Hall of Fame
Throughout the years, Erie Community College has had outstanding athletes, community leaders, and coaches who have excelled in their field. The Athletic Department has seen recognized those efforts at the Athletic Department Hall of Fame. The Athletic Department’s Hall of Fame is located on the second floor of the Burt Flickinger Athletic Center, at City Campus.
The Hall of Fame Committee has announced that nominations for the next Hall of Fame Induction class are now open. Nomination forms are due by October 27, 2023. The inductees will be announced in December and the induction ceremony will take place in April 2024.
Criteria for Nomination
Intercollegiate Athlete Category
- 24 Credit Hours earned at ECC
- Member of intercollegiate team
- Out of ECC for at least five (5) years
- Academic excellence and community service will be considered
Special Awards Category
- Anyone who has made extraordinary contributions to the growth, development or success of the ECC Athletic program will be considered.
Please click on the nomination form below to complete for each nomination. Additional information (news articles, award announcements ect.) about a nominee may be sent by email to Renee Orr, Sports Information Director at ascorrr@ecc.edu or mail to the Erie Athletics Office located in the Burt Flicking Center, 21 Oak Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 Attn: Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Members
Pam Amabile
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 1992
Amabile can be considered one of the first female superstars of ECC. She entered Erie in 1978 during the infancy of the women's athletic program at the college. She was recruited by coach Santo DeSain from Frontier High School in Hamburg. She quickly established the Lady Kats as one the predominant women's athletic programs in the country. Amabile excelled in both basketball and softball. She was selected to the NJCAA Region III and Penn York Conference for both sports. In 1978 she gained All-American honors in basketball. In 1979 she received All-American status in softball. In 1979 the college honored her as the Female Athlete of the Year. Amabile continued her education and athletic prowess at Indiana University where she received a full softball scholarship.
Valerie Banks
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL
INDUCTED 2004
While at Erie Community College, she was an integral part of the volleyball, basketball and softball programs from 1980-82. Banks was a member of Regional Championship teams in each sport and a member of the 1981 and 1982 NJCAA National Champion Softball teams coached by Santo DeSain. She played alongside fellow Hall of Famers Mary Jo Monin, Diane Jircitano, Barb Rieman, Sue O'Callaghan and Sally Wood. Her individual accolades included All-Region honors in volleyball in 1980 and 1981 and All-American Honors in softball in 1981 and 1982.
John Beilein
HEAD COACH BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2008
Considered one of the best tactical basketball coaching minds in the country, John Beilein began his collegiate coaching career at Erie Community College in 1978. In his four-year coaching career at Erie, he led the Kats to a 75-43 record. Since then, Beilein has ascended the college coaching ranks to a higher level than any other former Erie coach. He coached Canisius College, the University of Richmond, and West Virginia University to a combined four NCAA Division I tournament appearances. After leading West Virginia to the 2007 National Invitation Tournament championship, Beilein accepted the head coach position at the University of Michigan. He also coached at Nazareth College and LeMoyne College. Beilein has never been an assistant coach.
Louis Billittier, Sr.
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1999
Louis J Billittier had been a member of the ECC Board of Trustee's from 1980 - 1998. During that time, he had served for several years as chairman of the board. He is one of the most notable citizens on Western New York receiving a multitude of awards for his community service leadership and charitable work. Billitier has been one of the mainstays behind the success of Erie Community College athletics. In 1993 he was awarded the prestigious George E Killian Award for his contributions to the growth and recognition of athletics at ECC and amateur sports in general. He was an avid fan of the ECC Student Athletes and also a generous contributor to our athletic program. Billittier is highly regarded as a restaurateur and is the owner of the famous and popular Chef's Restaurant of Buffalo, NY. He has earned the respect of his neighbors and fellow citizens for his unselfish community involvement. Louis J Billittier is truly a man for all seasons.
Laurie Brinkman
TENNIS
INDUCTED 2012
As a freshman, Brinkman had an immediate impact on the Kats as she won the NJCAA singles, doubles and all-events titles on her way to All-America honors. As a sophomore, she was honorable mention All-America and earned All-Region III honors. As a team, ECC won numerous tournament titles, including two Region III titles and the 1981 NJCAA championship.
