ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College Department of Athletics has officially announced the 50th Hall of Fame class, which will be inducted on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 as part of Alumni Weekend. Eight exceptional individuals and one team will be enshrined into the illustrious Hall of Fame in a milestone ceremony. The upcoming 2019-20 academic school year will also mark the 90th season of intercollegiate athletics at Ithaca College.

"Ithaca College Athletics enjoys a rich tradition of excellence. 2019 marks a very special year for IC Athletics with both the 50th Anniversary of the Hall of Fame and the 90th Anniversary of intercollegiate athletics. This Hall of Fame class reflects the best of our tradition. We all look forward to celebrating these wonderful Bomber champions during Alumni Weekend next fall. Their stories inspire current and future Bombers to emulate their outstanding careers and accomplishments," said Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports, Susan Bassett '79.

Kevin Connors '97, will serve as Master of Ceremonies and the event returns to the Athletics and Event Center. "We are inviting all living members of the Hall of Fame to return to celebrate this important anniversary for Ithaca College Athletics. Over the coming months, you will see a variety commemorative plans unfold to make this a very special occasion on South Hill," Bassett said, "and we are thrilled to have Kevin Connors back to MC our anniversary event."

PURCHASE COMMEMORATIVE HALL OF FAME RINGS HERE | As a note, any purchase after August 26th is not guaranteed to be there on hall of fame weekend but will be shipped directly to you.

1980 BASEBALL

The first of two National Championships under Hall of Fame head coach George Valesente (then in his second season with the program), the 1980 baseball team secured the school's second-ever national title with a 33-4 record (.892 winning percentage) after defeating Marietta College, 12-5.

Ithaca capped a comeback from a tournament-opening loss to win four straight games. The Bombers suffered a 7-4 loss to Upsala in the first game of the World Series. Facing elimination, the Bombers scored 13 runs in the first three innings of their next game, a 23-7 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Freshman designated hitter Mark Fagan had two home runs and two doubles and drove in seven runs in the win. Junior Doug DeCarr then tossed a complete-game eight-hitter as Ithaca beat Upsala, 7-1 to set up the national title bout against powerhouse Marietta.

To win the National Championship, the Bombers had to defeat host Marietta twice in the same afternoon. In the first game, Ithaca fell behind, 4-1, but thanks in part to some stellar relief work from freshman Dave Axenfeld, the Bombers climbed back into the game and won, 5-4, on senior outfielder Ted French's eighth-inning home run.

The Ithaca bats exploded again in the title game as the Bombers came away with a 12-5 win. Junior third baseman Jim Barletto hit two solo home runs, junior outfielder Rick Watts added a solo home run and scored four runs and senior captain John Nicolo, the team's shortstop, was 5-for-6 with three RBI. Marty Olmstead earned the complete-game victory after just one day's rest.

Nicolo was named World Series Most Valuable Player after setting records for most runs (nine) and hits (12) in the tournament.

Five members of that championship team were also teammates on Ithaca's 1979 National Champion football team: Nicolo, DeCarr, senior John Bertino and sophomores Bob Campese and Fred Yaple.

GARY BUCCI '76 – BASEBALL, FOOTBALL

A true Bomber through-and-through, Gary Bucci has been involved with Ithaca Athletics as a two-sport athlete, football assistant coach and radio broadcaster for the better part of 20-plus years.

As a two-sport athlete on the gridiron and diamond, Bucci was a three-year starter for both programs. He played on three national runner-up teams, two for football (1974-75) and one for baseball (1976). As a defensive back, Bucci recorded 13 interceptions in his career, and played quarterback one season due to numerous injuries. On the diamond, he hit .278 in his career with eight home runs, 37 RBI, 50 runs scored and 50 walks. He was named to the All-World Series Team in 1976, as he batted 6-for-10 with five RBI and four runs scored.

During his time as an assistant coach to Jim Butterfield (1977-83) and Mike Welch (2001-06), Bucci worked with the receivers. He was a staff member on the 1979 National Championship team and the 1980 runner-up squad, as well as an assistant on three NCAA teams during Welch's tenure. From 2002-06, IC garnered seven Empire 8 All-Conference honors – Justin Esposito (2003-05), Jeff Welch (2003-04), Pete McCaffrey (2002) and Kelly Gordon (2006). Ithaca was 95-28 with Bucci on the sidelines. He then returned to the coaching staff in 2017 after the appointment of Dan Swanstrom, and has served as a running backs coach for the past two years.

After his first stint as an assistant, Bucci moved into the radio booth and served as a color commentator for WTKO from 1983-87. During that time, he was on the call for nine playoff games, including the 1985 National Championship game against Augustana.

