2016 Hall of Fame Class Announced

Tickets

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Department of Athletics announced the five new members that will be inducted into the George "Trigger" Burke UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2016 on Wednesday. The official ceremony will be held as part of 2016 Homecoming Weekend on Fri., Sept. 30, at 6 p.m., in the Student Union Ballroom.

The Class of 2016 includes Jim McAleavey (men's lacrosse, 1988-91), Ken O'Brien '63 (head men's cross country and track and field coach, 1968-present), Patty Shea (field hockey, 1980-83; women's lacrosse, 1981, 1984), Kelly Liljeblad (women's cross country and track and field, 1990-95) and Wendy Wilbur (rowing, 1994-97).

Jim McAleavey (men's lacrosse, 1988-91)
Jim McAleavey currently ranks second all-time at the University of Massachusetts for points scored on the strength of 95 goals and a program-record 171 assists. A standout from his freshman year onward, McAleavey produced at least 49 points in each of his four campaigns while he provided the second-best single-season points total in UMass history with 91 via 34 goals and 57 assists in 1990. Lauded for his on-field accomplishments, McAleavey took home three USILA All-America honors and four NEILA All-Region awards at attack while he also represented Massachusetts in the 1991 USILA North/South All-Star Game. He led the squad in points and assists in each of his four season (1988-91) and his 171 career helpers are 30 more than the next Minuteman.

Ken O'Brien '63 (head men's cross country and track and field coach, 1968-present)
Just the fourth head coach in the history of men's cross country and track and field at the University of Massachusetts, Ken O'Brien has been an integral part of the program's history for more than half a century, first as a student-athlete helping UMass to three consecutive Yankee Conference cross country titles and the 1961 New England championship. After serving an assistant coach for 18 months under Bill Footrick, O'Brien was named to his current position in 1968 and has since guided UMass to 19 conference titles, three New England cross country championships and two IC4A cross country crowns. The two-time A-10 cross country Coach of the Year (1995 and 2008), has coached six teams to NCAA cross country championships appearances, 13 individual NCAA qualifiers and six All-Americans. Under his watch, the UMass men's track and field program has produced 20 NCAA qualifiers and All-American Vic Morency (javelin, 1999). O'Brien was also instrumental in the founding of the UMass women's cross country and track and field programs and served as head coach of those programs from their inception in 1975-76 to 1987.

Patty Shea (field hockey, 1980-83; women's lacrosse, 1981, 1984)
Patty Shea provided the University of Massachusetts field hockey program with a lockdown goalkeeper from 1980-83 and dependable program leader during a 10-year career as the team's head coach. In total, Shea helped the program reach eight NCAA Tournaments, including the team's lone appearance in the championship game as a sophomore. As a competitor, Shea helped guide the Minutewomen to 65 victories, including 54 via shutout which still represents the program-record for more by one goalkeeper. Following the conclusion of a 15-year career with the U.S. Senior National Team, Shea took over as the head coach at her alma mater in 1997. The 2000 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year subsequently guided the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances and five Atlantic 10 Championships while she concluded her tenure as head coach with 104 victories, second-most in school history.

Kelly Liljeblad (women's cross country and track and field, 1990-95)
Liljeblad was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 performer in cross country from 1990-92. In the 1992 A-10 Championship meet, she helped the Minutewomen capture the title with her runner-up finish.

One of the greatest distance runners in Massachusetts history, Liljeblad was a 1995 All-American after finishing fifth in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as a senior. She was also an NCAA Indoor Championships qualifier, a New England Champion and an Atlantic 10 Champion during her career. She still holds the school record for the indoor 3,000-meter run (9:35.67). By the of her career, she held records in the indoor mile, the indoor 3,000 meters, the indoor 5,000 meters, the 10,000 meters and as part of the of the 4x800-meter relay team.

After graduation, Liljeblad became an accomplished professional runner, marathoner and Ironman triathlete. Her accomplishments include 2008 Miami Marathon Champion, 2005 Houston Marathon Champion, 2003 World Championship Marathon Team (one of five Americans selected) and the 1999 World Champion Half Marathon Team (one of five Americans). She was also a 2000 and 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. Liljeblad was also a member of Fila Discovery USA 2002 (one of five Americans selected) and represented the USA at the 2004 Chiba Ekiden in Japan. She has been sponsored by New Balance and K Swiss.

Wendy Wilbur (rowing, 1994-97)
Wendy Wilbur was one of the founding varsity members of the University of Massachusetts' rowing program and remains one of its most successful competitors. Wilbur, a 1997 graduate, helped guide the Minutewomen to their first NCAA Championship berth as a member of the Varsity 8+ boat her senior year. During competition at NCAAs, Massachusetts won its opening heat by more than six seconds, advanced through the semifinals with a top-three finish and placed second in the nation with a silver medal finish during the Varsity 8+ Grand Final in a time of 6:37.00. Lauded academically and in athletics, Wilbur earned U.S. Rowing Association Academic All-America and continued her competitive career at the international level as a member of the U.S. National Team (1997-2003). She was part of the U.S. World Championship team in 2003.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person and $400 for a table of eight. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jason Germain in the Minutemen Club (413-577-0267).

For continued coverage of UMass Athletics, follow the program on Twitter and Instagram @UMassAthletics and on Facebook at facebook.com/MassachusettsAthletics.

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