University of Massachusets Athletics
Class of 2001 Hall of Fame Inductions
 |  Members of the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2001 were introduced at halftime of the men's basketball game against St. Joseph's. |
by Matthew Bencal
The Maroon & White
It is not too often that a night like this occurs. A night where everyone comes together to celebrate excellence. A night in which the UMass spirit is alive and well.
On Jan. 4, 2002, the seven newest members of the UMass Hall of Fame were honored for their athletic accomplishments. Pam Hixon (field hockey, women's lacrosse), Patrick Keenan (ice hockey), Dorothy Leonard Donnelly (swimming), Garry Pearson (football), Bill Prevey (basketball), Jeff Spooner (lacrosse) and Rodger Twitchell (basketball, tennis) comprised the Hall's Class of 2001.
Master of Ceremonies Dick Bresciani, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Boston Red Sox, spearheaded the dinner. Bresciani introduced a number of speakers before the inductees were allowed to present their speeches, with James E. Mulcahy, former President of the Varsity "M" Club, providing a brief but insightful history of the UMass Hall of Fame to start off the night. Athletic Director Bob Marcum and Interim Chancellor Marcellette Williams shared their feelings of pride and offered congratulations to the inductees and the audience.
The late Dorothy Donnelly was the first inductee individually honored. Jerianne Donnelly, Dorothy's daughter, spoke on her mother's behalf. Jerianne painted a picture to the crowd of a lady who loved life and swimming. Dot Donnelly was a world-class swimmer who attended UMass in the fall of 1940.
Despite the lack of a women's swim team at the time, Donnelly still practiced, albeit with the men's team. Jerianne explained to the crowd that pools during that era were 20 meters long, so it would take five laps to complete a 100-meter race. Jerianne said that her mother would often be handicapped three laps to make the in-team practice races more competitive- but Donnelly still won. Donnelly was a member of the United States Olympic team in 1940, but the games were cancelled during World War II.
"This would have meant absolutely everything to her," said Jerianne Donnelly. "She would have considered this as bringing recognition to the UMass athletes, and that would please her immensely. She would be tickled. We [the family] are thrilled. It's like an extension of Dot, it's an opportunity tonight to get together on her behalf. We're just so pleased and so grateful."
Pam Hixon became the first female coach to be inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame. The fifth-winningest coach in collegiate field hockey history, Hixon delivered a speech that not only gave credit to the many people who were instrumental in her success, but also included a number of stories that illustrated just how far women's varsity athletics has come on the UMass campus. Hixon, who never had a losing season, spent the bulk of her time sharing with the crowd a chronology of women in athletics at UMass since her arrival in 1978. The 1981 national field hockey coach of the year also spent nine seasons as the head coach of the women's lacrosse program, and led that program to a national championship in 1982.
"I would certainly like to say how honored I am to be inducted into the UMass Hall of Fame," Hixon said. "I am doubly honored to be the first female coach inducted. To me, that's really the icing on the cake."
Former hockey great Patrick Keenan drove all the way from Toronto, Canada, to take part in the event. Keenan, ever the team player, accepted his recognition humbly, but directed his attention toward the teams he played for in the early 1970s. Keenan noted his personal pride in being inducted as the first Canadian in the UMass Hall of Fame, but, in the shortest address of the night, made sure that everyone knew he was the "symbolic individual" of an era when UMass hockey was a Northeast powerhouse. The audience was almost unable to learn about Keenan's story, as the former scoring machine almost did not make it to Amherst for the ceremony.
"We were deathly ill the past five days, so we were not planning to make the trip," Keenan said. "Late last night, the fever broke, and I woke up early this morning weak, but willing. The family got me down here and as the evening went on, I got more comfortable. Having qualified my experience with that said, it was so rich, much, much more than expected. All of the people who spoke, spoke from the heart. I just felt blessed to be part of it. And specifically, being here to represent the hockey program was my goal."
Although all of the inductee's speeches were sincere and heartwarming, former football star Garry Pearson's comments may have been the most poignant. Pearson immediately gave credit to God and his late grandparents, and proceeded to admit to the crowd that he was nervous (three times). Often called the baby of the inductees (because of his age), Pearson explained to the audience the sense of family that he felt during his time at the University.
"Tonight I am accepting this honor on behalf of every single person I've shared experiences with on the field here at UMass." Pearson said in his speech. "UMass opened my eyes about people, not just on the football field, but all around campus." Pearson also thanked the other (older) inductees for "paving the path and setting the right example."
"I'm totally in awe," said Pearson after the event. "As far as I'm concerned, I could have been in the White House. Everything tonight was sincere and warm. George Trigger Burke-what a tremendous man. Bob Marcum-we're fortunate to have him here as athletic director. The Chancellor-I was totally blown away by her speech. Actually, I was totally blown away by the whole night. When it first happened, I was honored, but it didn't really hit me until tonight. The best thing about it is that we're going to be UMass family for the rest of our lives. I feel like a little kid, I really do."
