2011-12 Hofstra Athletics Annual Report

HOFSTRA ATHLETICS

2011-12 ANNUAL REPORT

Dear Friends of Hofstra Athletics:

We are pleased to present this year’s Department of Athletics Annual Report. We thank you for your continued support of the student-athletes who proudly wear a Hofstra uniform.

Since my arrival on campus in May, I have witnessed several very exciting moments of the 2011-12 season and I look forward to many more in the coming years. As I began my tenure, the softball team was beginning its incredible run in the NCAA Tournament. The team captivated the Hofstra community and the softball world with its play. I was extremely proud of the student-athletes and coaching staff with their representation of our University on-and-off the field. The baseball team qualified for the CAA Championship for the first time in seven years and set several school records in the process. The men’s lacrosse team represented the University on an international tour of Japan, where they enjoyed an outstanding educational and athletic experience while spreading the goodwill of Hofstra University throughout the Far East.

Along wih these moments of the last few months, I have also immersed myself in learning about the academic and athletic achievements from this past year and I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that occurred prior to my arrival.

In addition to the softball team, both the wrestling and women’s basketball teams participated in postseason play. The wrestling team placed 23rd at the NCAA Championships and saw two team members earn All-America accolades. The women’s basketball team was selected for the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for the second time in three years.

Individually six Hofstra student-athletes earned All-America honors in 2011-12, while 41 were selected to All-CAA teams.

We all take great pride in Hofstra student-athletes succeeding in the classroom with 24 student-athletes earning a 4.0 grade point average in at least one semester in 2011-12 and nearly 60-percent of our 313 student-athletes earning a 3.0 or better grade point average.

Our student-athletes are also active in the community including activities at local elementary schools and soup kitchens, as well as taking part in events that benefit local charities.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the coaches and the staff members in the Department of Athletics. Their guidance helps develop our student-athletes into the outstanding leaders of tomorrow.

Special thanks to President Stuart Rabinowitz for his support of the Department of Athletics and the student-athletes who wear the blue and gold,

and for the leadership he has provided to the entire University community. This is a very exciting time for the entire campus, highlighted by the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine completing a successful first year of operation this past July and the new School of Engineering and Applied Science opening in September. In addition, there is a great deal of excitement for the Presidential Debate at Hofstra, which will

take place on October 16 at the Mack Sports Complex.

This is a great time to be a part of the Hofstra University community and once again I thank you for your continued support of Hofstra Athletics. Please know that I am honored to serve as vice president and director of athletics at Hofstra University and I look forward to a very bright future for the Department of Athletics.

“Take Pride In Our Pride”

Sincerely,

Jeffrey A. HathawayVice President and Director of Athletics

2 2011-12 ANNUAL REPORT

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRE C TOR OF ATHLE TICS

Jeffrey A. Hathaway and members of the Pride

softball team at Citi Field.

Jeffrey A. Hathaway addresses those in attendance at his introductory press conference on May 15, 2012.

Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz and Jeffrey

A. Hathaway.

Jamie Stuart of News 12 Long Island interviews Jeffrey A. Hathaway at his introductory press conference.

2011-12 ANNUAL REPORT 3

POSTSEASON TEAMS

WRESTLINGColonial Athletic Association Champions

Placed 23rd at NCAA Championships12-3 Dual Record

WOMEN ’S BASKE TBALL

19-12 RecordWomen’s National Invitation Tournament

SOF TBALLColonial Athletic Association Champions NCAA Los Angeles Regional Champions

First-Ever NCAA Super Regional Appearance42-15 Record


2011-12 ATHLE TICS YEAR IN RE VIE W

Rachael Senatore

Kelsie Wills

The softball team’s run to a NCAA Super Regional and the record-breaking season by the Pride baseball team capped off the 2011-12 Hofstra athletic year. The year was also highlighted by postseason appearances from the wrestling and women’s basketball teams, six All-America selections, the hiring of a new vice president and director of athletics, the largest individual gift in department history and the release

of a book chronicling the history of Hofstra sports.

The Hofstra softball team captivated fans of the team and the sport in general with a fantastic run in the postseason, led by

junior pitcher Olivia Galati. The Pride, which won the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship, were one win

from advancing to the Women’s College World Series after capturing the NCAA Los Angeles Regional with a perfect 3-0 record with wins over No. 12-seed UCLA and two wins over San Diego State before falling, two games to one, in the best-of-three Super Regional series against No.

19 South Florida. The Pride finished with a 42-15 record and was ranked 16th in the final National Fastpitch Coaches

Association (NFCA) Poll of the season. The ranking was Hofstra’s best-ever finish in the national poll.

Galati became Hofstra’s first softball first team All-American after compiling a 34-7 record, an NCAA-best 0.95 ERA and 378 strikeouts to go with a .345 batting average, four home runs and 37 RBIs. Her 34 wins are a school record, as are her 378 strikeouts. She also became Hofstra’s all-time leader in strikeouts with 1,018. In addition, Galati was the CAA

Pitcher of the Year for the third straight season and was one of six players to earn All-CAA honors. Coach Bill Edwards was also honored as the CAA Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive year, and the group of Edwards, Larissa Anderson, Courtney Oliver and Andrienne Clark were named the Regional Staff of the Year by the NFCA.