Antwon Burton
FOOTBALL
INDUCTED 2015
The first Erie Community College alum to play in the National Football League, Antwon Burton helped lay the foundation for the college's football program. A pivotal leader on the first two Erie football teams, Burton was an all Northeast Football Conference selectionat defensive tacklein 2002 when the Kats finished the season 7-3 and advanced to the Red River Bowl. After his time at Erie, Burton played two years at Temple University and had a four-year NFL career (2005-2009) with the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Saint Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers.
Jack Catalano
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2002
Jack Catalano played guard for Coach George Killian during the 1964-1966 seasons. In those two years, Catalano led his team to the Regional Playoffs. In 1966, under his leadership on the basketball court, the Kats advanced to the NJCAA District Final in Massachusetts. Coach Killian said that Jack had three outstanding attributes, ball handling, shooting and leadership. During his two years at the college, Catalano scored 1,012 points. George Killian considered Catalano one of his all time outstanding basketball players.
Lorenzo Cheatom
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2002
A two-year starter who played center for ECC from 1978-1980. Named Most Valuable Player for the 1978-1979 season. He also earned All Tournament Team Honors at the Niagara County Community College Tournament and was named second Team All Penn York Conference. After graduation from ECC, he received a full scholarship to attend Stonehill College in North Eaton, Massachusetts. At Stonehill, he led his teams to two undefeated seasons and the conference championship. He is a member of the Stonehill Hall of Fame. Lorenzo works for the New York State Department of Corrections.
Cindy Coburn Carroll
BOWLING
INDUCTED 1991
Cindy Coburn was the first female bowler at Erie Community College. In 1974-75, she bowled with the men's team and earned All American honors. The next season Cindy bowled on the first Women's team the college sponsored and that team won the NJCAA Region III Championship. In 1976 she advanced to the Collegiate National Bowling Championships where she set a single game record at that time of 269 that stood for the years. In 1976, again she was selected to the NJCAA All American Team. After graduating from Erie Community College, she continued her education at the State University of New York at Buffalo and became the first women bowler elected to their Hall of Fame. She turned professional in 1978 and as bowled more than 13 perfect 300 games and has won more than 14 professional titles. Her bowling awards are numerous and she is regarded as one of the top women bowlers in the country.
Ryan Ciminelli
Bowling
INDUCTED 2016
A two-time NJCAA All-American, Ryan Ciminelli is one of the most accomplished bowlers in NJCAA history. He was the Kerm Helmer All-Events champion at the 2005 and 2007 NJCAA Championships and led the Kats to national titles in both years. In 2005, he also captured the NJCAA singles title before advancing to the quarterfinals of the USBC Collegiate Singles Championship and culminated the year by being named Collegiate Rookie of the Yearand runner-up for the Bowling Writers Association of America's Bowler of the Year. In 2007, Ciminelli amassed 2,591 pins over 12 games to capture his second All-Events title with a 215.9 average at the NJCAA championship. He became the first Kat to win that event twice and only the second bowler in NJCAA history to earn that distinction.
William Cooke
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 2004
William Cooke enters the Erie Community College Athletic Hall of Fame as a contributor. Cooke's long history of dedication to the sports teams at Erie was second to none. Cooke passed away on March 8, 2002 and will be forever missed, as he was a ray of light to anybody he was around. Cooke started his career as a Copy Boy at the Buffalo News while he attended college at Buffalo State. He began his sports writing career as the Sports Editor at the Lockport Union Sun and Journal in the 1960s. He then moved on to the Courier Express as a Sports Reporter and was very successful. Cooke then became president of the Erie Community College Athletic Advisory Board, where his experience helped pave the way for many successes at Erie. The ECC paw logo for the new football team and many of the caricatures of the athletic Kat logo were designed by Cooke. They have become one of the most well known athletic logos in Western New York.
Antoinette Covelli
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1998
Designed and painted the ECC Kat which has become known as the official logo for the ECC Athletic Department. A very talented artist, Covelli has won several awards for her china painting and her portrait pastel work including a best of show at the Erie County Fair. Mrs. Covelli was an avid supporter of Erie Community College and the KATS for many years.
Gene Covelli
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1998
Covelli was inducted as an ECC student-athlete, coach, professor and advisor.Covelli has unselfishly given his time and talents to promote Erie Community College and the Athletic Program. His efforts have contributed to making ECC a quality place to work and learn.Among his awards are:1974 Athletic Department Appreciation Award1986 George E. Killian Award1989 Certificate of Merit1993 Student Government Award1997 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Santo Desain, Jr.
