Seven were inducted to the Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 30, 2006. They are Susan Bassett, former head swimming coach; Joe Cardany ’81, Bob DeMichele ’66, Kim Mangino ’86, Scott Remillard ’86, Dick Roberts ’50 and Dennis Walker ’74. They join 24 other members inducted since 2002.
Susan Bassett is director of athletics at Carnegie Mellon University. Before that she served for 10 years as athletic director at William Smith College. As head coach of swimming and diving for eight years at Union, she mentored 92 All-Americans. She was named the 1993 College Swimming Coaches Association of America Co-Coach of the Year, and the NYSWCAA Swimming Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. She chaired the NCAA Division III Management Council and was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators in 2003. She is a 1979 Ithaca College graduate and received her master’s degree from Indiana University in 1980.
Joe Cardany ’81 ranks third in all-time Union men’s basketball scoring with 1,790 career points. A mark that still stands 25 years after his illustrious playing career was completed. He held the points record for the Dutchmen until 2001. The recipient of the 1981 Jaffe Medal for male athlete of the year, he was an NCAA Division III All-American in his senior season. He was a three-time captain, and earned ECAC all-star honors for four seasons, including the ECAC Division III Rookie of the Year award in 1977-78. His 316 points in his rookie season set a Union freshman scoring record. The three-point shot was not in effect during his career.
Bob DeMichele ’66, an All-American lacrosse and football athlete, is considered one of the best linebackers in Union football history. During his lacrosse career, he earned third team and honorable mention All-American honors. He played in the prestigious 1966 North South All-Star Classic. On the gridiron, he was a two-time All-American and All-East selection. He received Union’s Pike Award and the 2001 Union Alumni Gold Medal. He is president and CEO of Strategy Asset Managers in New York City.
Kim Mangino ’86 was a pioneer of the women’s athletic program. She played basketball, softball and volleyball, and served as captain of the 1985-86 basketball team in her senior season. She led the softball team in RBIs in her junior and senior seasons, and hit .346 in her senior year en route to the team’s MVP award. She later coached the softball team to a top four finish after stepping in as the interim head coach.
She served as an umpire in the community for 17 years, including at the collegiate level. She was a charter member of the Union Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.
Scott Remillard ’86 was a national champion and four-time NCAA Division III All-American during a track and field career at Union. He won the 1986 national title in the 35-pound weight throw, and was a two-time All-American in both the 35-pound and hammer throw events. He held Union records for the discus, hammer and 35-pound weight, and earned Union Field Events MVP honors all four seasons. He won the Upstate New York Colleges State Championship in discus, hammer and 35-pound weight, and was the Upstate Most Valuable Track Athlete in 1986. He was one of 12 selected from all three divisions for a 1986 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Only four Union athletes have earned this honor.
Dick Roberts ’50 contributions to Union athletics were remarkable and continued long after his playing days for the Dutchmen. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and assists on the basketball court of Alumni Gym. He was co-captain and the recipient of the Bailey Cup for leadership after his senior season. He was a legal advisor to the College, a member of the Board of Trustees, an Athletic Advisory Committee representative, a fund raiser, athletic booster, and an ambassador of Union College. (He passed away Nov. 16, 2006. See the obituary in this issue.)
Dennis Walker ’74 was two-time lacrosse All-American for the Dutchmen, a remarkable achievement for a student who never played the sport in high school. His senior season featured 67 goals, which led all three NCAA divisions and earned him “Faces in the Crowd” recognition in Sports Illustrated. He was named the Jaffe Award recipient for outstanding male athlete in 1974. He helped lead Union to victories over many lacrosse powers, including Division I Syracuse University. He ended his career as the all-time leading scorer, and is still ranked second all-time.