WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame announced the inductees chosen for the class of 2014. The distinguished group includes: Gary Carter '83 (Basketball), Ellen Caruso-Garland '86 (Tennis), Kelly Monahan-Pearson '02 (Field Hockey), Barry Nathanson '69 (Soccer/Tennis) and Mel Ullmeyer '79 (Cross Country/Track & Field).
The Hall of Fame will recognize a Team of Distinction for the second time, with the 1974 Men's and Women's Swimming teams being honored.
The Monmouth University Sports Hall of Fame 2014 Induction Dinner presented by Alliance Shippers will be held Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 p.m. in historic Wilson Hall. Dinner tickets are $95 per person. Call the Office of Alumni Relations at 732-571-3489 to make reservations. You can also register online here: http://www.monmouth.edu/alumni/induction_dinner/default.aspx
In addition, inductees will be honored in a halftime ceremony during the Hawks' football game on November 1 when Monmouth hosts Charleston Southern University. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Gary Carter led Monmouth to one of the most successful runs in the school's history, with the Hawks reaching a No. 2 Division II ranking in the 1981 season. During his four year career, Monmouth averaged 20 wins per season as Carter was named a three-time Big Apple Conference selection. Selected as the team's most valuable player for three consecutive seasons, he ranks third in Monmouth history with 1,643 points. The business administration major was named Metro Player of the Year in 1981 and Big Apple Conference Player of the Year in 1983.
Ellen Caruso-Garland is Monmouth's most decorated women's tennis player of all-time. She played first singles and doubles all four years, registering an outstanding 54-5 singles record and only had one dual match loss in that span. The four-time team MVP finished second in the NJAIAW State Tournament as a freshman and earned Monmouth's Female Athlete of the Year as a junior. She still stands as Monmouth's only female ITA qualifier. She graduated in 1986 with a degree in history.
Kelly Monahan-Pearson became Monmouth's first Field Hockey Regional All-American in 2001. That same season she earned First Team All-Northeast Conference honors and was selected as Monmouth University's Female Athlete of the Year. Monahan-Pearson left West Long Branch top-10 in career assists and was the single-season assist record holder. Off the field she was a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad Member and the recipient of the Jane Freed Scholarship Award. She graduated with a degree in business marketing.
Barry Nathanson was a two-sport standout for the Hawks in the late sixties, excelling in the sports of soccer and tennis. The four-time all-conference selection helped the Hawks to Monmouth's first conference (CACC) championship in the sport of soccer. Individually, he owned a record of 46-6 in tennis and led Monmouth's first undefeated tennis team (14-0 record). Nathanson was a two-time District 31 finalist in tennis, achieving the feat in 1967 and as a senior in 1969. He graduated with a degree in business administration.
Mel Ullmeyer, a 1979 graduate with an education degree, ran cross country and track for the Hawks. Ullmeyer qualified for the 1978 NCAA Division III Track & Field National Championships while earning a trip to the DIII Cross Country National Championships a season earlier. In 1978 he was the New Jersey College Track & Field One Mile Champion with a meet record of 4:07.40; which still stands as a Monmouth record. Ullmeyer was the NAIA District 31 800m and 1500m champion, setting meet records in both events. He also set the meet and school record in the 800m at the 1978 Collegiate Track Conference meet.
The 1974 men's and women's swimming teams featured an unprecedented level of team and individual success at Monmouth. The men's and women's team each won NAIA & AIAW National Championships and earned seventh place finishes at the NCAA national meet. The squad featured 16 combined All-Americans and 22 qualifiers for the National Championships. A combined 30 Monmouth swimming records were set during the 1974 season and the team would feature four future National champions and one future Olympic champion.
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 Eddy Occhipinti at eocchipi@monmouth.edu or 732-263-5750.
