POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist University Athletics Department held its inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday night at the McCann Center.
The six inductees were, in order of induction, were Rachele Fitz, Terrence Fede, Jack Gartland (posthumously), Brian Giorgis, Chris Tracz, and Rik Smits.
More on each inductee:
- Presenter: Marist Assistant AD/Sports Information Mike Ferraro
- Marist women's basketball's all-time leader in points and rebounds
- Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America in 2009 and 2010
- Three-time conference Player of the Year and two-time Most Outstanding Player of the conference championship
- Leading scorer and rebounder for the first team in MAAC basketball history (women's or men's) to reach the Sweet Sixteen in 2007
- Only player in program history to have her number retired
- Presenter: Former Marist Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Scott Rumsey
- Marist's first NFL Draft choice in 2014, when he was selected in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins. Played for the Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants during his NFL career.
- Played defensive end for the Red Foxes from 2009-13.
- Holds the program's career and single-season records for sacks.
- Named the Pioneer Football League's (PFL) Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, and he was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented to the top defensive player in the FCS.
- Presenting/Accepting: Former Marist President Dr. Dennis J. Murray & the Gartland family.
- Elected chairman of Marist's first lay advisory board in 1956. He became a member of the Board of Trustees in 1969, served as chairman from 1972-74, and was elected Life Trustee in 1999.
- Served for 20 years as Chair of the Buildings & Grounds Committee, guiding the design and development of a campus that saw nearly every building constructed or renovated under his leadership.
- As President of the James J. McCann Charitable Trust, he secured millions in grants that drove major expansions, including the McCann Center building and its later addition, the opening of Gartland Athletic Commons, and the construction of McCann Baseball Field.
- Presenter: Marist Head Women's Basketball Coach Erin Doughty
- Won a record 11 Metro Conference (formerly Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) championships—including the program's first in 2004 and an unprecedented nine straight from 2006–14—along with 13 MAAC regular-season titles and eight Coach of the Year awards.
- Became the first coach in conference history, men's or women's, to lead a team to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2007.
- Earned five NCAA Tournament wins overall.
- Tallied 463 victories in 21 seasons, including two 30-win campaigns, guiding the Red Foxes to a program-record 32 wins in 2007–08 and 31 in 2010–11, with both seasons culminating in second-round NCAA appearances.
- Presenter: Former Marist Head Baseball Coach John Szefc
- Standout pitcher for the Red Foxes from 2001–05 who remains the program's all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, starts, complete games, and innings pitched.
- Earned Freshman All-America and MAAC Rookie of the Year honors, and later became a two-time First Team All-Region pick and two-time conference Pitcher of the Year.
- Helped Marist set a program wins record in 2002.
- Led Marist to the third conference title of his career in 2005.
- After his playing days, Tracz returned as pitching coach before serving as head coach for 13 seasons.
- Presenter: Former Marist Head Men's Basketball Coach Dave Magarity
- Became Marist's first NBA Draft selection when he was selected second overall by the Indiana Pacers in 1988. Enjoyed a 12-year career with the Pacers than included appearances in the NBA All-Star Game (1998) and NBA Finals (2000).
- Named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 1988.
- Earned numerous ECAC Metro honors, including Player of the Year twice, First Team All-Conference three times, Tournament MVP, and Rookie of the Year.
- Set 25 school records in his career, including a then-single game scoring record of 45 points in his final collegiate game to match his uniform number, which is retired.
- Led Marist to its first two NCAA Tournament berths in program history in 1986 and 1987.
Check back in the coming days for video from the inaugural induction ceremony.
Information on the nomination process for Hall of Fame Class of 2027 will be coming soon.