SEAN BURTON '09 – BASKETBALL

Arguably the greatest player to suit up in an Ithaca College men's basketball uniform, Sean Burton is the only three-time All-American in the program's 90-year history. Burton ranks first all-time in free throw percentage (.900), second in career assists (556), third all-time in career points (1,736), third in career 3-pointers made (261) and sixth in career steals (163).

On the single-season record board, he is first all-time in points scored with 598 and free throw percentage (.914) during his senior season. He averaged 22.1 points per game during his senior campaign and guided the Bombers to a 24-3 record, a school record for wins, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Burton led IC in scoring three straight seasons, was a three-time All-Empire 8 selection, two-time Empire 8 Player of the Year, two-time All-East Region honoree by D3hoops.com and the NABC and was the 2008-09 D3hoops.com and NABC East Region Player of the Year.

After IC, Burton went on to play professionally in Iceland for two seasons and was a two-time All-Star for the Iceland Express. In his first season, Burton guided the team to a league championship, and the following year, was named Powerade Cup Most Valuable Player.

During his professional career, Burton poured in a career-best 55 points on 16-of-20 shooting from 3-point range.

ROBERT DRISCOLL '74 – ADMINISTRATION, BASEBALL, HOCKEY

Robert Driscoll was an exceptional ice hockey player at Ithaca College while the program was present on South Hill. He was a three-year captain for the varsity program, where he also led the team in scoring all three seasons. Twice he was named Team MVP during his time as a player. Driscoll also played on the baseball team for two seasons.

Driscoll's impact on collegiate athletics has been noticeable for a 40-plus year career as an ambassador and leader in intercollegiate athletics. He began his post-graduate time at Union College, serving in as an Assistant Athletic Director and as well as holding coaching responsibilities in several of the institution's varsity athletics programs.

Other stops include a six-year stint at Mills College and 14-years in a variety of senior administrative positions at the University of California (Berkeley) prior to his current stop at Providence.

During his time with the Friars he has ushered in a Golden Era for the department, which has seen several facility upgrades, as well as the construction of the state-of-the-art Ruane Friar Development Center that emphasizes training as well as academic services. Driscoll has earned a myriad of accolades and honors during his illustrious career, which includes being recognized as the Under Armour I-AAA Athletics Director of the Year in 2016.

ABBY HANRAHAN '03 – SOFTBALL

One of the best pitchers to play at Ithaca College and for Hall of Fame head coach Deb Pallozzi, Abby Hanrahan remains near the top of numerous statistical categories and was the winning pitcher in the 2002 College World Series championship game against Lake Forest.

In that 1-0 championship victory, Hanrahan earned the win (her eighth of the postseason and 22nd overall) by throwing 5.1 innings of three-hit shutout ball. She struck out six batters in the outing to just two walks to propel Ithaca to its first and only national title.

The Bombers had never won a game in their four previous trips to the NCAA Division III Championship finals before going 4-1 at the 2002 event, winning three times by a score of 1-0. Hanrahan would be named to the all-tournament team at the conclusion of the championship.

On the career lists. Hanrahan still ranks first in strikeouts with 576, while her 593 innings pitched are third and 66 victories rank fifth. To date, she is still the only pitcher in IC history to notch more than 200 strikeouts in a season, which she did twice in 2001 and 2002.

Hanrahan was a three-time NFCA Northeast Region All-Star, as well as a three-time First-Team All-Empire 8 selection during her career.

MEGHAN MORNINGSTAR '06 – TRACK & FIELD, VOLLEYBALL

A two-sport athlete in track & field and volleyball, Meghan Morningstar was the first and only four-time All-American in the high jump for the women's track & field program and played two seasons for the volleyball team.

During her freshman season as a jumper, Morningstar placed third at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships with a high jump mark of 1.66 meters (5 feet, 5.25 inches) in Greencastle, Ind. and then took seventh in the outdoor season at the national meet in Canton, N.Y. with a clearance of 1.62 meters (5' 3.75").

She once again finished third at the 2003-04 indoor championship in Whitewater, Wis. at 1.66 meters, and capped off her All-American career with a fourth place finish as a junior at the indoor national meet in 2004-05 in Bloomington, Ill. with another 1.66-meter leap.

In conference, state and regional meets, Morningstar was an 11-time champion in the high jump.

In her two seasons on the volleyball court, she notched 449 kills, 287 blocks, 134 digs and 58 aces. Her 161 blocks during her sophomore season in 2003 still ranks ninth on the single-season list. During that two-year stretch, Ithaca went 56-29.

LINDSAY HICKS REEVES '79 – GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING & DIVING, ADMINISTRATION

Lindsay Hicks Reeves competed on the gymnastics team for one season and three years on the swimming & diving team as a standout diver. Hicks Reeves then, and still, went on to have one of the most decorated careers as women's administrator in collegiate athletics.

