200809HUAR

Hofs tra athle tics

2008-09 Annual Report

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Dear Friends of Hofstra Athletics, Welcome to the 2008-09 Hofstra Athletics Annual Report. Throughout this publication you will find the many accomplishments of our student-athletes and coaches, which took place during the past year, in addition to the exciting events that occurred on the Hofstra campus.

Our student-athletes have embraced their role in the Hofstra community. Their commitment to academic and athletic excellence combined with their involvement in community service projects and other extracurricular endeavors has provided them with an outstanding experience. Their effort, determination, and motivation inspire us all as we aim to provide them with the resources necessary to achieve their goals.

It is an exciting time to be a part of the University family and our student-athletes recognize this. The world turned its eyes to the Hofstra campus on October 15, 2008, for the third and final Presidential Debate. It was the first debate ever to be held at a New York college and several student-athletes were fortunate enough to attend. Perhaps the best indication of the positive feedback from this event is that plans are underway to file an application to host the next presidential debate in 2012. The Athletics Department was excited to participate in this event and looks forward to the opportunity to do so again.

Over the past several years we have made a concerted effort to enhance our athletic facilities so that our student-athletes have the opportunity to train and compete in the best possible environment. During this past year we have enhanced locker rooms and sports medicine training rooms, renovated the wrestling practice facility, constructed a media room for the men’s and women’s basketball programs, replaced the scoreboards at Shuart Stadium and installed a press box at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium. These initiatives would not have been possible without the generous In addition to their roles at support of so many Pride Hofstra University, several athletic Club members. administrators have served or presently serve on NCAA committees or have played As we look ahead significant roles in other NCAA initiatives. to the upcoming Service in this capacity gives Hofstra Jack Hayes, Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz, and year, we do so administrators the opportunity to interact with with tremendous University Trustees David S. Mack and Joseph Gregory at the 2009 Hofstra Gala colleagues throughout the nation. excitement, anticipation The following is a list of those who served in 2008 and momentum. Many of those student-athletes recognized for their excellence this past year were underclassmen and we look forward to or 2009: their return in 2009-10.

Jack Hayes - NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship Committee I want to thank President Stuart Rabinowitz for his enthusiastic support of our student-athletes. His leadership has guided our Meaghan Almon - NCAA Division I Softball Rules institution to unprecedented heights. We will continue to work Committee diligently to ensure that Pride Club members, alumni, corporate partners and friends, as well as our administration, faculty, staff and Jay Artinian - Tournament Manager for the NCAA students can take tremendous pride in all that is accomplished by Men’s Lacrosse Quarterfinals those who wear the Hofstra uniform.

Lauren Ashman - Peer Reviewer for the third cycle of the NCAA Certification Program Sincerely, Cindy Lewis - NCAA Championship Site Representative for volleyball and women’s lacrosse Danny McCabe - Chief Report Writer for Hofstra’s NCAA Certification Jack Hayes Director of Athletics

ACADEMIC SUCCESS Colonial Athletic Association Scholar-Athletes of the Year Lauren Engle - Volleyball Lou Ruggirello - Wrestling Mark Stuckless - Baseball

Michael Colleluori

CoSIDA Academic All-District

Mark Stuckless was a first team All-CAA selection after batting .392 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and 14 stolen bases this past season

Lauren Engle - Volleyball Harmonie Calinda - Volleyball Jess Crankshaw - Women’s Soccer Tiffany Yovino - Women’s Soccer Nick Altomare - Football Mark Stuckless - Baseball Carolann Lubach - Softball Joanna Kralowetz - Softball

National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America

In addition to being an academic all-district selection, Nick Altomare was a FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star and was named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. He was also a finalist for the Draddy Award, which symbolizes excellence on the field and in the classroom

Jess Crankshaw

National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad Kathleen Davidson Meredith Golden Amy-Lee Levey Katelyn Lewia

United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Scholar All-America

Darrah Rachman Erica Suitch Nancy Wagenbrenner

Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Academic

National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Lou Ruggirello

Jen Bach Bryanna Borrelli Lauren Eberling Jacquelyn Hetzel Courtney O’Connor Sandy Wasserbach

INTERCOLLEGIATE WOMEN’S LACROSSE COACHES ASSOCIATION MERIT SQUAD 2009 Women’s Lacrosse Team

Three-time CAA Champion Lou Ruggirello is a two-time NWCA All-Academic selection and has received the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award on three occasions

Lauren Engle was a two-time academic all-district selection and a three-time CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award recipient, and finished her career in sixth place on Hofstra’s all-time kills chart with 1,255

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2008-09 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Corinne Gandolfi of the women’s lacrosse team was a third team AllAmerican in 2009, while seven student-athletes and four coaches earned conference or regional player or coach of the year accolades. Since 2004-05, Hofstra Athletics has earned 56 major conference or regional awards and 44 All-American honors.

