The C.W. Post Athletic Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed significantly to C.W. Post’s athletic program. Persons may be recognized for their contributions as individual athletes, as members of a team, or for other unique contributions.
Individuals or teams are eligible for nomination if they have been named “All America,” have won an NCAA national championship, set a world record, led the nation in a recognized statistical category, succeeded as a professional athlete, participated in the Olympic games or otherwise distinguished themselves and the campus through athletic achievement. C.W. Post alumni, coaches, administrators and staff are eligible for consideration.
The inductees are chosen by a selection committee of at least eight members who include C.W. Post coaches, alumni and Athletic Department staff.
NEW: The following five individuals have been selected for induction in the 2008 class of the C.W. Post Athletic Hall of Fame; they will be inducted March 28, 2008, at the Swan Club in Rosyln Harbor, N.Y.:
-
Catherine Bruckner - Field Hockey '81
- Wade "Rocky" Davey - Wrestling '65
- Thomas Hespos - Football '65
- Dr. George Kaftan - Basketball 1958-72
- Douglas Robins - Baseball/Basketball '70
2007 Inductees
BOB DEBONIS '78 - BASKETBALL AND BASEBALL
DeBonis was a two-sport athlete during his time at C.W. Post, playing basketball and baseball for the Pioneers. On the hardwood, BeBonis was a three-time All-Long Island selection and currently ranks 13th on the C.W. Post all-time scoring list, with 1,144 point. He also holds the Pioneers’ career free-throw percentage mark, as he shot at an .823 clip from the charity stripe. As a senior, DeBonis garnered Academic All-America accolades as a baseball player. A two-time Metropolitan Baseball Conference selection, he graduated magna cum laude from C.W. Post and received both the Dr. Roy Ilowit Award and an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship.
CHRIS FEDER '69 - WRESTLING
Feder was one of the best wrestlers to ever come through the C.W. Post Campus, as he was twice named an All-America performer. He placed second at the 1969 NCAA Championships, and went undefeated in dual-meet competition for the Pioneers. Feder won three Metropolitan Wrestling Conference championships, and continued his wrestling career after college by winning two silver medals at the Maccabiah Games (1969, ’89). He is a member of the California Wrestling Fall of Fame, and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. Feder coached Terra Linda (Calif.) High School’s wrestling program from 1976-1990, and has served as a vice-president for the 24 Hour Fitness company’s Team Sports Program.
LINDA (GLUM) SAGNELLI '83 - VOLLEYBALL
The former Linda Glum was a three-time C.W. Post volleyball captain and team MVP (1980-82) and helped the Pioneers to a top-10 finish nationally in 1982. She was named the most valuable player of the AIAW’s regional championship that season, and led the 47-5 Pioneers to its fist ever NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Glum represented the United States on a select collegiate team at Sweden’s Viking Cup, and participated in the 1982 Nationals tourney as a member of “The Windchimes” open-level national team. She has gone on to become a successful college volleyball coach, as her 21-year career at both Iona (14 seasons) and currently at Central Connecticut has produced 242 victories.
BOB HIGGINS '65 - FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL
Higgins was a four-year member of the Pioneers football team, playing for three seasons as a running back before serving as a wide receiver his senior year. He set school records for most receiving touchdowns, single-season receptions, single-game receptions, single-game receiving yardage, single-season receiving yards and longest punt. Upon graduation, the C.W. Post Football Hall of Fame member signed a contract with the New York Jets. Higgins spent four seasons in professional football with the Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants. A former C.W. Post Athlete of the Year, Higgins was also a three-year starter at third and first base for the Pioneers’ baseball team. He batted .303 for his career and hit for the cycle twice (vs. St. John’s and Fordham). Higgins helped C.W. Post to a league title as a senior, and the first-team all-conference performer was named the team’s most valuable player.
DR. ROY ILOWIT - ADMINISTRATOR
Dr. Ilowit was C.W. Post’s first director of athletics and head football coach in school history. He was instrumental in the start of many programs during his tenure at the school, including the basketball, baseball, men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, wrestling, and track and field teams. As a football coach, one of his greatest feats was mentoring the Pioneers to their first victory over local arch-rival Hofstra in 1963- his last game as C.W. Post’s football coach. A graduate of CCNY, Dr. Ilowit played professional baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and during World War II played football for the United States Navy. He was a long-time physical education teacher, and coach of the football, wrestling and baseball teams at Long Beach High School. Dr. Ilowit received Newsday’s Nassau County Coach of the year honor in 1952 after leading the school to its only undefeated season. He stayed at C.W. Post after his days as Director of Athletics, serving as Dean of the Evening and Extension divisions, and later as Dean of the School of Education.
