HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 30, 2010) – Centenary College inducted its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Class, Saturday in Hackettstown, N.J. The class included Catello “Cardy” Gemma and the 1995 Men’s Soccer Team. Mr. Gemma’s family, as well as members of the 1995 squad, were all in attendance.

Mr. Gemma was a History teacher who coached boys’ and girls’ basketball at Glen Rock High School for many years. He became Centenary’s first Director of Athletics as well as the school’s first Head Men’s Basketball Coach. He guided the team to its first-ever victory, over Sussex Community College.

Gemma’s arrival in the late 1980s marked a turning point for Centenary Athletics. In 1989, the College became a co-educational institution, and Gemma was hired to manage fi ve sports. Today, Centenary offers 13 NCAA III Division teams and has increased in size from 53 student-athletes in 1999 to 226 in 2009. Though Gemma retired in 1994, he remained committed to Centenary and kept up with the College’s many advances in NCAA Division III Athletics.

In recognition of his service and contributions to the College, the Department of Athletics established the Cardy Gemma Award in 1998. Each year, the award is given to two graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding athletic ability, attitude and leadership on and off the playing field.

Gemma passed away on May 21, 2008. He is survived by James Gemma, Thomas and Denise Gemma and Allison and Andrew Lohr, as well as several grandchildren.

The 1995 Men’s Soccer Team had the best season in the history of Centenary soccer. The squad won the National Small College Athletic Association Championship that year, defeating Michigan Christian College 3-1 in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Centenary’s Javier Velasco was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Jean LaForest, Osei Sarabo and Sam Mensah all found the back of the net for the Cyclones. Goalkeeper Jim Vacca recorded seven saves to preserve the victory.

Mensah gave Centenary a 1-0 lead at the 5:30 mark but MCC tied the game five minutes later. The score remained 1-1 until the 88th minute, when Velasco sent in a corner kick that the Michigan Christian goalkeeper saved, but LaForest was able to knock in the rebound for the 2-1 lead. Centenary maintained that edge until, with 33 seconds remaining in the contest, Sarabo converted a Mensah shot to account for the final goal of the game.

The 1995 team finished the season with a record of 17-3-1. The 17 victories remains the highest single-season wins total in program history. The team was led by head coach Tony Faticoni and assistant coaches Charlie Naimo and Rob Warren. The student-athletes on the squad were: Edmond Lubin, Dave Lakomy, Fernando Miranda, Michael Kelly, Colin Kellogg, Jean LaForest, Luckner Dor, Chris Polito, Oswald Kotei, Javier Velasco, Ivan Henderson, Sam Mensah, Zack Ressaissi, Osei Sarabo, Derrick Trim, Manny Galan and Jim Vacca. 

The Centenary College athletics department is accepting nominations for the Centenary Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011, the school announced. Former student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators, as well as teams, are eligible for nomination. Nomination forms can be found here.

The Centenary College Athletics Hall of Fame is designed for Centenary’s Athletic Alumni and former coaches to be honored for their outstanding athletic achievements during their tenure as a student-athlete and/or employee at this institution. Once nominated, the athlete, coach or team will be eligible for five consecutive years. If not elected within that time, the nomination will be withdrawn.

Former student-athletes are eligible for nomination 10 years after their last year of athletic competition. They must have been an outstanding performer in one or more varsity sports while attending Centenary and they must have graduated. Coaches and/or administrators are eligible five years after their final year of coaching and they must have been an outstanding coach in one or more varsity sports for at least five seasons. Teams can be nominated a minimum 10 years after the Hall of Fame-worthy season.

The nominee will remain on selection ballot for a period of five years from their initial nomination. An individual must be re-nominated following the five year period for further consideration. Hall of Fame inductees will receive a gift in their honor, a plaque hung on the Reeves Gymnasium Hall of Fame wall and free admission to every home Centenary Cyclone athletic event.

The selection committee consists of nine members, including the Director of Athletics. After a vote by the committee, the list of inductees will be sent to the school President for final approval.

The nomination form must be completed and mailed to the address found on the nomination form no later than Oct. 15, 2010 in order for it to be considered for Centenary College’s Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2011.

Hall of Fame Nomination Form

Hall of Fame Induction Criteria