Night of Champions

By Patrick Bohn, November 1, 2023

Athletics inducts 53rd Hall of Fame Class

(L to R) Rachael Palladino, Emma Dewart Trakas, John Bertino, Sheila Rhoades Ariel, Sean Rossi, Jessica Bolduc and Seth Ecker, made up the 53rd Athletic Hall of Fame class, along with the 1988 baseball and football teams.

(Photo by Simon Wheeler)

On a night that celebrated athletics excellence, Ithaca College welcomed seven former student-athletes and two teams into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame. The event was held with nearly 400 people in attendance on Friday, October 27, during Alumni Weekend.

"The 53rd Hall of Fame Class selected for induction reflects the best of our tradition of excellence," said Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Susan Bassett '79. "We were so fortunate to recognize some of our best individual national champions, Division III and school record holders, and two storied national title teams."

You can read more below about the teams and athletes honored.

1988 Baseball

The second national champion in program history, the Bombers posted a 36-11-1 overall record and went 7-1 during the postseason. IC's 36 victories during the season stand as the third-most in the program's 90-year history.

Ithaca opened World Series play with a 6-4 victory over Methodist and then defeated Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 3-2.

The Bombers then fell to Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 11-3. Facing elimination, Ithaca topped Marietta, 7-3, before facing Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the title game.

Trailing 5-2, the Bombers would score twice in the seventh and three more times in the eighth inning to capture a 7-5 victory and the World Series title.

“That team achieved so much,” said George Valesente ’66, M.S. ’75, who was the Head Coach of that squad. “Late in the season, they realized they had the potential to achieve greatness, and then our staff just had to push the right buttons. They did everything possible in every aspect of the game to succeed, and it was a true pleasure to see them finish the year as champions.

“The team gathered together Saturday night after the induction, and I got the chance to address them,” Valesente continued. “I told them that the number one joy I had as a coach was to share in their success, and to see what they have accomplished in their lives. Knowing that we played an instrumental part in that is the greatest reward of coaching.”

1988 Football

The 1988 football team claimed the second national championship for the program with a 39-24 victory over Central College in Phenix City, Alabama, on December 10. The Bombers posted a 13-1 record during the season, setting a program record for wins. IC's only loss during the year came by one point to Cortland in the Cortaca Jug contest, but the Bombers avenged that setback and defeated the Red Dragons in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

In the Stagg Bowl, the Bombers ran for 408 yards and outgained Central, 524-289. They also excelled on special teams, returning a kickoff for a touchdown.

John Bertino '81 - Baseball and Football

John Bertino was a member on the Bombers’ 1979 National Championship-winning football team as well as the 1980 National Championship-winning baseball team, one of just five players to play on both squads.

On the gridiron, Bertino played defensive back and recorded seven interceptions during the regular season, including one returned for a touchdown. During the 1979 postseason, he recorded three interceptions against Dubuque, which is tied for the single-game school record.

On the diamond, he was a career .319 hitter with 49 runs scored, 45 RBI, 45 walks and 31 stolen bases. In his final season, Bertino batted .369 in 34 games.

Jessica Bolduc '12 – Gymnastics

The most decorated gymnast in program history, Jessica Bolduc was a 12-time All-American from 2009 to 2012 and was the 2011 National Champion in the floor exercise. Bolduc's title-winning routine scored 9.75 out of 10, which was a career-best. That same year, she also earned All-America honors in the all-around (second overall), vault and bars.

In 2010, she received four more All-American awards as she finished third in the all-around. Bolduc began her career on South Hill with three All-American performances in 2009, which included a national runner-up showing on bars. She would conclude her career with her 12th and final All-America on floor in 2012.

Bolduc was the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association’s Outstanding Senior Athlete that same year.

Emma Dewart Trakas '12 – Women's Track and Field

Emma Dewart Trakas is the most decorated women's track and field student-athlete in program history with 11 All-America honors and two national championships. She was a six-time All-American during the indoor season, which is where both of her national championships occurred in the pentathlon. She also claimed five All-American performances during outdoor, including four during the 2011 season.

