WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee has announced the class of 2016 inductees, to be honored on December 9, 2016.
The class features two of the most successful and decorated athletes in school history, Miles Austin III (Football) and Brad Brach (Baseball). Austin excelled during a 10-year career in the National Football League while Brach is in the midst of his sixth season as a Major League Baseball pitcher.
Austin, a standout wide receiver for MU from 2002-05, became the first Hawk to sign with a National Football League team when the Dallas Cowboys signed him prior to the 2006 season. The ten-year NFL veteran has twice been named to the Pro Bowl (2009, 2010) and holds the franchise record for receiving yardage in a game (250 yards) and longest kickoff return in a playoff game (93 yards). He wrapped up his decade long professional career with stints with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Garfield, N.J. native left West Long Branch as the Hawks all-time leader in receptions (150), reception yardage (2,867), receiving touchdowns (33) and scoring (216 points). During his four years, Austin helped lead Monmouth to back-to-back Northeast Conference Championships in 2003 and 2004. He is Monmouth's only three-time first team all-conference selection at wide receiver.
His 20.5 yards per catch in 2005 is still a Monmouth record while the playmaker owns the top-3 single-season receiving touchdown spots led by his 12 scores in 2003. He amassed 33 touchdowns over his four years with the next closest player 12 scores behind him while Austin's 2,867 receiving yards is tops by over 600 yards. Austin's 235 receiving yards and four touchdown catches against Sacred Heart in 2005 still stand as Hawk records today.
Brach enjoyed a strong career on the mound at Monmouth, earning First Team All-NEC honors twice as well as being named the 2007 NEC Pitcher of the Year. The Freehold, NJ native remains the school's all-time leader in wins with 29 and strikeouts with 277, as well as innings pitched with 324.1 in his four years. He posted a career ERA of 2.44, and was a member of the 2007 NEC championship team, pacing the staff with a 9-3 record. On April 13, 2007, Brach fired a no hitter against LIU at home, the first for a Hawk since 1990.
Brach was selected in the 42nd round by the San Diego Padres in the 2008 MLB Draft and worked his way through the system before eventually earning a call-up in August 2011. The starter-turned reliever was traded to Baltimore prior to the 2014 season and immediately made an impact on the Orioles bullpen, going 7-1 with 54 strikeouts. Brach pitched to one of the lowest ERA's in the American League for a reliever in 2016, and became the first Hawk to be selected for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July. At the time of his selection, the right-hander possessed a 0.99 ERA, and was an integral part to the Orioles bullpen, one of the best in baseball.
The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame 2016 Induction Dinner will be held Friday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. in historic Wilson Hall. Dinner tickets are $125 per person. Call the Office of University Engagement at 732-571-3489 to make reservations or register online www.monmouth.edu/halloffame2016
In addition, inductees will be honored in a halftime ceremony during the men's basketball game on December 10 when Monmouth hosts Army West Point.
The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to recognize, honor and perpetuate the achievements of members of the Monmouth University family who have made outstanding contributions to Monmouth University athletics. These individuals have helped to bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to Monmouth University and its athletic programs.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee solicited alumni and the general public for the names of eligible nominees.
For more information about the event, contact Laura MacDonald at lmacdona@monmouth.edu or 732-263-5438.
