University of Tampa Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2018
Newest class includes eight former student-athletes, two coaches and pair of special category selections.
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa has announced its Hall of Fame inductees, including eight former student-athletes and one contributor that will represent the 2018 class of the University of Tampa Athletic Hall of Fame. The class will be inducted in a 7 p.m., ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 18 at UT's Vaughn Center.
The inductees include former student-athletes Jessie Bardin (swimming), Mark Borders (men's basketball), Tom Doan (football), Roy Fink (men's soccer), Shelby Kuni (women's soccer), Erik Mirza (baseball), Mike Rabelo (baseball) and Melissa Vanderhall (volleyball). One contributor will also earn induction to the Hall of Fame in former women's soccer coach Gerry Lucey.
Additionally, the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to UT Hall of Famer Vince Naimoli. The special category selection will honor the 2006 baseball team, which won the first of five national championships in the Joe Urso era, and the 1983 Men's Heavyweight Varsity 4 rowing team.
"I am thrilled to welcome another deserving and outstanding group of individuals who are also great ambassadors of the University," says athletic director Larry Marfise. "The UT Hall of Fame includes a long list of highly decorated individuals, and this group will undoubtedly add to that prestigious list."
Members selected will be honored at a banquet to be held at the Vaughn Center, beginning with a 6 p.m. reception followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and ceremony. For more information, please contact Hall of Fame chairman Tom Kolbe (tkolbe@ut.edu). Tickets are now available for purchase and are limited on a first-come basis.
Following are bios for the University of Tampa Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Inductees.
Jessie Bardin (2006-10): Two-time NCAA national champion who became just the second four-time All-American in program history, and remains one of four in UT women's swimming history to earn that status all four years. Remains the Tampa school-record holder in the 200 Free as she registered a time of 1:47.75 in the event in 2009. Also won Bluegrass Mountain Valley Championships in the 50 Free and 200 Free.
Mark Borders (2003-06): Recorded more than 649 assist throughout his career, which ranks him 1st in school history. Also ranks 1st in assist per game with 7.5. Shot .358 from behind the arc, which ranks him 7th in 3-point FG in school history. Tallied 202 steals throughout his career, which has him currently ranked 5th in school history. Also ranks 3rd in Tampa history with 2.3 steals per game. In his career, he played 34 minutes per game which ranked him 5th in program history.
Tom Doan (1961-65): Four-year letterwinner who earned Most Underrated Player Trophy (1963), Spartan Award (1964) and Outstanding Sportsmanship Trophy (1964). Earned University of Tampa Service Award and Moroccan Service Award. Was named to Letterman's Club and chosen as Lykes Hall Dorm President. Went on to earn master's degrees from Eastern Illinois and Rollins. Served in the United States Navy Submarine School from 1958-61 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967-69, where he attended Office Candidate School. Was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Silver Star Medal for combat action. Has taught at seven different schools, coached five sports and was Dean of Students for 14 years at William R. Boone High School. Was elected to the school's Hall of Fame in 2007.
Roy Fink (2000-03): Current head coach at Franklin Pierce University. Named 2001 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year. Two time All-American, 2001 First Team and 2000 Third Team. Four-time all-South Region selection was first-team in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and second-team in 2002. Was named the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year in 2001, and earned Sunshine State Conference Freshmen of the Year in 2000. Was named to All-Sunshine State Conference team in all four seasons at Tampa. In 2003 was named Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-District. Earned spot on 2003 Sunshine State Conference All-Tournament Team. Tied for 1st in Tampa history, with 14 game winning goals. Tallied 53 career goals which is fifth in program history. Picked up 101 total points, which is good for 5th in program history. Currently is tied for first in penalty kicks made with 10. Also received his MBA from UT in 2006.
Shelby Kuni (2005-08): Two-time All-American and member of 2007 national championship team who was the first player in program history to earn back-to-back first-team All-American honors. The 2006 South Region Player of the Year was also a two-time all-South Region selection. Remains the lone Sunshine State Conference Offensive Player of the Year in UT history, and was also the 2005 SSC Freshman of the Year. Four-time all-SSC selection was on the first-team for three years. Also a two-time member of NCAA South Regional all-tournament team and selected to 2007 NCAA Championships all-tournament team. Still ranks program's all-time leading scorer with 152 points and 63 goals. Also ranks fifth all-time in assists and 10th with 83 games played.