Corrine Gandolfi was named a third team AllAmerican after tallying 45 goals and 25 assists for 70 points on the season

Michele DePasquale won the CAA Player of the Year Award after posting a team-best .359 average and 30 RBIs Jess Crankshaw was the CAA Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Pride post nine shutout victories in 2008 and advance to the CAA title game

Tom Pecora earned his second Metropolitan New York Coach of the Year Award after winning for the first time in 2006

Bill Edwards was the CAA Coach of the Year for the second straight season after leading the Pride to the CAA regular season championship

2009 CAA Player of the Year Jay Card led the Pride to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season, ranking first in the CAA in goals

Joelle Connelly averaged 9.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game en route to earning CAA Rookie of the Year honors

P.J. Gillespie, who won the CAA Championship at 149 pounds by defeating the top three seeds, was named the CAA Rookie of the Year

Charles Jenkins won the Haggerty Award, given to the top player in the Metropolitan New York area. He became the first sophomore to win the award since Chris Mullin in 1983

Tom Shifflet earned his second CAA Coach of the Year accolade after leading the Pride to their ninth consecutive conference championship and sending eight wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament

Seth Tierney won his first CAA Coach of the Year Award after leading Hofstra to an 11-4 record and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament

Kayleigh Lotti was named the CAA Pitcher of the Year for the third consecutive season after compiling an 18-9 record and a league-best 1.27 ERA and 236 strikeouts

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Wrestling • Compiled a 10-6 record • Captured their ninth consecutive conference title and their eighth straight in the CAA

Justin Accordino recorded 11 wins by fall, including two in less than 40 seconds at the Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Tournament

• Eight wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships in St. Louis with four advancing to within one win of All-America honors. Hofstra placed 27th in the 2009 NCAA Division I Championships • P.J. Gillespie was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and Coach Tom Shifflet was named the CAA Coach of the Year • Eight wrestlers recorded 20 or more victories during the 2008-09 season

Steve Bonanno won 29 matches in his first season of competition with the Pride

men’s Lacrosse

Ryan Patrovich upset top-seeded Mack Lewnes of Cornell at the NCAA Championships

Anthony Muscarella scored a goal and added an assist in the 2009 North-South All-Star Game

• Posted an 11-4 record • Recorded its 15th NCAA Championship bid after capturing the CAA regular season crown • Anthony Muscarella, who was drafted by the Long Island Lizards in the MLL Draft, was named a USILA Honorable Mention All-American. He was joined on the All-America team by Jay Card, Michael Colleluori and Christian Scuderi

Michael Colleluori was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, as well as a North-South All-Star Game selction

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Steve Prifte’s 44 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers led all Pride defensemen

• Jay Card, who ranked 16th in the nation in goals average, was named the CAA Player of the Year and Coach Seth Tierney was named the conference Coach of the Year • Seven players – Jay Card, Michael Colleluori, Christian Scuderi, Steve Prifte, Steven DeNapoli, Kevin Ford and Andrew Gvozden – were named to the All-CAA team

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men’s Basketball Greg Washington broke the single season school record with 68 blocks in 2008-09

• Defeated Fairfield, 61-56, in an ESPN BracketBuster game, improving to 4-0 all-time in BracketBuster contests • Charles Jenkins became the fifth Hofstra player to win the Haggerty Award as the top player in the Metropolitan New York area. He was also named first team All-Colonial Athletic Association • Charles Jenkins became only the second player in school history to reach 1,000 career points as a sophomore • Greg Washington was named to the CAA AllDefensive Team

Nathaniel Lester set career-highs with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Pride’s 99-96 double-overtime win over James Madison

Charles Jenkins was one of only six players in the country who averaged at least 19 points, four rebounds and four assists per game

softball

• Finished • Compiled a 21a 26-21 with record and was the11 toprecord, seed in the Colonialmarking Athleticthe fourth time in the last five Association Championship years that the Pride has won at least 20 games • Kayleigh Lotti, who graduated as Hofstra’s all-time leader in • Charles Jenkins the strikeouts with 979, became was named winfor the the fifth CAAHofstra Pitcherplayer of the to Year Haggerty Award as the top player the third time in her career in the Metropolitan New York area.DePasquale He was alsowas named first team • Michele the CAA All-Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and was an AllCAA selection along with Kayleigh Charles Jenkins only the Lotti,•Casey Fee, Joannabecame Kralowetz, second player in school history Erika Bernstein and Melissa Hodge to reach 1,000 career points as a sophomore • Coach Bill Edwards, the 2009 CAA and Nassau County Sports Greg Washington was Commission Coach of thenamed Year, to the his CAA All-Defensive won 700th career gameTeam a 26-21 record in• Compiled a 4-0 win over BYU on • and Defeated Fairfield, was top seed61-56, in in March 13 the an BracketBuster theESPN Colonial Athletic game, improving to Association 4-0 all-time in Championship BracketBuster

Kris Root’s six steals in 2009 ranked second on the team

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• Finished with a 21-11 record, marking the fourth time in the last five years that the Pride has won at least 20 games

Casey Fee ended her career ranked third all-time in steals with 51

Carolann Lubach is one of just 14 players in program history to record 100 or more RBIs in their career

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FOOTBALL

Aaron Weaver broke the school record for kickoff return yardage with a 254-yard performance at New Hampshire

• The Pride played before the largest crowd in school history, 37,583, in the season opener at FBS and Big East member Connecticut.

