Melissa Salerno to be Inducted into Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame

Bronx, N.Y. - Today is day six of the release of the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2019, and today we return to the track for our next honoree, Melissa Salerno from the women's track and field program. She joins head track and field/cross country coach Tom Dewey, head golf coach Paul Dillon, men's track and field standout David Rosa, softball record-setter Jen Mineau, Atlantic 10 multi-event swimming winner Brienne Ryan, and All-American placekicker Patrick Murray in the class of 2019 and will be among the eleven inductees who will be announced over the next week.
 
Salerno will join the likes of Frankie Frisch, Vince Lombardi, Wellington Mara and Vin Scully in the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame when the new class is inducted on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 583 Park, during the Fordham Athletics Gala and Hall of Fame ceremony.
 
As part of the Gala, Fordham will also present the Victory Bell Award as well as honor all current Fordham Athletic Hall of Famers. The Victory Bell will be presented to an individual or individuals who have brought distinction and honor to Fordham University Athletics through achievements not related to competition, coaching and/or administration. The honoree(s) will be selected by the Hall of Fame Committee and will embody a sense of leadership and passion for Fordham Athletics and serve as inspiration to the Fordham Athletics Family.
 
In 2009, Salerno earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors by placing second in both the 800 and 1500 meters at the outdoor championship, setting the school record in both races. She also anchored the 4x800 meter relay that finished third in school record time of 8:55.72, breaking former record set in 1991. She went on to run the anchor leg on the 4x800 that placed third in the finals at the 2009 ECAC/IC4A Outdoor Championships in a school-record time of 8:54.18, breaking the former record set at the Atlantic 10 Championship (a record which still stands today).
 
Salerno won the 2008 Indoor Metropolitan 1000 meter championship and took seventh in the 1000m at the 2008 ECAC/IC4A Indoor Championship while also earning Second Team All-A-10 accolades in the indoor 1000m. She also was the 2008 Outdoor Metropolitan Champion in both the 800 meters and the 1500 meters.
 
A three-time Atlantic 10 Honor Roll member, Salerno was named the 2007 women's cross country most valuable player and the 2007-08 women's indoor track and field most valuable player.
 
In 2012 Salerno competed at the USATF Indoor Qualifiers in the 800 meters and was a 2012 US Olympic Trial Semi-Finalist in the 1500 meters.