STANDISH, ME - The 11th class of the Saint Joseph’s College Athletics Hall of Fame was enshrined with a ceremony at the Mercy Dining Hall on the evening of Saturday, November 9th.
Former men’s basketball standout C.J. Vose ‘03, baseball star Luke Enman ‘08, women’s soccer legend Kathy Britton ‘94, longtime cross country Head Coach Brian “Ziggy” Gillespie and the 1987 men’s cross country team comprise the 11th group of outstanding individuals to be inducted into the SJC Athletics Hall of Fame.
Athletics Director Brian Curtin and President Dr. James Dlugos both spoke and Father John McHugh, the College Chaplain, provided the Invocation prior to dinner, which was prepared by the Pearson’s Café staff.
Britton was an outstanding offensive player for the Saint Joseph’s women’s soccer program. A leading scorer on some of the Monks’ earliest sides, the former striker remains near or at the top of several important career statistical categories, including goals (44, 2nd), assists (27, 1st) and points (115, 1st) - all totals she amassed in just three seasons. She was presented by her head coach, Lee Allen.
Enman was a four-year starter for the Saint Joseph’s College baseball team. Primarily a shortstop who also logged time at third base, second base and the outfield, he currently ranks third all-time in runs scored (159), hits (214), doubles (51), home runs (29) and RBI (162) and is the Monks’ career leader in at bats (601) at the time of his induction. He was inducted by his teammate, Andrew Wood ’08.
Gillespie built the men’s cross country program into a New England Region powerhouse during his seven years (1981-87) as the head coach at Saint Joseph’s College. Led by Gillespie, the Monks ran to NAIA New England Championship titles in 1981, 1982 and 1983, advanced to the NCAA National Championship on seven occasions, captured the 1987 Maine State Championship and NCAA New England titles and recorded a 146-11 regular-season record. Former Athletic Director Rick Simonds enshrined Gillespie into the SJC Hall.
Vose averaged 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a four-year starter for the Saint Joseph’s College men’s basketball team. At the time of his induction, the former standout forward ranks third all-time in rebounds (797), fourth in points (1,838) and field goals attempted (1,434), and fifth in field goals made (713) and free throws attempted (532). Vose entered the SJC Hall of Fame after being presented by Simonds, his former head coach.
Led by Head Coach Brian Gillespie, the 1987 men’s cross country team posted one of the most successful athletic seasons in Saint Joseph’s history. Ranked nationally all fall, the Monks lived up to their billing that year with a runner-up finish in the Eastern College Athletics Conference (ECAC) Championship and first-ever victories in the Maine College Championship and NCAA DIII New England Regional Championship events. Gillespie and Jody Norton ’89, a runner on the team, inducted the group into the Hall of Fame.
The list of accomplished athletes, teams, coaches, administrators and philanthropists grows to 68 with the addition of the 2013 honorees. The complete list of inductees can be found at http://gomonks.com/information/halloffame/master/roster.
Founded in 2000, the Saint Joseph’s College Athletics Hall of Fame honors past athletes, faculty, staff and friends who, through their actions, have brought distinction through athletics to themselves and to Saint Joseph’s College. With the combination of the committee and members who have associations with the college and/or athletics department, the Saint Joseph’s College Hall of Fame has continued to make strides toward the future while honoring the past.