SUSAN O'CONNOR '80 - BASKETBALL AND FIELD HOCKEY
O’Connor was a basketball and field hockey standout for the Pioneers, and led the 1976-77 baseball team to a third-place finish in the NYSAIAW Division II Tournament. A point guard, she led the basketball team in scoring as a freshman, and complied career totals of 892 points and 267 assists in her four years of competition on the hardwood. Equally as impressive, O’Connor was a record-setting forward in two seasons of action on the C.W. Post field hockey team. Her 36 career goals ties for the school record, while her six-goal game in 1977 vs. Queens College is the Pioneers’ single-game record. O’Connor coached over 1,000 athletes as a high school field hockey, basketball and lacrosse coach on Long Island. Many of her former players went on to participate in college athletics, and she is currently in her 23rd year as a guidance counselor.
VIN SALAMONE '63 - ADMINISTRATOR
Salamone has served the C.W. Post Department of Athletics for over 40 years. After playing football (four years), baseball (two) and lacrosse (two) for the Pioneers, he has served as an athletic administrator for the school ever since. He was an athletic trainer for 20 years, a baseball coach for four years, and was the Campus’s Director of Athletics for 20 years, as well. Salamone helped implement the women’s soccer, women’s lacrosse and women’s swimming programs, and nearly doubled the department’s full time staff. The president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) during the 1999-00 academic year, Salamone was the co-founder of both the Diamond Baseball Conference and the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference. A former chair for he NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Committee, Salamone was a recipient of the All-American Football Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He also is a member of the school’s Football Hall of Fame, and currently works as C.W. Post’s Director of Athletic Fundraising.
DICK VINING - BASEBALL
Vining garnered 574 career victories in his 28 seasons as head baseball coach at C.W. Post, and recieved five Diamond Conference Coach of the Year honors. He led the Pioneers to seven conference championships (two in the Metropolitan Conference, and five in the Diamond Conference) and has mentored over 25 players who went on to sign professional baseball contracts. Vining became the first college baseball coach in New York State to win over 700 games, as his career record is a stellar 815-686-17 mark. Named a Professor Emeritus by the Trustees of Long Island University, Vining led the C.W. Post baseball team of a “People to People” trip to China in 1985 – the first time a college baseball program traveled to that country. He served Long Island University for 40 years – nine as an associate professor and baseball coach at the Brooklyn Campus, and 34 at C.W. Post.
GARY WICHARD '73 - FOOTBALL
Wichard was a record-setting quarterback for the C.W. Post football team, as the two-time All-America performer set school career records for passing yardage and touchdown passes. The first Pioneers player to be named to both the Associated Press and Kodak All-America teams, he was invited to the Senior Bowl All-Star Game and dragged by the NFL’s Baltimore Colts. For the last 25-plus years, Wichard represents over 35 clients in the NFL, NBA, and entertainment industry through the company he has founded: Pro Tect Management. Some of the notable clients he has represented over the years include Jason Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Wally Szczerbiak, Lindsay Lohan and Brian Bosworth. Wichard’s sports agent prowess led director Cameron Crowe to use the C.W. Post alumnus as an inspiration for the hit movie “Jerry Maguire,” which starred Tom Cruise. Wichard currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif., with his wife, Marie. They have two daughters, Dana and Jessica.
2006 Inductees
TOM CASSESE ’67 - FOOTBALL
Thomas Cassese was a record-setting wide receiver for the football team, and played professionally during his first five years after graduation. He saw stints with the NFL’s Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints, while also toiling with the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes and British Columbia Lions. Cassese has become the winningest high school football coach in Suffolk County history over the last 33 seasons at Comsewogue High School, having won 16 coach of the year awards in compiling a 206-85-3 record. He is the first coach in county history to reach the 200-wins plateau, and has led Comsewogue to six county titles and two Long Island championships. A 1967 graduate of C.W. Post with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Cassese lives in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., with his wife of 35 years, Barbara. The couple has two grown children - Dr. Todd (28) and Kevin (24).
JOE CIOFFI ’88 - BASEBALL
Joseph Cioffi was one of the most prolific outfielders to go through the C.W. Post baseball program, and still holds four career Pioneers records. He’s noted in the record books as the C.W. Post career leader in runs scored (168), hits (208), walks (108) and total bases (354). He graduated from C.W. Post in 1988 with a double major in management and marketing, and currently serves as a member of the New York City Fire Department. Cioffi resides in Staten Island, N.Y., with his wife Lisa (a C.W. Post graduate) and the couple’s three daughters: Jessica (9), Corinne (6) and Nicole (2).