The baseball program won a school record 34 games (34-22) in 2012, finished second in the CAA and qualified for the CAA Championship for the first time since 2005. The team was one of the top offensive squads in the nation and set new team records for runs (447), hits (669),

doubles (145) and stolen bases (157). The Pride pitching staff set new team marks for strikeouts (349) and ERA (5.37), while the defense turned a program-record 65 double plays. The Pride placed a league-best five players on the All-CAA first team and had eight players in total receive all-conference honors.

Senior outfielder Danny Poma, who was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft,

became the first Pride player to win the CAA Player of the Year Award and also became the first baseball first team All-American in program history. Poma batted .430 with a team record 102 hits, 32 doubles and 78

runs scored. He led the nation in doubles and runs, was second in batting and fifth in hits.

In addition to Poma’s CAA Player of the Year Award, second baseman Matt

Ford was the CAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Brittain Altomare

David Imes


Chris Griebsch

Laura Greene

The Pride wrestling team also turned in a stellar season in 2011-12, winning the CAA Championship for the 10th time in 11 years, crowning four individual champions and sending six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. Hofstra placed 23rd at the NCAA Championships and saw two wrestlers – juniors Justin Accordino and Steve Bonanno – earn All-America honors for the first time in their careers. Accordino placed sixth at 149 pounds, while Bonanno was eighth at the 125-pound weight class. The team posted a 12-3 record in Head Coach Rob Anspach’s first year at the helm and started the dual season 10-0. The squad also was ranked as high as 22nd in the nation in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Poll.

The women’s basketball team, led by junior All-American Shante Evans, posted a 19-12 record and went to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for the fourth time in program history. Evans, a first team All-CAA selection, led Hofstra in scoring (19.2 ppg), rebounding (10.5 rpg), field goal percentage (48.9%) and blocked shots (28) en route to her second consecutive All-America selection. In addition to Evans, Candice Bellocchio earned All-CAA third team honors after leading the CAA in assists at 6.2 per game.

The team won the New York Life Holiday Invitational with wins over Central Connecticut State and Marist, while Evans collected tournament MVP accolades. The Pride also set a new record for points in a game at the Division I level when the team scored 100 in a 100-97 win over William & Mary on January 8. The game was also the highest-scoring combined non-overtime affair in Hofstra and CAA history.

Senior Genna Kovar was Hofstra’s sixth All-American in 2011-12 as she led the field hockey team to a 13-9 record and a semifinals berth in the CAA Championship, rewriting the Hofstra record book in the process. She scored single season records of 28 goals and 18 assists for 74 points and leaves Hofstra as the program record holder in goals (57), assists (34) and points (148). Kovar led the country in points per game (3.36) and goals per game (1.27), and finished 10th in assists per game (0.82). A three-time All-CAA first team selection, the All-America selection was the second of Kovar’s career. Kovar, who was one of five players selected to All-CAA teams, also earned an invitation to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Senior All-Star Game.

Candace Bond

Lance Yapor




Krizia Layne

Daniel RonoMeghan McCloskey

Jason SinkoffThe fall season saw the women’s soccer team qualify for the CAA Championship for the fifth consecutive season and finished the year with a 10-8 record. The Pride won the New York City Classic Tournament title with wins over Columbia and Albany and placed five players on the All-CAA teams. The Pride men’s soccer team won seven matches in 2011, including a 3-0 upset of #12 James Madison in the season finale. Defender Shaun Foster repeated as the CAA Defensive Player of the Year, just the second time in league history a player has won the award in consecutive seasons, and was a NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region selection.

The volleyball team captured a pair of in-season tournament titles, winning the Asics and Hofstra Invitationals on the way to a 14-win season. Kylee Maneja and Kelsie Wills received all-conference accolades with Maneja earning a spot on the third team and Wills picking up all-rookie honors. This past spring, setter Catalina Charry took part in a Olympic qualifying tournament with her Colombian National Team at the South American Women’s Volleyball Tournament in Brazil. She helped her squad to a fourth place finish in the event as Brazil won the event to earn the Olympic berth.

The women’s cross country team posted an eighth-place finish at the Metropolitan Championships and a 17th-place showing at the Iona Meet of Champions. Meghan McCloskey and Brittany Rose were Hofstra’s top finishers in two races each out of eight total for the season. The men’s cross country team

placed eighth at the Metropolitan Championships and 11th at the IC4A meet. Daniel Rono was Hofstra’s top finisher in all six meets in 2011, including a sixth-place showing at the 5-mile IC4A meet.

The men’s basketball team won 10 games in 2011-12, including wins over NCAA Tournament teams Iona and Long Island, and saw two players – Nathaniel Lester and Mike Moore – reach the 1,000-point mark. Moore also led the CAA in scoring at 19.8 points per game and was a second team All-CAA selection.

The men’s lacrosse team won six games in 2012, but played much better than its record indicated as the team had six one-goal losses. The Pride was ranked as high as #14 in the nation during the season and saw six players earn all-conference accolades. The team also traveled to Japan to compete in the International Lacrosse Friendship Games in Tokyo from May 30-June 7. Hofstra played five games, including an 11-10 win over the Japanese National Team, and conducted a lacrosse clinic for more than 200 budding lacrosse players during the tour.

The women’s lacrosse squad returned to the CAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus and finished the 2012 season with five wins. The Pride had three players – Casey Kellogg, Brittain

Altomare and April Iannetta – named to All-CAA squads.

