Hofstra to retire jersey for past NCAA champion Nick Gallo
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by Jim Sheehan
HOFSTRA TO RETIRE JERSEY NUMBERS OF 20 FORMER STUDENT-ATHLETES
HEMPSTEAD, New York * In an effort to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of numerous former student-athletes during the University's 73 years of existence, Hofstra University has announced that a group of 20 past Pride athletes will have their jersey numbers retired. The list is highlighted by National Football League (NFL) star Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints and National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Craig "Speedy" Claxton of the Atlanta Hawks.
"The honoring of these 20 former student-athletes is a celebration of the outstanding history of Hofstra Athletics," commented Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes.
The group encompasses a wide range of sports and accomplishments as 10 different teams are recognized and among the honorees are National Champions, National Players of the Year, All-Americans and World Champions.
Included in the 20 athletes honored is 1977 NCAA champion Nick Gallo, the only national champion from Hofstra's wrestling program.
Wrestling
Nick Gallo biography
* 1977 National Champion at 126 pounds
* 1977 NCAA Championships Most Outstanding Wrestler Award recipient
* 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
* Member of the Suffolk County Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Each person will be honored at a home game during their respective sports season, unless schedules dictate otherwise. Detailed retirement ceremony information will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
Earlier this year the athletics department began an online process that resulted in more than 150 nominations being submitted. From that list the group of 20 former student-athletes was selected by a committee of alumni, athletics department administrators and Hofstra Pride Club members.
This group will join the current list of retired jerseys, a trio that includes Wayne Chrebet (#3) and Walter Kohanowich (#33) of the football team, and Crystal Boyd (#13) of the softball team.
OTHER ATHLETES GETTING NUMBERS RETIRED
Football
Marques Colston (#89)
* Seventh round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints who broke the
NFL record for most receptions in a player's first two seasons
* Finished third in the voting for NFL Offensive Player of the Year in
2006
* Also broke the New Orleans Saints-record with 98 receptions for 1,202
yards and team record-tying 11 touchdowns in 2007
* 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
* Currently holds the Pride single game receiving yards record with 267
on seven catches at Liberty in 2003
* An All-Atlantic 10 first team selection as a senior (2005)
Dave Fiore (#74)
* Starter on the offensive line from 1992 through 1995
* 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
* Named to the All-ECAC team and received the Hempstead Mayor's
Trophy
* Anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the team to average
more than 200 yards per game rushing in 1994 and 1995 with 1995's
261.7 yards per game average ranking as the third best in program
history
* 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
John Schmitt (#77)
* Member of the offensive line for the Pride from 1961 through 1963
* Named to All-America team as a senior
* Member of Hofstra's 1962 Cement Bowl team
* 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
* Inaugural inductee into the Long Island Sports Hall of Fame
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Men's Basketball
Craig "Speedy" Claxton (#10)
* Finished his career with 2,015 points (sixth all-time), 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
* Led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 2000
* First round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers
* Member of the 2003 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs
Rich Laurel (#21)
* 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
* Led Hofstra to its first two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances
* First round draft pick of the Portland Trail Blazers
Steve Nisenson (#13)
* Scored 2,222 points during his three-year career, which ranks second
all-time
* Held school scoring record for 43 years
* Named to All-America Team in 1963 and 1964
* Holds school record for free throws made in a season (230) and free
throw percentage (.915)
* 26.8 career point per game average is second in program history
* Career free throw percentage of .879 ranks second in Division II
record book
* 1965 fifth round draft choice of the New York Knicks
Bill Thieben (#93)
* Finished his career with 2,045 points and 1,837 rebounds in three
seasons
* Ranks as Hofstra all-time leading rebounder and is the fifth all-time
leading scorer
* 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
* Suffolk County Hall of Fame inductee in 1990
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Men's Lacrosse
Doug Shanahan (#26)
* 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 posting 43 goals and 13 assists and leading the Pride to the
NCAA quarterfinals
* Also named to All-America first team and 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, 347
shots and won 528-of-868 face-offs (.608) in 63 games at Hofstra
* During his Hofstra Football career he recorded 15 career
interceptions, returned five interceptions or fumbles for touchdowns and
was among the team leaders in tackles all four seasons. First team
All-America in football in 2000.
Jerry Simandl (#10)
* 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) in 1955
* His 58 assists in 1955 also led the nation
* Named to 1955 All-America team and was a North-South-All Star Game
selection
* Holds school records for points (102) and assists (58) in a season
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007
Men's Soccer
Gary Flood (#5)
* 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
* Currently plays for the New England Revolution of Major League
Soccer
Michael Todd (#9)
* 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
* Two-time Academic All-American
* Earned CAA Player of the Year Award as a senior
Softball
Stacy Jackson (#19)
* Four-time all-region selection
* Four-time all-conference 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.