ANNE (FISCHER) BEGLARIAN ’86 - TRACK AND FIELD
Anne Beglarian helped establish the women’s track and field program at C.W. Post, and was one of the top runners in the nation during her time in a Pioneers uniform. After posting a seventh-place finish in the 1986 NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track Championships in the 400-meter hurdles, she placed second in the NCAA Division II indoor 800-meter run in 1987. In the Spring 1987 campaign, Beglarian placed fourth and eighth nationally in the outdoor 400-meter hurdles and 800-meter run, respectively. She served as an assistant coach at C.W. Post from 1988-89, and earned a bachelor’s (1986 - magna cum laude) and master’s (1988 - M.B.A.) degree from the school. Beglarian currently resides in LaCrescenta, Calif., with her husband Abo and their three children: Maggie (12), Emily (9) and Max (6).
VIN LANANNA ’75 - TRACK AND FIELD
Vincent Lananna was a four-year standout on the C.W. Post cross country and track and field teams. He captained the 1974 cross country squad, helping the Pioneers to a fourth place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from C.W. Post in 1975, he began his illustrious coaching career by mentoring the Pioneers cross country program for the next five years. Lananna has become one of the top track and field coaches in the country at the Division I level, including stops at Dartmouth (1980-92), Stanford (1992-03) and his current position as Associate Director of Athletics/Director of Track and Field at Oregon. He was a four-time NCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year at Stanford, and led the Cardinal to five team, and 22 individual, championships. An assistant coach for Team USA at the Summer Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, his athletes at Dartmouth combined for 37 All-America awards. Lananna resides in Eugene, Ore. with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons: Brian (22), a recent Dartmouth graduate, and Scott (20), who will be a junior at Dartmouth this fall.
SUE SALG ’84 - WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Susan Salg was one of the greatest women’s basketball players in C.W. Post history, ranking first in career rebounds (1,431) and second in career points (1,707) on the Pioneers’ all-time ledger. She was named the school’s Outstanding Senior-Athlete in 1983 after garnering New York State Player of the Year and All-America accolades during the 1982-83 campaign. Salg also was a member of the 1981 softball team that advanced to the finals of the AIAW Division II national championship. She graduated from C.W. Post in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, and later received a master’s degree from Wagner. A former assistant women's basketball coach at Wagner (1986-90) and Manhattan (1990-91), Salg resides in Staten Island, N.Y., where she is a physical education teacher and head coach of the boys’ volleyball team at Port Richmond High School.
DON UNGARELLI ’60 - BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, SOCCER, TRACK, WRESTLING
Donald Ungarelli was one of the original athletes in C.W. Post history – a letter winner in football, wrestling, soccer, baseball and track for the Pioneers. He coached the men’s soccer program after graduation, and became the first coach in school history to lead a team to the NCAA Championships in 1962. Ungarelli, who today serves as Dean of the University Libraries at Long Island University, earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1960 from C.W. Post. He later received master’s degrees in education, and library and information sciences, before earning a doctorate in library management from Simmons College. A former editor for the journal, Library and Archival Security, Ungarelli resides in East Norwich, N.Y. He has two daughters, RoseMarie (42) and BelAnne (38), and four grandchildren.
2005 Inductees
Dominick Anile – Football, 1969-79
Dom Anile elevated C.W. Post’s football program to national caliber and is one of the winningest coaches in Division II history, having compiled a record of 84-34-1. He also coached Pioneer baseball from 1962 through 1968. After coaching at C.W. Post, he served for three years as offensive coordinator for Columbia University, then began a career in the NFL, holding player evaluation positions with the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers. He is currently director of football operations for the Indianapolis Colts. Mr. Anile and his wife, Carol, live in Indianapolis, Indiana and Henderson, Nevada.
Michael Brandeis – Basketball, 1960-64
Mike Brandeis holds the C.W. Post records for field goals (614) and scoring average (20.1). His career scoring record of 1,589 points stood for 35 years. He set these marks at a time when there was no 3-point shot or shot clock. Mr. Brandeis went on to a career as a special education teacher in New York City and retired last year. He has made his home in Hewlett but plans to move to California. Mr. Brandeis and his wife, Barbara, have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Darlene Crowe – Softball, 1978-81
Darlene Crowe was a dominating pitcher who led the Pioneers to the national championship game in 1981. She holds school records in career winning percentage (.792, 61-16); career earned run average (0.91); career shutouts (32); single season ERA (0.32 in 1981); and single season strikeouts (217 in 1981). After graduating from C.W. Post, Ms. Crowe coached softball at St. Francis University. She is currently the director of athletics and chair of the Health and Physical Education Department at Staten Island Academy.
Jim Davey – Wrestling, 1954-87
One of the original coaches at C.W. Post, Jim Davey coached football, soccer and baseball but is best known for his leadership of the wrestling team. He produced some of C.W. Post’s first national-caliber athletes. Mr. Davey was also a physical education teacher and served as acting athletic director for a year. Now retired, he lives with his wife, Jane, in Ocean Pines, Maryland. They have six grown children, 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Richard Duffy – Wrestling, 1961-63
Rich Duffy concluded his Pioneer career as perhaps the finest wrestler in school history, losing just once during his three seasons of competition. He earned a trio of consecutive titles in the 157-pound weight class at the Metropolitan Championships, and closed out his career in impressive fashion by pinning each of his opponents in his senior year. Mr. Duffy and his wife, Bonnie, live in Kauai, Hawaii and have two children.
