Massachusetts Athletics Inducts 2024 Hall Of Fame Class

AMHERST, Mass. -- Jeff Deren (Men's Soccer 1999-2002), Dennis Fenton (Football, Wrestling 1974-77), Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng (Men's Track & Field 2001-2004) and Nicole (Way) Toye (Women's Cross Country, Track & Field 1997-99) were formally inducted into the George "Trigger" Burke Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024 on Friday night at the Campus Center Auditorium (November 14).

Massachusetts Athletics also bestowed three special recognition awards: the Martin Jacobson '68 Distinguished Alumni Award, the John Francis Kennedy '76G Maroon Leadership Award and the Elaine Sortino Alumna Award for Achievement. UMass alums Bill DeFlavio '72 and Tom Mullen '73 will receive the 2024 Jacobson Award, Rita and Laurie Leaman will receive the Kennedy Award and Dr. Gayle Hutchinson '79 will receive the Elaine Sortino Award.

Jeff Deren • Men's Soccer • Forward • 1999-2002
The most prolific scorer in the history of the men's soccer program, Deren concluded his career with a program-record 113 points and remains the only Minuteman to eclipse the century mark. His 48 career goals are also a program record, while his 17 career assists rank tied for ninth. Deren put up a single-season record 51 points in 2002, bolstered by 22 goals, also a program single-season record. He helped the Minutemen to Atlantic 10 regular season championships in 2000 and 2002 while also leading UMass to the 2001 Atlantic 10 Tournament championship and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Deren was twice named an All-American (2001, 2002), Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year (2001, 2002) and an All-New England honoree (2001, 2002). He earned All-Atlantic 10 Second team honors in 2000 and followed up by being named an All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection in 2001 and 2002. A two-time Atlantic 10 All-Tournament team member (2000, 2001), Deren is one of just eight UMass players all-time to score four goals in a single game.

After earning his bachelor's in sport management in 2003, Deren went on to play professionally overseas in Belgium and Denmark and for the Western Mass Pioneers from 2003-2009. In 2005, he helped the Pioneers win the USL Second Division regular-season championship and finished his tenure with the club as their longest serving player with 110 appearances and 35 goals.

Dennis Fenton • Football, Wrestling • Defensive Tackle, Heavyweight • 1974-77
Two-sport standout Dennis Fenton was a four-year scholarship student-athlete in football and started at defensive tackle for three years while spending his winters on the wrestling mat where he was a four-time Division I New England champion at heavyweight from 1974-77.

On the gridiron, Fenton was a two-time All-Yankee Conference and All-ECAC honoree (1975 & 1976) and was a three-time Yankee Conference heavyweight champion (1975-1977). A four-time New England Champion and NCAA qualifier, Fenton helped UMass capture the 1974 New England wrestling title. During his wrestling career, he defeated future Olympic gold medalist, Jeff Blatnick, from Springfield College. Fenton capped his time at UMass by being named the Samuel B. Crossman Award from UMass for athlete of the year in 1976-77.

After earning his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1977, he signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 1977 and the Cleveland Browns in 1978. A National Wrestling Hall of Fame Member, Fenton coached wrestling at UMass for two years under head coach Dave Amato and then began 34-year teaching and coaching career at Putnam High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. In total, he has been a wrestling coach at several high schools for 38 years including Cathedral, Classical, Central, Putnam, Belchertown and presently Chicopee Comp High School.

Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng • Men's Track & Field • Sprints • 2001-04
One of the top sprinters in the history of UMass men's track and field, Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng's records in the indoor 55m and 60m and outdoor 100m and 200m have stood for more than two decades. He also set the New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletics Association (NEICAAA) 100m outdoor during his time as a Minuteman. Frimpong-Boateng collected Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year honors four times in his career, earning the recognition indoors in 2002, outdoors in 2003 and in both indoor and outdoor seasons in 2004. As a junior in 2003, he was tabbed the Atlantic 10 Most Outstanding Outdoor Performer, won the IC4A outdoor 100m title and was an International Association of Athletics (IAAF) Top List member. As a sophomore in 2002, he was the New England 100 meter champion. Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng earned both his bachelor's (2003) and master's (2005) degrees from Massachusetts in Microbiology.

Nicole (Way) Toye • Cross Country, Women's Track & Field • Distance, Jumps • 1995-2000
Nicole (Way) Toye was at the center of the most successful era of the UMass women's cross country and track & field programs to date as she was part of three Atlantic 10 Championship squads in cross country (1997, 1998, 1999), two Indoor Atlantic 10 Championships (1996, 1998) and an Outdoor Atlantic 10 title (1999). In track & field, Toye was a five-time Atlantic 10 individual champion (1996 indoor & outdoor triple jump, 1998 1,000m, 1999 1,000m and mile) and collected three bronze medals (1997 outdoor triple jump, 1998 1500m, 1999 800m) for a total of eight medals over her career. She also ran on the Atlantic 10 Champion 4x800 meter relay team indoors in 1996 to help the Minutewomen to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Track & Field team championship. In 1999, Toye was tabbed the Most Outstanding Performer at the Indoor Atlantic 10 Track & Field Championships and was a two-time All-ECAC honoree in the 1,000 meter run in 1998 and 1999. At the New England Championships, she took home gold three times as an individual (1,000m 1998 & 1999, 1,500m 1999) and twice as a member of UMass' distance medley relay (1997 & 1999) and finished her career with a total of seven New England medals. As a senior in 1999, she set a program record in the 1,000 meter indoor run, which now ranks second behind only Olympian Heather MacLean. Toye recorded the program's second-fastest outdoor track and field 1,500-meter time (4:28.25) in 1999, which is now third all-time behind MacLean and UMass Hall of Fame member Rebecca Donaghue.

