Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
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SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION November 11,1989 SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE Athletic Hall of Fame Induction November 11,1989 SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME Sponsored by the Class of 1933 The Springfield College Athletic Hall Fame was established to honor members of the College community for outstanding achievements on the "playing field" or for service, dedication, and commit ment to athletics and athletic programs. 1989 Induction Banquet Program Invocation Kathy Corrigan Ekas'66 Opening Remarks Scott Taylor'66 Dinner President's Remarks Frank S. Falcone Induction Ceremony Frank S. Falcone Edward R.Bilik'57 Closing Remarks Scott Taylor'66 Alma Mater Hubert Hill'35 HUGH B. MENDEZ Hugh Mendez graduated from Springfield College in 1958. An outstanding athlete, he played football, basketball, and baseball as a freshman. As an upper classman Hugh went on to be a three-time letterman in football and to receive two letters for baseball, captaining the team in his senior year. As a varsity baseball player he was selected for the All-New England Team in '57 and '58 and led the nation (NCAA) in stolen bases in '58. Prior to graduation Mr. Mende2 signed a bonus contract with the Milwaukee Braves organization. I high played for Milwaukee from 1958-1960. As a high school and college football and baseball coach, Hugh Mendez has been a pioneer for other men and women of color who wish to pursue careers in athletics. As head football coach at Long Branch High School in Long Branch, NJ (a position to which he was named in 1964), Hugh became the second black individual in the state to head up such a high school program. As head football coach at Whittier College, a position he has held since 1980, Hugh became the first black football coach at a four- year California college. It is safe to say that Coach Mendez is among the first black coaches in America at a predominantly white four-year institution to head up two varsity programs (football and baseball) simultaneously. Since his coaching career began in 1959 Hugh Mendez has been responsible for producing several star athletes. He has coached thirteen All-American baseball players, two first round draft choices (George Ambro, New York Mets and Tony Woods, Chicago Cubs), and two major league players (Freddie Martinez, California Angels and Hubie Brooks, Montreal Expos). Coach Mendez has trained three All-American football players and two of his athletes (Jim Skipper with the New Orleans Saints and Tom Olivodotti with the Miami Dolphins) are N.F.L. coaches. Hugh's experiences as an educator reach from the athletic arena to the classroom. His educational endeavors off the field include having taught English and history on the secondary level and Afro-American History and English on the college level. Mr. Mendez has also served as an elementary school physical education supervisor and Assistant Director of Athletics at Whittier College. Over the years, Hugh made further contributions to sport through involvement with profes sional organizations. He has been N AIA District 3 Baseball Chairperson as well as Baseball Chairperson for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Hugh Mendez's coaching contributions and accomplishments are international in scope. He coached the Finnish National American Football Champions in 1985. In 1986, his Finnish team won the Eurobowl Championship in Amsterdam, Holland. He was Finland's National Team Coach for the 1987 European Championships. He has served as clinician in Holland and West Germany. Spending his 1988 sabbatical leave overseas, Hugh was instrumental in the growth of American football in Switzerland. This past summer Coach Mendez's Dutch team, the Amsterdam Crusaders, took the silver medal in the Eurobowl played in Milano, Italy. Most recently Hugh became the first foreigner to receive the Mayor's Award for community service in Hanko, Finland, working with their youth program of Physical Education and coaching the Hanko American Football team. This is similar to a "Key to the City" award. Currently Coach Mendez is still head of the Whittier College Varsity Football Program. He and his wife Dottle live in Altadena, California. MARK S. RANDALL Mark S. Randall '33 played varsity basketball, soccer, and lacrosse while at Springfield College, achieving Ail-American honors in the latter two. His professional career started as a civics and physical education teacher at Lansingburgh (New York) High School. In addition to his teaching responsibilities he coached track, tennis, J V basketball, and was the line coach for the football team. From Lansingburgh he want to Holland Patent (New York) Central School where he was the Director of Physical Education as well as a coach for several sports. Mark's next stop was at Hamilton