The 2008 season was the first of four consecutive years in which Hofstra will play an FBS opponent • Hofstra led the CAA and ranked fourth in the country in pass defense, allowing just 136.92 yards per game • The Pride was second in the CAA and ninth in the country in kickoff returns with a 23.0 yards per return mark • Aaron Weaver ranked second in the conference and 10th in the nation in kickoff return average with a 26.52 mark • Linebacker Luke Bonus was named to the All-CAA first team, while wide receiver Aaron Weaver was an All-CAA second team selection

Luke Bonus was the 2008 Iron Mike Award recipient as Hofstra’s Most Valuable Player

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Nicole Capurso, who averaged 10.3 points per game, was a three-time CAA Rookie of the Week in 2008-09

Jess Fuller set a school record and ranked fourth in the nation with 97 blocked shots

Brock Jackolski posted 1,200 allpurpose yards as a freshman and scored a team-high eight touchdowns

Niki Williams averaged a team-best 4.4 assists per game during her senior campaign

• Compiled a 16-14 record • Tied for the third-best turnaround in NCAA Division I • Defeated 17-time defending CAA Champion Old Dominion, 66-51 • Joelle Connelly was named Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year • Jess Fuller was named to All-CAA second team, while Joelle Connelly and Nicole Capurso were named to CAA All-Rookie Team #16970TXTr1.indd 8

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VOLLEYBALL

Sarah Lopez averaged a team-high 9.96 assists per set in 2008

Monica Knight enjoyed a breakout season in 2008 with 312 kills and 348 digs

• Compiled an 18-14 record and advanced to the CAA semifinals • Harmonie Calinda, Lauren Engle and Ashley Legerretta each earned All-Colonial Athletic Association accolades • Head Coach Kristina Hernandez was named an inaugural AVCA “Thirty Under 30” award recipient

Ashley Legerretta compiled 128 blocks last season and will serve as a studentassistant coach for the Pride in 2009

• Head Coach Kristina Hernandez was named an assistant coach with the USA Volleyball Women’s Junior A2 team

CAA Third Team and All-Rookie selection Brett Carrington led the Pride in scoring with seven goals and two assists

MEN’S SOCCER

• Posted a 6-9-4 record and were Colonial Athletic Association Championship quarterfinalists

• Compiled a 5-3-3 record in the CAA • Richard Martinez was named to the NSCAA All-Region team • Richard Martinez, Rob Youhill and Brett Carrington earned All-CAA accolades • Rob Youhill was selected to play for Great Britain in the World University Games Rob Youhill’s four assists in 2008 tied for the team lead

Johannes Grahn scored both goals in a 2-2 tie with Drexel

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WOMEN’S S0CCER • Posted an 11-83 record and advanced to the CAA Championship game

Edel Malone tallied a squadbest six assists

• Tiffany Yovino, Jess Crankshaw, Marie Curtin, and Edel Malone were selected to the NSCAA AllRegion team • Jess Crankshaw was named the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year and was one of six players named to the All-CAA team, joining Tiffany Yovino, Edel Malone, Marie Curtin, Courtney Breen and Brittany Butts Tiffany Yovino tied for the team lead in scoring with 14 points

WOmen’s Lacrosse Courtney Breen scored the game-winning goal in a 4-3 win over Georgia State Alysse Ruszkowski led the Pride with 44 ground balls and 31 caused turnovers

• Posted a 10-6 record, marking the sixth time in the last decade that the team reached double-digit victories • Defeated #20 James Madison, 13-12 in double overtime • Corrine Gandolfi was selected for the 2009-10 U.S. Women’s Developmental team

Stephanie Rice’s 23 goals ranked third on the team

Liz Falco recorded multiple goals in seven of her final eight games of the 2009 season

• Alysse Ruszkowski and Corrine Gandolfi were named to the All-Mid-Atlantic Region team • Corrine Gandolfi was named to All-CAA first team, while Alysse Ruszkowski and Liz Falco earned All-CAA second team honors

• Posted a 10-9 record and qualified for the CAA Championship for the fifth consecutive season

Field Hockey Amanda Heyde won six games in goal for the Pride and tallied a team-leading 69 saves

• Charlia Warner was named to the NFHCA All-Region team • Charlia Warner, Brit Blankmeyer and Genna Kovar were All-Colonial Athletic Association selections • Freshman goalkeeper Amanda Heyde earned two CAA Rookie of the Week Awards while Genna Kovar was a onetime CAA Rookie of the Week • Head Coach Kathy De Angelis won her 100th game at Hofstra when the Pride beat Siena in the season’s second game

Brit Blankmeyer was selected to play in the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game after posting eight goals and five assists in 2008

Charlia Warner closed out her career as Hofstra’s third all-time leading scorer with 45 goals

Baseball Rob Kumbatovic tied for the team lead with four wins and was the CAA Pitcher of the Week on May 18

Matt Prokopowicz drove in a school record eight runs in a win over St. John’s

• Posted an 11-32 record • Mark Stuckless was a first team AllColonial Athletic Association selection after leading the Pride in nearly every offensive category • Head Coach Patrick Anderson won his first collegiate game when Hofstra defeated local rival St. John’s in the home opener at University Field

Jeff Guthridge shared the team lead in wins with four and added three saves on the season

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• Matt Prokopowicz posted his third consecutive season with a batting average over .300, hitting .344 in 2009

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men’s TENNIS • Compiled an 8-9-1 overall record • Stian Tvedt had a teamhigh 16 singles wins, while Tvedt and Tytus Stempniewicz tied for team-best honors with 11 doubles wins

Nenad Radakovic won 14 matches, including 10 at first singles

Matt Wacks posted 10 victories in singles and partnered with Nenad Radakovic for 10 doubles wins

WOmen’s TENNIS Christie Gattelaro won a combined 21 matches in singles and doubles play

• Compiled a 9-11 overall record Stacey Kent tied her career-high with 14 victories in 2008-09

• Stacey Kent recorded a team-best 14 victories in singles, while Lauren Clifton had a team-high 13 doubles wins

Lauren Clifton has won 37 matches in her first two seasons at Hofstra

men’s CROSS COUNTRY Mark Walters posted his best 8K time of the season (27:19) at the CAA Championship

