WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame committee has announced the class of 2015 inductees, to be honored on December 12, 2015. The distinguished class includes Jennifer Egan Bjorndahl '97 (Softball/Tennis), Robert Alexander Blackwell Jr. '92 (Basketball), Jason Gmitter '98 (Football), Hugh MacDonald '07 (Soccer) and Tisifenee Taylor '07 (Track & Field).

For the third time in history the Hall of Fame will induct a team of distinction, with the 1995-96 Men's Basketball team being honored.

Egan Bjorndahl was a two sports star for the Hawks, captaining both the Monmouth softball and women's tennis teams. A four year starter in both sports, she played first singles for three seasons and won the NEC B Flight Singles Tournament in 1996, earning a 20-3 record as a senior. On the diamond, she led the nation in triples as a junior with 16 during the 1995 season. She finished her career third at Monmouth in triples (25), fourth in base hits (209), stolen bases (55) and runs scored (126).

One of the most decorated athletes in school history, Blackwell finished his career as a three-time First-Team All-Metropolitan, All-State and All-Northeast Conference honoree. A prolific scorer, the communication major still holds the single-season scoring record with 663 points in 1990-91 and owns three of the top-eight single-season scoring records overall. Blackwell reached double-figures in 79 of 86 career games played, with 25 double-doubles and his career 20.3 points-per-game scoring average is still highest in program Division I history. He is Monmouth's single-season record holder for field goals made with 247 (1990-91), when he garnered District II All-American honors.

The Hawks averaged 18.6 wins in the three seasons with Blackwell on the squad, setting a then program-record with 20 victories during the 1991-92 year. He was a gold medal winner for the United States in the World University Games in 1991, where he played in all six games for the US, averaging 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds. Monmouth's only player to play in the National Basketball Association, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 11, 1992, appearing in 27 games that season.

Gmitter was one of the earliest defensive stars on the Monmouth Football team, playing defensive end for the Hawks from 1994-97. As a senior in 1997 he recorded 11.5 sacks, 36 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss en route to earning NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Monmouth was 26-12 in his four seasons, including the Hawks' first conference championship team in 1996. Twice during his career he earned All-ECAC and First Team All-NEC honors and in 1996 he was named Mid-Major All-American byDon Hansen's National Football Gazette. Gmitter has held the school record with 25.5 career sacks for the last 17 seasons and counting. He was honored as the Monmouth University Scholar Athlete in 1997 and was a two-time recipient of the team's Vince Lombardi Second Effort Award.

MacDonald made an immediate impact for Coach Rob McCourt's team after transferring in for his final two seasons. With MacDonald roaming the backfield, the Hawks won back to back Northeast Conference regular season championships, made two NEC Tournament Finals appearance and went to the program's first NCAA Tournament. Monmouth boasted one of the best defensive units in the country in 2006, setting the school record for shutouts, goals allowed and goals against average. MacDonald was a two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year honoree and was twice named All-Region and First Team All-NEC. He was the 10^th ranked defender entering the MLS draft and signed with the New York Red Bull after being one of 52 players invited to the pre-draft combine. Once his professional career ended, MacDonald joined McCourt's staff, helping the Hawks to six regular season championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Taylor left West Long Branch as one of the most decorated athletes ever to step on campus. In 2007 she became the first Monmouth female track athlete to earn First Team All-American honors after finishing fourth in the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Her long jump mark of 21' 6 ¾" claimed the 10^th spot in the United States and 22^nd in the world. That same season she won the long jump at the ECAC Championships and the Northeast Conference Championships, while also taking first at the NECs in the 100m. The three-time All-East performer set three school records during her career while setting a pair of Northeast Conference records in the long jump and the 4x100 relay. A two-time conference champion in the long jump, Taylor was named MVP of the NEC Outdoor Championship Meet as a senior after helping the Hawks to their fourth team title during her career.

The first Monmouth Men's Basketball team to win the Northeast Conference Tournament Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament, the 1995-96 squad tied the school record with 20 wins and finished the season at 20-10 overall and 14-4 in the NEC. Monmouth earned the 13^th-seed in the East Regional and faced 4^th-seeded Marquette in Providence, R.I. (Providence Civic Center), where the duo of Hall of Famers Corey Albano (14 points, seven rebounds) and John Giraldo (13 points, five rebounds, three assists), led the Hawks in a First Round defeat. The Hawks, which won 19 of its final 24 games, earned the third seed in the NEC Tournament. After dispatching Wagner at home, the Blue & White overcame a five point deficit in 21 seconds to top Marist (57-56) and then used a pair of Quincy Lee free throws to take down rival Rider with four seconds left at Boylan Gym in championship game.

The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Dinner presented by Alliance Shippers will be held Saturday, December 12, at 6:30 p.m. in historic Wilson Hall. Dinner tickets are $105 per person. Call the Office of University Engagement at 732-571-3489 to make reservations.

In addition, inductees will be honored in a halftime ceremony during the men's basketball game on December 13 when Monmouth hosts Wagner College.

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.