MANCHESTER, N.H. – Fifteen new honorees were inducted into the Southern New Hampshire University Athletic Hall of Fame this week, with the Class of 2023 being unveiled on the @snhupenmen social media platforms. The first five inductees were announced Tuesday, with five more being recognized Wednesday and the final five being celebrated Thursday.
The SNHU Athletic Hall of Fame, which now has 125 individuals and three teams enshrined, honors those individuals who, through participation, support or interest have made outstanding contributions in the field of intercollegiate athletics and have brought recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to Southern New Hampshire University. The SNHU Athletic Hall of Fame was originally created in 1967 and revived in 1988.
An athlete becomes eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame five years after their last date of competition at SNHU, where they must also have graduated from and competed for a minimum of two seasons. A faculty or staff member is also eligible five years after leaving SNHU, must have served the University for a minimum of five years and must have had an outstanding career with a direct and significant impact on athletics. Teams become eligible 10 years after competition and must have brought national recognition to SNHU.
Joe Collins (men's ice hockey, 2012-17)
Collins totaled 48 goals and 88 assists for 136 points over the course of his career. Collins graduated ranking fifth in the SNHU all-time record book in assists and 11th in points.
Collins was a two-time NE10 Player of the Year (2014, 2017), as well as a three-time NE10 All-Conference First Team selection (2014, 2015, 2017). He also received an NE10 All-Rookie Team nod in 2013. Collins was stellar in the classroom, earning an NE10 Academic All-Conference accolade in 2017.
The Penmen won 55 games, captured an NE10 title and qualified for the NE10 Championship three times during his four years on the ice, as he missed one season due to injury.
Jay Dufour (men's basketball, 1985-2018)
Dufour was legendary men's basketball coach Stan Spirou's top assistant for all 33 of his seasons on the bench, enjoying a career with the Penmen that spanned from 1985 until his retirement in 2018.
The team amassed a record of 640-341 (.652) during his tenure, while earning 18 NCAA Tournament bids, capturing eight conference titles, collecting five NCAA Division II Elite Eight berths and twice advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four. With Dufour on the staff, the Penmen won 20 or more games in a season on 17 occasions.
Nacho Hernando-Angulo (men's cross country, 2015-16)
Hernando-Angulo qualified for the NCAA National Championship as an individual in both 2015 and 2016. He graduated owning six of the fastest seven 8Ks in program history, including the fastest (24:40) at the Paul Short Run in 2016, and also had the four fastest 10Ks in the program record book. His quickest 10K came at the 2015 NCAA National Championships (31:17).
Hernando-Angulo was a two-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) East All-Region (2015, 2016) and two-time NE10 All-Conference First Team (2015, 2016) selection.
The Penmen finished fourth (2015) and fifth (2016) in the NE10 Championships and fifth at the NCAA East Regional Championships in both years, during Hernando-Angulo's two seasons.
Jonathan Lupinelli (men's soccer, 2012-15)
Lupinelli started all 88 matches he played in. He helped anchor a back line that allowed just 49 goals (0.56 goals per game) during his time in a Penmen uniform, in addition to scoring three goals and collecting 33 assists for 39 points, on the offensive end. Lupinelli graduated ranking second in the SNHU all-time record book in games played and fourth in assists.
Lupinelli was a 2012 Daktronics All-America Second Team selection, a 2015 NSCAA All-Region First Teamer, a two-time Daktronics All-Region First Team (2012, 2015) choice and a three-time NE10 All-Conference (2012, 2013, 2015) pick, in addition to receiving a 2012 NE10 All-Rookie Team nod. Lupinelli was also stellar in the classroom, gathering NSCAA Scholar All-America and NSCAA Scholar All-Region nods in 2015, as well as being a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America (2014, 2015), three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District (2013, 2014, 2015) and two-time NE10 Sport Excellence Award (2013, 2015) selection.
The team went 77-7-4 (.898) during his four seasons, winning the 2013 NCAA National Championship, making four NCAA appearances and capturing four NE10 titles.
Ali Maloof (softball, 2012-15)
Maloof, a four-year member of the softball program, enjoyed a stellar career from 2012-15. She played in 179 games and batted .374 (234-626) with nine home runs, 73 RBI and 135 runs scored, while also making 121 appearances in the circle, going 74-29 with a 1.82 ERA over 712.2 innings. Maloof was dominant, allowing just 499 hits, while striking out 808 and walking only 200. She went the distance 86 times and tossed 27 shutouts. Maloof graduated as SNHU's all-time leader in strikeouts, innings pitched, runs and triples (11), while ranking second in batting average and hits, fourth in ERA and games played, sixth in doubles (32) and stolen bases (22) and 10th in RBI.