Dewart Trakas was the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in 2008-09, and a three-time Empire 8 Field Athlete of the Year. During her senior season, she was named a First-Team Academic All-American.

She still owns four school records and held the marks in the pentathlon and heptathlon until 2023. Her pentathlon record of 3,674 points was set during her national title performance in 2012.

“Being back at IC for the Hall of Fame induction felt like coming home,” she said. “I was fortunate enough to have many family, friends, coaches and former teammates there all weekend to help me celebrate this amazing honor. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to attend and compete at such a prestigious college as Ithaca.”

Seth Ecker '12 - Wrestling

Seth Ecker was a dominant grappler at 133 pounds and was the first two-time national champion in program history, winning titles in 2011 and 2012. Ecker was also an All-American during his freshman season in 2009.

Ecker finished his career with an overall record of 108-20, and is tied for 14th all-time in career victories. He went 32-4 during his junior campaign and was 26-4 as a senior. Ecker would also be named ECWC Rookie of the Year in 2009 as well as ECWC Wrestler of the Year in 2011 and 2012, and was a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American.

Ecker was a two-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American and was named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in 2012.

Ecker, who for two years served as an assistant coach for the Bombers, was thrilled to be back on South Hill.

“Going back and getting the chance to see my teammates meant a lot,” he said. “I loved meeting the other inductees as well, especially those from other generations. The stories they shared were great. What we all had in common, however, was the motivation to be better, which is indicative of the Ithaca College athletic experience, and shone through at the Hall of Fame inductions.”

Rachael Palladino '13 – Women's Soccer

The most prolific scorer in women's soccer program history, Rachael Palladino tallied 63 goals and 23 assists for 149 points in 85 matches. Palladino notched 22 game-winning goals during her time on South Hill and led the team in scoring three out of the four years in which she played. She also owns program records in single-season points with 45 and single-season goals with 20.

The Bombers went 63-15-9 with Palladino on the squad, which included a 19-1-3 season during her senior season, and a trip to the national semifinals in 2011.

Palladino was a three-time All-American. She was also named Empire 8 Player of the Year three times and was the Rookie of the Year in 2009.

Sheila Rhoades Ariel '11 – WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING

One of the best sprinters in women's swimming & diving history, Sheila Rhoades Ariel was a 16-time All-American in the pool for the Bombers from 2007 to 2011, a mark that ranks eighth all-time.

Rhoades Ariel claimed at least three All-America honors in each of her four trips to the NCAA Division III Championships, including five during her junior season in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle and the 200- and 400-yard medley relays. During her junior season, she finished third nationally in the 50-yard and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle.

She would be named Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year in 2010 and was a 15-time Empire 8 champion during her career.

To date, she still owns the school record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.18 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle at 50.78 seconds. She's also the school record-holder in the 200- and 400-meter medley relays.

The event brought Rhoades Ariel a sense of closure and pride.

“To me, the induction was a way to reminisce and look back on my swimming career, it almost felt as if everything was “complete” even though it has been more than 12 years since I've graduated,” she said. “To have my family and former coach present really meant a lot as they were the ones who were with me throughout my swimming career and played a large role in my success.

“Being back on campus felt really natural and brought back a lot of wonderful memories,” she continued. “I love being in the A&E Center even though I never competed in that facility, it's such a huge accomplishment for the school and IC athletics.”

Sean Rossi '13 - Men's Basketball

Sean Rossi is the Division III all-time leader in assists with 957, as he led the nation in assists all four years on South Hill. Rossi was named second-team All-American as a senior and finished his career with 1,147 points scored, which is 21st all-time in school history.

The Bombers compiled an overall record of 75-38 during his career, which included three 20-win seasons and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2013. Rossi also garnered three first-team all-region honors, as well as three first-team nods by the Empire 8.

In over 90 years of men's basketball at Ithaca College, there have been just six seasons in which a player has totaled more than 200 assists – Rossi owns four of those.