HEAD COACH SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 2008
One of the most accomplished softball coaches in the history of the NJCAA, Santo DeSain's teams combined to post a 404-92 record during his tenure from 1980 to 1993. His teams won 12 conference championships, seven Region III titles and two NJCAA National Championships (1980 and 1981) during his 14 years as head coach. DeSain also posted a 151-41 record as the women's basketball head coach (1977-84, 1985-86) and a 84-48-1 record as the baseball coach (1970-77), leading Erie to its first Region III baseball championship in 1977. As the Assistant Director of Athletics from 1976 to 2005, DeSain was an integral part of the department's growth from seven to 22 varsity sports. He also served as Interim Director of Athletics from 2005 to 2006. He was selected to the NJCAA Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Susan Devlin
CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK AND FIELD
INDUCTED 2010
Susan Devlin was a two-year member of the cross country and track and field teams at Erie. She earned All-American status in the 10,000-meter run at the 2003 NJCAA championship at the age of 44. She was a two-time recipient of the Grace M. Galanti Athletic Achievement Award in 2003 and 2004. Devlin went on to excel in cross country for two years at Hilbert College. She is very active in the Western New York running community, serving as race director for the BPAC Six Hour Distance Classic, Chestnut Ridge 10K Challenge and the Meghan Memorial Cross Country Race.
Jerry Dudley
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2012
He led the Kats to their first-ever Region III basketball title in 1972 and the NJCAA Tournament. A 26-year-old center who did two tours of duty in Vietman, Dudley ended his career as the all-time leading scorer (1,351 points) and set the school record for single-season rebounds (603). Both marks still lead the ECC record books. In addition, he snared 29 rebounds against Mohawk Valley CC on Feb. 23, 1973.
Burt Flickinger, Jr.
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1994
Burt Flickinger, a community leader in Buffalo, was instrumental in bringing the 1993 World University Games to Western New York and was chairman of this prestigious event. This was the first time then Games had ever been in the United States. The Erie Community College City Campus Athletic Facility was built to house the swimming competition during the World University Games. As an expression of deep respect for his commitment to the citizens of Western New York and the students of Erie Community College, the City Campus Athletic Facility is named in his honor. The ECC Athletic Department would also like to recognize and honor Burt Flickinger by placing his name in our Hall of Fame.
ECC Athletic Booster Club Founders
CONTRIBUTORS
INDUCTED 2002
Gene Covelli, Ken Duke, George A. Thomas, Dave and Judy Kuntz and Tom and Bette McCullough In 1975, these members, along with director of athletics Ralph Galanti, founded the ECC Athletic Booster Club to help raise revenue for the athletic department. These members volunteered long hours to help promote the ECC student-athletes and their respective teams. Over the years, they were able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the program. These individuals are synonymous with the success of the Kats and Lady Kats throughout the years. The officers were president Dave Kuntz, vice president Judy Kuntz, treasurer Bette McCullough and the executive board, Gene Covelli, Ken Duke, Tom McCullough and George A. Thomas.
Sue Fulton-Schottke
BOWLING
INDUCTED 2002
During her two seasons at Erie, Sue Fulton-Schottke was a member of two Regional Championship teams. In 1977, she was the singles and doubles champion and in 1976 and 1977, she was the All Events Champion. During her career at ECC, she also won the ACUI Intercollegiate Doubles Championship and was named NJCAA All American in 1977 as well as ECC's Female Athlete of the Year. Sue was also a member of the 1977 NJCAA National Runner Up Team. After ECC, Sue went to State University of New York at Buffalo where she was an All American and won the Clifford E. Furnas Scholar/Athlete Scholarship in 1979. Sue has been inducted into four different bowling Hall of Fames. She is currently an executive assistant at Anderson's.
Peggy Funk-Kuhn
BOWLING
INDUCTED 2004
Winning the NJCAA National Championships in both her seasons, she was the first collegiate bowler in Western New York to bowl a 700 series, a 711. In 1983, Funk-Kuhn was the Western New York Conference MVP and her team MVP. The honors did not stop there though, as she garnered the ECC Female Athlete of the Year and the Helen R. Cornell Scholarship as the athlete with the highest GPA (3.82). In that same year, she was the doubles champion and all-events champion in the NJCAA National Tournament, earning All-American Status. In the 1983-84 season, Funk-Kuhn was again All-American and again captured the NJCAA Doubles title. She qualified ninth for the United States Team Trials with a ninth place finish in the WIBC Tournament. After graduating from Erie, she went onto Buffalo State where she was All-American in 1986 and represented the United States in Bogotá, Columbia in the FIQ American Zone Championships. She has been named Buffalo Area Bowling Council Bowler of the year four times and was inducted into the Buffalo Women's Bowling Council in 2003.