The women’s golf team posted a runner-up finish at the Monmouth Invitational as Jenna Masnyk finished in second place as well. Freshman Lauren Petty became the first Pride women’s golfer to earn All-ECAC accolades after a fourth-place finish at the 2011 ECAC Championship. The men’s golf team won the Lafayette Invitational for Head Coach Joe Elliott’s first career tournament victory. Freshman Brandon Shin posted the first tournament win for a men’s golfer in three years when he took home individual medalist honors at the La Salle Invitational.

The women’s tennis team won six matches in 2011-12 and Elena Ivanova earned All-CAA accolades for the second

consecutive season. The men’s tennis team won seven matches and posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since the 2004-05 team had three consecutive wins without dropping a flight.

Elena Ivanova



Jenna Masnyk

Brandon ShinHofstra student-athletes did not limit their accomplishments to just their athletic achievements, as several earned recognition for their work in the classroom and the community. Candice Bellocchio of the women’s basketball team was the recipient of the 2012 Dean Ehlers Leadership Award, which is given to the student-athlete who “embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity and sportsmanship in conjunction with her academic and athletic achievement.” It is named after former James Madison athletic director Dean Ehlers, who was a founding member of the conference, served as its first President, and was a recognized leader through his membership on numerous NCAA Committees. Bellocchio was heavily involved in community service endeavors during her tenure at Hofstra and through her hard work and leadership was able to make a difference in the lives of many people. Bellocchio was also selected as the Nassau County Sports Commission Female College Athlete of the Year based on her athletic, academic and community service achievements.

Steve Bonanno was the CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in wrestling and also earned National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic and CoSIDA Academic All-America honors as well. Andrew Gvozden was the CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in men’s lacrosse and a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-American. Jill Maier (women’s lacrosse) and Olivia Galati (softball) were named the CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sports, while Brittany Butts of the women’s soccer team was a third team regional All-Scholar selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Fifteen field hockey players were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad, while Hofstra was also the recipient of the National Academic Team Award for earning a cumulative 3.0 or higher team grade point average. Four women’s lacrosse players were named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor Roll, while seven tennis players earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic accolades and two golfers were selected Scholar All-Americans by the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA).

In May President Stuart Rabinowitz announced that Jeffrey A. Hathaway would be Hofstra’s new Vice President and Director of Athletics. Hathaway replaced Jack Hayes, who resigned after eight years to become Director of Athletics at Brown University. Hathaway had served as Director of Athletics at the University of Connecticut from 2003 to 2011, and was also the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee Chair during the 2012 NCAA Tournament and served on the committee for five years.

Other exciting events of the 2011-12 athletic year included the largest individual commitment in Hofstra Athletics history as men’s lacrosse alumnus James C. Metzger ’83, a former All-American, pledged $1.5 million to the department in December 2011. His contribution will establish a men’s lacrosse

program endowment as well as support the capital improvement fund, which

benefits all 17 sports.

In January 2012 author Chris Vaccaro ’07 released “Hofstra Athletics”,

part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Sports series. The

book captures nearly 200 images of student-athletes,

coaches, administrators, facilities and many other

aspects of the Hofstra community.

In July 2012 Hofstra hired former Northwestern standout Shannon Smith as its new women’s lacrosse coach. Smith, a U.S. National Team member, was a three-time All-American for the Wildcats and the 2011 Tewaaraton Trophy recipient as the top player in the sport. Smith

was also the Honda Award recipient in Women’s Lacrosse in 2011 and was part of three National Championship teams during her playing career at Northwestern.

Jared Hammer

P.J. Gillespie

Shannon Smith


In 2011-12 the Hofstra Pride Club raised a record $2.4 million for Hofstra Athletics, which represented a 95% increase in total funds raised.

Other 2012 Athle tics De velop menthighlights included :

Receiving the largest single gift in department history.

A 9% increase in new gifts to athletics department (gifts not associated with multi-year pledges).

A 202% increase in funds committed through multi-year pledges.

Blue and Gold Society membership increased by 52% (32 members in 2012 compared to 21 in 2011).

Membership increased by 3% (1,113 vs. 1,078).

Former student-athlete giving remained at a high level of 16% for the last two years (was 7% in 2009).

An 18% increase in young alumni giving from 2010 (124 in 2012, up from 105 in 2010).

100% participation from Pride Club Board of Directors.

The Department of Athletics would like to thank the Hofstra Pride Club Board for their support of Pride student-athletes this past year.

HOFS TRA PRIDE CLUB

Blue and Gold Society (BGS) member Bob Buckner ’56 is joined by Michelle Lavagnino ’12, Courtney Crews ’12, Associate Head Coach Larissa Anderson and Jess Hirschbuhl ’12 from the softball program at the annual BGS Holiday Reception.

Maddy Leibowitz ’64 and Pride Club President Col. E. David Woycik, Jr. (Ret) ’77, ’80 are joined by Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Patrick Sellers and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mo Cassara at the Pride Club’s evening of International Food and Wine Tasting.

Hofstra University Trustee and Pride Club Board of Director Joseph Sparacio ’89 with Charles Jenkins ’10 (men’s basketball), Tiffany Yovino ’11 (women’s soccer) and Jay Card ’11 (men’s lacrosse) at the 23rd Annual Hofstra Pride Golf Classic and Auction where Mr. Sparacio was the honoree.

Members of the 1981-82 Hofstra Women’s Basketball team reunited to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of their Metropolitan Conference and

Eastern AIAW Division II championships.

