(December 17, 2004) ?C Six former Fordham University student-athletes will join the likes of Vince Lombardi, Vin Scully and Wellington Mara when they are inducted into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame on Sunday, January 16th at 12:15 p.m. in Fordham??s McGinley Center located on the school??s Bronx campus.
The newest class includes Paul Delo (Swimming & Diving), James McDermott (Baseball), Kevin Motsch (Rowing), Charles Spinelli (Football), Rick Sweeney (Water Polo) and John Wolyniec (Soccer).
Delo, a 1998 graduate, is the most decorated diver in Fordham swimming and diving history. He was named the 1997 Atlantic 10 Diver of the Year as well as the 1995 Patriot League Male Diver of the Meet and the Patriot League championships. Delo qualified for the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Championships and won the one and three meter titles at the 1996 ECAC Championships. He holds the Atlantic 10 one-meter diving record (554.15) as well as holding Fordham??s one and three meter diving records.
McDermott, a 1993 graduate, was a top hurler for the baseball Rams in the early 1990??s. He compiled a 17-2 career record with 102 strike outs, a 2.35 ERA, seven complete games and five shutouts. McDermott is currently tied for the school record in career shut outs, is third in career ERA and ninth in career wins. He capped an outstanding senior season by going 9-0 on the mound with a 1.90 ERA and three shutouts, winning the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as the top male athlete.
Motsch, a 1994 graduate, rowed with the varsity all four years at Fordham, serving as a co-captain in 1993-94. He went undefeated in Patriot League competition, winning the league title in the lightweight 4, lightweight 8 and heavyweight 8 from 1992-94 as well as winning a gold medal with the heavyweight 4 as a junior in 1993. Motsch was also a part of a crew that won four straight New York State Championships, placing first with the heavyweight 4 in 1991, the lightweight 4 in 1992, the lightweight 4 and lightweight 8 in 1993 and the heavyweight 8 in 1994. On the national scene, Motsch won gold medals with the lightweight 8 at the 1993 and 1994 ECAC National Championships.
Spinelli, a 1985 graduate, was a four-year letterman on the offensive line with the football Rams, serving as a team captain as a junior and senior. He started all four years on the line and helped Artie Troilo rush for 949 yards (sixth best in Fordham history) as a freshman. As a senior, Spinelli was a key in Chip Kron rushing for a then school record 1,263 yards, a record that lasted 18 years.
Sweeney, a 1988 graduate, broke seven team water polo career records, including career points (347), career assists (132) and best shooting percentage (.693). He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Metropolitan Championships in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 and to the All-Tournament Team, Mid-Atlantic Conference in 1986 and 1987. A four-year letterman with the water polo squad, Sweeney was named team Most Valuable Player in 1986, 1987 and 1988.
Wolyniec, a 1998 Fordham graduate, was the most prolific scorer in Fordham men??s soccer history. A 1998 All-American, he graduated with the school career records in goals scored (75), assists (34) and total points (184). The 1998 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, he led the NCAA Division I in scoring that year with 60 points. Wolyniec was also named the Vincent T. Lombardi Award winner in 1997 and 1998. Academically Wolyniec was just as well decorated, being named First Team Academic All-American? in 1999 and Third Team Academic All-American? in 1998. He graduated in just three-and-a-half years in order to train with the U.S. National Team. He was drafted by the NY/NJ Metro Stars of the MLS following graduation and he has played for the Metro Stars the past two years.
The Hall of Fame Day will begin with a special Mass in the University Church at 11:00 a.m. followed by the Hall of Fame Brunch and Induction Ceremony in the McGinley Center at 12:15 p.m. The inductees will also be honored at halftime of the Fordham-Xavier men??s basketball game that begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Rose Hill Gym.
Tickets for the brunch are $35 for adults and $20 for children/students. For more information or to order tickets please call the Fordham University Athletic Promotion Office at 718-817-4300.