Ralph Galanti, Jr.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
INDUCTED 2008
Ralph Galanti, Jr. served as the Director of Athletics at Erie Community College from 1975 to 2005. He began his tenure by combining the struggling athletic programs at the three campuses into a one-college concept. Over his 31 years, the athletic program grew from seven to 22 varsity sports and captured 45 NJCAA national championships. Galanti also posted a 449-306-42 record as the ice hockey coach from 1976 to 2000, capturing five Region III championships. He received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 1998 and is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Ralph Galanti, Sr.
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1991
Ralph J Galanti, Sr has been associated with ECC for more than 30 years. He served on the college's Recreation Leadership Advisory Board where he was appointed in 1961 as one of its original members. He also served as a member of the ECC Booster Club Executive Board for 16 years. Through the years, Galanti contributed to the growth of the ECC athletic department by providing use of the City of Lackawanna's excellent softball facilities for the women's softball games and tournaments; assisted in fund raising activities; helped many student athletes secure employment upon their graduation from ECC and was an avid fan of the Kats and Lady Kats as he attended many of the college's varsity team games. Galanti was the Recreation Director for the City of Lackawanna for more than 40 years. He was regarded as the "dean of Recreation Directors" for the state. He is the father of former ECC Athletic Director, Ralph J Galanti Jr.
A. Edward Hamilton
WRESTLING
INDUCTED 1998
Hamilton is the most accomplished wrestler in ECC history. He competed in the 1970-71 season. His accomplishments include:21-0 Dual Meet Record - (All by Pins)NJCAA Region III Tournament Record 3-1 (All Wins by Pin)NJCAA Tournament, 2nd Place 190 lb Weight ClassNJCAA National Championship Tournament Record 4-1 (All Wins by Pin)NJCAA National Championship Tournament 2nd Place 177 lb Weight ClassNJCAA 2nd Team All American 177 lb Weight Class1971 NJCAA Gorriaran Award for most pins in the least amount of timeSeason Record 28-2, (All 28 Victories by Pin)
Kerm Helmer
HEAD COACH BOWLING
INDUCTED 2003
Kerm Helmer was without a doubt the patriarch of the bowling programs at Erie Community College as he founded the program. He devoted more than 30 years of his life to the program as well as donating his efforts to the WIBC, YABA, ABC and IBC. His 37 NJCAA Championships are by far the most of any coach in any sport in NJCAA history. His passing in October of 2002 was felt across the country as he was remembered by professional bowlers, newspapers and broadcast media.
Perry Jenkins
COACH TRACK AND FIELD
INDUCTED 2012
Under Jenkins, the Kats' men's track and field program won the 1998 and 1999 NJCAA Division III outdoor track and field titles and his 1999 women's squad finished second in the nation. He twice guided the men's program to four-straight Region III titles, 1990-93 and 1996-99. He coached over 50 NJCAA All-America participants. Jenkins currently serves as the State University at Buffalo's men's head track and field coach with additional duties for the sprints and hurdles for both the men's and women's programs.
Jim Kaska
ICE HOCKEY
INDUCTED 2002
Kaska was an All-Region goaltender during the 1989-1990 and 1990-1991 hockey seasons. He led his team to two Region III championships where he was voted the Most Valuable Player both years. In 1991, he was first team All-Region III and All-JUCO. In the same year, he was named second team All-American.After graduating from ECC, he went on to SUNY Brockport. Kaska is a City of Buffalo Police Officer who has received many awards and citations during his career.
George Killian
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1991
George E Killian, executive director of the National Junior College Athletic Association, and former ECC Athletic Director and men's basketball coach has the honor of being the first inductee into the ECC Hall of Fame and Distinction. George Killian laid the foundation of the college's successful athletic program and holds the record of the most wins (253) for a basketball coach (1954-1969) Killian was largely responsible for the athletic complex at north campus which was built in 1960. Killian has received hundreds of international and national awards throughout his years as athletic director and head of the NJCAA. He is considered one of the most influential men in the world when it comes to amateur men's basketball. He has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and has been president of the International Amateur basketball Federation. Erie Community College established an athletic award in his honor in 1978 to honor his accomplishments for the college and country.
