NJIT Athletics Celebrates 2022 Hall of Fame Class
NJIT Athletics held its 2022 Hall of Fame Ceremony on Homecoming Weekend, Saturday, Oct. 8 inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
The 2022 induction class included: 1961 Men's Soccer Team, Richard "Skip" Wilkins '64 (Men's Basketball; 1960-64), Lou Mezzina '93 (Men's Basketball; 1989-92), Harold Nazaire '00, '05 (Men's Volleyball; 1997-00), Jackie O'Connor '02 (Women's Basketball; 1998-01), Iulia Doci '09, '10 (Women's Tennis; 2005-09), Sadie Mele '11 (Women's Soccer; 2007-10), The Lubetkin Family (Herb M. Iris Recipient) and Jack Wagner '74 (Robert Swanson Recipient) to make up the 20th class in school history.
Two members of the 2020 NJIT Hall of Fame class (Erika Taugher '08 (Women's Soccer; 2004-08) and Wycliffe Gordon '00 (Men's Volleyball; 1995-98) who were unable to join last year will be recognized.
Erika Taugher '08 (Women's Soccer; 2004-08)
Taugher, regarded by many to be the best-ever player to ever wear a Highlander uniform, holds the NJIT school-record for points in a career (47) and shares the school-record mark for goals in a career (16) as well as the all-time mark for career assists (15) and tied for fifth all-time in games played (72). She also ranks among the program-best in: goals in a game (2nd-3 in 2008), goals in a season (4th – 6), assists in a season (t-4th – 5) and points in a season (4th and 5 th – 17 and 15 – 2004, 2005).
Wycliffe Gordon '00 (Men's Volleyball; 1995-98)
Gordon earned AVCA All-America second-team honors in 1998, when NJIT competed at the Division II level. He graduated as one of the top offensive weapons in Highlander history finishing his career ranked in the top five in kills.
1961 Men's Soccer Team
The Newark College of Engineering (NCE) 1961 men's soccer team was the national runner-up in the NAIA Soccer Championship, dropping a 3-2 decision to Howard. The team captured a 9-1 record on the season which included the second consecutive appearance in the National Championship game.
Richard "Skip" Wilkins '64 (Men's Basketball; 1960-64)
Richard "Skip" Wilkins was the starting point guard for all four years and co-captain in his senior season under legendary coach, Joseph Fitzgerald. As a senior in 1964, Skip was selected All-State first-team by the New Jersey Basketball Writers Association and third-leading vote-getter in the state. He also earned All-Tech second team honors at the Rochester Institute of Technology Tournament (1963-64) and Outstanding Player Award at the Bloomfield College Classic in 1964. Coach Fitzgerald credited Skip as the catalyst in his success implementing his man-to-man half-court pressure defense. He played a key role in the NCE being ranked sixth nationally in defense in the NAIA statistics.
Lou Mezzina '93 (Men's Basketball; 1989-92)
Lou Mezzina scored over 1,000 career points and combined for over 600 rebounds in his four-year career at NJIT. Mezzina's 114 career games, ranks eighth all-time, 640 rebounds (10th) and 1,104 points (28th). The IAC Rookie of the Year and All-IAC Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior, Mezzina led NJIT to the school's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1990-91.
Harold Nazaire '00, '05 (Men's Volleyball; 1997-00)
Harold Nazaire, a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American, was the first NJIT men's volleyball player to earn All-America honors, competing at the Division II level. Nazaire was selected to the AVCA first team in 1997 and 1999 and selected to the second team in 1998. Nazaire was a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division II Tournament Champions in 1998 and 1999.
Jackie O'Connor '02 (Women's Basketball; 1998-01)
Jackie O'Connor ranks seventh all-time with 1,132 career points. O'Connor ranks in the top 11 in numerous categories: first in three-point attempts (720), second in three-point field goals (222), sixth in steals (168), 10th in free throw percentage (.702) and 11th in assists (243).
Iulia Doci '09, '10 (Women's Tennis; 2005-09)
Iula Doci combined for a career singles record of 65-14, all at #1 singles in her four seasons at NJIT. Doci became the first-ever individual tennis champion for NJIT, earning 2006 CACC Rookie of the Year honors, posting a 19-2 record. She ranked third among ITA Region singles players, fourth in doubles, reached the semifinals of the ITA Regional "A" singles and advanced to the ITA East Regional Round of 64 in 2008. The 2008 National Independent Division I Player of the Year, Doci had one of the most impressive individual wins by a Highlander when she defeated Rhode Island's senior Lara Maurer, who came into the match with a 22-1 at first singles for URI (and previously the #2 player at Kentucky, ranked 17th in the nation).
Sadie Mele '11 (Women's Soccer; 2007-10)
Sadie Mele played every minute of every match in goal for her entire four-year career at NJIT. Mele was selected Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in the East Division, taking the honor in both 2009 and 2010. At the same time, she was the All-Great West Conference Goalkeeper in both seasons in addition to being a two-time Most Valuable Player for the Highlanders. The native from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, holds the all-time record for career matches played as a goalkeeper (74) and career saves (437) while ranking second in career wins (17). She holds numerous NJIT Division I records – career saves (437), saves in a season (140; 2008) and third in career solo shutouts (9).
The Lubetkin Family (Herb M. Iris Recipient)
The Lubetkin Family will be the third 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.
Jack Wagner '74 (Robert Swanson Recipient)
Jack Wagner will be the sixth 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 2022 is welcomed, the NJIT Hall of Fame membership will stand at 89.