OfficersE. David Woycik, PresidentSteven Tandy, Vice PresidentMichael Goldberg, TreasurerLinda Wing Caruso, Secretary

Board MembersPJ BjornebyJoseph CarrelloBennett ChaiteLarry DavisDan DeStefanoDevale EllisPaul FlammJohn FrewNick GalloMike Greco

Maddy LeibowitzJack LenzTony LiottaAnthony MazzarellaMatt MazzilliRobert McKeonJames C. MetzgerGerard O’ConnorAnthony PerettineKayla PiferJay PomerantzKen RoodEd SamuelsMatt SchwartzbergMargaret ShieldsJoe SparacioNoel Thompson


CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

Hofstra Athletics takes great pride in its affiliation with a variety of corporate partners that help our student-athletes excel on the fields of play. Among the many sponsor initiatives in 2011-12 were Hofstra’s partnerships with New York Life and W.B. Mason.

New York Life agreed to serve as the title sponsor for Hofstra’s women’s basketball tournament – The New York Life Holiday Invitational – that was won by the Pride over Auburn, Marist and Central Connecticut State. New York Life also served as the presenting game sponsor at three other home women’s basketball games. The partnership includes major branding throughout the Mack Sports Complex, including on the main scoreboard, the basketball pole padding, and featured prominently on concourse signage. The sponsorship also includes public address announcements, on-court promotions, co-branded giveaways, and web presence on GoHofstra.com.

Hofstra’s partnership with W.B. Mason began in 2010, but the highlight of the agreement was the construction of the court-level W.B. Mason Pride Lounge in the Mack Sports Complex. The lounge opened at the start of the 2011-12 basketball season and was well received by Pride Club members and their guests.

The space boasts flat screen televisions, a full concession menu and also features complimentary food from local restaurants. A coaches “Chalk Talk” also highlighted the experience as Coach Cassara or a member of his staff provided a scouting report and a brief preview of the upcoming game only minutes before tip-off.

“In business relationships abbreviated text messages have become more common than meaningful relationships, and yet in the partnership between W.B. Mason and the Athletic Department at Hofstra University a friendship and trust has developed that is unique and truly appreciated by the W.B. Mason team,” said W.B. Mason Sales Representative Dennis Rodrigues. “Long Island has become an exemplary territory for W.B. Mason and in large part that is because of the association with Hofstra University. It is an honor and pleasure to serve Hofstra University and it is not a privilege taken lightly.”

JAMES C . ME TZGER MAKES LARGEST SINGLE GIF T IN DEPARTMENT HISTORY

In December 2011 Hofstra announced a $1.5 million commitment from James C. Metzger ’83 to support the men’s lacrosse program and all sports via the Capital Improvements Fund. In January 2012 it was announced that the Capital Improvements Fund had been renamed The James C. Metzger Fund for Capital Improvements in recognition of Metzger’s generosity.

Half of Metzger’s $1.5 million dollar pledge will support The Metzger Fund, providing the Athletics Department with increased resources to support enhancements for all teams. The gift will also support upgrades to The Fried Center for Student-Athlete Development, weight-training facilities in Margiotta Hall and the Mack Sports Complex and athletic training rooms throughout all athletic facilities. Additionally, The Metzger Fund will continue to serve as a gift designation option to Pride Club members, alumni, parents and fans in all athletic development publications and membership outreach. Proceeds from the annual Hofstra Pride Golf Classic and Auction will also benefit The Metzger Fund.

Metzger is Chairman, CEO and founder of The Whitmore Group, Ltd., a leading insurance brokerage and financial services firm with headquarters in Garden City, New York, and was an All-American lacrosse player in 1980.

Bianca O’Brien (far left), senior partner, and Salvatore Farina (second from the right), managing partner, of New York Life’s Long Island General Office along with Head Women’s Basketball Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey and then-Director of Athletics Jack Hayes.

ALL-AMERICANS

Shante E vans

Women’s BasketballEvans earned her second

consecutive All-America honor after leading Hofstra in scoring

(19.2 ppg), rebounding (10.5 rpg), field goal percentage (48.9%) and

blocked shots (28) in 2011-12 while helping the team to 19 wins and a berth in the Women’s National

Invitation Tournament. Evans, who played for Team USA at the 2011 Pan

Am Games, also was an All-Met selection and was named to both the John R. Wooden Award

Midseason Top 20 and Naismith Trophy Watch Lists.

Genna Kovar Field Hockey

Kovar rewrote the Hofstra record book during the 2011 season en route to the second All-America selection of her career, scoring a single season record 28 goals and 18 assists for 74 points. Ranked among the national leaders, she led the country in points per game (3.36) and goals

per game (1.27), and finished 10th in assists per game (0.82). Kovar leaves Hofstra as the program record holder in

goals (57), assists (34) and points (148).

Ste ve B onannoWrestlingBonanno earned his first NCAA All-America accolade after placing eighth in the 125-pound weight class at the 2012

NCAA Wrestling Championships. He posted a 31-9 record in 2011-12, including a 14-1 mark in dual

matches. Bonanno was the 2012 CAA champion at 125 pounds and finished the year ranked #12 in

the nation in his weight class.



ALL-AMERICANS

Danny Poma

BaseballBecame the first All-America first team

selection in program history after batting .430 with a school record 102 hits, 32 doubles and

78 runs. He also added seven home runs, 48 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. He led the nation in

doubles, ranked second in batting and runs and fifth in hits. Was selected by Arizona in the 10th

round of the MLB Draft and played for Class A Yakima this past summer.

Olivia GalatiSoftballWas the softball program’s first-ever first team All-

American and just the fifth in the prestigious history of the Hofstra softball team to earn a spot on the All-America squad.