Bill Prevey, a three-year letterwinner for the basketball team between 1949-52, delivered the longest address of the night. The former Minuteman star spent his time in front of the microphone sharing some of his game experiences with the audience while embellishing on some of the changes he has seen.
Prevey also spent some time talking about what it meant to be a "modern" basketball star in 1950, and shared some stories about old teammates that used to dish him the ball. Prevey's address was highlighted by the wealth of appreciation he had for being elected.
Although Jeff Spooner was slated to speak next, the former lacrosse star had convinced Pearson to jump back in front of the microphone and thank his parents for attending the event. With the whole crowd laughing, himself included, Pearson credited his forgetfulness to nothing more than a case of bad nerves.
The all-time leading scorer in UMass lacrosse history delivered the funniest speech of the night. Spooner kept the audience rolling as he pointed out some of the differences in life from when he spent his four years in the Pioneer Valley in the mid- 1970s. Spooner joked about everything from the loss of hair he and some of fellow inductees have suffered in the past 20 years to Keenan's lack of being the stereotypical Canadian, "He still has all his teeth," Spooner joked, "he can't be Canadian."
Despite Spooner's hilarious assertions, he told the audience that he was truly humble to be inducted. In a funny but serious manner, Spooner thanked and congratulated his fellow inductees, bowing to them from the podium and saying, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy."
"After listening to some of the speakers, it really has put things in perspective," said Spooner. "It really is a great honor. I'm standing by some people with unbelievable personal accomplishments. Of course, we had to wait 20 years, I don't know if you heard of this guy-Dr. J-he got in before us. But it's a nice honor, especially during the winter, or at least the fall, of my life and career."
Rodger Twitchell stepped to the podium as the last inductee to speak. Twitchell delivered a heartfelt and humble address that put the whole night in perspective. The former two-sport standout repeated over and over how his tenure at UMass was a miracle. And how during that miracle, he received a degree that he would use for the next 35 years of his life. He also met his future wife, with whom he would raise two children. Twitchell commented briefly on his UMass athletics experience, but spent the bulk of his time reflecting on how lucky he was to end up at UMass. Twitchell never played high school basketball, but with a little luck from a local coach, ended up being one of the first scholarship recruits for the hoops program.
Ironically, the tennis program benefited as much as the basketball team did, as Twitchell was asked by the tennis coach to play for UMass. Remarkably, Twitchell only lost once through 25 career matches in singles competition, but the two-sport Hall of Famer did not boast about any numbers or accomplishments, he spent it reflecting on the "miracle" it was for him to attend UMass.
"I ended up with a full scholarship, a great degree I've used for 35 years," said Twitchell. "I have a wonderful wife I met here and two kids. And to have recognition for all that- I didn't really need it, but it was wonderful to have that recognition. It was really great."
George "Trigger" Burke, the heart and soul of the UMass Hall of Fame, delivered closing remarks to the crowd. The 1981 Hall of Fame inductee told the newest members that their plaques would be the first placed in the Massachusetts Room of the William D. Mullins Center. Burke ended the night appropriately with some heartfelt thoughts: "This [induction ceremony] is the biggest day of my life every year, because it brings so much happiness to me."
Burke also cited some words of wisdom that he received from Oprah Winfrey's talk show. Winfrey, according to Burke, claims that there are two questions one asks themselves when they die- 'did I love while I was alive', and 'was I loved when I was alive.' Burke then proceeded to proclaim that he is, without doubt, "a man who loves this University."
It can be safely assumed that everyone who attended the event left with an overwhelming sense of pride. Although things such as distance and age often tear apart relationships, the UMass family experience is a lifelong thread that cannot be broken.
"I felt like I was meeting more parts of the family tonight," said Chancellor Williams. "I heard Rodger Twitchell call this a miracle. I asked him at the end if he could elaborate a little bit more. He said 'I don't really believe in coincidences. I really believed coming to UMass was a miracle.' My experience tonight was very satisfying, very poignant, and very moving as a result of the contributions by those who described their experiences while at the university."
Athletic Director Bob Marcum, who was instrumental in reviving the Hall after 15 years of dormancy, also expressed a sense satisfaction from the event. Marcum, who made it clear in his speech that excellence should be rewarded, shared in the wonderful aura surrounding the night.
"This is a time to honor those who achieved in their particular field at the University," said Marcum. "I've always believed that institutions that really demonstrate high class find a way to honor those who have achieved, and this evening is that type of event. When you look at Pam as being the first female coach, and the number of different sports involved, the committee has done a good job over a period of time of making the selections. And as Trigger said, we've made great strides."
The UMass Hall of Fame has grown from 48 members in 2000 to 55 members in 2001. The Hall is more diverse than ever before and has a little bit more depth. But, on Jan. 4, it was not only the UMass Hall of Fame and its newest members that were being celebrated and honored, it was the spirit of the UMass family that unites its members, no matter what distance or age.