Four Oswego alumni athletes and a former Laker coach and athletic director were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the program’s success by being inducted into the Oswego Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Shirleen Dubuque '85, Joseph Farmer '60, Robert Heneka  '67, Laurie Irving Murphy '83 and John Spring were honored at the Oct. 26 men’s ice hockey game against Elmira College and inducted at a luncheon ceremony in Sheldon Hall Oct. 27.

Betsy Oberst, Alumni Association Executive Director, welcomed the luncheon guests, including SUNYAC Commissioner Dr. Patrick Damore, seven current Hall of Fame members, former and current coaches, student athletes, and friends and family members of the inductees. William Foley '74 served as master of ceremonies for the seventh induction ceremony and current Athletic Director Tim Hale also offered his congratulations and welcome to the newest Hall of Fame members.

Shirleen Dubuque '85 was a standout tri-athlete, receiving many awards for her undergraduate performances in basketball, field hockey and softball. As a field hockey goalie, she made the most saves in a game (32) in 1981 and made All-State selection in 1982. Dubuque played shortstop for the Lakers during the time when the softball team was a New York State Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NYSAIAW) qualifier (1982), the NYSAIAW champion (1984) and the NYSAIAW runner-up (1985). She was also a member of the 1984 and 1985 softball All-State Championship teams.

The self-described “restless and competitive” Dubuque expressed some nervousness when accepting her award. “I would rather be in a huddle talking strategy with my teammates,” she admitted. “It’s an honor to be here, and I am touched by your support.”

Dubuque thanked her family, teammates and coaches for their constant support. “College years are a time for growth,” she said, “for figuring out all the things that are not taught in a book.” She recalled the semester in her junior year when she was taking 21 credit hours including courses with labs and also playing sports. “It showed me I could do it,” said Dubuque. “The friendships and memories are priceless.” One of Dubuque’s favorite recollections was the exciting championship game at Buffalo State during her junior year when the team scored twice in the seventh inning to win the title.

Dubuque has most recently taken her competitive edge to the golf course, a sport she has enjoyed much more than she ever anticipated. The pet business owner also joked that her life has “gone to the dogs” and that she thoroughly enjoys the challenges that come with small business ownership. “I can’t help it,” she said with a smile, “I have to win.”

Leslie Hatfield '86 presented the award plaque to Dubuque, officially welcoming her to the Oswego Athletic Hall of Fame.

Joseph Farmer '60 was recognized for his contributions to both the wrestling and the track and field teams during his four years at Oswego. Farmer held the records for the shot put and discus and was named the Wilkes Regional wrestling champion in 1959. In 1960, Farmer participated in the NCAA wrestling championship and finished his highly successful undergraduate wrestling career with a record of 48 wins and one loss.

Farmer said that he learned many life lessons through sports. “Competition is the same in athletics on the field, the court or the playground,” he said, “but scholarship is what prevails.” Farmer’s post-graduate resume reflects his strong belief in quality education.

In his roles as a public school teacher, guidance counselor, principal and superintendent of schools, he led his districts through such challenges as implementing a court-ordered desegregation plan and securing grant money to fund instructional programs. He also served as a councilman and was the special assistant to the mayor of Yonkers for housing and redevelopment between 1996 and 2000.

In 2000, Farmer became the superintendent of schools for Yonkers Public School and was awarded the Congressional Citation for Excellence in Educational Reform and Leadership in 2002. In 2003 he stepped into the role of interim principal for Ramapo High School and since July of 2005 has worked as the East Ramapo Central School District deputy superintendent of schools.

“If you want to be a winner, you have to pay the price. I knew where I wanted to go,” Farmer said. “And all that started at a little college by the lake called Oswego.”

Farmer noted the many changes that have shaped the campus since he left Oswego in 1960. But Farmer felt strangely at home in King Alumni Hall when he checked in for the weekend and was amazed to realize why: “I lived in this house!” Indeed, Farmer had truly come home during this visit to campus, and encouraged the current students in attendance that the same will be true for them. “This family will be yours forever, young folks,” he said.

Foley shared a letter from Sigma Tau Chi Alumni Chairman Sal Canzoneri '59 congratulating Farmer on behalf of his fraternal brothers. “I personally saw all of your home matches and rooted for you with all the other brothers,” Canzoneri wrote. “You are now continuing to bring honors to the college as well as the fraternity as you did years ago.”

Dean Farmer presented his father with his plaque of recognition.

The third inductee of the afternoon began his outstanding baseball career in 1964 at a time when freshmen were not allowed to play for the varsity team. Robert Heneka '67 led the freshmen team with a .576 batting average and became a key varsity member in 1965.

