Story Links
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall University Department of Athletics is proud to announce that it has selected four individuals and one of the greatest basketball teams in school history for induction into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame. The Pirates Class of 2017 includes Doug Cinella '86 of the baseball team; Debbie Hartnett '89 of the women's basketball team; John Kelly '63/MBA '68, a former chairman of the Seton Hall Board of Regents; Bryan Spoonire '95 of the men's track & field team; and the entire 1952-53 men's basketball team that finished ranked No. 2 in the nation and won the National Invitation Tournament.
The honorees will be inducted and celebrated at the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame Enshrinement Dinner on Thursday, June 1 at Maplewood Country Club in Maplewood, N.J.
Details, online registration and sponsorship opportunities for the event will be forthcoming in the next few weeks at PirateBlue.com.
INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES
Doug Cinella '86, originally from Paramus, N.J., and a graduate of Paramus High School, was a four-year starting pitcher for the Pirates under the great Mike Sheppard, Sr., and finished his career with 23 victories, 210 strikeouts and 11 complete games. As a freshman in 1983, he tied a school record with 17 strikeouts in a game. The following year, he was the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Pitcher of the Year and helped the Pirates reach the NCAA Tournament. After his collegiate career, he was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft, and he went on to pitch in Minor League Baseball for seven years. CINELLA PHOTO
Debbie Hartnett '89, originally from Plymouth Meeting, Pa., and a graduate of Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, was a four-year letterwinner for the Pirates, and at the time of her graduation from The Hall, she was the program's third all-time leading scorer with 1,632 points. That number still ranks fifth in school history. She was a three-time All-BIG EAST selection, including second-team honors in 1988 and 1989. Her 1988 season was one of the best in school history; she averaged 18.3 points per game, which at the time was the highest in program history and still ranks fifth-best today. Her 89.7 percent free throw shooting in 1986-87 is still No. 1 in the record book. HARTNETT PHOTO
John Kelly '63/MBA '68 served a five-year term on the Seton Hall University Board of Regents from 1986-91, during the renaissance of the men's basketball program, and also served as the board's chairman. In addition, he was President of the Seton Hall University Alumni Association and President of the Stillman School of Business Alumni Association. In 1986, he received the Many Are One Honoree-Service Award, and in 1991, he was the recipient of the University's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award. Among his many positions in business, he was previously employed as a Senior Vice President for Finance at Pfizer, Inc. KELLY PHOTO
Bryan Spoonire '95, originally from Asbury Park, N.J., and a graduate of Asbury Park High School, is one of the most accomplished track runners in school history after four years that included helping Seton Hall win the 1993 BIG EAST Indoor Track & Field Championship while also winning eight individual BIG EAST titles of his own. In 1994, he was named an All-American after anchoring a distance medley relay team that finished second at the NCAA Championship. In 1994, he was named the BIG EAST Outdoor Championship Most Outstanding Male Performer after winning the 5,000 (14:19.30) and 10,000 (30:28.27) races. He owns five Seton Hall school records, including the indoor mile (4:05.18), indoor 3,000 (8:00:03), indoor 5,000 (14:11.33), outdoor 5,000 (14:05.3) and outdoor 10,000 (29:42.0) and also is a record holder in three relay teams. SPOONIRE PHOTO
The 1952-53 men's basketball team was the most successful and historic squad in school history in its time. Led by coach John "Honey" Russell, the Pirates won 27 consecutive games to start the season, qualified for the National Invitation Tournament and defeated St. John's in the championship game at Madison Square Garden to win what was then considered the premier postseason tournament in college basketball. Seton Hall was ranked No. 1 in the country for six consecutive weeks and ultimately finished the year ranked No. 2 with a 31-2 record. The 31 wins match the 1988-89 team for most victories in school history, though the 1952-53 team still holds the school record for best winning percentage (.939). 1953 NIT CHAMPIONS PHOTO
- Jim Ahearn
- Henry Bockrath
- Harry Brooks (1979 HOF Inductee)
- Dick Brownley
- Henry Cooper
- Walter Dukes (1973 HOF Inductee)
- Gus Eppinger
- Bill Hammersley
- Mickey Hannon (1975 HOF Inductee)
- Bill Loeffler
- Ronnie Mara
- Jack Milani
- Ronnie Nathanic
- Joe O'Hare
- Richie Regan (1973 HOF Inductee)
- Arnie Ring (1980 HOF Inductee)
- Charles Travers
- Clarence Trowbridge
