Providence, R.I. –The Johnson & Wales University Department of Athletics has announced the 2014 inductees to the Hall Of Fame. Alex Hurley (Baseball Player), Matt McGilvray (Hockey Player), Gregg Miller (Former Men's Soccer Coach) and Audra Vaccari (Women's Volleyball) will become the newest members of the JWU Hall of Fame. The 2007 Wrestling Team will be the first team inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"We are pleased to honor and welcome these outstanding student athletes to our Centennial Hall of Fame Class of 2014," said Marie Bernardo-Sousa, JWU senior vice president of Administration. "The university's rich history includes a reinvigorated athletic program that gives our students the opportunity to work as a team and learn valuable skills for success both on and off the playing field. The hard work and achievements of this Hall of Fame class have greatly contributed to the Wildcat Spirit on campus."
Hurley, who hails from East Hartford, Conn., was a National Baseball Coaches Association All-American in 2007, and is arguably the best all-around player in the history of the Wildcat Program. He was a four-time All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference selection and was twice named an All-New England performer. The GNAC Player of the Year in 2007, he also earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2004. He completely rewrote the JWU record books and is still the all-time leader in hits, runs, RBI, stolen bases, home runs, assists and total bases. Hurley, who works for the Traveler's Insurance Company, will be presented by current baseball head coach John LaRose
McGilvray, a Rochester, N.H. native, earned USCHO.Com All-American honors in 2007 after finishing his JWU career with 72 goals and 65 assists for 137 points, a new school record at the time. A four-time All-ECAC Northeast performer, he was tabbed the conference Rookie of the Year in 2005 and was named the 2008 ECAC Northeast Player of the Year. He went on to play professionally in the Southern Professional Hockey League and is currently an assistant coach with the JWU men's hockey program. Current head men's ice hockey coach Erik Noack will present McGilvray for induction.
Miller, who came to JWU from Birmingham, England, built the men's soccer program from the ground up at Division III Johnson & Wales University and helmed the Wildcat men's team for 14 seasons, leading the squad to five conference championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances. A three-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005) honoree, he posted a 142-106-16 overall mark at the school. He capped off his career with the 2007 GNAC Championship crown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Miller currently serves as the head coach at Manhattanville. Former men's soccer standout Richard Bouvier will present Miller for induction.
Vaccari, a native of Winsted, Conn., earned All-New England accolades in 2007 and was a four-time-All Great Northeast selection. One of the most decorated women's volleyball players in school history, she is the all-time leader in set assists with 5,265. She also ranks among the all-time leader in games played and digs for the Wildcats. Vaccari was a two-time team captain and helped lead JWU to four straight ECAC Division III New England appearances. Vaccari, currently the Assistant General Manager at Tamarack Country Club, will be inducted into the hall of fame by Jamie Marcoux, Director of Athletics, Providence Campus.
The 2007 Wrestling Team will go down as one of the best teams in school history in any sport. The Wildcats won the New England Wrestling Association Championship, the only time a JWU team has accomplished that feat. The team set the school record for wins in a season with a 20-4 record and had two wrestlers (Brandon McDonough and Steve Martell) earn All-American honors that season with three NEWA Champions (McDonough, Martell and Diego Crespo). Current head coach Lonnie Morris will present the team for induction.
The 2014 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 18th and tickets will go on sale on August 15th. Check the JWU Athletics website:http://providence.jwuathletics.com for more information.