Galati compiled 378 strikeouts in 2012 to bring her career total to a program record 1,018 and her 34 wins this past season was also a program record, while her streak of 32 wins in a row fell one win shy of the NCAA single season record. One of the Pride’s top hitters as well, Galati was second on the team with a .345 batting average and had four home runs and 37 runs batted in.

J us tin Accordino

WrestlingAccordino placed sixth at 149 pounds to earn his first All-America honor at

the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. It was the second NCAA Championship appearance of his Hofstra career. He posted a career-best 26-14 record in 2011-12 including a 12-3 mark in duals and a 5-1 slate in the Colonial Athletic Association, and placed second in the CAA after bouncing back from season-ending knee injuries the previous two seasons.


CAA Pitcher of the YearOlivia Galati, Softball

CAA P layer of the YearDanny Poma, Baseball

CAA Defensive P layer of the YearShaun Foster, Men’s SoccerMatt Ford, Baseball

CAA Coach of the YearBill Edwards, Softball

2011-12 All- CAA sele ctions

Shaun Foster earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons.

Hall of Fame Coach Bill Edwards has won 848 games during his 23 seasons at Hofstra.

Krista Thorn was a two-time All-CAA selection during her tenure on the softball team.

Matt Ford was the first Pride player to earn the

CAA Baseball Defensive

Player of the Year award.


2011-12 All- CAA sele ctions

First TeamCourtney Breen, Women’s SoccerShante Evans, Women’s BasketballOlivia Galati, SoftballKevin Flynn, BaseballMatt Ford, BaseballLaura Greene, Women’s SoccerJared Hammer, BaseballGenna Kovar, Field HockeyDanny Poma, BaseballDalton Rouleau, BaseballRachael Senatore, SoftballAdrian Sorichetti, Men’s LacrosseKrista Thorn, SoftballErin Trippi, SoftballTessa Ziemba, Softball

Se cond TeamJohn Antoniades, Men’s LacrosseBrittany Butts, Women’s SoccerKenny Jackson, BaseballCasey Kellogg, Women’s Lacrosse Krizia Layne, Field HockeyAmy-Lee Levey, Field HockeyMike Moore, Men’s BasketballMark Mullen, Men’s LacrosseMatt Reistetter, BaseballTori Rocha, Softball

Third TeamCandice Bellocchio, Women’s BasketballBrooke Bendernagel, Women’s SoccerChris Griebsch, Men’s SoccerElena Ivanova, Women’s TennisKylee Maneja, VolleyballJohn Tiedemann, Baseball

All-Rookie TeamBrittain Altomare, Women’s LacrosseTyler Begley, Men’s LacrosseJonel Boileau, Field HockeyApril Iannetta, Women’s LacrosseMike Malave, Men’s LacrosseMarta Penas, Field HockeyRyan Rielly, Men’s LacrosseSam Scolarici, Women’s SoccerErin Trippi, SoftballKelsie Wills, Volleyball

Courtney Breen was a four-time All-CAA performer, including two first team selections.

Jonel Boileau posted eight goals and three assists to earn a spot on the CAA All-Rookie team.

Adrian Sorichetti led the Pride in assists (14) and points (38) in 2012.

Mike Moore led the CAA in scoring in 2011-12 with a 19.9 points per game average.

Casey Kellogg was one of two

Pride players to register

double-figures in ground balls,

draw controls and caused

turnovers.


STE VE B ONANNOWrestler Steve Bonanno put together one of the finest seasons by a Pride grappler on the mat in 2011-12, earning All-America accolades at 125 pounds and posting a 31-9 record. The junior accounting major also excelled in the classroom and was recognized with several academic awards.

Bonanno became the 21st Hofstra student-athlete, and just the second wrestler, to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. He was also named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic team for the second time in his career. Bonanno also was voted the Colonial Athletic Association Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was the recipient of the James M. Shuart Award, which is given to the top male scholar-athlete, at Hofstra’s Awards Banquet this past May.

ACADE MIC S U CCESS

CANDICE BELLOCCHIOSenior Candice Bellocchio, who scored more than 1,000 points and dished out more than 600 assists in her career, may have made a bigger impact off the court. Her work in the classroom and in the community show the drive and character that she possesses.

A Dean’s List student on multiple occasions, Bellocchio was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic second team in 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. She was also a recipient of the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award on five occasions.

A dual major in psychology and community health, Bellocchio received one of the CAA’s highest honors this past season when she was named the recipient of the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award. The award is given to the student-athlete who “embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity and sportsmanship in conjunction with her academic and athletic achievement.” It is named after former James Madison athletic director Dean Ehlers, who was a founding member of the conference, served as its first President, and was a recognized leader through his membership on numerous NCAA Committees.

Bellocchio did extensive community service during her time at Hofstra, working with the VOICE program at Hofstra, assisting with the Nick Colleluori Women’s Lacrosse Classic (HEADstrong), helping with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Food Drive and also working with The INN in Hempstead. Bellocchio personally fundraised donations to sponsor a meal at The INN in addition to numerous visits to The INN with the women’s basketball program.


ACADE MIC AWARDS

Hofstra University student-athletes achieved success in the classroom as well as on the fields of play. During the 2011-12 academic year 16 student-athletes earned a 4.0 grade point average in at least one semester. In addition, approximately 60 percent of Hofstra student-athletes posted at least a 3.0 grade point average in 2011-12.

