Hall of Honor
CLASS OF 2008 HALL OF HONOR INDUCTION CEREMONY
"When you get to training camp, look around--those will be your best friends at school," David Lane's older brother told him before he set off for the Gordon College campus in the fall of 1980. His brother was right. Athletics creates memories, bonds, and triumphs that will last a lifetime. Never has that been more evident to Gordon College and Barrington College alumni than it was on January 26, 2008 at the second annual Gordon College Athletics Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony sponsored by the Highlander Club.
Over 150 Gordon and Barrington alumni, coaches, administrators, and friends gathered from all over the country to reminisce about their days as student-athletes. Christian bonds made in the athletic arena drew guests who had not returned for a campus function in years; even the former president of Barrington College, Dr. David Horner, attended. Nancy Salonpuro '76B, who gave so much as an athlete and coach to both schools, returned to usher in Barrie (Twyon) Daigneault '88 while Maggie Murdoch, wife of the late Hal Murdoch--coach of the Men's Basketball team for 21 seasons--was perhaps the most sought after guest of the night.
The excitement in the room--cameras clicking, faces beaming--before the ceremony brought the guests back to their playing and coaching days. The anticipation of the evening paralleled Daryl Lane's ('74B) 2,000th career point on the basketball court; David Lane's ('85) trip to the NAIA National Soccer Tournament; Barrie (Twyon) Daigneault's ('88) 1,000th career-point (the first Gordon woman to do so); Becky (Craig) Hylton's ('95) 135 career points on the soccer pitch; Jim Petty's ('95) soaring to the basket for over 1,900 points; and Ember (Brosius) Verma's ('01) four years of hard work paying off with a trip to the NCAA National Cross Country Championships in Spokane, Washington in 2000.
Former Barrington's men's basketball head coach Jack Augustine began the induction ceremony by presenting Daryl Lane. Lane spoke of the blessing of being in a place where Christian men and women gathered not only to celebrate athletic achievements, but to share all the Lord's blessings in their lives. Lane's humble personality and demeanor showed the other side of a man who dominated the basketball court from 1970-74.
Marc Whitehouse, current associate athletic director and women's soccer coach, seemed to have a connection with everyone in the room. Smiling ear to ear, he presented David Lane, who reminded the audience that the friendships made through athletics can surely last a lifetime. Lane was joined in the room by more than 20 of his teammates from the early to mid 1980s. Those who came to witness Lane's induction were told just how much they meant to him--they were and continue to be his best friends. Lane spoke of Romans 5: 3--4 "...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope..." These are lessons Lane learned on the field, and took with him in life.
Becky (Craig) Hylton was also introduced by Whitehouse. A star on a first-year varsity women's soccer program in 1992, she told her story of transferring to Gordon, where initially there was no women's soccer program. Soon after her arrival, however, the program was started and, in fact, built around her. "I put God first by coming to Gordon, and then He gave me back soccer," she said. Hylton was on the squad that won its first contest, and she is, to this day, the only Gordon women's soccer All-American.
Nancy Salonpuro had not been back on campus for several years, and was honored to be the presence of her former players, including inductee Barrie (Twyon) Daigneault. Daigneault, in turn, was honored to have Salonpuro usher her into this distinction and was also grateful for Salonpuro's modeling the traits of hard work and dedication for her the rest of the "cast of characters" on the women's basketball team at Gordon in the mid 80s.
Jim Petty was another star from the early 90's; his point total on the court (1,902 points) remains untouched by the men's basketball team--but Petty was more than just a macho basketball player. In fact, to the chagrin of his former coach Steve Heintz '87 he was anything but macho-looking coming in at 6' 9" and barely over 200 pounds. Nevertheless, Petty stood out not only on the basketball court, but also as a member of the Gordon gospel choir. Reminding attendees that athletes are not focused solely on their sport, Petty recalled that choir was one of his favorite activities.
The final inductee of the evening was Ember (Brosius) Verma, who is the only Gordon runner to have qualified for the NCAA National Championships. Verma noted that running is often overlooked in the world of sports, and spoke of her trip to Nationals in 2000, explaining how truly aggressive and competitive cross country can be. Verma also fondly remembered the supportive bonds formed as she and teammates suffered through punishing workouts together. Verma explained that running, like many sports, can be taken with you after college-not just the physical activity, but also the bonds formed on the course-bonds unmatched in any other walk (or run) of life.
All told, the Gordon College Athletics Hall of Honor class of 2008 continues to hold seven school records and their achievements on the field have seldom been matched. While the Department of Athletics hopes their records will fall as our teams continue to improve, we know that the class of 2008 is a special, living reminder that athletics contribute greatly to the student experience and create life-long friendships and memories. Ask a student-athlete to recall a particular contest and you have a story that will last a lifetime.
The Inductees (JPG)
CLASS OF 2008
David Lane '85 - Men's Soccer
Four-time NAIA All-American (Honorable Mention '80, '82; First-Team '81, '84)
NSCAA First-Team All-American '84
Three-time NCCAA All-American
NCCAA Third-Team All-American '81
Four-time NSCAA All-New England
Three-time team MVP
Team Rookie of the Year
1984 Co-Captain
34 Career Goals; 35 Career Assists; 103 Career Points
Team record 49-14-9
Qualified for NAIA National Tournament in 1983 and 1984
David Lane & Team (JPG)
CLASS OF 2007
Gene Fitzgerald
A multi-sport 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 in 1962 and was the team's MVP during his sophomore season in 1960. Fitzgerald scored over 1,400 points in his career as the Fighting Scots went 63-41 during his four years at Gordon. From 1960-62, Fitzgerald averaged 16.9 points a contest and contributed a team-high 192 rebounds his senior season. In addition to his basketball prowess, Fitzgerald appeared on the Touch Football team in 1959 as well as played baseball and soccer during his four years as a Fighting Scot.
Fitzgerald in Action (JPG)
