Adelphi Announces 2013 Hall of Fame Class to Be Inducted April 18
Posted On February 22, 2013 by PUSC
Coach Gene DuChateau, circa 1976
Coach Gene DuChateau, present day
Garden City, N.Y. – The Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will induct six outstanding honorees and recognize a championship team at its 43rd annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Ruth S. Harley University Center in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom.
The dinner, which honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletics program includes Chris Bernard ’99 (Men’s Basketball), Eugene DuChateau ‘76 (Men’s Soccer), Diana Lopez ’07 (Women’s Lacrosse/Soccer), Lauren Lopez ’07 (Women’s Lacrosse/Soccer), Charlie O’Donnell ’79 (Men’s Soccer), and Lisa Tunstall-Laurencin ’76 (Women’s Basketball)
The Panther Legendary Team award will be presented to the 1975-76 Cross-Country/Track and Field Team. That Panther became the first team in program history to compete in the NCAA Division II Championships in all three seasons, sending a full squad to the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track championships. In addition the harriers were the first to capture all three Collegiate Track Conference crowns in the same academic year.
Bernard is among the best rebounders in school history and also eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in just three years in an Adelphi uniform. An ECAC All-Star and East Coast Conference All-Tournament selection, Bernard was named the All-Met Division II Player of the Year in 1999 after leading Adelphi to an ECC Tournament title and an NCAA berth.
DuChateau, an National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American, helped the Panther to an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1974. In addition he is a two-time all-region honoree and holds career records for most wins and shutouts with totals of 58 and 31.
Diana Lopez was a two-sport athlete at Adelphi playing both lacrosse and soccer. She was a three-time IWLCA All-American on the lacrosse field and helped the Panthers to NCAA Division II National crowns in 2004 and 2006. Lopez was also a member of the women’s soccer team that appeared in the 2004 NCAA Championship contest.
Lauren Lopez was a four-time IWLCA All-American as a member of the women’s lacrosse team and a member of the 2004 NCAA All-Final Four team on the soccer pitch. In addition she helped the Panthers to NCAA Division II National Championships in lacrosse in 2004 and 2006 and was a two-time all-conference honoree as a soccer player.
O’Donnell is one of the best goal scorers to wear the Brown and Gold and is third all-time in points (124), goals (49) and assists with 26. In addition, O’Donnell was selected as a NSCAA All-American in 1975 and helped Adelphi to an NCAA Division II National Championship in 1974.
Laurencin-Tunstall was a pioneer in women’s athletics as she was one of the first women in the country to receive an athletic scholarship in 1974. A three-time women’s basketball MVP she was also named to the AIAW New York All-Tournament team and helped the Panthers to a fifth place finish that same year.
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, special recognition awards will be presented. Wendy Hilliard, founder of the Wendy Hilliard Foundation and USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer will be honored with the Woodruff Award, presented for excellence in coaching, teaching and educating young adults. The Frank Cassell Memorial Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions made to Adelphi Athletics, will be presented to Assistant Dean of The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Brian Rothschild.
The Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 to honor those athletes, coaches and friends who have distinguished themselves during their time at the university and thereafter. For more information, please contact Adam Siepiola, Assistant Athletic Director, at (516) 877-4293 or siepiola@adelphi.edu. The cost of the dinner is $100 per person and reservations are required. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.