A three-time State University All-Conference catcher, Heneka was selected for the 1966 All-American team and had a record of 33 hits in a single season. In that same 1966 season, he was 16^th in the nation with an overall batting average of .408, led the State University Athletic Conference with a .445 batting average in league play and had a record 12-game hitting streak. As team captain, Heneka brought the team to the NCAA regional play-offs held in Yankee Stadium where the team was named the runner-up in the four-team tournament.

Following graduation in 1967, Heneka taught until 2003 in the Webster Central School District, where he coached both football and baseball. The New York State Coaches Association presented him with the 1989 Honor Award, recognizing his coaching excellence in both sports.

Heneka credited his family, mentors and former coaches for his success both on and off the field. Oswego Coach Walter Nitardy greatly influenced Heneka with his simple, fundamentals-based style, which Heneka has applied to his own coaching techniques.

Heneka’s brother Kevin presented him with the Athletic Hall of Fame plaque, and the honored alumnus encouraged the audience to learn from their experiences and to savor each moment. “Don’t just celebrate your successes,” Heneka said, “look at why you’re being successful.”

Laurie Irving Murphy '83 accepted the Athletic Hall of Fame honor for her outstanding achievements on the Laker swimming and diving team.

Named Rookie MVP for 1980, Murphy won first place on the three-meter board and second on the one-meter board at the 1980 state championships and placed 16^th at Nationals on the three-meter board.

She was a four-time national qualifier and competitor, taking home second place on the one- and three-meter boards in the 1981 state championship and rising to 13^th on the three-meter board at the National Championship that year. In 1983, she placed second on the three-meter board at states.

In 1982, Murphy set the Oswego record for the three-meter board with a score of 279.3, and in 1983 she secured a second-place win for the Lakers on the three-meter board at the state championship.

“I am honored and humbled to be here today,” said Murphy. “It’s been great, and it’s brought back fabulous memories.”

In her first visit to Oswego since graduation, Murphy reflected on the friendships, education and love that she found at her alma mater. Swim coach Grace Mowatt Burritt – “the glue that held the team together” – and diving coach Tom “Chooch” Ravesi – so named for the train conductor’s hat that he often wore – brought Murphy “to new heights” during her athletic career as a Laker.

Murphy is currently an attorney and lives in Cincinnati with husband Joe Murphy '83, a men's hockey alumnus, who toured the Oswego campus with his then-girlfriend as a high school senior. Former teammate Caroline Coley Stanistreet '84 presented the Hall of Fame plaque to Murphy.

“What I found at Oswego I have brought with me through a lifetime,” said Murphy.

Emeritus Athletic Director, Professor and Coach John Spring’s many contributions to the Laker athletic program established his place in the Hall of Fame.

Spring began teaching at Oswego State in 1967 as an associate professor and took over the athletic director position in 1977. In that role, Spring managed the 10 varsity athletic programs for men, coordinated the 1983 SUNYAC wrestling championships and served on numerous national and regional athletic committees.

Spring served as head coach for the varsity swim team from 1967 to 1974 and again from 1980 to 1987. He recalled how team members would pack up two station wagons to travel to meets and how delighted he was when the swim program moved from the four-lane pool at Lee Hall to the six-lane pool at Laker.

From 1972 until 1973, Spring was the head coach of the varsity lacrosse team when the players donned the football team’s practice jerseys for games. Spring also coached men’s varsity tennis in 1970 and then again led the lacrosse team from 1976 to 1982.

After leaving Oswego, Spring accepted the position of director of athletics and recreation for SUNY Geneseo where he worked from 1987 to 1999.

In 2000, he was honored with the Dr. Patrick Damore Distinguished Service Award for having served at least 15 years as a coach or administrator in SUNYAC. He was also recognized with the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship Appreciation Award in 2001. He is currently the executive director of the United States International Lacrosse Association based in Baltimore.

Spring shared many memories about his time on campus, from team trips in the iconic green buses of the late 1970s to training sessions in Florida.

“I spent 20 great years here at Oswego,” Spring said. “Years I’ll never forget.”

Current Men’s Lacrosse coach Dan Witmer '82 presented Spring with his plaque of honor.

-Meagan Smith '07

PHOTO CAPTION:
2007 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are, seated, from left, Laurie Irving Murphy '83, swimming and diving; Shirleen Dubuque '85, women's basketball, field hockey and softball; and standing, from left, John Spring, emeritus athletic director, professor, coach men's lacrosse, swimming and tennis; Joe Farmer '60, track and field, and wrestling; and Bob Heneka '67, baseball.

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Oswego Alumni Association, Inc.
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Email: alumni@oswego.edu
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