 2001

• A pioneer, helping to start soccer program at WCSU
• Played all four years
• Scored 17 goals in his career
• Captain of the team in 1962

Mike Megura, '88, Football
Inducted: October 2001

• Led team to WCSU's first-ever NCAA Playoff in 1985
• All-Conference selection in 1985
• Career record of eight 100-yard rushing games
• Career record of 2,332 yards rushing
• 32-10 record in four years

Tricia Neary, '87, Basketball
Inducted: October 2001

• Kodak All-American in 1987, the first-ever All American at WCSU
• Held all-time records upon graduation in scoring and rebounding with 1,428 points and 759 rebounds
• Selected to the ECAC Northeast Region All-Star team in 1986 and 1987
• Top scorer in Northeast Region in NCAA Division III with 19.2 PPG in 1987
• Led team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, in any sport, in 1985

William Shepard, '91, Basketball
Inducted: October 2001

• Led team to school-record 28-1 and #2 national ranking and Elite 8 appearance in NCAA Tournament in 1990
• MVP of NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 1990
• Scored 1,444 points during his career
• All-Metro selection by Metropolitan Sports Writers
• Led team to two ECAC and two NCAA bids as well as three Conference Championships
• All-Conference selection all four years

Heather Stone, '94, Softball
Inducted: October 2001

• Top 10 in 12 categories, including a .369 batting average
• NFCA All-Region selection
• Two-time team MVP, All-Northeast Region and ECAC All Star
• Led team to first-ever post-season appearance in 1992
• Invited to try out for the US Olympic Team

Neil Wagner, '52, Lifetime Support
Inducted: October 2001

• Played four years of basketball and baseball at WCSU
• Captain of the basketball team in 1950-51
• First student appointed to the Athletic Board in 1950
• President of the Men's Athletic Association in 1951
• Chaired varsity governing board from 1965-71
• Catalyst for starting football at WCSU in 1970
• Avid supporter of all athletic programs at WCSU

Glenn Worthy, '88, Football
Inducted: October 2001

• Pizza Hut All-American in 1986
• All-Conference in 1984-85
• Held numerous ECAC honors
• Led team to first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1985
• All-New England selection in 1985

John Bellino, '63, Baseball
Inducted: October 2002

• Struck out 18 batters in one game in 1962, setting a school record
• Led his 1961 ball club to an NAIA post-season berth
• Hit .395 in 1961 with six consecutive hits in one game
• Had a career batting average of .368
• Career pitching record was 26-9 in only three years

Kristen Curtis, '92, Basketball
Inducted: October 2002

• Set WCSU single-season records of 36 points, 15 field goals and 22 rebounds in 1991-92
• Set WCSU single-season records of 303 rebounds and 201 field goals in 1991-92
• Scored 1,084 points and had a program-best 867 rebounds
• Led team in scoring 21 times and rebounds 17 times in 1991-92
• NEWBA Player of the Year and ECAC First-Team All Star in 1992

Leslie McMillan, '78, Football, Basketball and Baseball
Inducted: October 2002

• An outstanding three-sport athlete at WCSU
• Played all four years in each sport
• Two-time All-Conference in baseball
• Led football team in rushing his junior and senior seasons
• Rushed for more than 1,500 rushing yards

Doug Morabito, '94, Soccer
Inducted: October 2002

• NCAA All-American in 1994
• NCAA All-New England in 1993-94
• NSCA First-Team honoree in 1993 and 1994
• Set WCSU record with 39 assists during career
• Fifth all time with 21 single-season and 71 career points

Tony Murphy, '91, Basketball
Inducted: October 2002

• Captain of record-setting team in 1989-90
• One of the best WCSU defenders and point guards in the past two decades
• Led team to post season all four years
• Top 10 in scoring with 1,317, assists with 437 and steals with 444

John Osborne, 67, Basketball
Inducted: October 2002

• All-time leading scorer with 1,813 points in 78 games, an average of 23.2 PPG
• Started all four years and was voted team captain three seasons
• Scored 46 points in a single game in 1996
• Holds the single-season record with 540 points in 1966 while averaging 24.8 PPG which ranked among the Top 30 in the NAIA
• Averaged 10 rebounds per game over four years and had a 45% field-goal average

