WINTHROP, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is excited for the enshrinement of eight former student-athletes as part of the 2019 GNAC Hall of Fame Class, which will take place with an induction dinner on Wednesday, August 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn Logan Airport in East Boston, Mass.
This 2019 inductees include Ray Askew of Albertus Magnus College men's basketball; Iman (Davis) Barbosa of Emmanuel College women's basketball; Lamonte Thomas of Johnson & Wales University (RI) men's basketball; Jose Guitian of Lasell College men's basketball; Josh McElroyof Norwich University men's soccer; Aaron Dufoe of Rivier University men's soccer & men's basketball; Michael Maguire of Suffolk University baseball; and Jackie (Shedlock) Kapusta of Western New England University softball.
The festivities on August 7 will begin at 6:00 PM with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM and the induction ceremony presentations running from approximately 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn.
All eight inductees are expected to be in attendance alongside their family, as well as former coaches, administrators and teammates.
ABOUT RAY ASKEW
Named the 2012 GNAC Men's Basketball Player and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, Askew ended his career leading as Albertus' all-time leader with 2,316 points and 1,192 rebounds. He became the second player to record over 1,000 rebounds in the GNAC, was the league's all-time rebounding leader and was the second Falcons player in school history to register 2,000+ points.
As a senior, the New Haven, Conn. native he led the Falcons to a GNAC Champonship and its second-ever NCAA Tournament victory. That year, he averaged 24.2 points and 9.7 rebounds and became the program's first-ever All-American – the second All-American in Albertus Magnus history – and earned NABC All-District honors as well as D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region honors.
As a junior, he was named to the D3hoops.com All-Region Second Team after averaging 21.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he averaged 21.5 points and 12.2 rebounds, and led the Falcons to their second-ever GNAC Championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance, which saw the Falcons upset No. 7 William Paterson with a 57-55 win at the buzzer to give Albertus its first-ever NCAA Tourney win.
The four-time All-GNAC selection was named 2009 GNAC Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.5 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
Throughout the month of July, the GNAC will further spotlight each of the eight inductees on the following dates:
- Tuesday, July 9: Ray Askew, Albertus Magnus Men's Basketball
- Thursday, July 11: Iman (Davis) Barbosa, Emmanuel Women's Basketball
- Tuesday, July 16: Lamonte Thomas, Johnson & Wales Men's Basketball
- Thursday, July 18: Jose Guitian, Lasell Men's Basketball
- Tuesday, July 23: Josh McElroy, Norwich Men's Basketball
- Thursfay, July 25: Aaron Dufoe, Rivier Men's Basketball/Men's Soccer
- Tuesday, July 30: Michael Maguire, Suffolk Baseball
- Thursday, August 1: Jackie (Shedlock) Kapusta, Western New Engalnd Softball
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
– #TheGNAC –
