STILLPOINT Archive: last updated 08/21/2007
DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS: HALL OF HONOR
Story Patrick Byrne
Athletics tests the physical, emotional and spiritual strength of a person in a way few other challenges can. It takes a driven, motivated and talented person to achieve athletic greatness. Over the years the College has had a number of exceptional student athletes. For the first time, however, six top alumni athletes were inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Department of Athletics in a ceremony on January 20, 2007.
More than 100 coaches, athletes, alumni, staff and students gathered in the Presidents Dining Room in Lane Student Center--not knowing exactly what to expect, but leaving with an appreciation and understanding of what athletics means to Gordon students. Gene Fitzgerald '62, Paul Sideropoulos '68, Whitney (Swan) Earle '99, Tambrey (Mentus) Fliermans '01, Matt Chapman '02 and Peter Chartschlaa '72B reminded the attendees that while athletics was not the most important part of their lives, it was vital to their growth as Christians and leaders at Gordon College.
Gene Fitzgerald '62, Basketball
A multisport athlete, Gene Fitzgerald was most known for his presence on the basketball court. Fitzgerald was a vital part of three consecutive North Atlantic Christian College (NACC) championship teams for the Fighting Scots (1960-62). Fitzgerald was the NACC's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1962 and was the team's MVP during his sophomore season in 1960. Fitzgerald scored over 1,400 points in his career while the Fighting Scots went 63-41 during his four years at Gordon. From 1960 to 1962 Fitzgerald averaged 16.9 points a contest and contributed a team-high 192 rebounds his senior season. In addition to his basketball prowess, Fitzgerald was on the touch football team in 1959; he also played baseball and soccer during his four years as a Fighting Scot.
Paul Sideropoulos '68, Soccer
Paul Sideropoulos was a star midfielder on the Fighting Scots men's soccer team 1965-1968. In his first two seasons he led the Scots to a 19-4-2 record and was named to the Colonial Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) both years. By the end of his senior year Sideropoulos had tallied an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes) record 108 career goals, he was a four-time all-conference standout and had led the team to three CIAC championships, including leading the Scots to a 13-2-1 record in 1968 as team captain. After being recognized as an NAIA All-American, Sideropoulos was signed to play professional soccer with the Boston Beacons of the North American Soccer League. His continued success on the field led to his selection to the U.S. National Team in 1970.
Peter Chartschlaa '72B, Soccer
During his four years at Barrington College, Peter Chartschlaa set numerous school and national records for his prowess on the soccer pitch. A star striker for four years, Chartschlaa set an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes) record of 144 career goals while leading the team in scoring four consecutive years and was an All-Colonial Intercollegiate Soccer Conference member for four straight years. Chartschlaa set a New England Collegiate record with 53 points (42 goals and 11 assists) in 1970 and was awarded an Olympic tryout the same year. Chartschlaa led Barrington to the Regional NAIA Tournament in three of his four years and was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" his junior and senior years.
Whitney (Swan) Earle '99, Soccer and Softball
Whitney (Swan) Earle was a two-sport standout for the Fighting Scots in soccer and softball from 1995 to 1999. On the soccer pitch she blasted 41 career goals and tallied 22 assists in four seasons. Her 102 career points place her in the top five all-time at Gordon College in women's soccer. In 1998 Earle was the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Year; she scored 18 goals and notched eight assists while leading the team to an 18-4-1 record and a trip to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championship match. On the diamond Earle was a three-time All-CCC First Team selection, racking up 16 wins in her first three seasons with 142 strikeouts while batting well over .376 for her career; she also threw two no-hitters. Earle was captain of the soccer team her senior year and was a captain of the softball team her junior and senior seasons.
Tambrey (Mentus) Fliermans '01, Field Hockey
As a star midfielder for the Fighting Scots field hockey squad, Tambrey Mentus earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association New England Region All-American status in 1999 as a senior. During her senior year Mentus was team captain and was the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Year as she tallied 12 goals and a career high 14 assists. Mentus set school records in goals with 49 and notched 32 assists for a total of 130 career points. During her years at Gordon the Scots posted a record of 47 wins and 27 losses, and a CCC championship in 1996.
Matt Chapman '02, Lacrosse
Gordon's first men's lacrosse NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) All-American Honorable Mention, Matt Chapman was a star midfielder from the moment he stepped on the field for the Scots. Chapman finished his senior year as the NCAA Division III leading scorer with 8.14 points per game; the top goal scorer with 67 goals (4.79 per game); and number two in the nation in assists per contest with 3.36. Chapman was a three-time CCC All-Conference selection, Conference Player of the Year in 2002 and an ECAC First Team selection as a senior. Chapman finished his career with 168 goals, 121 assists and 289 total points.
Plaque images created by Crown Trophy (Middleton, MA)