Tom Daly placed eighth at the Hofstra Invitational

• Won the team championship at the Hofstra Invitational • Phil Giackette was named the CAA Runner of the Week on September 10

WOmen’s CROSS COUNTRY Katie Wiking had her best 6K time of the season (21:23) at the Metropolitan Championship

• Posted a third place finish at the St. John’s University Fall Festival • Riti Dhillon was named to the All-Metropolitan team

Riti Dhillon was Hofstra’s top finisher in all six races in which she competed

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men’s GOLF • Sean Davy posted a teambest 77.3 stroke average and earned seven top-10 finishes including a win at the inaugural Tom Pecora Collegiate Invitational

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Jason Melser ranked second on the team in scoring average

Sean Davy was the individual champion of the inaugural Tom Pecora Collegiate Invitational

• Paul Gallo finished fourth at the Hofstra Invitational and was the second leading scorer in Hofstra’s dual win over St. Francis (NY)

WOmen’s GOLF Morgan Heyrman led the team in scoring and recorded four topfive finishes

• Morgan Heyrman won the Tom Pecora Collegiate Invitational and helped lead the Pride to the team championship as well • Alexandra Wakefield and Amy Hoffman, placed first and second, respectively, and helped lead the Pride to a victory at the Hofstra Invitational

Alexandra Hanlon topped the leaderboard in the Pride’s dual meet victory over St. Francis (NY)

MEDIA EXPOSURE

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external resources

Revenues in 2009 reflect a 12% increase over those generated in 2008

In order to maintain and bolster our commitment to providing Athletics Revenue student-athletes with 2007-08 the necessary resources to achieve their $4,199, 586 goals, it is critical that the Athletics Department generate funds Ticket Sales through a number of outside sources, including ticket sales, game 10% guarantees, NCAA and CAA distributions, Pride Club contributions, Pride Club Contributions corporate sponsorships • Pride Club contributions 28% increased by 9.1% in 2008-09 and facility rentals.

Facility 2007-08 Athletics Revenue Rentals • 316 Pride Club members contributed $1,000 27% 586or $4,199, more in 2008-09, 48 more than the priorTicket yearSales (18% increase) 10%

Corporate Pride Club revenues increased by 15.2% • Corporate sponsorship Sponsorships Contributions from last year to $318,952 7% 28%

• Ticket sales increased by 3.5% from last NCAA & CAA year to $373,429 Distributions 21%

Endowment Income 6% Game Guarantees Facility 18% Rentals 27%

2008-09 Contributions to Endowment Corporate Hofstra Athletics by Designation Income The 2008-09 year Pride Club year was highlighted by6%a record Sponsorships $1,230,826to support the academic 7% of over $1.2 million dollars contributed Game Unrestricted Guarantees and athletic needs of Hofstra student-athletes.

This marked the Fund fifth consecutive record year for the Pride Club 18% and back-to8% NCAA & CAA back years with more than Distributions $1 million contributed. Pride Club 21% Sport Specific Funds 45%

2008-09 Contributions to Hofstra Athletics by Designation $1,230,826

Specific Facility Projects 22%

2008-09 Athletics Revenue $4,703, 147 Ticket Sales 8% Pride Club Contributions 26%

2008-09 Athletics Revenue $4,703, 147 Ticket Sales 8%

Corporate Sponsorships Pride Club 8% Contributions

Scholarship Funds 6%

Scholarship Funds 6%

Events 8%

Events 8%

Endowment Income 6% Facility Game Rentals Guarantees 23% 6%

26%

NCAA & CAA Distributions 23%

Corporate 2008-09 Pride Club MembersEndowment Sponsorships

by Membership Level Income1,500 membership increased in 2008-09 to more than 8% 6%

members. members More than 33% of 1,504 the funds contributed to the department were Game designated to address capital projects, such as enhancements to Guarantees Patron Pride 6%centers, new practice locker rooms, strength and conditioning 17% NCAA & CAA Distributions facilities and training rooms.

Champion Pride 23%

1% President Pride 2% Executive Pride 2%

2008-09 Pride Club Members Blue Pride

by Membership Level 37% 1,504 members

Unrestricted Fund 8%

Sport Specific Funds 45%

Facility Rentals 23%

Patron Pride 17% Capital Improvement Specific Facility Fund Projects 11% 22%

Capital Improvement Fund 11%

Blue Pride 37%

Gold Pride 11%

Dutch Pride Champion 17% Pride 1% President Pride 2% Executive Pride Lion Pride 2% 13%

Dutch Pride 17%

Gold Pride 11%

Lion Pride 13%

PRIDE CLUB MEMBERSHIP LEVEL KEY

Champion Pride President Pride Executive Pride Dutch Pride Lion Pride Gold Pride Blue Pride Patron Pride

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$10,000 and above $5,000-$9,999 $2,500-$4,999 $1,000-$2,499 $500-$999 $250-$499 $100-$249 $25-$99

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FACILITY enhancements

Hofstra Athletics has made $3.5 million in enhancements to facilities over the last four years. The most recent projects completed include a new women’s lacrosse locker room in Margiotta Hall, a media room in the Mack Sports Complex, a press box and chairback seating at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium, the installation of two new scoreboards at James M. Shuart Stadium and the Teague Ryan Wrestling Complex in the Physical Fitness Center.