College where he instructed physical education, coached swimming and football, and coordinated a military physical education and athletic program. In 1945, Coach Randall went to Colgate University as the Varsity Swimming and Diving Coach and Director of Aquatics. During his "pre-retirement" tenure at Colgate he also coached soccer and lacrosse and taught physical education methods classes. As Chair of the Physical Education and Intramurals Department, he set up the women's physical education program and consulted with the Athletic Director on the women's intercollegiate athletic program. This was at the time (1970) when women were first admitted to Colgate. Randall rose to the rank of full professor of physical education in 1975. In 1978, he was made Professor Emeritus. Mark's contributions to athletics far from ended after his official retirement. He is currently a part-time member of the Colgate Athletic Department where he is Director of Special Aquatics events. He recently developed and is currently directing a swimming program for Hamilton Central School for children in grades 3-6. He has also developed and is now directing a senior citizen swimnastics program for 200 individuals aged 60-87. Mr. Randall is a Past President of the Swimming Coaches of America and the Upper New York State College Swimming Association. He is currently secretary-treasurer of that organization. Mark has served as a member of the steering committee for New York State's Women's Intercollegiate Swimming program. He was the Regional Swimming Director of the Empire State Games during the first four years the games were held. Additionally, he served as the editor for the NCAA swimming and diving rule book. Mr. Randall's distinguished career has been highlighted by several awards. From the College Swimming Coaches Association of America he received 25 yea r {1967), 40 year (1982), and Master Coach (1984) Awards. In 1980, he was inducted into theColgate University Athletic Hall of Honor. In 1978, he received a Certificate of Merit from the New York State Public School Athletic Association for his "years of outstanding service and leadership." For 63 years Mark volunteered in the Red Cross Water Safety Program and served on various A.R.C. boards. For the past five years he has been running an aquatics rehab program for 78 disabled individuals ages 6-74. He is a member of the Board of the New York State Federation of I .ake Associations and presently its Vice-President/Secretary. He has received several community service related awards, including the Hamilton Rotary Club's Rose for the Living, Hamilton Senior Citizen of the Year, and Madison County Senior of the Year. This past June he was invited to ceremonies in Washington, D.C., as one of the 47 regional winners of the Jefferson Award, given annually by the American Institute for Public Service "to honor the highest ideals and achievements in the field of public service in the United States." Mark has two sons, R. Kirk '63 and DeWitt, from his marriage to the late Olga Hannah Randall. He and his wife Ethel were married in 1961. The following quote, read at a dinner in 1987 at which Mark was honored by the Colgate Alumni, best sums up this great man who is an inspiration to all he meets:" but it is what Mark Randall has done since his formal retirement that makes his presence here tonight so meaningful. At a time when most men and women are rightfully content to slow down and enjoy their autumn years, Mark Randall has taken the opposite track...." DIANE L. POTTER Dr. Diane Potter received her B.S. from Springfield College in 1957 and her M.S. in 1963. In 1979, she completed her doctoral work at the University of Georgia. As a woman attending Springfield College in the 50's, she was not offered the opportunity for varsity level competition. She was, however, an avid Sports Day participant and played in the City of Springfield Industrial Leagues. After graduation Diane continued to develop her athletic skill. She played ASA softball in the Eastern Major League. A participant in four World Championships, Dr. Potter earned all-star honors playing at third base in '62, '63, and '64. She also played four years of A.A.U. basketball. Diane's illustrious coaching career began in 1957 as the varsity softball coach at Holliston High School. She returned home to S.C. in 1960 as a member of the Physical Education Faculty where she became one of theprimary forces in establishing the Springfield College Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Program, which began in 1963-1964. A pioneer in women's athletics, Diane Potter was the first women's gymnastics coach and first softball conch at Springfield College. Her 21-year softball season record was 227-123 including four undefeated seasons. Other softball statistics include two Northeast 8 Champion ships, an EAIAW Championship, an ECAC Division II Championship, and being named Northeast 8 Coach of the Year twice.