Bob Pagel, '95, Baseball
Inducted: October 2002

• Holds WCSU records of 85 runs scored and nine triples over career
• Led NCAA Division III in runs scored with 51 in 1994 while hitting .394 and a .576 slugging percentage
• Lead team to two ECAC Tournaments

Ed Rosenberg, Lifetime Support
Inducted: October 2002

• Founded the soccer program in 1957
• Coached the men's soccer team from 1957 to 1964
• Overcame many challenges as only eight of his 74 players during his coaching career had soccer experience
• WCSU Professor Emeritus as he taught 34 courses in three disciplines
• Avid supporter of all athletic programs at WCSU

Jennifer Dayton, '85 / MS '98, Basketball
Inducted: October 2003

• One of the most balanced players to put on a Colonials uniform
• Fifth All-Time in scoring with 1,178 points
• Fourth All-Time in assists with 364; second in steals with 312
• Led Colonials to its first-ever NCAA berth in any sport in 1984-85
• Went on to play professionally in Australia

Scott Gentile, Baseball
Inducted: October 2003

• A hard throwing relief pitcher from 1990-92
• Drafted in the fourth round by the Expos in 1992
• Holds school record of five saves in one season
• Invited to tryout for the Olympic team
• Played professionally for seven years for the Montreal Expos and the Detroit Tigers
• Received a Bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic Univ. in 2002

Ralph LoStocco, '54, Baseball
Inducted: October 2003

• Two-Sport athlete in baseball and basketball from 1950-54
• Four year baseball letterwinner for Coach Harvey Jessup
• Posted a 16-9 record over his career
• Pitched a no-hitter against New Paltz (NY)
• Signed a contract for the Detroit Tigers organization

Don McGran, '81, Basketball
Inducted: October 2003

• 1,202 points during his career which was fifth All-Time upon graduation, including highs of 36 points and 20 rebounds
• 15th in the NCAA Division III in scoring with 23 PPG while also averaging 11 RPG
• Was All-Conference and All-Northeast Region his junior and senior seasons

Dr. Frank Muska, Lifetime Supporter
Inducted: October 2003

• Men's soccer coach in 1997
• Responsible for development of the department of Intercollegiate Athletics and recreation
• Athletic facilities expansions including William A. O'Neill Center were major accomplishments during his tenure

Michelle Tarzia, '97, Softball
Inducted: October 2003

• Holds numerous school records in softball
• Two-time All-Northeast Region and All-LEC selection as catcher for the Colonials
• Holds five single-season records
• LEC Player of the Year and a NFCA second-team All-American in 1997
• 108-54-1 combined record, two NCAA bids and an ECAC N. Championship in 1997

Joseph Bagley, Support Person
Inducted: October 2004

• Served as Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager from 1977 to 1982
• Long-time assistant football coach beginning in 1971
• Selflessly volunteered his time, provided person consuling and guidance to many athletes
• Assisted students in finding part-time employment
• Retired from Waterbury Fire Department

Paul Ellis, '94, Basketball
Inducted: October 2004

• Third all time in scoring with 1,579 points in 107 games
• Led team to 1994 ECAC Championship averaging 19.1 points
• Guided Colonials to two NCAA and two ECAC Tournament berths

Andrea Franck, '98, Softball
Inducted: October 2004

• Softball program's first-ever All American in 1996
• Two-time NEISCA First-Team selection
• Belted six home runs, had 46 runs batted in and batted .465 as a junior
• Selected to NAIA District 7 All-Star Team
• Led Coloniald to first-ever 30 win season (31-9) and the ECAC North title in 1997
• Holds career school record with 160 RBI

Gary Lemme, '69, Baseball
Inducted: October 2004

• An outstanding pitcher from 1965 to 1968
• Holds school record with 12 wins
• Averaged a strike out an inning
• Struck out 14 batters in a game twice, 11 three times and 10 twice over his career
• 19 complete games in 24 starts
• Top 20 in NAIA in earned run average and went 5-0 in 1967