The Hofstra Soccer Stadium press box will allow for increased coverage of the Pride soccer teams by both television and radio

The women’s lacrosse locker room, which doubled in size, features oak lockers, new carpeting and a large screen television

The main scoreboard at Shuart Stadium features multiple sponsor panels, as well as enhanced statistical displays for football and lacrosse

The media room at the Mack Sports Complex will be utilized for postgame press conferences, as well as a film room for the men’s and women’s basketball teams

The Teague Ryan Wrestling Complex features new mats, a strength and conditioning room, an athletic training area and a redesigned office suite

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JAMES METZGER

SHOWS YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN A quarter of a century, 25 years, two and a half decades – no matter how you say it, that is a long time to be away from anything, especially something you love. But that is exactly how long James C. Metzger ’83 stayed away from the game and school he loved. Since reconnecting with Hofstra and the sport of lacrosse, Metzger has tried to make up for lost time by becoming a leading supporter of the program.

Metzger played lacrosse at Hofstra during the 1979 and 1980 seasons, earning honorable mention AllAmerica honors following his sophomore season. Prior to his arrival at Hofstra, he was a standout at Half Hollow Hills East High School. He earned High School All-America honors, was the League I and Suffolk County scoring champion, and won the Lt. Raymond Enners Award as the Outstanding Player in Suffolk County.

Following his 1980 season at Hofstra, he walked away from the sport. “I left my stick, my helmet and my gloves in my locker,” said Metzger. “I did not see a lacrosse game or go back to Shuart Stadium for 25 years.”

After leaving Hofstra for personal reasons, Metzger joined the business world and started in the insurance field in 1983. In 1989 he founded the Whitmore Group, which has grown into a full service insurer. While Metzger left the sport of lacrosse behind, he did not forget the lessons learned on the field. “The two years I spent at Hofstra, plus my prior athletic experiences

helped build the foundation on which I built my professional life – in sales and in business,” says Metzger. “I am able to reach deep down inside myself, in regards to competition, to overcome the obstacles we face as entrepreneurs and salespeople. We are challenged almost daily and I draw many parallels from sports to business. Business is a team game. My business is relationshipdriven, not only relationships with my clients but also with my staff.

I have close to 70 employees and the ability to build relationships with my management team and key executives is just as important as the relationships I have with my blue chip clients. I think it is my athletic background and sports mentality that serves me well in my business career.”

While that athletic background and mentality, coupled with business savvy have helped make him a success, it took his nephew to put him back in touch with the game of lacrosse. Rob Pannell was enjoying an outstanding senior season at Smithtown West High School that saw him earn All-America honors. “I reached out to former Hofstra Lacrosse greats – Kevin Huff, Bob Quinlan and Vinnie Sombrotto – to assist me with my nephew’s recruiting process since I had been out of the game for so long,” said Metzger. “I wanted them to assess his talent.

Kevin had been his coach in 9th and 10th grade and Bob and Vinnie had been playing lacrosse all these years so I valued their opinions. Throughout these conversations, we talked more and more about Hofstra.”

Back in the game, so to speak, Metzger reconnected with the Hofstra Athletics program and the University as a whole. Being away for 25 years, things were not quite as he remembered them. “The university and the athletics program has changed dramatically since I left,” Metzger said. “Not only has Hofstra raised the bar significantly with respect to athletics, it has also done so academically. The brand has become stronger. Hofstra has a very strong academic reputation. It is a well-rounded school.”

“Hofstra has more resources now than when I played,” Metzger explained. “It is a first class academic institution and with first class athletics.”

Metzger’s return to Hofstra, however, did not simply involve him attending games and observing the growth that has taken place since the 1980s. In 2008 the Harry Royle-Vincent Sombrotto locker room was dedicated. The project, which was made possible by a gift from Metzger, included the complete renovation of the existing men’s lacrosse locker room and is named after Metzger’s former Hofstra coach (Royle) and teammate (Sombrotto). “The Royle-Sombrotto Locker Room was richly rewarding for me personally,” said Metzger. “I chose to name it for my former coach, who I respect and admire. It was my way of saying thank you for the support he gave me during my freshman and sophomore years. It was also an opportunity to honor Vinnie Sombrotto, my former teammate, who went on to become one of the game’s great players. He taught me a lot and motivated me. To be able to play with Vinnie for that one year also changed the course of my life.”

Another endeavor that Metzger has supported is the Traditions Project, which will be completed this fall in Margiotta Hall.

“The Traditions Project will be one of my most satisfying accomplishments as a contributor to Hofstra Athletics,” Metzger explained. “I named the Traditions Project after Lou DiBlasi, my former high school football and lacrosse coach, and Mike D’Amato, who is the only person to have been a lacrosse AllAmerican and a member of a Super Bowl winning team. Lou and Mike were football and lacrosse players at Hofstra, and both are strong supporters of Hofstra Athletics. They bleed Hofstra blue and gold, so I am honored to be aligned with these two gentlemen.” A second part of the project includes naming the Lacrosse office suite and reception area after Metzger, Huff and other Hofstra greats Gary Arnold and the Unterstein brothers (Chris, Kevin and Michael).

“The project will celebrate the history of Hofstra’s Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse and Football programs. This project not

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only honors the great players, but recognizes every player who competed at Hofstra University and I think that is important. I have never felt better about any philanthropic initiative. It is a great way to rally support among alumni and I can’t think of a better vehicle to promote Hofstra Athletics.”

Metzger’s support also carries over to the academic side of campus as he recently funded a summer internship within the Center for Civic Engagement in honor of his favorite faculty member, History Professor Michael D’Innocenzo. The gift will endow the Metzger-D’Innocenzo Endowed Summer Internship.