* Played professionally in Europe after graduation
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007
Alicia Smith (#23)
* Second team All-American selection
* First team Academic All-American selection
* 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 professionaly for the New York Juggernaut
Volleyball
Sue Gades (#14)
* Team Most Valuable Player in 1984 and 1985
* Four-time All-East Coast Conference selection
* 1985 ECC Most Valuable Player
* Hofstra's all-time leader in four categories (block solos-397,
block assists-386, total blocks-783, blocks per game-2.05) and ranks in
top 10 in 11 categories
* Holds six single season records
* Team was 111-48 with three ECC titles during her tenure
* Career hitting percentage of .392 ranks 10th in NCAA history
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Shellane Ogoshi (#4)
* Recorded 4,597 assists and 1,660 digs during her Hofstra career
* Holds school records for career assists and digs
* Helped lead Hofstra to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for
the first time in school history in 2006
* Was a two-time CAA Setter of the Year (2005 and 2006), the 2005 CAA
Player of the Year and the 2004 CAA Rookie of the Year
* Named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team on two occasions
Women's Basketball
Liz Irwin (#14)
* Hofstra's all-time leader in assists (828)
* Ranks sixth on career scoring list (1,455) and fourth in steals
(219)
* Holds record for most assists in a game with 13
* Two-time Metropolitan Basketball Conference All-Star
* Four-time Team Most Valuable Player
* Team posted a 92-40 record in her four years and were Eastern AIAW
Division II Champions in 1982 (Pre Division I era)
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Dia LaBella (#15)
* Played basketball from 1978 through 1982
* Career leader in points scored with 1,840 and ranks 10th in free
throws made with 279
* Ranks in the top 10 in four single season statistical categories
* Team posted a 92-40 record in her four years and were Eastern AIAW
Division II Champions in 1982 (Pre Division I era)
* 1978-79 New York State Tournament Most Valuable Player
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007
Women's Lacrosse
Stephanie Clarke (#47)
* Played lacrosse from 1994 through 1997
* Three-time All-America selection (1994, 96, 97)
* Four-time team Most Valuable Player
* Two-time Regional All-American
* 1996 North Atlantic Conference Player of the Year
* Hofstra's Outstanding Senior Women's Athlete in 1997
* Starting goalie in the North-South Senior All-Star game
* Ranks second all-time in career saves (909)
* Member of the US National Team from 1996 through 1998
Women's Soccer
Sue Weber (#20)
* Two-time All-American selection
* Three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year
* Led Hofstra to its first two conference titles and NCAA Tournament
appearances
* First team Academic All-American
* Guided Hofstra to its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in 2007
* Earned Defensive Player of the Year Award in her first season in the
women's professional league
HEMPSTEAD, New York * In an effort to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of numerous former student-athletes during the University's 73 years of existence, Hofstra University has announced that a group of 20 past Pride athletes will have their jersey numbers retired. The list is highlighted by National Football League (NFL) star Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints and National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Craig "Speedy" Claxton of the Atlanta Hawks.
"The honoring of these 20 former student-athletes is a celebration of the outstanding history of Hofstra Athletics," commented Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes.
The group encompasses a wide range of sports and accomplishments as 10 different teams are recognized and among the honorees are National Champions, National Players of the Year, All-Americans and World Champions.
Included in the 20 athletes honored is 1977 NCAA champion Nick Gallo, the only national champion from Hofstra's wrestling program.
Wrestling
Nick Gallo biography
* 1977 National Champion at 126 pounds
* 1977 NCAA Championships Most Outstanding Wrestler Award recipient
* 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
* Member of the Suffolk County Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Each person will be honored at a home game during their respective sports season, unless schedules dictate otherwise. Detailed retirement ceremony information will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
Earlier this year the athletics department began an online process that resulted in more than 150 nominations being submitted. From that list the group of 20 former student-athletes was selected by a committee of alumni, athletics department administrators and Hofstra Pride Club members.
This group will join the current list of retired jerseys, a trio that includes Wayne Chrebet (#3) and Walter Kohanowich (#33) of the football team, and Crystal Boyd (#13) of the softball team.