Maloof was a two-time Daktronics All-America (2014, 2015) honoree, two-time Daktronics East Region Pitcher of the Year (2014, 2015), the 2015 Daktronics East Region Player of the Year, a three-time Daktronics East All-Region (2013, 2014, 2015) selection, two-time NFCA All-Region (2014-15) recipient, the three-time NE10 Pitcher of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015), the 2015 NE10 Player of the Year and a four-time NE10 All-Conference (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) choice, including three-time First Teamer (2013-15). Maloof was just as impressive in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Academic All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-District and NE10 Academic All-Conference honors in 2015.
During her time with the Penmen, the team went 123-58 (.680), while making a pair of NCAA appearances, including a trip to the 2015 Super Regional, and capturing back-to-back NE10 titles in 2014 and 2015.
Maloof also served as an assistant coach with the Penmen from 2016-19.
Junior Mendez (baseball, 2011-13)
In 39 appearances, including 32 starts, Mendez went 17-8 with two saves and a 2.01 ERA, striking out 248 and walking just 56, while giving up 191 hits over 241-and-two-thirds innings. As a junior, Mendez went 9-3 with a 1.67 ERA and a 133-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He graduated ranking second in program history in wins, ERA and strikeouts, as well as third in innings pitched, and was drafted 491st overall in the 16th round of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Oakland Athletics.
Mendez earned a handful of honors as a junior in 2013, including ABCA All-America Third Team, NCBWA All-America Honorable Mention, ABCA East All-Region First Team, NCBWA East All-Region First Team, Daktronics East All-Region First Team and Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team. He also claimed NE10 All-Conference Third Team and ABCA/Rawlings East Region Gold Glove Second Team accolades as a sophomore in 2012, as well as an NE10 All-Rookie Team nod as a freshman (2011).
The Penmen earned back-to-back NCAA Championship berths in 2012 and 2013, advancing to the program's first College World Series in 2012.
Al Molin (baseball, 1985-88)
Molin was the most prolific slugger to wear the Penmen uniform in the first three-plus decades of the program's existence. Molin blasted 14 home runs in his career, setting a new program record that stood for a full decade until 1998.
Over 62 career games, Molin batted .345 (60-174) with the 23 extra-base hits, 52 RBI and 49 runs scored, while drawing 46 walks.
Molin earned NECC All-Conference First Team as a senior in 1988 and was twice a Second Team selection (1986, 1987).
Molin, unfortunately, was inducted posthumously, as he passed away in 2020, following a four-year battle with cancer.
Alena Mukdaprakorn (women's tennis, 2009-13)
Mukdaprakorn went 76-21 in singles play and 81-21 in doubles competition. Mukdaprakorn graduated as the program's all-time leader in singles wins and doubles wins, while ranking third in both singles winning percentage (.784) and doubles winning percentage (.794).
Mukdaprakorn was named the Northeast-10 Vern Cox Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior, as well as the NE10 Rookie of the Year as a freshman. In singles, she earned NE10 All-Conference First Team accolades all four years, while also duplicating the feat in doubles.
The team captured NE10 titles her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, in addition to making the NE10 final her senior year. Mukdaprakorn, who helped the team win a program-record 20 matches as a freshman, is a member of the winningest class in program history (73-20).
Jake Nutter (men's golf, 2013-16)
Nutter competed in 28 events over the course of his Penmen career, securing seven wins and 16 top-five finishes. He set an NE10 Championship record by finishing 6-under with a 134 to capture individual medalist honors in 2015. His 66 in that tournament is tied for the lowest round in both NE10 Championship and program history, while his two-round 134 and nine-stroke margin of victory were both NE10 Championship records. Nutter owns two of the top 10 lowest round averages in program history, while his 74.3 average was second all-time.
Nutter was named the NE10 Player of the Year and an NE10 All-Conference First Team selection in 2014-15. The Penmen made three NCAA East/Atlantic Regional Championships and captured an NE10 title during his three seasons with the team.
Dominic Samuel (men's soccer, 2012-15)
Samuel started 86 of the 87 matches he played in, helping to anchor a back line that allowed just 49 goals (0.56 goals per game) during his time in a Penmen uniform. Samuel also contributed offensively, scoring 15 goals and dishing a pair of assists for 32 points. He finished his career ranking third in the SNHU all-time record book in games played.
Samuel was a three-time NSCAA All-America and NSCAA All-Region (2013, 2014, 2015) selection, as well as a two-time Daktronics All-America (2014, 2015) and four-time Daktronics All-Region (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) honoree. He was named the 2015 NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a four-time NE10 All-Conference (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) pick, including a three-time First Team choice (2013-15). Samuel also earned a spot on the 2012 NE10 All-Rookie Team.