During her one season as a gymnast, she competed in the all-around. Her one season was highlighted by a second place finish in the beam and floor, as well as third place in the all-around at the Cornell Invitational.

In the pool, she was a state finalist all three seasons in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives. Hicks Reeves was also an AIAW Eastern Regional finalist her senior season and qualified for the NCAA Championships that same year. For nearly 20 years, Hicks Reeves held the school record in the 3-meter dive.

Hicks Reeves is currently in her ninth year as the Director of Athletics at the University of North Georgia and served as Senior Woman Administrator for five years. When she was appointed director of athletics, Hicks Reeves became the first female assigned to that position at North Georgia.

She has earned a myriad of awards as an administrator, including the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence in 2017, NCAA Division II Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year in 2016 and NACWAA Division II Administrator of the Year in 2014.

JESSICA WELCH SHEA '03 – LACROSSE

One of the most prolific offensive threats in Ithaca women's lacrosse history, Jessica Welch Shea played on some of the most successful teams for IC during a four-year stretch at the turn of the 21st century.

From 2000-03, Ithaca women's lacrosse won 56 games and reached the NCAA Tournament twice, and Welch Shea was a major factor to that success. In 2001, Ithaca won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game with a 9-8 victory over St. Mary's (Md.)., and in that game, Welch Shea netted two second half goals to complete the comeback win after trailing, 7-2, at intermission.

A four-year starter with 70 games played under her belt, Welch Shea amassed 142 goals and 65 assists for 207 points. She also scooped up 157 groundballs and won 83 draw controls. Her 207 career points rank sixth all-time, while 142 career goals are seventh in program history. Welch Shea also tallied 73 points during her junior season, which ranks seventh, but stood at the No. 2 spot until 2012.

At the conclusion of her senior year, Welch Shea was named an All-American by the IWLCA/US Lacrosse, womenslacrosse.com and Warrior/Inside Lacrosse. She was also selected as the Empire 8 Player of the Year. As a junior, she was named the Most Outstanding Player of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship.

DAN SHEEHAN '95 – LACROSSE, COACHING

A four-year starter at midfield for the Bombers in the mid-1990s, Dan Sheehan helped the IC program to a 31-17 overall record and an NCAA appearance in 1992. Sheehan was also named second-team all-conference as a senior, but his lasting impact on lacrosse would be known as a head coach.

Sheehan has served as the head coach at NCAA Division II LeMoyne College since 1998 and has compiled one of the greatest resumes in the nation. Prior to the 2019 season, Sheehan had amassed an overall record of 298-51 (.854) and five National Championships, including a perfect 20-0 season in 2016. His 298 career victories are the 19th-most in the history of NCAA lacrosse and LeMoyne has reached the NCAA Tournament 15 of the last 16 years.

Sheehan is a seven-time Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year, the 2000 USILA Division II Coach of the Year, the 2010 FieldTurf Division II Coach of the Year and the 2013 and 2016 Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) Division II Coach of the Year.

Since 2000, Sheehan has mentored 99 USILA All-Americans, including 52 student-athletes that landed on the first-team. There have also been 16 players to receive USILA Scholar All-America honors, and 29 players have earned USILA major awards.

HALL OF FAME PROCESS

Each year, the Hall of Fame Committee accepts formal nominations in February and March. The committee (16 members) will then meet in April to collaborate on a preliminary ballot from the compiled nominations of individuals and teams. The voting process of an official Hall of Fame class is finalized in May. The class will be notified of their induction from Susan Bassett in later that month.

Nominations are accepted for individuals in two categories - active and veteran. Active members are recent graduates (after 10 years) that remain in that category for 15 years before moving to the veteran category. Candidates fall under the veteran category if they are nominated after their 25th anniversary of graduation.

Any team can be nominated for induction, but under the Hall of Fame bylaws, the inducted team to the Hall of Fame will alternate between a men's or women's team. It is at the committee's discretion if a team will be inducted each year.

Current members of the committee are listed below:

Susan Bassett - Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports
Will Rothermel - Associate Director of Athletics
Paul Hesler - Director of Principal Gifts (Representative of Alumni Relations/Development)
Erienne Roberts - Senior Woman Administrator
Justin Lutes - Associate Director of Athletics Communications
Kent Scriber - Emeritus Professor, Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences
Geoff Wright - Special Appointee
Dave Wohlhueter - Special Appointee
Deb Wuest - Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education (faculty member)
Rick Suddaby - Gymnastics Coach (current male member of Hall of Fame)
Karen Hollands - Former Women's Lacrosse Coach (current female member of Hall of Fame)
Marty Nichols - Wrestling Coach (current men's head coach)
Mindy Quigg - Women's Soccer Coach (current women's head coach)
Amy Cronin - Member of the Alumni Board of Directors
Current male member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Current female member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee