IndUCtIOn CereMOny And senIOr AtHLete reCOGnItIOn

I NDUCTION C EREMONY
AND
SENIOR ATHLETE RECOGNITION
APRIL 28, 2012
Presented by:
Congratulations 2012 Honorees
on Your Induction into the Utica
College Pioneer Hall of Fame
Th
Presenting Sponsor
Anaconda Sports
Gold Sponsors
Carbone Auto Group
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Silver Sponsors
Adirondack Bank
McDonald’s
Sponsors
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PJ Green
Babe’s Macaroni Grill & Bar
Salvatore’s
Barnes & Noble College Booksellers
Speedy Awards and Engraving, Inc.
Birnie Bus Service
Slavin • Jackson • Burns, DDS
The Black Cat Bar & Grill
Twin Orchards
Brian J. Jackson, DDS
Vista Lanes
Thank
you
Celtic Harp
Cooley Brand Consultants
Dippin Donuts
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Innovative Resources Group, Inc.
Morehouse Appliances
Dr. Alfred Moretz
Murray Construction
The Nelson Family
The Phoenician
sponsors
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
J ASON P OWLES
Sports Director, NEWSChannel 2, WKTV
 WELCOME 
D AVE F ONTAINE ‘89
Director of Physical Education and Athletics
 P R E S E N TAT I O N O F I N D U C T E E S 
michele davis G‘11
-
Women’s Basketball Head Coach
J ESSICA B ERRY ‘11
Women’s Basketball, All-American
dj carstensen ‘85
-
Former Men’s Basketball Player
Pioneer Hall of Fame Class of 2009
K eITH W ALKER ‘85
Men’s Basketball
dave fontaine ‘89
-
hank scalise ‘51
-
Director of Physical Education and Athletics
Former Women’s Basketball Head Coach
J im S partano
Administrator, Coach
E lsie Shemin-Roth ‘50 on behalf of the
F IRST W OMEN’S B ASKETBALL
T EAM ’49-’50
 R E CO G N I T I O N O F S E N I O R AT H L E T E S 
 REMARKS 
Stephen Karboski, FOOTBALL - STUDENT ATHLETE
 CONCLUDING REMARKS 
T ODD S. H UT TON
President
Jason Powles
master of ceremonies
Jason Powles is the Sports Director at NEWSChannel 2 and
anchors the sports segment on NEWSChannel 2 at six, ten and
eleven. He has helped celebrate the Pioneer Hall of Fame and
senior student-athlete recognition for four consecutive years.
From September to March, Jason co-anchors Sports Express every Friday night on
NEWSChannel 2 and brings you the best high school and college sports action in
the area.
Jason has been with NBC-WKTV News Channel 2 since July 1996. During his tenure,
he has covered the NCAA Tournament, the Orange Bowl, several pro football
camps, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. He has also
hosted a continuing series in conjunction with the Hall of Fame called “Heroes of
the Game.”
However, his local coverage is what has made him an invaluable asset to the
News Channel 2 team. He has hosted the High School Football Preview Show and
created the News Channel 2 High School Football and Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball
All-Star Teams. His work hosting race coverage of the Boilermaker Road Race
helped earn WKTV an Associated Press Broadcast Award. He continues to strive
to cover the local human interest story as well as give viewers the best highlights
from local, regional, and national teams.
Jason is originally from Rotterdam, NY, and grew up loving television. His mother
said his first words included “Cronkite!” Jason’s interest in the field led him to study
public communications at the College of Saint Rose, where he graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in May 1992. He and his wife, Anne, have two daughters, Rachael
and Jillian.
2012 P ioneer H all
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F ame
Jessica Berry ‘11
women’s basketball, all-american
Jessica Berry ’11 stormed onto the Utica College
basketball scene in 2007, and from that point forward
she began her ascent to the top of the women’s
basketball record books through hard work, dedication
and unmatched athleticism. The Rome, NY native not
only turned the College’s record books upside down,
she solidified herself as one of the best NCAA Division
III players in history after becoming just the 11th woman to score more than
2,000 points and register more than 1,000 rebounds in a career.
Berry played a major role in lifting the Lady Pioneers to unparalleled success,
as they garnered four consecutive Empire 8 Conference Tournament
appearances, two Empire 8 Conference titles, and two NCAA Division III
Tournament selections. All told, she helped Head Coach Michele Davis and the
Pioneers win 72 games.
Following her senior campaign she was named to the prestigious Women’s
Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III All-American Team. Just
ten players from a pool of 441 teams were selected for what is considered to
be the nation’s elite All-American team. In her final year with the Pioneers,
she gathered five other post-season awards, including the 2011 Eastern
Collegiate Athletic Conference Division III Upstate Player of the Year, D3hoops.
com 2nd Team All-American, D3hoops.com East Region Player of the Year,
Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year and Empire 8 All-Conference First Team
recognition. She also earned two of the College’s highest athletic honors, the
Dick Miller and Kiwanis Student-Athlete awards.
2012 P ioneer H all
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Berry wrapped up her amazing four-year career with a school-record 2,111
points and 1,065 rebounds. Finalist for the Jostens Trophy (National Player of
the Year), she was a two-time Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year and a
four-time all-conference first team selection.
In her senior campaign, she led the conference and ranked 10th nationally
with an average of 21.6 points per game. She also led the conference and
ranked 39th nationally with 10.5 rebounds per game. In her junior season, she
guided UC to a program-best 22-7 overall record, as the Pioneers advanced to
the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Berry, who attended Rome Free Academy, is currently pursuing her master’s
degree at Utica College, and she remains close to the program as a volunteer
assistant for Head Coach Michele Davis
Keith Walker ‘85
men’s basketball
When Keith Walker ‘85 put up a shot, Head Coach Larry Costello
and the rest of the Pioneers knew there was a favorable chance
the scoreboard was about to register two more points for Utica
College’s Division I men’s basketball program. It’s not that Walker
took the most shots on the team, it’s that he always played
within himself, and because of that he is the only UC basketball
player ever to grace the NCAA Division I record books.
As the team’s Most Valuable Player in his senior year, the Philadelphia native singlehandedly propelled the Pioneers into the national spotlight by leading the entire
country in field goal percentage. Walker shot 71.3% (154-for-215) in his senior
campaign, and to this day he ranks third all-time in the Division I record book. In that
same year, Walker also netted a game-high 22 points against Syracuse University
under the pressure and expectations set by a raucous Carrier Dome crowd. He led
the Pioneers to a stunning 69-61 upset victory at home against Canisius, and added
a career-best 30-point effort at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Walker, a 6-foot-5 low post threat, was part of the College’s first-ever Division I
recruiting class, and his passion, alongside the likes of fellow Pioneer Hall of Famer
DJ Carstensen and co-captain Wallace Williams, put the Pioneers on the map in
the enormous world of Division I basketball. Walker helped transform the club into
a winner in just four short years. During his time at UC he guided the Pioneers to
41 victories, 37 of which came in his final three seasons. In his senior campaign,
the Pioneers won a then-best 15 games, including two victories against eventual
postseason teams.
To this day, he ranks seventh on the College’s all-time list with 487 career rebounds,
and he is one of 12 players in school-history to score 1,000 points in a career.
Included in this impressive basketball resume is a place atop the College’s all-time
career field goal percentage list, having shot 62.8% (429-of-681) from the floor over
the course of four seasons (99 games).
In his junior campaign, he ranked second on the team, behind Carstenson, with an
average of 12.6 points per contest, and averaged 5.6 rebounds per game. In that
same season he propelled the Pioneers to a thrilling 60-58 victory over St. Francis
after knocking down a hook shot with just two ticks left on the game clock.
As a senior on the extremely competitive Philadelphia High School basketball scene,
Walker led Benjamin Franklin to a city public school championship, while averaging
16.3 points per contest en route to earning All-State accolades.
Keith resides in Bear, Delaware with his wife Kimberly and daughters Aja and Ebony,
as well as his son Nicholas. He is a counselor and teacher at Glen Mills School, where
he teaches writing skills. He graduated from Utica with a degree in communications.
I nductees
Jim Spartano
athletic director
Jim ‘Doc’ Spartano’s Hall of Fame career could not be
judged simply by wins and losses. Instead, his legacy
will carry on through the thousands of student-athletes,
coaches and colleagues that he mentored and inspired
throughout his 38-year tenure. The phrase “positive
experience” was not a term that was taken lightly by
Spartano, and through his tireless efforts and student-first
approach, he was able to create and maintain a culture
of fairness and success that reached far beyond any playing surface. He truly
embodied the mission of the department by ensuring that a positive student
experience remained paramount at all times, and his ability to connect with
students, faculty and staff has undoubtedly left an impression on the College
that will live on for years to come.
Spartano began his career at Utica College in 1973, and throughout his career he
held positions as Director of Athletics, as well as head coach of the baseball, men’s
basketball and women’s basketball teams. After accepting his position as Director
of Athletics in 1982, he guided the UC athletic department from a small Division I
program into a vast Division III institution that offers 25 NCAA sponsored sports.
Beginning in 2000, Spartano guided the UC athletic program to new heights,
including the addition of 13 varsity sports. By the time he retired in December 2011,
he led a department of more than 50 staff members and 640 student-athletes.
He spearheaded the expansion of several athletic facilities on campus including
the Harold T. Clark Jr. Athletic Center, the Gary M. Kunath Fitness Center, the Harold
T. Clark Sr. Team Facility, Charles A. Gaetano Stadium and the College’s Annex at the
Utica Memorial Auditorium.
Throughout the years, he was the proud leader of several NCAA Tournament
teams, a vast intramural program, and multiple All-American selections.
2012 P ioneer H all
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As a baseball coach, Spartano believed in speed and tight defense to win games.
In 12 years (1977-1989) as the Pioneers skipper he compiled a 198-149 career
record. In those 12 years the Pioneers posted just two losing seasons. Three of
the teams he coached won the ECAC Upstate Championship, and in 1985 he
coached the Division I all-stars against the best players from Division II and III at
Shea Stadium. Spartano started off at Utica College as the men’s head basketball
coach. In seven seasons (1974-1980, 1994-95) he went 85-81 overall. His best
season was in 1975-76, when he coached the Pioneers to a 14-8 record.
In his undergraduate years, he was an All-Conference baseball player at Oneonta
State. During his time as a Red Dragon, he broke the school-record for stolen
bases. Playing second base, he finished with an incredible fielding percentage of
.990. Upon graduation, Spartano played four years of semi-professional baseball
for the Milford Macs. He batted .403 in his best season with Milford. A spectacular
career in athletics has resulted in his induction into the Oneonta State Hall of
Fame and the SUNYAC Sports Hall of Fame.
Spartano received his master’s degree in Physical Education Administration from
Syracuse University in 1977. Recently returned from his first winter in Florida, he
currently resides in Utica. He is the proud father of two daughters, Adrienne and Rinae.
First Women’s Basketball Team ‘49-’50
women’s basketball
The inaugural varsity women’s basketball team at Utica College
persevered and succeeded in a time when college athletics
were reserved strictly for males. In this respect, the 1949-1950
women’s basketball team truly personified the nickname “Pioneers”.
The women’s basketball team, led by Head Coach Hank Scalise and Captain Elsie
Shemin-Roth, blazed a trail in women’s athletics and helped to set the stage for
the advancement of women in sport, not just here at Utica College, but across the
entire country.
After pleading with then-Director of Athletics Henry Varhley and the College’s
administration, the hopeful cagers successfully achieved the right to form a varsity
women’s basketball team in late-October 1949.
The then-Lady Tangerlines, outfitted in tattered and torn men’s soccer uniforms,
took to the court more than half century ago and used an undying effort and
enthusiasm to pave the way for women sports at Utica College. The team started
off with 11 women, most of whom had never played basketball before. Under the
direction and assistance of Coach Scalise, the women practiced three times a week
at the local YWCA, and quickly developed into a viable threat each and every time
they took the court.
On Monday, January 9, 1950 the Tangerlines made their debut against the Polish
League of American Veterans women’s team as a preliminary to the men’s game
against Rochester Tech. Shemin-Roth scored the program’s first-ever basket when
she knocked down the opening two-pointer with a quick lay-up. The Tangerlines
fell behind in the contest, but they rallied an offensive drive with two minutes left
on the game clock led by Paula Robbins, who sank a spectacular one-handed shot
from the keyhole. She was ably backed up by Mildred Leepa, Jean Halladay and
Jean Soter. Despite their spirited effort, they lost their first varsity contest, 34-12.
The Tangerlines notched the College’s first victory in a women’s sport on Saturday,
February 11, 1950 when they edged out the Utica School of Commerce, 14-12, on
the court at Utica Free Academy. Janet Fahning and Paula Robbins each tallied five
points in the victory, while Vivian Bienenfeld accounted for four of the Tangerline
tallies. They trailed 4-2 at the half, but perseverance and inspired ball led the ladies
to a come-from-behind victory as they controlled possession for the majority of
the second half.
Over the course of their first year of competition the UC women’s team squared off
against the likes of the PLAV and Utica Cutlery, as well as the Holland Patent girl’s team.
In the Spring of 1998, the Lady Tangerlines were welcomed back to Utica College
to receive their long overdue varsity letters during a reunion and awards ceremony
on campus.
I nductees
The first women’s basketball team consisted of Jean Halladay, Jean Soter, Elsie
Shemin-Roth, Mildred Leepa, Paula Robbins, Jonnie Koch, Iris Davidson, Vivian
Bienenfeld, Janet Fahning and Head Coach Hank Scalise.
2012 Senior Athletes
fall sports
Field Hockey
Head Coach Sarah Elleman
Mallory Mariano * %
Emily Stull
Rebecca Corsones * % R
Monica Storms % AS
Jessica Ahearn %
Morgan Mariano T
Women’s Soccer
Head Coach Claire McLain
Lindsey Valentine *
Alyssa Upson ^
Jill Benoit %
Chelsea Way
Jamie Merdinger
Samantha Glockling 2
Cheerleading
Head Coach Charleene Sangiacomo
Terissa Eggleston
Men’s Cross Country
Head Coach Jason Rose
Derek Seminaro ^2
Stephen Dagata 2
Jonathan Szczesniak 2
2012 P ioneer H all
of
F ame
Football
Head Coach Blaise Faggiano
Greg Caloia *^
Jon White %
Andrew Hems %
Seth Mitchell % ! ^
Zachary Jones 2
Jared Keyte
Zachary Jensen
William Northey
Stephen Karboski
Michael Dixon
Nick Pinnisi
Tyler Malagisi
Andrew Fisher
Jacob Crawford T
Michael Clark T
Joseph Gisondi T
Jon Kealy T
Men’s Soccer
Head Coach Eric Watson
Jonathan Wood * % !
Jeff Kassouf *
Shane Witteman ^ %
Steven Romero
^ Empire 8 Sportsmanship Award Winner
* Conference All-Academic Team Selection
% All-Conference Selection
! All-Region Selection
& All-American
~NCAA Qualifier
#Conference Athlete of the Year
AS
Senior All-Star Game
R
Rookie of the Year
T
Team Manager
2
Two-Sport Athlete
winter sports
spring sports
Track and Field
Head Coach Jason Rose
Joe Pruckno & % ~ #
Lauren Penc % #
Men’s Tennis
Head Coach John Nigro
Jeffrey Blazek
Josh Turner
Men’s Basketball
Head Coach Chris Connolly
Reggie German ^
Marlon Davidson ^
George Schultz
Softball
Head Coach Pat Mineo
Jess Anson%
Haley Butler
Heather Kingsbury*
Women’s Basketball
Head Coach Michele Davis
Katie McGee %
Justine Karst ^
Baseball
Head Coach Andrew Weimer
Ted Krueger
Dan Bittel*
John Grogan*
Matt Zitt
Swimming and Diving / Water Polo
Head Coaches Erin Knight,
Amber McMichael
Josh Mannarino
Jordan Jackson
Ricky Verbeeck 2
Lisa Torri 2
Ashley Van Patten 2
Men’s Hockey
Head Coach Gary Heenan
Tim Coffman & % R
Kyle Guestin *
Max White *
Soichiro Omi *
Women’s Hockey
Head Coach Dave Clausen
MacKenzie Roy %
Jeanette McCorry T
Men’s Lacrosse
Head Coach Mike Parnell
Mick Krajacic % !
