Six To Be Inducted Into UMass Hall Of Fame

Aug. 17, 2009

AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts Athletic Department has announced six new members will be inducted into the George "Trigger" Burke UMass Athletic Hall of Fame, making up the class of 2009. The legends will be honored on Friday, October 9, 2009 at a dinner held at the UMass Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m. To attend to induction ($40 per person), please contact the advancement office at 413-577-0267. UMass will induct these all-time greats: Danielle Henderson `99 (softball 1996-99), Charles Leverone `60 (gymnastics, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, soccer, swimming & diving 1956-60), Bob Marcum (athletic Director 1993-2002), Joe McLaughlin `79 (football 1976-78), Hilary Rose `97 (field hockey 1993-94, 96), Paula Wilkins `94 (women's soccer 1990-93).

Danielle Henderson `99 (softball 1996-99)

One of the most decorated athletes UMass has ever produced, Danielle Henderson rewrote the softball record book in her four seasons on the mound. A three-time All-America selection, Henderson was a four-time All-Atlantic 10 selection and a four-time A-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Henderson capped her brilliant UMass career in 1999 by winning the Honda Award, given annually to the nation's top softball player. The holder of 25 school records (when she graduated), Henderson finished her career second all-time on the NCAA's strikeout list with 1,343 in her four-year career, the nation's leader in strikeouts per seven innings in both 1998 and 1999 and was a member of the U.S. softball team which won gold medals at the 2000 Olympics, the 1999 Pan American Games and the 1999 Canada Cup, Henderson was inducted into the New England Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. She is a native of Commack, N.Y., and currently resides in Patchogue, N.Y.

Charles Leverone `60 (gymnastics, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, soccer, swimming & diving 1956-60)

The only athlete in UMass history to earn letters in five different sports: gymnastics, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, soccer, swimming & diving, competing between 1956 and 1960. Also competed in, but did not letter in cross country, lacrosse and tennis. Joins Hall of Famer Fritz Ellert as the only UMass athletes to earn letters in as many as four sports. Leverone had his career at UMass interrupted to serve in the US Army in the Korean Conflict. At UMass, he won the Lojko Award his senior year (best three-sport athlete at UMass) in 1960. He was a two-time captain of the track & field team. He also captured the NEAAU Trampoline Championship in gymnastics. Since graduation, he has coached Cross Country and Track & Field at the high school and college level for 46 years and been named the Massachusetts State Coach of the Year several times and the Boston Globe Track Coach of the Year in 1995. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He is a native of Abingdon, Mass., and currently lives in Hanson, Mass.

Bob Marcum (Athletic Director 1993-2002)

Marcum oversaw the UMass Athletic Department during its most prominent time in history, spanning a decade from 1993-2002. His leadership and vision were instrumental in UMass' rise to prominence in the 1990s, and his diligent efforts were recognized by his peers when he was honored as the 1999 NACDA Northeast Region I-AA Athletic Director of the Year. He presided at UMass during four men's basketball team's Atlantic 10 Championships (1993-96) and six NCAA berths in a row (1993-98). He was also in charge as UMass claimed the 1998 NCAA I-AA Football title and its only two NCAA berths in women's basketball (1996 and 1998). Under Marcum's direction, UMass won the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Cup six times in and eight year span. He also served as the Athletic Director at the University of Kansas, University of South Carolina and Marshall University in addition to serving posts at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Joe McLaughlin `79 (football 1976-78)

All-time football great, Joe McLaughlin led UMass to back-to-back Yankee Conference Championships in 1977 & 1978. He was named All-Yankee Conference in both '77 and `78 leading the Minutemen to the NCAA Playoffs both seasons. He was a key to UMass advancing the NCAA title game in 1978, when he led the team with 142 tackles and shared the lead with three sacks. That mark still ranks eighth all-time at UMass. McLaughlin went on to play six seasons in the National Football League with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers from 1979-84. He was a Special Teams Captain for the Giants. His son Bob is a defensive lineman on the current UMass football team. McLaughlin is a native of Stoneham, Mass., and currently resides in Brewster, Mass.

Hilary Rose `97 (field hockey 1993-94, 96)

In three seasons for the Minutewomen, Hilary Rose put her name all over the UMass field hockey record book. The goalkeeper was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 1994 as a sophomore before missing her junior season as she competed with the British National Team. She returned in 1996 and again was named the conference Player of the Year. Rose holds the UMass career record for goals against average (0.60) and save percentage (.933). She also holds the single season records for shutouts (16), goals against average (0.35), and save percentage (.956). She was an Olympian twice for Great Britain, in 1996 and 2000. The Bury St. Edmonds, England native currently lives in Gilligham Kent, England

Paula Wilkins `94 (women's soccer 1990-93)

A defender for the Minutewomen from 1990-93, Wilkins helped UMass to three NCAA berths during her four seasons, including serving as captain of the 1993 squad that went 17-3-3 and made the sixth Final Four appearance in program history. Wilkins appeared in 73 career games, scored seven goals and collected 18 assists. As a senior in 1993, she was named an NSCAA First-Team All-American and to the Soccer News All-America First Team. Wilkins was named an All-Atlantic 10 selection in 1993 and captured All-New England honors in 1991. After graduating from UMass in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, the Academic All-American went on to become the head women's soccer coach at Penn State and is currently the head coach at Wisconsin. When Wilkins led Penn State to the 2002 College Cup, she became the first person in NCAA history to both play and coach in the event. The native of Middletown, Pa., currently lives in Madison, Wis.

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