LIU Post Reveals 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 3, 2014) - On Thursday, the LIU Post Department of Athletics proudly announced its 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame class. The six honorees will be recognized on Jun. 2 at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, N.Y.
"Congratulations to our 2014 Hall of Fame class," Director of Athletics and Recreation and Head Football Coach
Bryan Collins stated. "It is a diverse class stretching five decades of Pioneer athletics. The proud tradition of athletic success and scholarly achievement that has been built at the LIU Post campus has been strengthened by the accomplishments of this year's Hall of Fame inductees."
Shannon Rideout '07 is the first swimmer to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. She raced to All-America citation in four different relay events in 2007, and was the program's first qualifier for the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships in the 100-yard backstroke.
"I am very excited for Shannon. Without a doubt it is well earned," said Head Women's Swimming Coach
Maureen Travers. "She took that first step for the program in carrying it to the national level." Travers later added about Rideout: "Shannon was a money swimmer. Her competitive edge was tremendous. I know what I can expect from certain people...Shannon was that person you could put at the back end of a relay. She was going to give you her blood, tears and life anytime she swam. Shannon gave you everything and more as an athlete here at LIU Post."
Juan Griles '89 took to the basketball court for the Pioneers for four seasons. In 1986-87, he averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.6 steals per game, en route to earning Big Apple Conference First-Team and NCAA Division II East Region All-Star recognition. That same year, Griles was also dubbed the Big Apple Tournament Most Valuable Player. He went on to claim Big Apple First-Team All-Star kudos in 1988-89 as well.
Rob Blount '07 was an All-American football and lacrosse player. A member of the LIU Post Football Hall of Fame and a former Harlon Hill Trophy candidate, Blount threw for 6.361 yards and 56 touchdowns as the green and gold's starting quarterback, while scampering for 1,686 yards and 13 scores. In 2005, which saw the Pioneers capture a Northeast-10 Conference title, and advance to the NCAA Division II Championship quarterfinals, he was named to the Football Gazette's All-America Honorable Mention Team.
"Rob was the fiercest competitor that I have ever coached," Collins commented. "He was a warrior who often played hurt. He found a way to succeed and willed his team to championship victories. From a freshman quarterback who helped lead his team to an undefeated season and a berth in the NCAA Tournament to his senior year when he led the Pioneers to their first NCAA victory and an Elite Eight appearance. Rob is a terrific leader who continues to inspire young adults as a fine teacher and coach."
On the lacrosse field, Blount was a two-time USILA All-American. He paced the team in ground balls in each of his four seasons in Brookville.
"Rob was one of the best athletes we've had here (at LIU Post) since I've been coaching," Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
John Jez stated. "He was a dedicated, hardworking player and a true leader."
Brian Kilmeade '86, a defender for the LIU Post men's soccer team from 1982-86, exemplifies the NCAA Division II philosophy of "Life in the Balance". Upon graduation, he took his talents into the media world, where he currently serves as a co-host of the No. 1 rated morning program on cable television, FOX & Friends. Plus, Kilmeade is the host of the nationally-syndicated radio talk show, Kilmeade and Friends, and has authored two books. One of those titles, "The Games Do Count: America's Best & Brightest on the Power of Sports", was a New York Times best-seller in 2004.
"I am thrilled," replied Kilmeade when he was informed about his upcoming induction into the LIU Post Athletic Hall of Fame. "I truly enjoyed playing four seasons of soccer there (at LIU Post). It was great to play against people you faced your whole life, and to get a feel of competing at the Division II level."
Anthony DeFendis '75 was a three-year wrestler for the Pioneers. Over his tenure on the mat, DeFendis won three Metropolitan Conference Championships, and placed in the Top-6 at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in back-to-back years (1974 & 1975). Following his undergraduate career, DeFendis mentored two Mid-Atlantic Conference champions and four National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association Championship qualifiers at Farmingdale State University from 1982-84.
"When I got the call, I thought it was an April Fool's joke," DeFendis replied when asked to comment about his selection. "It is just an unbelievable honor and a great feeling. I remember when I wrestled (at LIU Post), we had a very disciplined team. It was a lot of hard work and competition, but we were all very dedicated...There have been so many great athletes that have gone to LIU Post, and I cannot believe that my phone was the one to ring."
Lastly, the 2001 LIU Post women's lacrosse program joins the 1996 men's lacrosse squad as the only full teams to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Under then head coach
Karen MacCrate-Henning, the Pioneers posted a 12-4 overall record, and raised an NCAA Division II National Championship trophy in only their second season of existence.
"It was people believing in each other from the first day," said MacCrate-Henning, who is now the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. "What I think was so amazing was that it was a two-year process for that kind of game to come. It started with Katie Lundy passing the ball, and halfway through the first year, everyone is catching those balls. The athleticism displayed by those girls, some of whom came over from the women's soccer team, was incredible. They really embraced the sport and it took off from there."
For the previous LIU Post Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, please click
here.