The team put together a mind-boggling record of 77-7-4 (.898) during his four seasons, winning the 2013 NCAA National Championship, making four NCAA appearances and capturing four NE10 titles.
Rodney Sanders (men's basketball, 2012-16)
Sanders played in 122 career games, including 121 starts. He totaled 1,945 points (15.9 ppg), 564 rebounds (4.6 rpg), 328 assists (2.7 apg) and 177 steals (1.5 spg), while knocking down 49.2 percent (701-1424) of his shots from the field, including 43.9 percent (254-579) from downtown, and 77.1 percent (289-375) from the stripe. Upon graduation, Sanders ranked fourth in the SNHU all-time record book in 3-pointers made (254) and fifth in scoring.
Sanders was a two-time NABC All-District (2015, 2016), two-time Daktronics All-Region (2015, 2016) and a three-time NE10 All-Conference (2014, 2015, 2016) honoree. He was also selected to the 2013 NE10 All-Rookie Team. Sanders capped off his illustrious career by being chosen to play in the 2016 NABC Division II All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas.
The Penmen went 82-41 (.667), made an Elite Eight and captured a pair of NE10 titles during Sanders' four years.
Stan Spirou (men's basketball, 1985-2018)
Spirou was the legendary head coach of the men's basketball program for 33 seasons (1985-2018). He finished his illustrious career with a record of 640-341 (.652), as his teams earned 18 NCAA tournament bids, captured eight conference titles, collected five NCAA Division II Elite Eight berths and twice advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Spirou won 20 or more games on 17 occasions.
Spirou was crowned the 1994 National Coach of the Year, in addition to being a three-time regional Coach of the Year and a five-time conference Coach of the Year. He coached five All-Americans, 15 All-Region selections, 27 All-Conference honorees and more than 150 total student-athletes during his Penmen career.
Spirou's 640 victories were fourth amongst active Division II coaches when he retired, as well as seventh all-time in Division II. He also retired as the winningest coach in New Hampshire basketball history, regardless of division, while he ranked fourth all-time in New England, including first for DII.
Derrick Sylvester (baseball, 2010-14)
In 38 appearances, including 36 starts, Sylvester went 20-7 with one save and a 2.52 ERA. He struck out 231 and walked just 83, while giving up 229 hits in 246-and-a-third innings. As a senior, Sylvester put together a record of 9-2 with a save and a 2.59 ERA, while producing a 100-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Sylvester graduated as the program's all-time leader in wins, while ranking second in innings pitched, as well as third in ERA and strikeouts. He was drafted 939th overall in the 31stround of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sylvester gathered ABCA East All-Region First Team, and both NCBWA and Daktronics East All-Region Second Team accolades as a senior, and was also a Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team pick as a senior. In the classroom, Sylvester earned CoSIDA Academic All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-District and NE10 Academic All-Conference honors as a junior and senior, and was chosen as the NE10 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award winner his senior year.
The Penmen made three straight trips to the NCAA Championship, including winning the program's first East Region title to earn a spot in the World Series as a sophomore. He also helped the program claim its first NE10 title as a senior.
Ariel Teixeira (women's soccer, 2008-11)
Teixeira amassed 74 points on 25 goals and 24 assists in 73 matches, including 72 starts. She graduated ranking seventh in program history in assists and 10th in points.
Teixeira was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire All-America Third Team selection as a senior, scoring six goals and dishing 12 assists for 24 points. She was also a three-time Daktronics All-Region (2009, 2010, 2011) pick, three-time NSCAA All-Region (2009, 2010, 2011) choice, three-time New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) All-New England and a four-time NE10 All-Conference (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) selection, including a three-time First Teamer. She was an NE10 Third Team and All-Rookie pick as a freshman. Teixeira was also a Capital One Academic All-District choice as a senior.
The Penmen won 32 contests and reached three NE10 Championship tournaments during Teixeira's time in an SNHU uniform.
Teixeira has been an assistant coach with the women's soccer program since 2012.
2013 Men's Soccer Team
The 2013 men's soccer team finished 22-1-1 en route to capturing the second NCAA Division II National Championship in school history with a 2-1 victory against Carson-Newman University on Dec. 7 at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga. The program won its second straight NCAA East Region crown and second consecutive Northeast-10 title. The 22 wins matched a program record (1988, 1989). The Penmen reeled off 20 straight victories and were unbeaten over their final 23 after losing the season opener. The Penmen also won their fifth NE10 title, including their second straight, en route to the National Championship.
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