Oliver Barney*
Dennis Timmons*
Wilson Mukrdechian
William Greeley
Zachary Menapace
Joe Davis
Women’s Lacrosse
Head Coach Kristin St. Hilaire
Shelby Barbay % ! #
Katlyn Banker %
Maria Santucci
Meghan Olesen
2012 S enior A thletes
Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to celebrate the dedicated studentathletes, coaches, administrators, and benefactors whose extraordinary
achievements express the values of Utica College in the spirit of competition
within a lifelong learning environment.
The Hall of Fame is located in the main lobby of the Harold T. Clark Jr. Athletic
Center as you enter the handicapped accessible entrance to the gymnasium.
CLASS of 2011
Scott Clarke ’96 – Men’s Basketball
Steve Lavallee ’87 – Baseball
Ben Mack ’01 – Men’s Lacrosse
Daphne Selby ’79 – Women’s Basketball
2011
class of
Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame - Past Honorees
CLASS of 2010
Doris Miga – Mentor, Basketball
Joan Kay ‘89 – Coach, Women’s Basketball
David Ancrum ‘81 – Men’s Basketball
CLASS of 2009
Bernice (Wesley) Benjamin ‘90 – Women’s Basketball
Larry Calabrese ‘62 – Men’s Basketball
DJ Carstensen ‘85 – Men’s Basketball
Harold T. Clark, jr. ‘65 – Benefactor
David F. D’Alessandro ‘72 – Lifetime Achievement
Norman “Nonnie” Pensero ‘57 – Men’s Basketball
past honorees
CLASS of 2008 (INAUGURAL CLASS)
C a r l a B e h e ‘06 – F i e l d H o c k e y
R ay B r ya n t ‘07 – M e n ’ s B a s k e t b a l l
S h a r o n L y k e ‘85 – W o m e n ’ s B a s k e t b a l l
J e f f M u h a ‘05 – F o ot b a l l
J i l l N o l a n ‘07 – W o m e n ’ s H o c k e y
S t e p h a n i e P r i c e ‘08 – W o m e n ’ s H o c k e y
S h a n n o n R o h a c e k ‘05 – F i e l d H o c k e y
J i m m y S o k o l ‘05 – M e n ’ s H o c k e y
D e a n a W i e g a n d ‘07 – W o m e n ’ s H o c k e y
Congratulations
2012 Pioneer Hall of fame
Inductees
Lauren Partyka, manager SAVAnnah hansen, asst. manager
www.utica.bncollege.com
phone: 315.792.3197
Good luck to all of the
Senior Student Athletes
and
Congratulations
to the Pioneer Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2012.
Dr. Alfred Moretz
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Innovative Resources Group Salutes the
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Alumni & Parent Relations and 2012 Class Gift Committee
Pub Night
In the newly remodeled Pioneer Pub
Saturday, April 28 2012
(Immediately following HOF Program)
featuring
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with
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CONGRATULATIONS
Tothe
the2012
2009 Pioneer
Pioneer Hall
To
Hall of
ofFame
Fame
Inductees:
Inductees:
JimCalabrese
Spartano
Larry
- ‘62
Athletic Director
Harold
T. Clark, Jr. - ‘65
First Women’s
David D’Alessandro
- ‘72
Basketball
Team ‘49-50
DJ
Carstensen,
- ‘85
Keith
WalkerJr.‘85
Men’s
Basketball
Norman
“Nonnie”
Pensero - ‘57
Jessica
Berry
‘11 - ‘90
Bernice
(Wesley)
Benjamin
Women’s Basketball
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