Fordham Athletics Hall Of Fame Inductees

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Published on January 10, 2013, 10:13 am
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Bronx born and bred Frank McLaughlin (Woodlawn section), a basketball standout as a player and former longtime Athletic Director, men’s basketball coach Tom Penders, and German import track and field superstar Kerstin Maike Greene will be among the 10 inductees into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 26, 2013.

Accompanying that trio in the “Class of 2013” when the Hall of Fame ranks swell by 10 are: Jennifer Akerley (Rowing), Matteo Cucchiara (Track & Field), Paul Darrigo (Baseball), Michael Debany (Tennis), Michelle Maguire Kennedy (Swimming), Sara Kinney (Softball), and Wayne McGuirt (Basketball).

The elite group enters the Fordham pantheon to join the likes of such immortals as Vince Lombardi, Frankie Frisch, Wellington Mara, and Vin Scully in ceremonies that will take place at 10:30 AM in the McGinley Center on Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus in Bronx. YES Network’s Yankee voice/ESPN 98.7 Radio host Michael Kay will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Following the ceremony, the Hall of Famers will attend the Fordham-Rhode Island men’s basketball game in the Rose Hill Gym at 1:00 p.m. with the new class being introduced to the crowd at halftime.

For more information on the 2013 Hall of Fame Day or to order tickets visit here.

Frank McLaughlin spent 27 years as Fordham’s Athletic Director before being promoted to associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations and external affairs. During his tenure as Athletic Director, Fordham’s teams won a combined 26 conference championships while its student-athletes have maintained tremendous graduation rates. The longtime Briarcliff Manor, NY resident served as captain of the basketball team before becoming the assistant coach in 1970-71, helping the team to a 26-3 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Jennifer Akerley, a two time women’s rowing A10 champion, also brought home the gold medal twice at the Dad Vail Championships. The Durham, CT native and current Manhattan resident had two final four appearances in the Women’s Henley Regatta in England while also being part of the crew given the most outstanding crew award at the Dad Vail Championships her sophomore year.

Matteo Cucchiara held seven Fordham track records at graduation. While representing Fordham at the Capital State Indoor Track championships, Matteo set world records in the ten lap flat track mile and the ten lap flat track two miles. As team captain, the Weston, FL resident and Riverhead, NY native led the Rams to their first Met Intercollegiate Cross County championship.

Paul Darrigo was named to the ECAC All-Tournament team in 1987 and 1988 while his 1.46 ERA over 12 1/3 innings in the 1988 ECAC Tournament helped the Rams win the ECAC Title. The pitcher, from Miller Place, Long Island and currently of Northport, Long Island is second on Fordham’s career innings pitched list (260 1/3) and third on Fordham’s strikeout (199).

Michael Debany, a four-year starter at first singles and doubles on the Men’s Tennis team, lost just one game during his career. The Eastchester native, and current Somers, NY resident was a one-time Westchester County Men’s Singles Champion, two time team MVP, and named team captain as a junior.

Kerstin Maike Greene, the most decorated athlete in Fordham history, held 14 track records at graduation, nine of which still stand. The Offenbach, Germany native was twice named to the Indoor First Team All-A10. Kerstin was the 2006 and 2007 ECAC Pentathlon Champion and in 2007 was named the A10 Field Performer of the Year for both indoors and outdoors, while also being named to the NCAA Track & Field All-American team.

Michelle Maguire Kennedy won the 2003 Hobbs Family Award as the school’s most outstanding female athlete. The Tarrytown resident set two individual and two team records at the 2002 A10 Swimming Championships. She was also a member of the school-record setting 200 free relay and 200 medley relay, of which the 200 free relay record still stands.

Sara Kinney graduated as the most successful pitcher in team history, helping Fordham to a 149-83 mark from 2004-07, which included four Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances and two A-10 championship game appearances. The Dripping Springs, TX native and current Houston, TX resident was named 2004 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and 2005 Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year and graduated with the school’s career records in appearances (163), games started (121), complete games (70), wins (75), inning pitched (770), strikeouts (680), shutouts (18) and saves (15).

Wayne McGuirt served as a basketball team captain in 1963-64 and 1964-65, helping the 1964-65 team to an NIT berth. Originally from Jersey City, NJ and currently living in Los Angeles, CA, Wayne averaged 13.0 ppg, second best on team to Hall of Famer John Stevens, as a senior in 1964-65, and averaged 12.5 ppg as a junior, second to Hall of Famer John Manhardt.

Tom Penders served as head men’s basketball coach from 1978-86, accumulating a 125-114 record in eight seasons at Fordham. He led the 1982-83 squad to first ever MAAC title and the Rams appeared in five NIT tournaments in his eight years. Penders, currently of Narragansett, RI, was named New York Metropolitan Area Coach of the Year in 1981.

 

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