James Klein
BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK AND FIELD
INDUCTED 1998
Klein earned seven letters at Erie County Technical Institute from 1964-1966, the most ever be an ECTI athlete: two cross country, two baseball, two basketball and one track. He was the Athlete of the Year 1965-1966. 1966 All NJCAA Region III Cross CountryTwo-Time All NJCAA Region III Basketball SelectionTwo-Time All NJCAA Region III Baseball Selection1965 and 1966 NJCAA Baseball All AmericanECTI Baseball MVP1965 and 1966 ECTI Athlete of the Year
James Law
TRACK AND FIELD
INDUCTED 2012
In addition to setting several records on the track, Law won seven NJCAA championships during his outdoor career at ECC. Law claimed NJCAA titles in the 100 (twice), 200 and 4x100 (twice) and 4x400 (twice) relays. He also recorded nine Region III championships. After his time at ECC, Law was the opening leg for the University of South Carolina's 2002 NCAA Division I champion 4x400 relay team.
Floyd Lisinski
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1996
Floyd Lisinski had been associated with Erie Community College for more than 20 years as a member of the Erie Community College Board of Trustees, Athletic Advisory Voard, and an avid supporter of the college's athletic program. He was instrumental in passage of the one college concept for athletics in 1974. He was a loyal fan of the college's varsity teams and attended many of the games and athletic functions throughout his association with the college. He was honored by the student athletes and coaching staff in 1981 when he was presented the George E. Killian Award which is given to an individual who has contributed to the growth and recognition of athletes at Erie Community College and amateur sports in general. Lisinski was a community leader receiving many awards throughout his career. He received labor's Man of the Year in 1975. He served on many community boards such as the United Way, Polish Community Center, Broadway-Fillmore Area Council and was very active with the Boy Scouts. Lisinski passed away on July 4, 1996. His memory and contributions will always be remembered and appreciated by the student athletes and the Erie Community College Athletic department.
John McNulty
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 1999
After graduation from Erie Community College, John attended Florida Southern College on a basketball scholarship where he earned a place on the NCAA All American Team. 1982-83Frst Team All ConferenceFirst Team NJCAA Region IIIFirst Team NJCAA All AmericanAveraged 21 points and 11 rebounds a game1983-84NJCAA Region III Player of the YearFirst Team All ConferenceFirst Team NJCAA Region IIIFirst Team NJCAA All AmericanAveraged 17.5 pints and 9 rebounds per gameLed Nation in Field Goal Percentage (65 percent)
Dave Mendolfik
BASEBALL, BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2002
Mendolfik was an outstanding two sport athlete at ECC (formerly ECTI). During his two years at the college, he set single season and career scoring records in basketball. In his freshman year, he was selected to the first Team All Empire State Conference Team and second Team NJCAA Region III All Star. He was the leading scorer in the conference and named on Region III All Tournament Team where he won the Sportsmanship Trophy. In his second year, Mendolfik made first Team All Star on both the Empire State Conference and Region III teams. He was the winner of the ECC Richard Dry Award for Most Valuable Basketball Player during his two years at the college. In baseball, he was an outstanding catcher and was named to the NJCAA Region III All Star Team for two years.
Anthony Merriweather
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2004
While playing basketball at Erie, Merriweather joined the program at the same time that first-year head coach Don Silveri took over the reigns. The team started out the year with a 15-3 record and was ranked second in the region on the heels of a defeat of the second-ranked team in the country, Allegheny, when Merriweather was injured. They proceeded to finish the season 5-6 for a 20-9 record. They drew the top-ranked team in the country, Jamestown, in the playoffs and played valiantly with Merriweather back in the lineup. They were defeated and finished 20-10, surprising many people. Merriweather was named third Team All-Region III and second Team All-Penn York Conference.
Mary Jo Monnin
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 1999
Monnin was a two-sport standout, excelling in basketball and softball. She was a catcher on Erie's back-to-back national championship teams. monnin later attended Bradley University (Peoria, Ill.) on a basketball scholarship. The Lancaster graduate has been a newspaper journalist since 1983. She's been a sportswriter at The Buffalo News since 1993. Softball1980-81 NJCAA National Champion Team1980-81 Outstanding catcher Two season batting average .3751980-81 All Penn York Conference1981 NJCAA All Region III Team Basketball1979-80 and 1980-81 Point Guard1908-81 Penn York Conference Champions1980 set single season assist record (161)Holds two season record for assists (310)1980-81 NJCAA All Region III Team1981 All Penn York Conference1981 NJCAA Region III All Tournament Team
Martin Motley III
TRACK AND FIELD
INDUCTED 2002
Motley was an outstanding all around track athlete. He participated in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles; long jump and high jump; 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes and the sprint relays. He was named All Region for 10 separate events in his two-year indoor track career at ECC. During the outdoor track season, he earned 18 All Region honors. He was an NJCAA All American in the Outdoor High Jump in 1986. He was the Men's Track and Field Most Valuable Player in 1985 and 1986 seasons and was honored that same year as the Male Athlete of the Year.