Hofstra’s 4.0 Student-AthletesLiz Anders, Women’s Lacrosse, Global Studies majorJoe Burg, Baseball, Mathematics and Physics majorNicole Capurso, Women’s Basketball, Exercise Science majorCatalina Charry, Volleyball, Physical Therapy majorNicole Choffel, Women’s Soccer, Pre-Elementary Education majorEmily Corzel, Women’s Lacrosse, Finance majorJillian Geysen, Field Hockey, Health Science majorMeredith Golden, Field Hockey, Public Relations majorAmanda Heyde, Field Hockey, Physical Education majorGareth James, Men’s Soccer, Philosophy and Economics majorAnna Kitlar, Volleyball, Global Studies and Geography majorMeg Leusch, Field Hockey, Health Science majorKatelyn Lewia, Field Hockey, English majorBrad Loizeaux, Men’s Lacrosse, Entrepreneurship majorKelly Lutz, Women’s Cross Country, Mathematics majorJill Maier, Women’s Lacrosse, Elementary Education majorKristin Mathis, Women’s Cross Country, Psychology majorCara Mattson, Women’s Cross Country, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences majorMelissa McCarthy, Field Hockey, Elementary Education and Psychology majorMeghan McCloskey, Women’s Cross Country, Print Journalism majorIngrid Moyer, Women’s Soccer, Undecided majorBrooke Sailer, Women’s Tennis, Marketing majorKylie Shuster, Women’s Soccer, Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies majorLauren Vallee, Field Hockey, International Business major

CoSIDA Academic All-AmericanSteve Bonanno – Wrestling

CoSIDA Academic All-DistrictSteve Bonanno – Wrestling

National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic SquadJonel BoileauEmily CaffreyKatherine FischerJillian GeysenMeredith GoldenKatelyn HoranKerry KiddooKrizia LayneMeghan LeuschAmy-Lee LeveyKatelyn LewiaMelissa McCarthyMarta PenasDarrah RachmanLauren Vallee

United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Scholar All-America TeamAndrew Gvozden

Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor RollJacquelyn ArdolinoEmily CorzelJill MaierMaryann Miller

National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic TeamSteve Bonanno National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar All-Region TeamBrittany Butts

ITA All-Academic TeamTyler AllenAdrien BaillyLaurent OctobreJason SinkoffShannan FerryElena IvanovaBrooke Sailer

National Golf Coaches Association Scholar All-America TeamCynthia ChengJenna Masnyk

Colonial Athletic Association Scholar-Athletes of the YearAndrew Gvozden - Men’s LacrosseSteve Bonanno - WrestlingOlivia Galati - SoftballJill Maier - Women’s Lacrosse

Colonial Athletic Association Basketball All-Academic TeamDwan McMillanMatt GroganCandice BellocchioNicole CapursoMarie Malone

CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award154 student-athletes

Joe Burg

Candice Bellocchio (left) and Nicole Capurso (right) with Head Women’s Basketball Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey at the 2012 Commencement.

Study Halls are held in the Fried Center for Student-Athlete Development.

Dwan McMillan

Brooke Sailer

Andrew Gvozden

The softball team advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in program history and put together a school record 21-game winning streak.

Softball’s No. 16 ranking in the final NFCA Poll is a program-best.

Olivia Galati set single season records with 378 strikeouts and 34 wins, and set program marks with 1,018 career strikeouts and 32 consecutive winning decisions.

The baseball team set a program record with 34 wins and also established new team marks in runs (447), hits (669), doubles (145), stolen bases (157), ERA (5.37) and strikeouts (349).

Danny Poma’s 102 hits, 32 doubles and 78 runs are single season records.

Mike Moore tied the record for three-pointers in a game with seven against Binghamton on December 17, 2011.

Nathaniel Lester (1,139) and Mike Moore (1,128) both eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in 2011-12.

Genna Kovar led Division I field hockey in points per game (3.36) and goals per game (1.27) in 2011.

Genna Kovar set field hockey career records with 57 goals, 34 assists and 148 points, and single season records with 28 goals, 18 assists and 74 points.

Daniel Rono set the sixth-best 8K time (25:53) in school history at the 2011 CAA Championship.

Men’s Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney recorded his 50th career win in Hofstra’s season-opener against Sacred Heart on February 18.

Adrian Sorichetti tallied a career-high seven goals and three assists in a win over St. John’s. It was the most goals by a Pride player since 2003 and the most points

(10) since 1995.

For the eighth time in school history, Hofstra recorded two NCAA All-Americans at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as Justin Accordino placed sixth at 149 and Steve Bonanno finished eighth at 125 pounds.

milestones/records set in 2011-2012

Coach Seth Tierney

Nathaniel Lester

Nicole Capurso

Kylee Maneja


milestones/records set in 2011-2012

With their 23rd place finish, the Hofstra Wrestling team placed in the top 25 at the NCAA Division I Championship for the 16th time.

P.J. Gillespie became the 14th Pride wrestler to record 100 victories in his career at Hofstra.

The women’s basketball team was selected for the WNIT for the fourth time in program history.

Women’s Basketball Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey picked up her 100th career win on January 22 versus Northeastern.

Shante Evans’ 594 points and 19.2 point per game average ranks second all-time on the Pride’s single season list.

Candice Bellocchio (1,068) and Nicole Capurso (1,258) each went over the 1,000-point plateau in 2011-12.

