Event: Monmouth University Sports Hall of Fame Dinner
Date: November 9
Time: 6:30 pm
Contact: Alumni Affairs at 732-571-3489
MC: Television Anchor Jack Ford
Inductees: Wendy Boglioli'76 (Swimming), Edward Halicki '74 (Baseball and Basketball), James LaRusso '70 (Baseball), Christie Pearce Rampone '99 (Soccer), Dick Steadman (Coach/Swimming,Diving,Waterpolo), and Abe Schwartz (Administration/Coaching).
 
West Long Branch (October 19, 2007) The Monmouth University Sports Hall of Fame has announced the inductees chosen as members of the newly constituted Sports Hall of Fame.  The distinguished class of 2007 includes a member of the Class of 1976 Wendy Boglioli (Swimming), Edward Halicki '74 (Baseball and Basketball), James LaRusso '70 (Baseball), Christie Pearce Rampone '99 (Soccer), Richard Steadman (Coach/Swimming, Diving,Waterpolo), and Abe Schwartz (Administration/Coaching). Boglioli and Pearce Rampone are both Olympic medal winners.  Television anchor Jack Ford will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
 
Wendy Boglioli attended Monmouth University from 1973 to 1976 and is one of the most decorated athletes in Monmouth Athletics history.  Boglioli was the American Record Holder in the 100-meter butterfly, the 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly in 1976, 1977 and 1978.  At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, she received a gold medal in the 4x100 freestyle relay, which set the World and Olympic Records, and a bronze medal in the 100-meter butterfly.
 
Edward Halicki'72 was a two-sport star while at Monmouth in basketball and baseball.  He scored 1,777 career points with over 1,500 rebounds as member of Monmouth University's Basketball team and ranks second all-time Monmouth Basketball history in scoring. He holds the school-record with 40 rebounds in a single game.  After Monmouth, Halicki signed a Major League Baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants, where he pitched from 1974 to 1980 and threw a no-hitter in 1975.
 
James LaRusso'70 was a four-time team most valuable player during his tenure on the baseball team. An NAIA honorable mention All-American in 1968 and 1969, La Russo registered a .404 career batting average while at Monmouth.  Still greatly involved with the baseball program, LaRusso earned recognition as the 1968 NAIA National Batting Champion and signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Montreal Expos in 1969.
 
Christie Pearce Rampone '99 was a three-sport standout in soccer, basketball, and field hockey for the Hawks.  A two-time Northeast Conference Player of the Year (1995 and 1996) in soccer, Rampone holds the Hawks' all-time scoring record with 212 points, on 79 goals and 54 assists.  A member of the United States National Women's Soccer Team since 1997, Rampone won Olympic Gold in 2004, and Olympic Silver Medal in 2000, and the 1999 World Cup Championship.  She still holds the record for steals at Monmouth.
 
Richard Steadman coached swimmers and divers that won gold medals at numerous levels of competition, including NAIA, NCAA Division II, and Division III.  Steadman, who the Monmouth Natatorium is named in honor of, coached 1983 Pan American Games Gold Medalist Laurie Lehner, while Monmouth swimmers earned a total of 127 All America citations under his watchful eye. Steadman was voted the "Man of the Year" by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America in 1982.
 
Noted as the "founding father" of Monmouth Athletics, Abraham Schwartz was Monmouth's first-ever baseball coach and the school's first-ever basketball coach from 1946 to 1955.  A professor of chemistry at Monmouth Junior College, Schwartz doubled as the Hawks' coach back when the school colors were black and orange.
 
Members of the class of 2007 represent the first inductees to the Hall of Fame in nearly a quarter century. The last induction was held in November 1984. The Monmouth University Sports 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.