“I am proud to be associated with Hofstra University and am proud to be a leader in terms of supporting the institution. Hofstra treated me very well and has done so much for me. I think life is all about comebacks and, for not having attended an event for 25 years, I enjoy the opportunity to make up for lost time.”

James Metzger in action in a 1979 game against Brown

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GOHOFSTRA.COM

Partnered with its official website provider JumpTV, Hofstra Athletics was pleased to launch its new and interactive website, GoHofstra.com.

The site, which launched in early May, features an entire menu of new products and services for Pride fans to enjoy and utilize including: live and on-demand streaming video and audio of Hofstra events and features, online shopping for Pride event tickets, a complete online apparel store featuring the latest Pride gear, online auctions and much more.

Fans will have full access to updated information on their favorite Pride teams such as stories, features, rosters, live stats and schedules in an updated an organized manner featuring large format pictures. Also, be sure and check out upcoming promotions and activities surrounding Hofstra Athletics through the promotions tab. Finally, fans will be able to sign up for free e-news through GoHofstra.com and have their Pride news sent directly to their inbox.

Visit GoHofstra.com, your official online home for Hofstra Pride Athletics!

“The ability for me to watch the Hofstra versus North Carolina lacrosse game on the website while traveling to China on a business trip last season was tremendous. The new site truly increases Hofstra’s visibility and accessibility around the globe.”

Paul Flamm

Pride Club Board of Director

STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Charles Jenkins

• On Wednesday, November and Assistant 19, 2008, the Hofstra University Men’s Basketball Athletics Department held its Third Coach Mike Kelly with a group of Annual Mentoring Night at the University schoolchildren Club. This event enabled student-athletes after a to network and gain insight from twentyRead Aloud three enthusiastic mentors who were all former America student-athletes at Hofstra. These mentors event represented a variety of career fields including finance, law, sales, marketing, public relations, medicine, education and coaching, real estate, law enforcement and sports administration.

• Softball player Michele DePasquale and lacrosse player Jordan Rosen participated in the CAA SAAC Leadership Summit, which took place from November 2-3, 2008, at UNC Wilmington.

• In celebration of the Read Across America campaign, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) coordinated a “Reading With Pride” initiative on two separate days in March. Approximately 40 studentathletes visited the Meadow Drive School in Albertson and Jackson Main School in Hempstead to promote literacy and discuss the importance of staying in school.

• In conjunction with the men’s lacrosse game against the University of North Carolina, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held a fundraiser for the HEADstrong Foundation, created in memory of former Hofstra Lacrosse player, Nick Colleluori.

Through the coordination of a youth lacrosse tournament and the selling of apparel and “paper heads,” Hofstra student-athletes raised more than $6,000 for the foundation.

Members of the football, baseball, and cross country teams at a Reading Day at the Jackson Main School Members of the women’s lacrosse teams conducted a youth lacrosse clinic for special needs children organized by the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation

The softball team took part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach

Kris Root reads to youngsters at a SAAC-sponsored Reading Day at the Meadow Drive School

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HALL OF FAME Hofstra held its 2009 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on February 6 at the Hofstra University Club.

Twelve individuals, as well as one team, comprised the fourth class in Hall of Fame history. During the induction ceremony, former Director of Athletics Harry Royle spoke on behalf of the Class of 2009.

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The Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2009

Dr. Peter Capone ’85 (Wrestling) Stephanie Clarke ’97 (Women’s Lacrosse) Ed Gaffney ’70 (Men’s Soccer) Bob Hiller ’76 (Men’s Lacrosse) Diane Hobin ’96 (Women’s Basketball, Softball and Field Hockey) Al Lahood ’56 (Football and Men’s Lacrosse) Rich Laurel ’77 (Men’s Basketball) Phil Mordente ’66 (Men’s Lacrosse) Erin Ortega (Phillips) ’96 (Softball) Harry Royle ’70 (Administrator and Coach) James Scully ’91 (Football) Jeannie Walsh ’92 (Volleyball) The 1959 Football Team (Bob Ainbinder, Bill Aronwald, Lou Bauer, Bob Brunner, Kevin Commins, Dick Cooney, Frank Cozart, George Dempster, Bob DeNeef, Desmond Devlin, Lou DiBlasi, Vincent Dugan, Tim Gannon, Bill Groom, Don Hanington, Bill Heiser, Jon Hennessey, Dick Hirshkind, Bill Kolb, Bernie Larkin, Doug Lewis, Tom MacDonald, Mike Manzer, Frank Mauro, Steve Miller, Stan Modzelewski, Andy Muccillo, Chet O’Neill, Ted Poliskin, Richard Schrage, Bob Spiotta, Bill Stetson, Burt Swerdling, Coach Howard Myers, Assistant Coach Alan Paul, Assistant Coach Neil Wheelright, Assistant Coach Harold Haines, Freshman Coach Dick Sullivan)

Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Back Row (left to right): Hofstra Director of Athletics Jack Hayes, Dr. Peter Capone, Bob Hiller, Phil Mordente, James Scully, Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz Front Row (left to right): Jeannie Walsh, Al Lahood, Harry Royle, Ed Gaffney, Stephanie Clarke

The 1959 football team Back Row (left to right): Steve Miller, Tim Gannon, Andy Mucillo, Jon Hennessey, Frank Mauro, Bill Aronwald, Frank Cozart, Bob DeNeef, Tom MacDonald, Bob Spiotta, Bob Ainbinder, Don Hanington, George Dempster Front Row (left to right): Mike Manzer, Kevin Commins, Richard Schrage, Dick Cooney, Lou DiBlasi, Bill Groom In attendance, but missing from picture: Bernie Larkin

ALUMNI AWARDS Dinner Hofstra University and the Alumni Organization hosted the annual Alumni Awards Dinner at the Garden City Hotel on September 19, 2008. Alumni and friends celebrated the personal and professional accomplishments of seven distinguished alumni and friends of Hofstra University. Included in those seven were three individuals with ties to Hofstra Athletics.