Dan Nadeau
BOWLING
INDUCTED 1999
Nadeau began his eventual Hall of Fame career in 1984. During his career with Team USA, Nadeau established the record for most Gold Medal won by a United States player in International Competition In 1983 he was the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow.1983 Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow1984 and 1985 NJCAA All American1984 National Collegiate Championship Most Valuable Player1984 FIQ American Zone Doubles and All Events Gold Medalist1985 USA National Amateur Champion 1985 Tournament of the America's Gold Medalist Singles, Doubles, All Events and Team1986 Collegiate Bowler of the Year1986 Bowling Digest Bowler of the Year1988 FIQ World Youth Championship Team Gold Medallist2000 NJCAA Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame
Steve Nelson
BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, BOWLING
INDUCTED 2016
Steve Nelson was a standout multi-sport athlete during his two years at Erie County Technical Institute culminating in him earning the Laurence E. Spring Male Athlete of the Year Award in 1968. Nelson was a two-time All-Region baseball performer as an outfielder and first baseman, while also pitching for the Kats. Leading the basketball team to a .724 winning percentage (42-18) over two seasons, Nelson amassed 673 points that led to an All-Region selection his second year. As a member of the Kats' inaugural men's bowling team, he helped the team to a regional championship. Nelson's competitiveness and leadership characteristics were apparant to many as he led both the basketball and baseball teams as captain and received the Sports Editors Award as Hustler of the Year.
Robert Nowak
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 2004
Bob Nowak is a graduate of Cleveland Hill High School, where he made All-Western New York in three consecutive years. He entered Erie Community College in 1966, then named Erie County Technical Institute, or ECTI. He majored in recreation supervision and later transferred to the University at Buffalo. While at ECC, Nowark was a starter in his Freshman year. His first collegiate game was against Jamestown Community College and scored 41 points, two points shy of the school record. In his second season he was team captain and was named ECC Athlete of the Year. Nowak finished his Erie career one point shy of 1,000 and was Empire State Junior College Conference First-Team All-Star as well as NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American.
Sue O'Callaghan
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL
INDUCTED 1992
Sue O'Callaghan was one of the most talented young women athletes that ever attended ECC. She participated in basketball, softball and volleyball. She earned All Penn York Conference and NJCAA Region III All Star status in basketball and softball. She dominated women's softball as one of the top power hitters ever to participate at the junior college level. She was named to the National All Star Softball Team in 1980 and 1981. She earned NJCAA All American honors and was named MVP at the National Softball Championship in St Louis in 1981. Sue was honored by the college when she was named Female Athlete of the Year in 1981. After graduation from ECC , she received a full scholarship to Indiana University, where she excelled in the sport of softball.
Pat Occhuito
SOCCER
INDUCTED 1998
Erie best soccer player, Occhuito left his mark following the 1975-1976 seasons. He won back-to-back Region III scoring titles while setting the record for most goals in two seasons with 54. He was named All-Region III in 1976 as well as ECC's Athlete of the Year in 1976. He was captain and MVP of the 1976 Kats. He played professional indoor soccer with the Buffalo Blizzard (1993-1994), the Buffalo Stallions and the Kansas City Comets. Outdoors, he played professionally with the Rochester Flash (1981) and the Buffalo Storm (1984).
Diane (Jircitano) Poturalski
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 2002
Jircitano was a two sport athlete at ECC playing both basketball and softball. She was a steady and dependable player on the basketball court and was a star on the softball field. During her two seasons, her team won the Region III Softball Tournament. In 1981, Jircitano helped the Kats to their second consecutive NJCAA National Title. She was named to the All Tournament Team that year. In 1982, she was named Region III Tournament Most Valuable Player and earned first Team All Region Honors and was selected first Team NJCAA All American. She received a full scholarship to the University of Iowa where she had an outstanding career. She graduated in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and is currently an accountant.