OTHER ATHLETES GETTING NUMBERS RETIRED
Football
Marques Colston (#89)
* Seventh round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints who broke the
NFL record for most receptions in a player's first two seasons
* Finished third in the voting for NFL Offensive Player of the Year in
2006
* Also broke the New Orleans Saints-record with 98 receptions for 1,202
yards and team record-tying 11 touchdowns in 2007
* 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
* Currently holds the Pride single game receiving yards record with 267
on seven catches at Liberty in 2003
* An All-Atlantic 10 first team selection as a senior (2005)
Dave Fiore (#74)
* Starter on the offensive line from 1992 through 1995
* 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
* Named to the All-ECAC team and received the Hempstead Mayor's
Trophy
* Anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the team to average
more than 200 yards per game rushing in 1994 and 1995 with 1995's
261.7 yards per game average ranking as the third best in program
history
* 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
John Schmitt (#77)
* Member of the offensive line for the Pride from 1961 through 1963
* Named to All-America team as a senior
* Member of Hofstra's 1962 Cement Bowl team
* 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
* Inaugural inductee into the Long Island Sports Hall of Fame
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Men's Basketball
Craig "Speedy" Claxton (#10)
* Finished his career with 2,015 points (sixth all-time), 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
* Led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 2000
* First round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers
* Member of the 2003 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs
Rich Laurel (#21)
* 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
* Led Hofstra to its first two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances
* First round draft pick of the Portland Trail Blazers
Steve Nisenson (#13)
* Scored 2,222 points during his three-year career, which ranks second
all-time
* Held school scoring record for 43 years
* Named to All-America Team in 1963 and 1964
* Holds school record for free throws made in a season (230) and free
throw percentage (.915)
* 26.8 career point per game average is second in program history
* Career free throw percentage of .879 ranks second in Division II
record book
* 1965 fifth round draft choice of the New York Knicks
Bill Thieben (#93)
* Finished his career with 2,045 points and 1,837 rebounds in three
seasons
* Ranks as Hofstra all-time leading rebounder and is the fifth all-time
leading scorer
* 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
* Suffolk County Hall of Fame inductee in 1990
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Men's Lacrosse
Doug Shanahan (#26)
* 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 posting 43 goals and 13 assists and leading the Pride to the
NCAA quarterfinals
* Also named to All-America first team and 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, 347
shots and won 528-of-868 face-offs (.608) in 63 games at Hofstra
* During his Hofstra Football career he recorded 15 career
interceptions, returned five interceptions or fumbles for touchdowns and
was among the team leaders in tackles all four seasons. First team
All-America in football in 2000.
Jerry Simandl (#10)
* 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) in 1955
* His 58 assists in 1955 also led the nation
* Named to 1955 All-America team and was a North-South-All Star Game
selection
* Holds school records for points (102) and assists (58) in a season
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007
Men's Soccer
Gary Flood (#5)
* 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
* Currently plays for the New England Revolution of Major League
Soccer
Michael Todd (#9)
* 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
* Two-time Academic All-American
* Earned CAA Player of the Year Award as a senior
Softball
Stacy Jackson (#19)
* Four-time all-region selection
* Four-time all-conference 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.
* Played professionally in Europe after graduation
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007
Alicia Smith (#23)
* Second team All-American selection
* First team Academic All-American selection
* 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 professionaly for the New York Juggernaut
Volleyball
Sue Gades (#14)
* Team Most Valuable Player in 1984 and 1985
* Four-time All-East Coast Conference selection
* 1985 ECC Most Valuable Player
* Hofstra's all-time leader in four categories (block solos-397,
block assists-386, total blocks-783, blocks per game-2.05) and ranks in
top 10 in 11 categories
* Holds six single season records
* Team was 111-48 with three ECC titles during her tenure
* Career hitting percentage of .392 ranks 10th in NCAA history
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Shellane Ogoshi (#4)
* Recorded 4,597 assists and 1,660 digs during her Hofstra career
* Holds school records for career assists and digs
* Helped lead Hofstra to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for
the first time in school history in 2006
* Was a two-time CAA Setter of the Year (2005 and 2006), the 2005 CAA
Player of the Year and the 2004 CAA Rookie of the Year
* Named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team on two occasions
Women's Basketball
Liz Irwin (#14)
* Hofstra's all-time leader in assists (828)
* Ranks sixth on career scoring list (1,455) and fourth in steals
(219)
* Holds record for most assists in a game with 13
* Two-time Metropolitan Basketball Conference All-Star
* Four-time Team Most Valuable Player
* Team posted a 92-40 record in her four years and were Eastern AIAW
Division II Champions in 1982 (Pre Division I era)
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006
Dia LaBella (#15)
* Played basketball from 1978 through 1982
* Career leader in points scored with 1,840 and ranks 10th in free
throws made with 279
* Ranks in the top 10 in four single season statistical categories
* Team posted a 92-40 record in her four years and were Eastern AIAW
Division II Champions in 1982 (Pre Division I era)
* 1978-79 New York State Tournament Most Valuable Player
* Inducted into Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007
Women's Lacrosse
Stephanie Clarke (#47)
* Played lacrosse from 1994 through 1997
* Three-time All-America selection (1994, 96, 97)
* Four-time team Most Valuable Player
* Two-time Regional All-American
* 1996 North Atlantic Conference Player of the Year
* Hofstra's Outstanding Senior Women's Athlete in 1997
* Starting goalie in the North-South Senior All-Star game
* Ranks second all-time in career saves (909)
* Member of the US National Team from 1996 through 1998
Women's Soccer
Sue Weber (#20)
* Two-time All-American selection
* Three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year
* Led Hofstra to its first two conference titles and NCAA Tournament
appearances
* First team Academic All-American
* Guided Hofstra to its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in 2007
* Earned Defensive Player of the Year Award in her first season in the
women's professional league
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