Celebrating the 2007 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

We are proud to recognize the members of the Athletics Hall of Fame

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Hofstra Athletics and the Hofstra Pride Club held the 2007 Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner on April 21 at Chateau Briand in Carle Place, New York. The Hall of Fame was created to honor the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and benefactors who have made extraordinary contributions and brought distinction to Hofstra Athletics. The 12-member Class of 2007 has done all this and more. Additionally, 24 individuals who were inducted into the Hofstra College Hall of Fame during the 1950s were honored as well.

Dia (LaBella) Alberda, a women’s basketball student-athlete, played for the Pride from 1978 through 1982. She is Hofstra’s all-time leading scorer with 1,840 points. During her four-year tenure, Hofstra posted a record of 92-40 and was the Eastern AIAW Division II Champion in 1982.

Melissa Compton-Pasko, a dual-sport student-athlete in field hockey and women’s lacrosse, played for the Pride from 1991 through 1995. During her fouryear career on the women’s lacrosse team, Melissa scored 94 goals, which ranks eighth all-time, and recorded 123 points, which ranks 10th all-time at Hofstra. She was also a member of the 1995 IWLCA Academic All-America squad. During her field hockey career, she was a first team Regional All- American in 1993 and a member of the NFHCA National Academic Team in 1994.

Dr. Hilarie Cranmer, who played four years of women’s basketball and one year of volleyball, was a two-time Academic All-American and a 2006 inductee into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame. In her four-year basketball career, she scored 1,461 points and grabbed 776 rebounds, ranking fifth and fourth, respectively, in the Hofstra women’s basketball record book. Hilarie was recognized as Hofstra’s CAA legend at the 2006 CAA Basketball Championship.

David Fiore, a football student-athlete, was a starter on the offensive line from 1992 through 1995. David was a first team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Foundation. Following graduation, David signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers and went on to enjoy a nine-year career in the National Football League.

Joseph Gardi served as football coach at Hofstra for 16 years from 1990 through 2005, and posted a career record of 119-62-2. His 119 wins and .656 winning percentage both rank second in the Hofstra football record book. Joe recorded just the third undefeated regular season in school history in 1990, and his teams recorded the first playoff wins in program history as well. Under his direction, the Pride moved from Division III to I-AA and earned five I-AA Playoff bids in 11 seasons. In 2001 Hofstra’s first season in the Atlantic 10 Football Conference, Joe coached the Pride to the conference championship.

Stacy Jackson, a four-year member of the Hofstra softball team, helped lead the Pride to the NCAA Tournament in 1993 and 1995. Stacy was a four-time all-region and All- ECAC selection, and a three-time all-conference pick. She holds school records in career starts (122), innings pitched (885), victories (96), strikeouts (638) and no-hitters (6). In the single-season record book, Stacy holds records for innings pitched (256), victories (26 in 1992 and 94), strikeouts (175 in 1995) and ERA (0.84 in 1993). Selected team Most Valuable Player in 1992 and 1994, Stacy went on to play professionally in Parma, Italy, following graduation.

Fran Kalafer coached the Hofstra volleyball program for 25 years and compiled a record of 590-316 during her tenure. Her teams won 14 conference championships and made five NCAA Tournament and four National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) appearances. Fran coached 71 all-conference selections and saw 22 players honored as the Player, Rookie or Setter of the Year by their respective conferences. In 2003 Fran was part of the inaugural class inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame and was also honored with the 2001 AVCA Founders Award.

Walter Petersen was a four-sport athlete at Hofstra from 1946 through 1950, lettering in football, baseball, men’s basketball, and track and field. As a senior, Walter received the Lou Buffalino Memorial Trophy as the outstanding senior athlete.

Robert Riesenberger, a baseball student-athlete from 1946 through 1949, was a starter at second base in all three of his playing seasons. As a senior in 1949, Robert batted .326 and led the team with 32 hits, eight doubles, three home runs, 24 runs and 29 RBIs on his way to All-Met Conference honors. Robert also played semi-pro baseball following graduation and was a teammate of Carl Yastrzemski, Sr., whose son, Carl, Jr., served as a batboy before going on to star with the Boston Red Sox.

Bill Siegel played tennis at Hofstra from 1978 through 1980. As a senior in 1980, Bill was the first Hofstra player to win the East Coast Conference (ECC) Championship in both singles and doubles. He also won the Rider Invitational, was a Metropolitan Collegiate Conference finalist and went 26-1 on the season. As a junior, Bill was the Rider Invitational champion and an ECAC, ECC and Metropolitan Collegiate Championships semifinalist. Bill went on to play professional tennis on the ATP Tour from 1980 to 1984 and became the first Hofstra player to earn an ATP world ranking.

Jerry Simandl lettered in men’s lacrosse from 1953 through 1955. Jerry was selected second team All-American on attack in 1955, and was named to the North squad for the annual North-South game. He was an all-conference Laurie Cox Division selection that year as well. In 1955 Jerry led the nation in total points with 102 – 44 goals and 58 assists. He led the nation in assists and was second in goals during that 1955 season. Jerry still holds the Hofstra lacrosse record for most points and most assists in a season (102 and 58, respectively), a record that has stood for 52 years. During each of his three seasons, Hofstra lacrosse was nationally ranked, including a then program-best #3 in 1955.

Marty Willigan, Hofstra’s first two-time All-American (1968 and 1969) in wrestling, was a two-time NCAA qualifier and a two-time conference champion. Marty also was the first recipient of the MAC Tournament Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1968. He placed fourth at the NCAA Championships in 1968 and second in 1969, losing to Dan Gable in the finals. During his Hofstra career, Marty posted a 44-1 record. He worked at Gallaudet University for 34 years and in 2000 was inducted into the NCAA Division III Hall of Fame for his coaching contributions. Marty was also a four-time member of the U.S. coaching staff at the World Games for the Deaf.