Barb Rieman
BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 1999
Reiman was an impact player in softball and basketball. Her solo home run in the 1980 Region III final gave Erie a 1-0 win and propelled the Lady Kats in the NJCAAs. Reiman went on to lead the team to back-to-back titles. In basketball she was named MVP of the 1980 Region III final in a losing cause. After Erie, Reiman attended Niagara University on a basketball scholarship receiving her degree in 1983. She coached ECC's women's basketball from 1986-1990. In 1990 she was appointed Director of General Studies at ECC and in 1998 was appointed Dean of Students.
Linda Rogers Haas
CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK AND FIELD
INDUCTED 2002
Linda Rogers was an outstanding cross country runner and track long distance runner for ECC. Although she only spent one year at the college, her achievements were outstanding. In the fall of 1977, she was the first ECC female athlete to receive the NJCAA Cross Country All Region and All American honors. In the spring of 1978, she joined the track team and doubled in the 1,500 and 3,000 meter events. She once again earned NJCAA All Region and All American honors. During her career at ECC, Linda maintained a 4.0 GPA and was named the Female Athlete of the Year in 1978. Linda received an athletic scholarship to Fort Hayes State University where she starred as a cross country and track athlete. Linda graduated Summa Cum Laude and is a certified public accountant.
Rick Ross
ICE HOCKEY
INDUCTED 1992
Rick Ross is considered one of the all time great defensemen who played for the ECC Hockey Kats from 1977-79. He led the Kats to two straight Finger Lakes Collegiate Hockey League divisional and playoff championships. The Kats were also runners up in the Region III Championship Tournament. Ross was known for his offensive ability as well as his defensive skills. He held the all time scoring record for a defenseman for a number of years. He gained league and regional all star status in both years he played and in 1979 he received NJCAA All American recognition. That same year he was chosen Male Athlete of the Year. Ross graduated from ECC and went to Canisius College where he played for the Golden Griffins for two years. After graduating from Canisius he came back to ECC as an assistant hockey coach and then became head coach at Brockport.
Gary Rost
ICE HOCKEY
INDUCTED 2010
Gary Rost has been on the bench for Erie's ice hockey program since the 1978-79 season, serving as an assistant from 1978 to 2001 and again from 2003 to 2007 and as the head coach from 2001 to 2003 and 2007 to 2010. Rost earned Region III Coach of the Year and Buffalo Fan Awards College Coach of the Year recognition in 2009. Rost has been a part of all eight Region III titles, including leading the Kats to the 2009 and 2010 regional championships as the head coach. Rost also served as the golf coach from 1982 to 2008. He led Erie to a ninth place finish at the 2004 NJCAA championship. An active member of the Western New York hockey scene, Rost has served on the boards of the Western New York Amateur Hockey League and Southtowns High School Club Hockey League, and coached in the Cazenovia Park Hockey Association and for Canisius High School.
Tom Schratz
SOCCER
INDUCTED 2004
Tom Schratz, a soccer player for Erie Community College, led a revitalization of the men's soccer team in 1971. After not qualifying for post-season play in the first nine-years of the program, his stellar play and record scoring put the Kats into the Regional playoffs for the first time ever. With a regional-record 24 goals, he was named to the Region III All-Star team. Schratz scored at least three goals in six-straight games in 1971, still thought to be a record. He scored six in an Invitational Tournament game at Behrend and was named the top offensive player in the tourney for his exploits.
Rob Slawinowski
ICE HOCKEY
INDUCTED 1999
Rob Slawinowski was on the first Erie Community College hockey team. He was an outstanding goaltender who helped lead his team to two Finger Lakes Collegiate Hockey League Championships. He won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1978. He helped defeat Canisius College in the playoff championship by making 53 saves as the Kats defeated the Golden Griffins 9-3. He also won a varsity letter as a member of the golf team in 1978. He received his degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 1978. In 1980 he graduated from the State University of New York College at Buffalo with a degree in Industrial Technology and received his New York State Secondary Certification in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1982. He has continued playing hockey until this very day and has received many awards as an outstanding goalie. In 1989, Slawinowski became assistant academic dean for technologies at Erie Community College.
