Dozens of current and former athletes, coaches, faculty and alumni filled the Hall of Fame Lobby as the Buffalo State Athletics Department honored their five most recent inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame in the 27th annual induction ceremony on Saturday.
The members of the Class of 2011 included Monique Hanks-Stevens (basketball, ’00-’04), Justin Muise (track and field, ’02-’06), Tami Thuman (softball, ’97-’00), Gina Monaco-Santoro (soccer, ’02-’05) and honorary inductee Dr. Thomas Scanlon for his role as the athletic department’s physician since 1981.
Each inductee played a crucial role in their own respective sport during their time as a Bengal, accomplishing numerous feats that have been paramount on the success of the programs today.
Former basketball star Stevens was the first of the five inducted during the ceremony, followed by Muise, Thuman, Scanlon and Santoro.
Stevens enters the Hall of Fame as one of the most accomplished women’s basketball players in school history, ranking seventh in all-time scoring (1,000 points), fifth in rebounds (642) and second in steals (341). She also played a crucial role on the 2000 SUNYAC Championship and was named to the All-SUNYAC team twice in her career.
Thuman helped spearhead a Bengal’s softball team that won the SUNYAC Championship in 2000 and appeared in a pair of NCAA regional games in 1998 and 2000. Nicknamed “Twos” by her teammates for the No. 22 she wore on the back of her jersey, the Tonawanda native totaled 23 doubles, 70 RBIs and a .333 batting average throughout her career as a Bengal and garnered three All-Region honors. She was the team’s starting shortstop and served as captain during her senior season.
“I couldn’t be happier to go in with this group of people,” Thuman said, referring to her fellow inductees. “This is truly the highlight of my athletic career. It’s been such a special day for me. I’m truly humbled by it.”
Muise, who was the track and field program’s first All-American since 1984, won seven individual SUNYAC Championships throughout his career and was named the New York State Outdoor Runner of the Year as a sophomore. A native of Salem, Mass., Muise was also honored twice as the Buffalo State Athlete of the Year and earned the prestigious Hube Coyer Award for his accomplishments throughout his career.
Possibly the most decorated inductee of the Class of 2011, Santoro heads into the Hall of Fame as the all-time leading scorer in Buffalo State women’s soccer history. The Niagara Falls native was a four-time All-SUNYAC honoree and currently holds six school records for most goals in a game (6), season (25) and career (76) as well as points in a game (8), season (53) and career (175).
In addition to her scoring records, Santoro was also named as the Buffalo State Female Athlete of the Year in ’03-’04 and received the Ruth Houston Award for her career accomplishments.
“It’s been such a tremendous honor to be able to be here and accept this award,” Santoro said. “It means so much to me to be honored with all these great people.”
The honoree inductee this year, Scanlon, was enshrined for his outstanding service and contributions to the Buffalo State Athletic Department. Scanlon has served as the department’s physician since 1981 and as a mentor for the Bengals’ training staff over that span.
“You run this gig for more than 30 years and the next thing you know your mug is up on a wall with some of the best athletes in Western New York,” Scanlon said. “I think that’s a pretty good deal.”
Santoro said it’s her induction into the Hall of Fame that will stand out the most above her numerous career accomplishments.
“To know people will always be able to look up and see my accomplishments among some of the best athletes in Buff State history,” she said. “It’s been surreal.”
Brandon Schlager can be reached by email at schlager.record@live.com.