Angela Mele, '91, Basketball
Inducted: October 2004

• A 1990 Kodak All-American
• Three-time AWSF All-American honoree
• All-time record holder with 1,597 points, 712 field goals and 1,565 field-goal attempts
• Colonials appeared in four straight NCAA New England Regionals and went 82-25 during her career

Wendy Patenaude, '97, Soccer
Inducted: October 2004

• Helped establish women's soccer program in its inaugural season in 1994
• All American Third Team selection in 1997
• Little East Conference Rookie of the Year in 1994
• An All-Region selection all four years
• Holds most school scoring records upon graduation

Bart Busterna, Support Person
Inducted: October 2005

• Has broadcast WestConn football games continuously since 1982
• In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he broadcast WestConn men's and women's basketball games
• Has been a spectacular asset to WestConn Athletics
• Served as a public address announcer for a variety of WestConn athletic events and continues to produce the "Western Football Report" during the football season
• Has served as the Master of Ceremonies since the inception of the WCSU Athletic Hall of Fam in 2001

Alexandra Hall-Heron, '91, Basketball
Inducted: October 2005

• Enjoyed an outstanding basketball career for legendary head coach Jody Rajcula from 1982 to 1986
• Upon induction, was 10th on the all-time scoring list with 1,004 career points
• Finished career with 729 rebounds, fourth on the all-time list
• As a senior, named to the New England Women's Basketball Association Senior All-Star Team

Walter McCarroll, '61, Soccer and Baseball
Inducted: October 2005

• An outstanding baseball, basketball and soccer player in the late 1950s and early 1960s for Danbury State College
• A four-year standout catcher for coach Harvey Jessup and captained the baseball team his final two seasons in 1960 and 1961
• Starred on the basketball court for Jessup in 1960-61
• Hall of Fam coach Ed Rosenberg developed Walter into an outstanding goalie in 1959
• Captained the soccer team in 1960

Jason Rakauskas, '95, Soccer
Inducted: October 2005

• A four-year standout goalkeeper from 1992 to 1995
• An All-American selection in 1995
• Named to the All-Conference team in 1994 and 1995 and was an All-District honoree in 1994
• Captaind the Colonials hsi final two seasons
• Accomplishments include setting the school records for saves in a career (400), wins (44) and saves in a season with 124
• Graduated as the all-time leader in shut outs in a career with 34

Michael Repp, 63, Basketball
Inducted: October 2005

• A two-sport basketball and baseball star at Danbury State College in the early 1960s
• Lettered all four years in basketball and two seasons in baseball
• A two-year captain and finished career with 1,111 points
• Averaged 13.7 points in 81 career games
• A guard/forward in basketball and patrolled the infield on the baseball diamond

Philip Bergen, '92, Soccer
Inducted: October 2007

• A two-time NSCAA All-New England selection
• Led team to three NCAA Tournament appearances including first-ever in 1989
• Member of the Independent Athletic Conference Championship teams in 1988, 1989 and 1990
• Two-time All-IAC All Star
• Selected to play in 1990 and 1991 NEISL All-Star Games

Patrick Hackett, 87, Football
Inducted: October 2007

• A three-time All-New England Football Conference All Star
• Named to the ECAC All-New England All Star Team in 1985
• Led team to first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1985
• Had 239 total tackles and eight interceptions during four-year career
• Had career-high 103 tackles and four interceptions in 1983

Nicholas Mongillo, '85, Football
Inducted: October 2007

• A two-time All-New England Football Conference All Star
• Named WCSU Defensive Player of the Year in 1984
• Amassed 236 career tackles including a team-high 109 in 1983 and 74 in 1984
• A Top Gun Commander in the United States Navy
• Recipient of the Silver Star for combat in the Gulf War and Operation Desert Shield and Storm