After a back injury in a car accident ended her jumping career, Toye joined the cross country squad and proceeded to earn Atlantic 10 All-Conference recognition while helping the Minutewomen to the 1997 team title with an eighth-place overall finish and then helped the team to its third straight championship in 1998. Toye capped her cross country career in 1999 as UMass' top finisher as an Atlantic 10 All-Conference honoree in third overall at the conference meet to propel the Minutewomen to the A-10 title once again. A 2000 graduate from the Isenberg School of Management, Toye was an Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference choice twice in cross country (1997 & 1999) and three times in track & field (1997-99).

MARTIN JACOBSON '68,19H DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS: Bill DeFlavio '72 and Tom Mullen '73
Affectionally known as "Billy D" DeFlavio was a football player at the University of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1971, going from walk-on to first team All-American. An undersized defensive lineman, DeFlavio earned first team All-Yankee Conference honors three times. He was named All-East as both a junior and senior in 1970 and 1971. As a senior in 1971, he became UMass' sixth First Team All-American. DeFlavio led UMass to two Yankee Conference championships in 1969 and 1971. In his era, sacks and tackles for loss weren't kept, but accounts of the games indicate he would have been a team leader in both categories. After his UMass playing days were over, DeFlavio went on to play professionally in the World Football League with New York and Charlotte and in the Canadian Football League with Montreal. After a successful business career with Nike, he went on to work in real estate and development in Massachusetts. DeFlavio has stayed very active with UMass football, serving as one of the driving forces of the UMass Gridiron Club for many years. He graduated from UMass with a degree in physical education in 1972.

Tom Mullen, a member of the UMass football team from 1969-1972, was a three-year starter on the offensive line from 1970-1972 and was a first team All-Yankee Conference selection in 1972. He helped UMass capture two Yankee Conference titles and compiled a record of 23-11-2 with the Maroon & White. According to many of his teammates, as a varsity player Tom took the time to meet with freshmen, helping them through the challenges of varsity practice, academics and campus life. He was always looking out for others. After graduation, Mullen signed with the Houston Oilers in 1973 and then with the Memphis Southmen of the USFL in 1974. Upon completion of his football career, Mullen enjoyed a successful business career and served as Vice President of CMA Consulting Services for a majority of that time. Mullen, like DeFlavio, has also stayed very active with the UMass Football program and was one of the founding members of the UMass Gridiron Club. Mullen graduated from UMass with a degree in marketing from the Isenberg School of Business in 1973.

Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said, "Our alumni participation and engagement in the sport of football for the last 40+ years is largely due to the efforts of Bill DeFlavio and Tom Mullen, two men who have been catalysts in moving the Gridiron Club to fully embrace and support UMass football. We are pleased to honor Bill and Tom for their lasting impact on our program."

JOHN FRANCIS KENNEDY '76G MAROON LEADERSHIP AWARD: Rita and Laurie Leaman
Rita and Laurie Leaman have been mainstays around UMass Athletics for over 50 years. Rita's late husband, the legendary Jack Leaman, started as an assistant coach for men's basketball in 1961 and then was head coach from 1966-79. After that, he served the athletic department in a variety of different roles. As Rita recalls "Jack was so busy coaching, recruiting and training that Laurie and I didn't see him much, so we needed something to do." That something was getting involved with the Skating Club of Amherst, which started in November of 1968 at the Amherst College Orr Rink. In 2018, the club celebrated its 50-year anniversary. Rita served as president of the club for 35 years. Laurie is currently a board member of the Skating Club and is heavily involved in this community as a skating coach and teacher. She is also a member of both the Professional Skaters Association & U.S. Figure Skating. Over the years you couldn't go to an athletic event without seeing Rita and Laurie in attendance cheering on our outstanding student-athletes.

Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said, "Rita and Laurie Leaman have been loyal supporters and advocates for the power of intercollegiate athletics at UMass since Jack Leaman arrived in Western Massachusetts to coach men's basketball in 1961. Their presence around our programs and interest in the success of athletics at the flagship has been inspiring. The Leaman name is strongly woven into the remarkable history of sport at UMass."

ELAINE SORTINO ALUMNA AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT: Dr. Gayle Hutchinson '79
Getting her start as a dual sport athlete at UMass, Dr. Gayle Hutchinson has dedicated her life to education, mentorship and inspiring others to dream big. Receiving her bachelor's in physical education and teacher education from UMass in 1979, Hutchinson spent four years in Amherst as a model student-athlete. A three-sport athlete competing in basketball (1975-77), field hockey (1975-78) and lacrosse (1976-79), Hutchinson helped lead and establish multiple programs on the national stage. Serving as co-captain for both lacrosse and field hockey programs, she assisted each team in advancing to the USWLA and AIAW National Tournaments during her career. A standout defender on the lacrosse team, Hutchinson posted a 52-6-3 record during her collegiate career, helping uplift a program that would go on to become the first-ever NCAA National Champion in 1982.

Recently retired from her position as president of California State University-Chico, Hutchinson was a pioneer in higher education as the first woman president of Chico State and the first gay president of a California State University. Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said, "Dr. Gayle Hutchinson's experience as a three-sport student-athlete with dual degrees from the flagship campus kicked off a truly exceptional life. A highly-regarded leader and pioneer in higher education, Gayle has represented her alma mater with distinction. Without question, Dr. Hutchinson has demonstrated significant achievement and lasting contributions in her respective professional field post-graduation."

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