Erik Mirza (1995-98): Four-year letterwinner was starting centerfielder for 1998 national championship team. 1996 All-American was a four-time all-South Region selection who was 1995 Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year. Was a three-time first-team all-SSC selection. Named to NCAA South Regional all-tournament team three times, coming in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Honored as member of NCAA Championships all-tournament team for his play in Montgomery, Ala. Finished his career with a .360 batting average, playing in a total of 233 games as a Spartan. Also had 18 home runs and driving in 207 runs. Remains the UT career leader with 80 doubles and games played. Ranks second in at bats, hits, triples and total bases and third in runs.
Mike Rabelo (1999-2001): Three-year letterwinner who was a 2001 MLB Draft pick by the Detroit Tigers. Advanced to the majors, where he is one of seven Spartans to have played at the highest level. Played in the MLB for Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins. Named to all-South Region team two times. Member of 2001 NCAA South Regional all-tournament team. Named first-team all-Sunshine State Conference in 1999 and 2000, and second-team in 2001. Currently manager of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Played in 169 career games at UT, starting 165. Hit .322 with 18 home runs and 125 RBI. Still ranks as the most difficult catcher in program to steal against, as he gunned out nearly 40-percent of baserunners. Also threw out a UT record 50 runners.
Melissa Vanderhall (2006-10): Four-year letterwinner and member of the 2006 national championship volleyball team at UT, finished her career as one of the most decorated individuals in University of Tampa and Sunshine State Conference history. While playing for the Spartans from 2006-10, Vanderhall was a three-time first-team All-American who was twice named the SSC Player of the Year. Her long list of awards also included being a three-time all-South Region selection, two-time South region all-tournament team and member of the 2010 NCAA Championships all-tournament team. She also became the first person in program history to become a two-time South Region Player of the Year as her two SSC Player of the Year honors were also a first for the Tampa volleyball program. A three-time first-team All-SSC selection, Vanderhall was also on the all-freshman team in 2007. Her success extended to the classroom as well, where she became the first player in program history to be a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District member. She was also named to the SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll for her achieving a 3.2-plus GPA in each of her four playing seasons as a Spartan. Active in the community as a student-athlete, she was accepted into Big Brothers Big Sisters Club, a volunteer with the Family and Children's Association, where she worked with underprivileged children, participated in the Christmas giveaway at Just Elementary, raised money for Dig for the Cure and "Think Pink" night and Volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House.
Gerry Lucey (2007-14): The program's all-time winningest coach also captured the lone national championship in program history. He left with an all-time record of 114-43-20 at UT. At the helm of the Spartans, Lucey led his teams to one SSC regular season championship, four SSC tournament championships, two NCAA South Regional titles and the 2007 NCAA national championship. Prior to his eight years at UT, Lucey served as the head coach at West Chester for one season and also coached at his alma mater, C.W. Post. In 10 full seasons as a head coach, his overall career record is 153-49-21. In total, Lucey's teams have advanced to a total of eight NCAA tournaments, including six at UT. Lucey's teams have also excelled in the classroom, earning an NSCAA Team Academic Award all eight years of his tenure. He also coached two Academic All-Americans, once NSCAA Scholar All-American and 24 academic all-district/region selections. In addition to coaching 2007 National Player of the Year Shannon Aitken, he also coached 12 All-Americans, 38 all-region performers, one SSC Player of the Year, one SSC Freshman of the Year, and 29 all-SSC players.
The 2006 national championship baseball team is one of two special category selections. The Spartans finished the season with a 54-6 overall record as its .900 winning percentage is the best-ever for a national championship team. The team set a new school record for players drafted (5), victories (54), runs (585), hits (827), RBI (532), doubles (156), home runs (98), batting average (.376), total bases (1,333) and slugging percentage (.606). Overall, the Spartans outscored their opponents 585-237.
Also entering as a special category selection is the 1983 Men's Heavyweight Varsity 4 Crew team. The team won multiple state and small college national championships as the members included Willie Kulhman, John Stimus, Charles Norberg, Paul Gouin, and Shel McGuire. Dave Thomas served as the head coach.
Vince Naimoli was chosen as the recipient of the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to a UT Hall of Famer who continues their success post-graduation and continues to support the University of Tampa. A longtime board member and donor to UT athletics, Naimoli never wavers in his support for Spartan athletics. He has been actively involved in several improvement efforts, and has been a major reason for the upgrades to UT's athletic venues. He was inducted to the UT Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2012.