CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Mar. 16, 2017) - On Thursday, the East Coast Conference announced its inaugural inductees for the league's Hall of Fame, and two Pioneers were selected as part of the six-member class.

Former LIU Post Director of Athletics Vincent Salamone and men's lacrosse standout David Kelly will be recognized at the ECC's annual awards banquet on Monday, May 22 at the University of Bridgeport.

The inductees were chosen in a vote by a 12-person ECC Hall of Fame Committee, comprised of administrators, coaches, sports information directors, faculty athletic representatives and the ECC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President.

Vincent Salamone, Athletic Director; 1986-2006
Salamone, who was a three-sport varsity athlete for the Pioneers, served the Department of Athletics at LIU Post for over 40 years.

After graduating in 1964, he stayed in Brookville as a coach and athletic trainer, until being elevated to the role of Director of Athletics in 1986.

In his time as Athletic Director, Salamone was instrumental in the creation of the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference as a co-founder in 1988 and held the position of treasurer at the league, before departing his role at LIU Post in 2006.

Salamone also served as the President of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and Chairman of the NCAA Division II Lacrosse Committee in his tenure as an administrator.

Additionally, Salamone implemented three new women's programs (lacrosse, soccer and swimming) at LIU Post and led the planning of the construction of the Pratt Recreation Center.

David Kelly, LIU Post; Men's Lacrosse; 1997-2000
Kelly, a two-time USILA Division II National Player of the Year selection, was a four-year starting defenseman for the LIU Post men's lacrosse team from 1997-2000.

He captained the Pioneers to three appearances in the NCAA Division II National Championship game (1997, 1999, 2000) and received numerous honors along the way.

Kelly was a four-time All-NYCAC first-team selection and received the NYCAC Player of the Year Award three times (1998, 1999, 2000). He was also named the NYCAC Rookie of the Year in 1997.

Furthermore, Kelly garnered USILA All-America honors in each of his four years as a Pioneer and was a three-time recipient of the Will C. Schmeisser Award, which is awarded to the top defensive player in the nation in Division II. 

For a complete release on the inaugural ECC Hall of Fame class, please click here.