Patricia Lamb Kennedy – Basketball, 1975-80; Field Hockey, 1975-77
Patricia Lamb Kennedy was the women’s athletic director at the founding of C.W. Post’s women’s sports programs. As basketball coach, her teams went 96-54, and her 1977 field hockey team holds the school record for fewest goals allowed in a season (12) and most scored in a game (13). Today, she is the assistant director of admissions at SUNY Maritime College. She has promoted women’s sports through the NCAA and other organizations, and has completed four marathons. She lives in Garden City and has five children.
John Mohring – Football, 1975-78
John Mohring was an All-American and holds the school records for career sacks (56), season tackles (135 in 1977) and career tackles (439). He played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns. He went on to own a landscaping business in Locust Valley for 20 years before moving to Naples, Florida, where he lives with his wife, Trisha. They have three grown children.
Thomas Postel – Lacrosse player 1963-65, coach 1986-06
Tom Postel’s name is synonymous with C.W. Post men’s lacrosse. As a player, he set the school records for career points (269), goals (144) and assists (125) and single season points (96 in 1963 and 1965) and goals (60 in 1963). He went on to play and coach for world champion U.S. National teams. Mr. Postel has been the men’s lacrosse coach at C.W. Post since 1986. He led the Pioneers to a national championship in 1996. He is a member of the National Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame. Mr. Postel and his wife, Sue, live in Medford.
Richard Scheinblum – Baseball, Basketball, Track 1961-64
Richie Scheinblum holds the C.W. Post records in career triples (12) and batting average (.395) and is tied with two others for the single-season triples record (5). He hit .415 in 1964. A three-sport athlete, Mr. Scheinblum sometimes sneaked away during baseball games to compete in track events – in his baseball uniform. He went on to play a nine-year career in Major League Baseball that included an appearance in the 1972 All-Star Game, which also featured stars such as Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Reggie Jackson, Nolan Ryan and many more baseball greats. After his playing days, Mr. Scheinblum became a businessman. He lives today in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Michael Schirmacher – Soccer 1961-63
Mike Schirmacher was the first of a number of standout performers who graced the Pioneer soccer field, leading the 1961 squad to the AALIC title, as well as its first NCAA berth ever. That season, he established a new school record by scoring 17 goals. He then closed out a remarkable career two years later by elevating that season benchmark with a 19-goal effort. The latter mark would stand for the next three decades. Mr. Schirmacher also tied the single-game scoring record with five goals and, at the conclusion of his collegiate career, held the school record for scoring. He was also an outstanding track and field athlete.
Ronald Stonitsch – Track, Cross Country 1967-71
An eight-time All-American and three-time national champion, Ron Stonitsch also ran a leg on the record-setting 4X800 relay team in 1970 and holds the Penn Relays 2 mile record (8:38). He also holds the third-fastest cross-country time in C.W. Post history at Van Cortland Park (24:41.) Mr. Stonitsch has been head coach of the Vassar College men’s and women’s cross country teams since 1982. He is also a human resources consultant/employer services representative for the New York State Department of Labor and has worked for the department since 1976. He lives in New Paltz with his wife, Barbara. They have two grown children.
Albert Venturino – Equipment Manager, 1961-91
Al Venturino was a father figure to C.W. Post athletes for three decades - a behind-the-scenes most valuable player and an essential member of the Athletic Department. He looked after the athletes and the programs in the finest tradition of sportsmanship and excellence. Mr. Venturino lives in Glen Cove with his wife, Rose. They have four grown children, all of whom attended C.W. Post, and 10 grandchildren.
Patrice Walker – Basketball player 1977-81, coach 1990-06
Patrice Walker holds the C.W. Post career scoring record – for men and women – of 2,051 points. She holds the single-season records for points (666), field goals (225), free throws (156), free throws attempted (199), scoring average (21.1), rebounding average (14), field goal percentage (.588) and steals (144), and she is one of just two players in school history to have grabbed more than 1,000 rebounds. Patrice served as the head coach of C.W. Post women’s basketball from 1990-2006 and was named the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year three times. She lives in Valley Stream with her 3-year-old nephew, TyQuann Walker.
John Zureck – Football 1959-62, Basketball 1959-63, Golf 1960-63
John Zureck was a four-year starter in all his sports and a member of the Pioneers Football Hall of Fame. After graduation, he signed with the New York Giants. He has also been president of the Pioneer Club and an outstanding supporter of C.W. Post athletics. Mr. Zureck went on to become a partner in the accounting firm of Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Co., P.C. He and his wife, Kari Zureck, are the parents of three children and live in Commack.