Randy Frankel ’79, a member of the 1976 basketball team that went to the NCAA Tournament, was honored as the Alumnus of the Year. Frankel, who had a distinguished career on Wall Street before retiring in 2001, is now part of the ownership group of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Softball Coach Bill Edwards was the recipient of the University’s Honorary Alumnus Award, while Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Michael Barnes was a recipient of the Award for Alumni Achievement.

“Hofstra was very accommodating and made us feel really welcome. It was one of the most organized sites for the quarterfinal round in which I have been involved. I would look forward to going back there again in the future.”

Coach John Desko

Syracuse, 2009 National Champions

Randy Frankel addresses the audience after receiving his Alumnus of the Year Award

Former players and coaches, as well as Hofstra administrators, joined Bill Edwards at the Alumni Awards Dinner

Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Michael Barnes after receiving his Alumni Achievement Award

NCAA LACROSSE QUARTERFINALS

Hofstra University hosted its sixth NCAA Division I Lacrosse Quarterfinal on May 16, 2009 as 11,259 fans witnessed a doubleheader that featured Cornell defeating Princeton, 6-4, and defending National Champion Syracuse secure an 11-6 win over Maryland.

In addition to the action on the field, Hofstra hosted a youth lacrosse tournament that morning which featured 14 teams from Garden City Rams Lacrosse, the North Shore Lacrosse Club, Long Island Express Lacrosse, Team Long Island, Doc’s New York City Lacrosse, Oak Neck Athletic Council and Rockville Centre Lacrosse. At halftime of game one, a fastest shot contest was held in which contestants were selected from that morning’s youth tournament. In addition, a bounce house and face painting were available for children outside Shuart Stadium.

For the fifth time, the eventual National Champion emerged from Shuart Stadium as Syracuse would go on to defeat Cornell, 10-9, in overtime in Foxborough, MA.

A view from the end zone of Shuart Stadium

More than 125 media members were credentialed for the NCAA Quarterfinals and both games were televised on ESPN

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2008 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE The eyes of the world were focused on Hofstra on October 15, 2008, as the University hosted the final Presidential Debate between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, the home of Hofstra Basketball and Wrestling.

The debate was the first to be held in New York state since 1960 and the first ever at a New York college.

Guests included a vast array of political dignitaries and more than 3,100 members of the media from all over the world.

More than 400 Hofstra students, including Hofstra student-athletes, volunteered to work on the debate in various capacities –

from working with the media, to hospitality, to technical services and transportation.

Senior tennis student-athlete Andy Cha was one of the Hofstra students to obtain one of the limited number of tickets that were available through an online lottery system.

Plans are underway for Hofstra to apply to host a debate once again during the 2012 campaign.

“Being able to go to the Presidential Debate at the Mack Sports Complex was an incredible experience for me. I am grateful that I was able to witness a piece of history here on the Hofstra University campus.”

Barack Obama responds to a question from moderator Bob Schieffer

Andy Cha ’08 Men’s Tennis

Andy Cha (second from left) was in attendance at the Presidential Debate at the Mack Sports Complex

Debate night at the Mack Sports Complex

UNIVERSITY GALA

Gala honoree Peter Kalikow

The 13th Annual Hofstra University Gala, honoring Peter Kalikow, was held Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The Gala is the University’s premier fundraising event and many Athletics Department staff members were in attendance, as well as several Pride student-athletes.

to the at the x was ce for I was ece of ofstra pus.”

“Attending the Hofstra Gala was a great experience. I had the opportunity to meet members of the board of trustees and alumni, as well as visit with University administrators and faculty.”

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Tennis

Lauren Whitcomb ’09 Nathaniel Lester, Greg Washington and Charles Jenkins (far right) of the men’s basketball team with Chair of the Hofstra Board of Trustees Marilyn Monter and President Stuart Rabinowitz

Women’s Lacrosse

Assistant Director of Athletic Development Chrissy Arnone and women’s lacrosse studentathlete Lauren Whitcomb

Jack Hayes and President Rabinowitz are joined by women’s lacrosse studentathlete Lauren Whitcomb, volleyball student-athlete Lauren Engle, women’s basketball student-athlete Sam Brigham and field hockey student-athlete Brit Blankmeyer

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RETIRED JERSEYS In an effort to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of numerous former student-athletes during the University’s nearly 75 years of existence, Hofstra announced that a group of 20 past Pride athletes would have their jersey numbers retired during the 2008-09 season.

The group encompassed a wide range of sports and accomplishments as 10 different teams were recognized and among the honorees are National Champions, National Players of the Year, All-Americans and World Champions.

Each person was honored at a home game during his or her respective sport’s season over the past year.