Jody Rajcula, Basketball Coach
Inducted: October 2007

• Legendary coach of the WCSU women's basketball team for 21 years
• Won 383 games and led teams to 17 post-season tournaments
• Coached team to 10 NCAA, six ECAC and one NAIA Tournaments
• Won 20 or more games 10 times including a program-record 25 wins in 1996-97
• Retired following 2001-02 season with a .695 winning percentage

Leon Stolle, Lifetime Support
Inducted: October 2007

• Long-time friend of WestConn Athletics
• Supported several athletic programs with an especially strong interest in football, men's and women's basketball and softball programs for more than 25 years
• Member of the WestConn maintenance department for 15 years before retiring in 1992

Harvey Jessup, Coach/Lifetime Support – 1949-1961
Inducted: October 2009

• A pioneer of the Danbury State Teachers College Athletic Program in the late 1940s, the 1950s and early 1960s
• Developed and coached the baseball, basketball and golf program
• A physical education teacher
• Vital to the inception of several other male and female programs
• Greatly respected by students, athletes and colleagues
• Helped create the Foundation
• Widely considered the Athletic Director, although he never held that title
• Had one inviolable rule: "All team members must play in every game."

Matt LeFever, '00, Football
Inducted: October 2009

• As a junior, named Freedom Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year
• Named to the Freedom Football Conference All-Star First Team as a junior
• A Melberger and Gagliarid Trophy Finalist in 1999
• Named to the Football Gazette All-East First Team and ECAC All-New England Second Team following third season
• New England Football Writers Division II/III First Team All Star as a junior
• Finished junior campaign as the second-highest rated quarterback in all four NCAA Divisions
• Named to the Freedom Football Conference All-Star Second Team as a senior
• Finished career with 10 game, season and career passing records
• Still holds school record with 5,762 career passing yards
• A four-year starter who led his teams to a 29-13 record including a 10-0 regular-season record in 1999

Kate Manning, '00, Softball
Inducted: October 2009

• Ranked in the top three in seven career pitching categories
• Holds career school record in wins (62) and complete games (69)
• During junior campaign, won 20 games, made 33 appearances, started 28 times and had 25 complete games
• Finished career with 287 strikeouts, 99 appearances, 82 starts, 15 shutouts and 544 innings pitched
• Named Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2000
• Selected to the Little East Conference All-Star First Team as a freshman, sophomore and senior
• Selected to the Little East Conference All-Star Honorable Mention Team as a junior

Wayne Mones, Men's Soccer Coach 1988-2003
Inducted: October 2009

• Coached Colonials from 1988 to 2003
• Retired with impressive 212-89-34 won-lost-tied record
• Appeared in seven NCAA Tournaments
• Made three appearances in the ECAC Tournament
• Won 14 or more games in a season 10 times during 16-year career, all as a part-time coach
• Named Little East Conference Coach of the Year in 2002
• Led Colonials to Little East Conference Championship in 1994, 1995 and 2003
• Guided WestConn to three Independent Athletic Conference titles

Ray Parry, Lifetime Support, 1990-2001
Inducted: October 2009

• Equipment Manager from fall 1990 to spring of 2001
• Vital component of a very successful athletic program
• Involved in the transition from the school's aging facilities at Midtown to the new location at the O'Neill Center on the school's Westside campus
• Supervised both the Midtown and Westside equipment rooms and countless home athletic events
• Mentored numerous student workers during his career

Carl Rivers, '03, Baseball
Inducted: October 2009

• Graduated cum laude from WCSU in 2003
• Member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communications Honor Fraternity
• Named Western Connecticut State University's Male Scholar Athlete in 2002 for excellence in the classroom and on the field
• Two-time All-New England Third-Team Pitcher
• Led the Colonials to their first Little East Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2002
• Named the Little East Conference Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, and received a Little East Conference First Team selection. Recognized with third team All-Region honors in 2002 and 2003
• Finished second nationally in strikeouts per nine innings during each of his last three years
• Struck out the final batter he faced at WestConn for his 100th strikeout of the season
• Season records include first and second in appearances (20 & 18); first and third in innings pitched (87.2 & 69.2); first, second and fifth in strikeouts (100, 82 & 66); tied for second in wins (5); tied for first in saves (5); and fifth in E.R.A. (2.94)
• Career records includefirst in appearances (60), innings pitched (248.2), and strikeouts (276). Third in wins (14) and fifth in saves (10)