Kylee Maneja set a program record with her 4.74 digs per set average in 2011 and also ranks first in career digs per set at 4.24.

Volleyball Coach Kristina Hernandez notched her 50th win at Hofstra against the Air Force Academy on September 17.

Jaclyn Pandolf made a career-best 20 saves against Maryland and finished her career fifth all-time with 387 career saves. She also ranks fourth all-time in ground balls with 134.

Shaun Foster became just the third player in CAA history to receive Defensive Player of the Year honors two times and just the second to win it in back-to-back years.

Brandon Shin posted the first tournament win by a men’s golfer since the 2009 season when he was the individual medalist at the La Salle Invitational.

Lauren Petty became the first Pride women’s golfer to earn All-ECAC accolades when she placed fourth at the ECAC Championship in October.

Jaclyn Pandolf

2012 Hofstra Softball Team

Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey



In January 2012 Arcadia Publishing released a book titled “Hofstra Athletics”

as part of its Images of Sports series. The book, authored by Chris R. Vaccaro ’07, captures nearly 200 images of student-

athletes, coaches, administrators, facilities and many other aspects of the Hofstra

community. With captions accompanying every image and photos dating back to the 1930s, this book is a pictorial history of the school’s well-known coaches and athletes,

championship teams, and players who made it on the professional level.

Craig “Speedy” Claxton provides the foreword for the book. One of the most

prolific athletes to attend Hofstra, Claxton was selected in the first round of the NBA

Draft in 2000 and spent 10 seasons in the league. He led the Pride to a NCAA

tournament appearance, was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011,

and had his jersey number (10) retired.

Hofs tra Athle tics B ook P ub lished

Redesigned GO Hofstra .com Deb u ts

The cover of the Hofstra Athletics book features the 1936 field hockey team, Hofstra’s first intercollegiate program, and Howard “Howdy” Myers, who served as director of athletics, football coach and lacrosse coach for 25 years.

GOhofstra .comThe Department of Athletics unveiled the new GoHofstra.com in late June 2012. Working with itstechnology partner NeuLion, the redesigned official website has a cleaner look and brings photos and video to the forefront with an easy to navigate appearance.

The site incorporates more audiovisual content, including videos that play directly on the homepage and easier navigation. Fans also enjoy new tools featuring recent content, upcoming events, ticket sales, an official team merchandise store and social media integration throughout the site.

The homepage prominently features feeds from both the official Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Hofstra Department of Athletics.

The revamped website will continue to be the primary source of information for fans to access exclusive Hofstra Athletics news and highlights.

ARCADIA P UB LISHING

RELEASES “HOFSTRA

ATHLE TICS ”

The men’s lacrosse team traveled to Japan to compete in the International Lacrosse Friendship Games in Tokyo from May 30-June 7. Hofstra played five games, including an 11-10 win over the Japanese National Team, and conducted a lacrosse clinic for more than 200 budding lacrosse players during the tour. The trip was made possible through the support of Drs. Arno and Mindy Fried, the parents of Pride junior Jordan Fried.


in ternational pride

A touch of home as the Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse

Team visits Tokyo Disney during their

tour of Japan for the International Friendship

Games in Tokyo.

The Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse team poses for a group photo at the Welcome Reception in Edogawa City, Japan.

Junior Jordan Fried leads the Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse team in the post-game handshake line with the National Team of Japan following the Pride’s 11-10 victory in the International Friendship Games.

Hofstra Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney and the Pride team prepare to give a two-hour lacrosse clinic for approximately 200 teenagers at Rinkai Field in Edogawa City.

Hofstra junior lacrosse players Michael Hamilton and Drew Coholan enjoy a meal while staying with one of the host

families in Tokyo for the International Friendship Games.

The Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse team visits an ancient temple in Kamakura during the Pride’s tour of Japan for the International Friendship Games.

Hofstra Lacrosse players Lance Yapor and Steve Serling present gifts to the Honorable Masami Tada, Mayor of Edogawa City, and Japan Lacrosse Association President Hiroshi Kimura at the Welcome Reception.

Hofstra Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney with former Johns Hopkins teammate, Japan

Lacrosse Association Director and International Friendship Games organizer Yusuke Sasaki.


hofs tra in the com m uni ty

The baseball team visited the 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition Hewlett House to assist in a variety of clean-up projects.

Hofstra student-athletes and coaches took part in more than 35 community service projects during the 2011-12 academic year. Hofstra Athletics has shown its dedication to giving of their time and talents in the spirit of helping others in the community time and time again.

Hofstra student-athletes helped raise money for various local organizations, including the Let All The Children Play Foundation, the Special Olympics, the HEADstrong Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Hofstra Athletics also coordinated a blood drive, participated in several educational initiatives with local elementary schools, visited with sick children and their families at local hospitals and conducted skill clinics in various sports.

Members of the men’s basketball team took part in the opening ceremonies of a new accessible playground at Eisenhower Park that was constructed by the Let All The Children Play Foundation.

Members of the women’s golf team took part in an Exercise Night at a local elementary school.

Women’s soccer player Lulu Echeverry was one of many Hofstra student-athletes to take part in the national Read Across America Day at local schools.

Men’s Soccer Head Coach Richard Nuttall has his head shaved to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

The men’s lacrosse team took part in the

Tunnel to Towers Run that benefits the Stephen Siller Tunnel

to Towers Foundation.

The women’s lacrosse team held their annual Nick Colleluori Classic to raise money for the HEADstrong Foundation. Colleluori was a member of the men’s lacrosse team who passed away due to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006.


