NJIT Athletics Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Class

NJIT Athletics is proud to announce seven individuals and one team will comprise the 2024 NJIT Athletics Hall of Fame induction class. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on October 19, 2024 in NJIT's Wellness and Events Center Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan announced.

"This class joins an elite group of Highlanders who represent some of the finest performances in NJIT athletics history," said Kaplan. "I am so happy to honor this group of individuals who, as student-athletes, set a standard of excellence in and out of the classroom as well long after their playing careers were finished.

The 2024 induction class includes: 2006 Baseball Team, Sabrina Baby '10 (Women's Volleyball; 2006-09), Clayton Barker '07 (Men's Basketball; 2003-07), Dena (Baskous) Prastos '07 (Women's Soccer; 2005-07), Umar Saeed '08 (Men's Cross Country/Track and Field; 2005-08), Dan Carroll '65 (Baseball; 1962-65), Marjorie Perry (Herb M. Iris Recipient) and Bill Ehrhardt (Robert Swanson Recipient) and represents the 21st Hall of Fame induction class in school history. 

Brief bios on each inductee: 

2006 NJIT Baseball Team
The 2006 NJIT baseball team will be the fifth team inducted into the NJIT Athletics Hall of Fame. The Highlanders compiled a 27-17 overall record and captured the program's only ECAC Championship at the Division II level. The team's 27 wins marked the most wins in a single season. The team set single season records in batting average (.317) and fielding percentage (.944).

Sabrina Baby '10 (Women's Volleyball; 2006-09)
A two-time team captain for the NJIT women's volleyball team, Baby capped her collegiate career as the 2009 NCAA Division I Individual leader in digs per set (6.27dps). As a senior, Baby became the first Highlander student-athlete in any sport to receive Academic All-America honors at the Division I level. The 2009 Great West Defensive Player of the Year ended her career holding the NJIT Division I school-records in 2,301 career digs, 795 digs posted in a season (2008), 189 career services aces and 71 service aces in a season (2008). 

Clayton Barker '07 (Men's Basketball; 2003-07)
An All-Met second-team selection and two-time CACC honoree, Barker concluded his collegiate career at NJIT with 1,617 points, which still ranks ninth all-time. In 2006, he made the game-winning shot in a 56-55 win over defending MAAC champ Manhattan in NJIT's first Division I game. He still ranks in the top 10 in eight career statistical categories--field goals (eighth); three-point field goals (fifth); three-point field goal attempts (fourth); free throws (fifth); free throw attempts (eighth); free throw percentage (ninth); assists (fourth); and steals (third). 

Dena (Baskous) Prastos '07 (Women's Soccer; 2005-07)
One of NJIT's all-time top players in a three-year career that ended with the 2007 season. The Alaska native who played her freshman season at UConn, wrapped up her fine NJIT career as a defender with first-team all-conference honors. She was all-New England Region second team selection as well as United Soccer Conference first-team (2007). Throughout her career, she was a strong interior defender who could also come forward, collecting three goals and an assist in 50 games.

Umar Saeed '08 (Men's Cross Country/Track and Field; 2005-08)
A two-time All-East selection, Saeed set a school record at the 2008 IC4A University Division I 5-mile race with a time of 25:32, placing second. As a freshman in 2005, Saeed placed first in the CACC Championship race and was selected NJIT's department wide Newcomer of the Year.

Dan Carroll '65 (Baseball; 1962-65)
Regarded as one of NJIT's top pitchers of the era, Carroll led the Highlanders to unprecedented success in the early 1960's. A team captain during his junior and senior campaigns, Carroll led the team in victories and innings pitched.

Marjorie Perry (Herb M. Iris Recipient)
Marjorie Perry will be the fourth recipient of the Herb M. Iris Award. The Herb M. Iris Award pays tribute to the late Herb M. Iris (Class of '51, 1930-2006), a great visionary and a major benefactor and supporter of NJIT athletics. The Herb M. Iris Award will honor exemplary leadership and support in the advancement of athletics at NJIT.

Bill Ehrhardt (Robert Swanson Recipient) 
Bill Ehrhardt will be the seventh recipient of the Robert Swanson Award. The Swanson award was named for the late professor and athletic director. The award is presented to the NJIT faculty or staff member who has shown continued support for the Highlander athletic program. Bob Swanson, who served as Director of Athletics from 1947 to 1982, was an original inductee into the NJIT Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.

History of NJIT Athletic Hall of Fame
The NJIT Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1986 by then-director of athletics J. Malcolm Simon in conjunction with the NJIT Alumni Association. 

The first class of inductees included multi-sport standout John Walsh '66, soccer all-American Hernan "Chico" Borja '81, beloved coach and professor Joseph M. Fitzgerald, and long time director of athletics Robert Swanson. Simon, also the school's all-time winningest coach, was inducted upon his retirement as athletics director in 1994. In all, 44 individuals and three teams were honored through 1996.

After a five-year hiatus, the Hall of Fame was revived in 2002 by current Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan. When the Class of 2024 is welcomed, the NJIT Hall of Fame membership will stand with over 100 inductees.