Men’s Basketball

Craig “Speedy” Claxton

* Finished his career with 2,015 points (sixth alltime), while setting Hofstra records for career assists and steals * Two-time America East Conference Player of the Year * Earned the Haggerty Award as a senior * First round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers * Member of the 2003 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs

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Rich Laurel

* Finished his career with 2,102 points, fourth in program history * Led the country in scoring as a senior (30.3 ppg), a Hofstra record which still stands * Earned the Haggerty Award as a senior in 1977 * Led Hofstra to its first two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances * First round draft pick of the Portland Trail Blazers

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Steve Nisenson

Football

Marques Colston

* Four-year letterman and three-year starter at Hofstra, who finished his collegiate career by breaking Hofstra’s career receiving yards record with 2,834 yards (now second) in 44 games, and placed second (now third) with 182 receptions * Seventh round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints who broke the NFL record for most receptions in a player’s first two seasons * Also broke the New Orleans Saints-record with 98 receptions for 1,202 yards and team record-tying 11 touchdowns in 2007

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Dave Fiore

* First team All-America selection as a senior by the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Foundation * As a senior in 1995, Hofstra was 10-1 during the regular season and advanced to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs for the first time * Signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers and went on to enjoy an eight-year career in the National Football League * While a member of the San Francisco 49ers, he received the NFL Unsung Hero Award in 2001 * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007

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John Schmitt

* Member of the offensive line for the Pride from 1961 through 1963 * Named to All-America team as a senior * Enjoyed an 11-year NFL career, winning a Super Bowl with the New York Jets in 1969 * Was an All-Pro selection in 1968-69 * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006

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* Scored 2,222 points during his three-year career, which stood as the school record for 43 years and now ranks second all-time * Named to All-America Team in 1963 and 1964 * 1965 fifth round draft choice of the New York Knicks * Inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006

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Bill Thieben

* Ranks as Hofstra all-time leading rebounder (1,837) and is the fifth all-time leading scorer (2,045) * Career scoring and rebounding averages of 26.9 and 24.2, respectively, are tops in program history * Was an All-America selection in 1955 and 1956 * Won the Haggerty Award in 1956 * Drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons of the NBA in 1956 * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006

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Men’s Lacrosse

Doug Shanahan

* Two-sport athlete who earned three All-America awards in lacrosse and two in football * 2001 Tewaaraton Award winner as College Lacrosse’s Player of the Year after leading the Pride to the NCAA quarterfinals * Received the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as Division I Outstanding Lacrosse Player of the Year in Division I and the Lt. Donald McLaughlin Jr. Award as the Division I Midfielder of the Year in 2001 * Tallied 95 goals, 44 assists, a school-record 450 ground balls, and won nearly 61 percent of his face-offs.

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Jerry Simandl

* Scored 99 goals and added 107 assists during his three-year playing career from 1953 to 1955 * Led the nation in scoring with 102 points (44 G, 58 A), as well as assists, in 1955 * Named to 1955 All-America team and was a North-South-All Star Game selection * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007

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Wrestling

Men’s Soccer Gary Flood

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* Led Hofstra to three straight CAA titles and NCAA Tournament berths * Set school record for games played * First team All-CAA selection as a senior * CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2005 * Played for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer

Michael Todd

* Named first Division I All-American in program history * Scored 40 career goals, third in Hofstra history, and had 101 career points, second in Hofstra history * Led Hofstra to three straight CAA titles and NCAA appearances * Two-time Academic All-American * Earned CAA Player of the Year Award as a senior

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Stacy Jackson

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Women’s Basketball Liz Irwin

* Hofstra’s all-time leader in assists (828) * Ranks sixth on career scoring list (1,455) and fourth in steals (219) * Four-time Team Most Valuable Player * Team posted a 92-40 record in her four years * Induted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006

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* Career leader in points scored with 1,840 * Ranks in the top 10 in four single season statistical categories * Team posted a 92-40 record in her four years * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007

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* Four-time all-region selection * Four-time allconference selection * Holds school record for wins in a season (26 twice) and career (96) * Helped Hofstra to its first NCAA appearance in 1993 and its first NCAA win in 1995 * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007

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Women’s Lacrosse Stephanie Clarke

* Three-time AllAmerica selection (1994, 96, 97) * Four-time team Most Valuable Player * 1996 North Atlantic Conference Player of the Year * Starting goalie in the NorthSouth Senior All-Star game * Member of the US National Team from 1996 through 1998

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Alicia Smith

* Second team All-America selection * First team Academic All-American * Holds school record for career hits (271) and ranks third in pitching victories (71) * Four-time all-region selection and four-time all-conference selection * Played professionally for the New York Juggernaut

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Women’s Soccer Sue Weber

Volleyball

Sue Gades

* Team Most Valuable Player in 1984 and 1985 * Four-time All-East Coast Conference selection and 1985 ECC Most Valuable Player * Hofstra’s all-time leader in several categories * Career hitting percentage of .392 ranks 10th in NCAA history * Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006

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* Recorded 4,597 assists and 1,660 digs during her Hofstra career, both school records * Helped lead Hofstra to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history in 2006 * Was a the 2004 CAA Rookie of the Year, the 2005 CAA Player and Setter of the Year and the 2006 CAA Setter of the Year * Named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team on two occasions

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* 1977 National Champion at 126 pounds * Posted a 104-14 record in his four years at Hofstra * Alternate on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team * Coached the Pride for three years, compiling a 34-19 record * 2006 inductee into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame

Dia LaBella

Softball

Shellane Ogoshi

Nick Gallo

* Two-time AllAmerica selection * Three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year * Led Hofstra to its first two conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances * First team Academic AllAmerican in 2007 * Guided Hofstra to its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in 2007 * Two-time CAA Championship Most Valuable Player * Earned Defensive Player of the Year Award in her first professional season

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