University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame: Class of 1999
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Feb. 28, 2000
By Susan Coscione
The Maroon & White
There was one phrase that stood out the most among all those who attended this year's UMass Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the Student Union Ballroom. 1999 Hall of Fame inductee Russ Kidd said emotionally during his speech, "I love UMass because it gave me a chance to be somebody."
Isn't this what it's all about?
Every collegiate athlete and coach aspires to become somebody. Maybe they dream of making it into the professional leagues. Maybe they dream of becoming All-Americans or Coaches of the Year. Maybe they simply dream of making a difference in the surrounding university and athletic community to which they belong.
Many athletes and coaches at some point in their athletic careers earn rewards for their accomplishments on the playing field, but only a small percentage of those athletes and coaches will ever find themselves one day among the prestigious group of men and women, who have succeeded above and beyond recognition, to become members of their university's Athletic Hall of Fame.
On January 21, six new individuals were inducted into the Class of 1999 at UMass. They demonstrated pride, honor and appreciation for the success that UMass has helped them to receive. Those individuals were Kalekeni Banda, Megan Donnelly, Jackie Gaw, Russ Kidd, Dr. James Ralph and Phil Tarpey.
Dick Bresciani, who is the Vice President of Public Affairs for the Boston Red Sox, served as the Master of Ceremonies, while former President of the Varsity "M" Club, James Mulcahy, addressed the audience with the history of the Hall of Fame. Others on hand on the night included, UMass President William Bulger, Chancellor David Scott and Athletics Director Bob Marcum. 1981 Hall of Fame inductee, George "Trigger" Burke, closed out the ceremony with his closing remarks.
All of those who attended the ceremony were pleased with the atmosphere surrounding the event, and some even extended to say that this could possibly be the best ceremony UMass has put on yet.
"It was the best non-competitive athletic event I have been to since I've been here at UMass," head women's soccer coach Jim Rudy said. "It reinforced all the positive things that have happened in the history of our program and reminded us that we have an incredible tradition here. I was moved by the speeches everyone gave and by the appreciation everyone had for their experiences at UMass."
Associate Athletic Director John Nitardy was optimistic about the event's continued success and popularity in the future. Over 200 hundred people showed up to witness the 1999 Hall of Fame inductions.
"It was good to see a lot of former inductees back," Nitardy said. "It is starting to be a big event, and the most important thing is that family and friends can get together and enjoy the occasion."
Kalekeni Banda was the first inductee to be recognized in the ceremony. Banda experienced life at UMass as both an athlete and as a coach. He served as the head women's soccer coach from 1980 through 1987, leading the Minutewomen to six consecutive NCAA appearances and five straight trips to the Final Four. During his tenure as head coach, he coached 20 All-America selections and 31 All-New England selections. He also served as the women's track and field coach for eight years and lettered in soccer and track as an undergraduate.
"I feel like I am coming back home," Banda said during the ceremony. "Amherst has always been like a second home to me. I never envisioned in my life that I would be standing here with you today. It wasn't in my family's plan to be an athlete or a coach. Growing up in the village of Malawi (Africa), it was my plan to take care of the village and my family. I hope this journey is still not over."
Megan Donnelly was the next inductee to be honored on the night. Donnelly finished her career as the only four-time first-team All-America selection in school history. She was the 1986 Broderick Award winner, which is given to the nation's top field hockey athlete and was the school's second-leading scorer at the time of her graduation. From 1985-88, she was a member of the U.S. National Team, including the 1988 U.S. Field Hockey Team that participated in the Seoul Games.
"This is a great honor," Donnelly said. "UMass is a school that I love very much. I have always had the greatest memories here, and I'm very glad to be back."
Jackie Gaw excelled in two sports while at UMass. Gaw was an All-American in both soccer and softball and was UMass' first first-team All-America pick in softball. She is the all-time single-season batting leader, registering a .461 average in 1983, and is the career-leader in on-base percentage at .477. She also ranks second in career batting average (.449) and in slugging percentage (.632). She was a member of the first women's soccer team to advance to the NCAA tournament.
"I am truly humbled by this athletic distinction," Gaw said. "This is a great legacy that has been established here."
Russ "Cap" Kidd followed Gaw as the next inductee. Kidd was a three-sport letterwinner at UMass, participating in hockey, football and lacrosse. He was presented with the Samuel S. Grossman Trophy (Outstanding Two-Sport Athlete) and the Joseph Lojko Memorial Award (Outstanding Three-Sport Athlete) in 1956. After his playing days were over, he served as an assistant lacrosse coach from 1971-75, as an assistant hockey coach from 1971-78 and as the head men's soccer coach from 1976-81 at UMass.
"I'm growing old, and as they say in the Collegian, ?growing old sucks,'" Kidd said in good humor. "A night like tonight keeps things happening. I don't think I accomplished anything great in life. I just worked hard and did the best I could. I love UMass because it gave me a chance to be somebody."
Dr. James Ralph was a special admittance inductee, which is made only in recognition of truly exceptional contributions and service to the athletic program. Ralph served as team physician for 33 years. He worked primarily with the football and men's basketball teams, but also worked closely with other sports, including women's basketball, and men's and women's gymnastics. He often donated his time and was presented with the UMass Chancellor's Citation Award in 1991. "When I was told I was nominated, I was awestruck," Ralph said during the ceremony. "I hesitated because I could think of so many other deserving individuals who aren't in the Hall of Fame yet. Tonight's ceremony is a dream that finally became a reality. It is wonderful to be associated with such honorable people."
Phil Tarpey was the final inductee on the night. Tarpey was UMass' first All-America selection in baseball. He was a member of two consecutive NCAA Tournament teams, helping UMass advance to the College World Series in 1954, the school's first ever appearance. He held UMass career records in wins (20), innings pitched (220), strikeouts (179), complete games (20), ERA (1.92) and winning percentage (.714). In 1955, he was the recipient of the E. Joseph Thompson Memorial MVP trophy.
"I was thinking back to the time when the picture that was seen tonight, was seen by my spouse and children. And the comment was made that, how could I have possibly been able to stay on the ground with those ears?" Tarpey joked. "This is a wonderful honor that has touched me deeply."
The 1999 Hall of Fame ceremony showcased the UMass traditions of pride, class and excellence. These six inductees into the 1999 Hall of Fame class demonstrated these qualities as athletes, coaches and staff members of the university and are continuing to represent UMass in positive ways. Through hardwork ? and an assist from UMass ? they've all made the most of their chances. They've become pretty special somebodies.