The 1980 and 1981 Softball Teams
SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 2012
Under head coach Santo DeSain, these teams won NJCAA, Region III and Penn-York Conference championships. The 1980 squad went 31-4 and won its last 21 games, including a 2-1 decision over Pima (Ariz.) in the title game. In 1981, ECC went 30-3 and rebounded from an opening-day loss at the NJCAA Tournament to repeat as champion. The Kats defeated Lake Michigan twice, including a 2-1 decision in 12 innings in the final, to claim the championship. DeSain won the NJCAA Coach of the Year both seasons while Sally Wood was the 1980 NJCAA Tournament's most valuable player and Sue O'Callaghan won the 1981 NJCAA Tournament MVP.
Marie Ann Stachowski
SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL
INDUCTED 2012
She was the starting catcher for ECC's softball teams in 1978 and 1979, including ECC's first NJCAA Tournament softball team in 1979, and helped the Kats win back-to-back Penn-York Conference titles. She still ranks among the leaders in single-season stolen bases. Stachowski was a key figure in ECC's first-ever winning volleyball season in 1977 and part of the Kats' first 20-win season the following year. She lost a battle with Hodgkin's Disease less than a year after graduating from ECC, while enrolled as a student athlete at Canisius College.
George Thomas
CONTRIBUTOR
INDUCTED 1992
George Thomas was the former Vice President for Academic Affairs at Erie Community College who retired in 1992. George along with Athletic Director Ralph Galanti wrote the One College Concept for Athletics in 1964. This innovative concept established Erie Community College as one of the elite athletic programs in the country. George had been a mainstay in the promotion and support of the athletic program and its student athletes through the years. He has been on the executive board of the Erie Community College Athletic Booster Club for 16 years and helped raise thousands of dollars for the athletic program. George was not only outstanding as a classroom teacher, but also received national recognition as an administrator at the college.
Sandi Tice Helmer
BOWLING
INDUCTED 1998
Among the many bowling accomplishments of Sandi Tice: 1978 and 1979 Two-time NJCAA First Team All-American1978 and 1979 two-time NJCAA Region III First Team Selection1979 NJCAA National All-Events Champion1979 ACUI National All-Events Champion - First Women to Average 200 for the National Finals1979 ECC Athlete of the Year1979 FIQ Gold Medalist1979 World Cup Bronze MedalistNYSWBA Juniors ChampionECSWBA Team Champion and Two Time Doubles Champion
Ed Tomasik
BASKETBALL
INDUCTED 1992
Ed Tomasik was one of the all time great basketball players for the college. Under the tutelage of Head Basketball coach and Athletic Director, George E Killian, Tomasik earned All Region recognition as he led his team to 20 wins and only three losses in 1956. At that time ECC was known as Erie County Technical Institute and was rated in the top 10 in the country all year and became the top rated defensive team for 1956. He captained the 1956 Kats as they won the conference championship. He was voted Athlete of the Year in 1956 and in 1971 he was chosen as one of the 12 basketball players at ECC to be inducted in the Honors Court He was also inducted in the National Honor Society and graduated in the Ophthalmic Dispensing curriculum. George Killian stated, "Ed distinguished himself not only as a player, but as a leader on and off the court."
Robert Vogtli
BASEBALL
INDUCTED 2010
A two-year captain of the baseball team, Robb Vogtli was a pitcher, centerfielder and shortstop for the Erie baseball team that qualified for the Region III Tournament in 1994 and 1995. He had eight home runs and 51 RBI in 1995 and was named an NJCAA Third Team All-American. That year he also received the Lawrence C. Spring Award and the Paschal C. Rubino award. He was named an NJCAA Top 100 Prospect in 1995. Vogtli moved on to play two years at Saint Bonaventure University and then three years in the New York Yankees organization.
Sally Wood
SOFTBALL
INDUCTED 1991
Sally Wood was the greatest women's softball pitcher in the history of the college. During her tenure at ECC (1979-81), she compiled a 38-1 won/loss record. She helped to win 2 NJCAA National Softball Titles. In 1980, she pitched every inning in the tournament compiling a 4-0 record and winning the MVP at the Nationals. In 1981, she again pitched every inning at the National Tournament. She suffered her only loss in her ECC career but rebounded back in the double elimination tournament to pitch the Lady Kats to their second consecutive national title as well as her Most Valuable Pitcher award. During her career at ECC, she made the All Region III team, Region III All Tourney team and MVP of the Region III Tournament. After graduating from Erie, Sally attended the University of Indiana on a softball scholarship. She was the NCAA All Mid-East Pitcher and compiled a 40-16 record for her two years. She returned to ECC as a pitching coach on the women's softball team.