Jan. 10, 2010
Bronx, N.Y. -
The ranks of Fordham University Athletic Hall of Famers will grow by six on Saturday, January 23rd, as the Rams will induct the newest class at the annual Hall of Fame Awards Brunch at 10:30 a.m. in Fordham's McGinley Center located on the school's Bronx campus.
Joining the likes of such Fordham notables as Frankie Frisch, Vince Lombardi, Vin Scully, Wellington Mara and Peter Harnisch will be Ioana Dragan CBA '02 (Women's Tennis) , Javarus Dudley CBA `04 (Football), Kevin Eakin FCRH `04 (Football), Akira Kosugi CBA '96 (Men's Swimming) , Sophie Namy FCRH '00 (Rowing) , and Kirwin Watson FCRH '04 (Football).
Dudley, Eakin and Watson led the 2002 football squad to its first ever Patriot League championship and graduated in 2004 as Fordham's all-time leading receiver, passer and rusher, respectively.
Dudley, a consensus First Team All-America as a senior in 2003, became the first Fordham receiver to compile more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season, accomplishing the feat twice. He was named the 2002 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-League in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Dudley graduated as the Patriot League career leader in receptions (295), receiving yards (4,197), receiving touchdowns (34), all-purpose yards (7,121), kickoff returns (111) and kickoff return yardage (2,663), all records that still stand. He also holds Fordham single season marks for receptions (101 set in 2004), receiving yards (1,439 set in 2004) and kickoff return yards (840 set in 2002).
Despite playing just two seasons, Eakin set Fordham career records in passing yards (6,112), touchdown passes (45), completion percentage (61.5%), 200-yard passing games (19) and 300-yard passing games (5). He also ranked among Patriot League career leaders in completion percentage (third), passing yards/game (sixth), passing touchdowns (tenth), passing yards (11th) and total offense (12th).
A 2002 & 2003 First Team All-Patriot League selection, Eakin was the first Fordham quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a season, setting the school passing yardage record in 2003 with 3,072 yards. He led the Patriot League in passing yards/game that season and was second in total offense.
Watson, a finalist for the 2002 and 2003 Walter Payton Award as the top NCAA FCS (formerly I-AA) offensive player in the nation, was a Second Team All-America in 2003 as well as being named the Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year that fall. He is the first Fordham player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season on the FCS level, doing so as both a junior and a senior.
The 2002 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, Watson holds Fordham career records for rushing yards (4,617), rushing attempts (942) and rushing touchdowns (48) as well as single season records for rushing yards (1,477 set in 2003), rushing attempts (311 set in 2003) and rushing touchdowns (20 set in 2003).
Dragan, the 2001 Atlantic 10 Student Athlete of the Year for Women's Tennis, was named to the All-Atlantic 10 team in 2000 and 2001. She received the 2001 Claire Hobbs Award as the school's top female student-athlete after going 8-2 at #1 singles in dual match action and 5-2 in doubles play as a senior.
Kosugi, who transferred to Fordham after swimming for three years at Florida, was named 1996 Most Outstanding Performer at the Atlantic 10 Championships, winning A-10 titles in the 200 IM and 100 fly. He was also a member of the 200 medley relay team that won the 1996 Atlantic 10 championship, setting an Atlantic 10 record in the process.
As a senior, Kosugi set Fordham records in the 200 IM, 100 back and 100 fly with the 100 fly and 200 IM records still standing today. He was also a member of the 200 and 400 medley relay teams that set school records in 1996.
Namy, who rowed in the women's top crew for three years and earned Academic All-America honors all three years, won both the A-10 championship and Dad Vail championship in both her junior and senior years with the varsity eight. She helped the crew to an undefeated 1999 spring season and added a New York State Championship to their other accomplishments while also competing in the varsity four that raced in Women's Henley her senior year.
Namy continued to row for a fifth year in 2000 as she had eligibility remaining due to time missed because of injury. She stroked the best varsity eight Fordham has ever raced that year and finished second at the Dad Vail, missing the gold medal in a photo finish (this was Fordham's best finish in the varsity eight event at the Dad Vail).
The day will begin with a special mass at the University Church before the Hall of Famers and their guest arrive at the McGinley Center Ballroom for the formal induction ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m. New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay FCRH '82 will serve as the Master of Ceremony at the brunch.
Following the ceremony, the Hall of Famers will attend the Fordham-Temple men's basketball game in the Rose Hill Gym at 1:00 p.m. with the new class being introduced to the crowd at halftime.
For more information on the 2010 Hall of Fame Day or to order tickets, click here.