Theodore Smigala, '59, Basketball/Baseball
Inducted: October 2009

• Played basketball and baseball for Harvey Jessup and on the soccer club for Edwin Rosenberg
• Captained the basketball team each of his final three years, 1957-59
• Led basketball team to NAIA District 32 Tournament in 1959
• A rightfielder with great power and effortless speed on the baseball field
• Had a tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to enrolling at Danbury State College
• A teacher in the Danbury school system for more than 30 years

Jim Bastura, '91, Baseball
Inducted: October 2011

• Holds the season record for wins (six in 1990) and winning percentage in a season (6-0, 1.000 in 1990)
• Holds the career wins record with 19 as of his induction date
• Finished career with a 19-8 overall record with two saves
• Struck out 115 batters in 148 innings
• Led Colonials to the Independent Athletic Conference Championship each of his four years
• Named to the All-Independent Athletic Conference All-Star Team in 1987
• Ranked eighth in the nation in 1990 with a 1.60 ERA

John Crescione, '87, Basketball
Inducted: October 2011

• A three year starting point guard
• Graduated third on the all-time assists list with 386
• Averaged 129 assists per season during three-year career
• Scored 829 points in 76 games for a 10.9 career average
• Named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star Team in 1983-84 season
• Led Colonials to first ECAC Tournament in 1985
• Member of the first team to appear in an NCAA Tournament in 1986

Dr. Craig Foster, Lifetime Support
Inducted: October 2011

• A vital part of the Athletic Training Staff for 11 years
• Colonials' Orthopedic Surgeon since 1982
• His leadership, vision and commitment was instrumental in the development of a sports medicine program that benefited WCSU's student athletes
• Through his dedication, he showed a genuine concern for the health, safety and success of all WCSU athletic programs

Ronald Gleissner, '90, Football
Inducted: October 2011

• A four-year starter at nose tackle for coaches Paul Pasqualoni and Chris Rippon
• A two-time CoSIDA Academic Second Team All-American
• Captained the Colonials during his senior year
• Finished career with 317 total tackles including 197 primary tackles
• Had 19 quarterback sacks over four years, including 11 during freshman campaign
• A 1989 Pre-Season All-American selection

Amy Matthews, '00, Basketball
Inducted: October 2011

• A Kodak All-District selection
• Named to Little East Conference 25th Anniversary Team in 2011
• A three-time Little East Conference First-Team All-Star selection
• Finished career second on the all-time scoring list with 1,565 points
• Graduated among the Top 10 in six offensive categories
• Fourth on the all-time season scoring list with 456 points
• Led Colonials to two NCAA and two ECAC Tournaments
• A member of the NCAA Sweet 16 team in 1996-97

Richard Myers, '93, Volleyball Coach
Inducted: October 2011

• Compiled 297 wins over a 17-year career as the women's volleyball coach from 1988
• Won five straight Little East Conference titles and made five straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1999 to 2003
• Little East Conference Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001
• Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament three times
• Teams won 20 or more matches seven times
• Led team to an Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament appearance in 1998
• At one point, won 49 consecutive Little East Conference matches

Jaymie Rosario, '02, Volleyball
Inducted: October 2011

• Holds program's career assist record with 3,167 in three seasons
• Set season records with 1,306 assists and 100 aces in 2001
• An NCAA All-Region selection following senior season
• Led Colonials to three straight Little East Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships
• Named Little East Conference Player of the Year, all three seasons
• A Little East Conference First-Team All-Star all three seasons
• Guided the Colonials to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances
• Team won 27 straight Little East Conference matches
• Played professionally in Puerto Rico in 2002 and 2003

William (Bill) Williams, Athletic Director/Coach
Inducted: October 2011

• A mentor and role model for many Western Connecticut students and athletes
• Compiled a 75-144 record as the men's basketball coach from 1961-69, 1970-73
• The gymnasium in Berkshire Hall is named in his honor