Galloway, NJ - Stockton Athletics inducted its ninth Hall of Fame class at a dinner in the Campus Center Event Room on October 5. The inductees were Chris Crescenzi '06 (baseball), Shelley Gibney '11 (women's soccer & women's track & field), Rory McPeek '00 (men's lacrosse), Will Turner '00 (men's basketball) and the 1995-96 Men's Basketball Team.
Nearly 200 people attended the dinner, which was part of University Weekend. The event began with opening remarks by Dr. Harvey Kesselman, Stockton University President as well as a moment of silence in memory of DeAnna Stark, a three-time NJAC all-conference defender for the Stockton women's soccer team who lost her battle with cancer in January at just 38 years old.
Gibney was the first inductee of the night. A three-sport athlete (soccer, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field), she was voted 2009 NJAC Midfielder of the Year and NJAC all-conference three times in soccer. Gibney also earned four NJAC all-conference honors in track field.
Gibney, whose father was one of the most successful high school boys soccer coaches in New Jersey history, called her parents, "the perfect combination of dedication and discipline." She also paid tribute to her teammates, saying, "My teammates made me feel stronger, faster and tougher than I actually was."
Crescenzi, a three-time NJAC all-conference and two-time ABCA all-region catcher, was the next inductee at the podium. "Being on the baseball field was my getaway," he said. Crescenzi played in the Frontier League and in Italy after college, making him the only Stockton baseball player ever to play professionally. "So many people played a role in the person and player that I became," he said in his speech.
After a break for dinner, the program continued with the induction of McPeek, who is Stockton's career leader in assists and was the career leader in points for 15 years before his record was broken. McPeek spoke about the bond that he had with his teammates, several of whom were in attendance. He also paid tribute to his coach, the late Dick Rizk, of whom he said, "He had an effect on us all."
Turner was the fourth inductee of the evening. He was a two-time NJAC all-conference and two-time NABC Atlantic District Second Team forward for the Ospreys. The Vineland native was originally committed to Virginia State before switching to Stockton. "My teammates took me in as a brother when I was a freshman," Turner said. "I want to thank Stockton for being nice to me and making me the person I am today," he later added.
The induction of the 1995-96 Men's Basketball Team capped the dinner. That Osprey squad won the NJAC championship, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament and set a school record of 26 wins that stood for 13 years. Kevin Brooks, an assistant coach for the team, spoke on behalf of the coaching staff.
Brooks was followed by Eric Magazine and Amos Moore, who represented the players at the podium. "Everybody knew their role and everybody played for each other," Magazine said in describing the team. Of the University, Magazine stated, "The thing that most resonates with me about Stockton is the family structure."
