The doors of the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame swung open on September 21 to welcome 10 new members. The official induction was held at a dinner in the Emerson Suites as part of Ithaca's Homecoming Weekend festivities.
New members of the Sports Hall of Fame include (front, froom left) Jannette Bonrouhi '90, Cathy Livingston Allen '88, Alberta Washburn Sebring '39, M.S. '52, Tracy Deyle '90; (back) Dorsi Raynolds '85, John O'Neill '42, Robert Wojnar '73, Lauri Hancock '90, and James J. Whalen. Joseph D'Orazio '36 was inducted posthumously. Photo by Art\Science Ltudio/Lab.
Cross-country and track teammates Cathy Livingston Allen '88 and Jannette Bonrouhi '90 were mainstays on some of Ithaca's strongest clubs. Allen, now a preschool teacher, was a two-time cross-country all-American and added all-American notice in the 1,500 meters in track. A captain in both sports, she capped her collegiate career with selection to the GTE academic all-American squad.
Bonrouhi is the only four-time cross-country all-American in school history. During the outdoor track campaigns she accumulated six more all-American honors with three top-seven efforts each in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. A two-year captain in the two sports, Bonrouhi was a GTE academic all-American in 1989.
As a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association play-off teams in two sports, Tracy Deyle '90 helped boost Ithaca soccer and lacrosse squads into the national spotlight. The only three-time women's soccer all-American in school history, she helped the Bombers earn berths in the NCAA play-offs in each of her four seasons. In lacrosse Deyle produced two 20-goal seasons, played on two Eastern College Athletic Conference mid-Atlantic championship clubs, and was a member of Ithaca's first NCAA postseason women's lacrosse unit. She is now a human resource specialist.
Joseph D'Orazio '36, who was inducted posthumously, participated in football, wrestling, and track at Ithaca. A tackle in football, he later played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League before an injury ended his professional hopes. D'Orazio was considered the first in a long line of standout heavyweights in wrestling and competed in the weight events in track.
A star performer in basketball and track, Lauri Hancock '90 was a productive two-sport athlete. She became the second player in South Hill hoops history to tally 1,000 career points and accumulated a school-record 886 rebounds. In outdoor track Hancock earned all-American laurels in the high jump and the javelin. She is now assistant director of a fitness development center.
John O'Neill '42 was a football center at Ithaca. A decorated member of the United States Marines during World War II, he was part of the invasion of Iwo Jima and was awarded a bronze star. Following the service he returned to Ithaca College as an assistant football and baseball coach. In 1948 he started an 11-year stint with the Cornell football staff as an assistant coach.
Dorsi Raynolds '85 was a walk-on with the swimming program who emerged as a 16-time all-American. She has excelled in the coaching profession, most recently as head of the women's program at the University of Buffalo. The Royals have won three straight league titles, and in 1996 Raynolds was named the Mid-Continent Conference coach of the year.
An inaugural member of the Ithaca College Sports Booster Club, Alberta Washburn Sebring '39, M.S. '52, has been active in the central New York sports scene for over 60 years. Although there were no intercollegiate athletic opportunities for women while Sebring attended Ithaca, she participated in a number of class-related activities. A successful physical education instructor after graduation, Sebring at one time coached the Newfield Central High School boys' football squad and the Romulus Central High School boys' baseball team (see also page 30).
During James J. Whalen's two-decade tenure as president of the College, Ithaca athletic teams have grown into a strong, 23-sport program aligned with the NCAA Division III. Whalen was a charter member of the NCAA Presidents Commission and served as chairman of the Division III subcommittee. He also was a member of the Knight Foundation's Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. In 1992 Whalen became cochair of the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force.
A two-time all-American and first-team all-ECAC performer, Robert Wojnar '73 was one of the top offensive linemen in Ithaca's proud gridiron tradition. He did not miss a varsity start in three seasons and was a team captain as a senior. He is currently a sales manager for Widmer's Wine Cellars.
The 1996 class of inductees increased the Hall of Fame register
to 151. Athletes become eligible for the Ithaca College Sports
Hall of Fame five years after graduating. Alumni who distinguish
themselves in the field of athletics subsequent to their graduation
are also considered, as are College coaches, trainers, and administrators.