PRIDE HONORED BEFORE ME TS GAME

The Hofstra Softball team watched batting practice from the field and was honored by the New York Mets in a pregame ceremony at Citi Field on June 18 prior to a game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Hofstra players and staff had the chance to talk to Mets players and posed for pictures with third baseman David Wright, and outfielders Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Mike Baxter. Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Nick Johnson also posed for pictures with the team.

Before the ceremonial first pitch, Hofstra posed for a group photo on the field and had the accomplishments from their 42-15 season read over the public address system. Junior Olivia Galati’s season was also highlighted to the crowd.

The pregame festivities also included Bubba Watson, the 2012 Masters champion, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and Hall-of-Famer Tom Seaver posing with Johan Santana to commemorate his no-hitter earlier that month.

The event marked the second time in as many years that the Mets have honored Hofstra’s athletic achievements. Former men’s basketball star Charles Jenkins threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game in 2011.

David Wright tries his hand at catching

a pitch from All-American Olivia

Galati.

Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics

Jeffrey A. Hathaway, Olivia Galati, New

York Mets owner Fred Wilpon, Associate

Head Coach Larissa Anderson and Head Coach Bill Edwards.

New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis and Hofstra first baseman Nicole Osovski.

New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon (right) chats with Head Coach Bill Edwards (left) and Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway.

The Pride pose for a team photo during the pre-game ceremony honoring them for their achievements in 2012.

All-star third baseman David Wright signs autographs for the team.

Rachael Senatore (left) and Michelle Lavagnino (right) with Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis.


Hofstra Athletics celebrated the 2011-12 season with its annual Student-Athlete Awards banquet on May 7 at the University Club.

Earning the evening’s top awards were: Genna Kovar (field hockey and women’s lacrosse) receiving the Dr. Nathalie J. Smith Award as the top female student-athlete, Danny Poma (baseball) taking home the “Howdy” Myers Male Athlete of the Year Award, Jill Maier (women’s lacrosse) as the recipient of the Dr. Sylvia J. Giallombardo Female Scholar-Athlete Award and Steve Bonanno (wrestling) as the Dr. James M. Shuart Male Scholar-Athlete Award winner.

Brittany Butts (women’s soccer) and Courtney Crews (softball) were the recipients of the Nick Collelouri Female Unsung Hero Award, while Ben Clymer (wrestling) and Nathaniel Lester (men’s basketball) were chosen to receive the Colleluori Male Unsung Hero Award.

Candice Bellocchio (women’s basketball) served as the Senior Speaker at the event and Tony Liotta, Joe Carrello and Maddy Liebowitz were recognized as recipients of the Hofstra Pride Club Distinguished Service Award. In addition, each team recognized one student-athlete with its Outstanding Senior Award.

S T UDEN T-ATHlE TE AWARDS BANQUE T

Cheryl Colleluori (left) and Michael Colleluori ’09 (right) with 2012 Nick Colleluori Unsung Hero Award recipients Nathaniel Lester, Courtney Crews and Ben Clymer. (not pictured: Brittany Butts)

Hofstra Male Athlete of the Year Danny Poma (left) and Hofstra Pride Club Board member James C. Metzger ’83.

Hofstra Pride Club President E. David Woycik, Jr., Esq. ’77 addresses those in attendance at the 2012 Student-Athlete Awards Banquet.

Senior Speaker Candice Bellocchio gives her remarks at the 2012 Banquet.

The 2012 Student-Athlete award recipients Candice Bellocchio, Courtney Crews, Jill Maier, Genna Kovar, Nathaniel Lester, Ben Clymer, Danny Poma, Steve Bonanno and Executive Associate Director of Athletics Danny McCabe. (not pictured: Brittany Butts)


Hofstra “pride ”

Hofstra Softball’s graduating seniors – Courtney Crews, Jess Hirschbuhl, Michelle Lavagnino, Erin Wade and Krista Thorn – with Head Coach Bill Edwards and Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz following a private commencement ceremony held May 22. The softball team missed the University’s commencement ceremony due to competing at (and winning) the NCAA Regional in Los Angeles, CA.

Lizanne Murphy ’07 represented Canada at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the third

former Hofstra student-athlete to compete in the Olympic Games.

Charles Jenkins ’10 averaged 5.8 points

and 3.3 assists in 51 games for the Golden State Warriors during his rookie campaign.

Hofstra alumnus and former lacrosse player Jon Cooper ’89 led the Norfolk

Admirals of the American Hockey League to the 2012 Calder Cup

Championship and was named the 2012 AHL Coach of the Year.

Courtney Breen (soccer and basketball) and Genna Kovar (field hockey and lacrosse) were the only two-sport athletes at Hofstra in 2011-12.

John Antoniades and his Pride teammates wore specially designed green uniforms on St. Patrick’s Day. The uniforms were donated by Warrior Lacrosse.

Men’s Basketball Coach Mo Cassara addresses the media at Hofstra’s first-ever on-campus Media Day. The event was attended by more than 50 members of the media and was held in the Mack Sports Complex.

Shante Evans averaged 6.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in four contests at the

2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Danny Poma played for the Class A Yakima Bears in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system in 2012.

HOFSTRA ATHLETICS

Hofstra Athletics (516) 463-6750Athletic Devlopment (516) 463-1944

Ticket Office: (516) HOF-TIXX

GoHofstra.com

Hofstra Pride @HofstraPride

2011-12 Hofstra Athletics Annual Report

Documents

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