New Rochelle, NY - Even though it was cold and rainy outside on Friday November 22nd, inside Juliano's Catering Hall was a great night to celebrate the Class of 2024 being inducted into the SUNY Westchester Athletics Hall of Fame.
The night began as any other Hall of Fame evening, Director of Athletic Michael Belfiore welcoming guests which included SUNY Westchester Administration, past Hall of Fame inductees, and family and friends of this years class. The Vikings have a history of filling the room with plenty of laughs, catching up on life achievements, and of course memories of times shared at the College.
The first inductee of the evening to be introduced would be former student body President John Caruso who would receive the Eugene "Buzz" Keefe Award. The Buzz Keefe Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the mission of Westchester Community College Athletics. This award is presented to an individual who has been a great friend and supporter of WCC Athletics. Inducting John would be none other than Hall of Famer Andre Herrera. Caruso would be a key supporter of the Football program on the Valhalla Campus. During his time at WCC, the program would flourish becoming one of the top club football programs in the nation. John would receive many accolades during his time at Westchester as an outstanding student.
The next hall of fame inductee would be former Men's Basketball player Paul Ruddock. Inducting the Westcos Point Guard would be Viking Hall of Famer and NJCAA Hall of Famer Ralph Arietta. The McDonald's All-American initially would travel out to California to pursue his dream of playing basketball however, he would come back and find the confines of the Westchester Community College Gymnasium as home. In his first year as a Viking, Ruddock and the rest of the team would find themselves in the NJCAA Division 1 rankings starting off at 21st overall and eventually climbing to 15th. A successful first season would be cut short with a loss to a powerhouse program at Champlain Community College.
During his second season as a Westcos, Paul and the rest of the team would once again find themselves in the National Rankings starting off ranked at 20th overall and eventually moving up to 18th overall. The Vikings would fall short of the National Tournament yet again however the accolades would pour in for Ruddock. He would be named twice to the All-Conference Team, a member of the All-Region Team, and ultimately be named to the NJCAA All-American 3rd Team. Paul would average 20 points per game in his time with Westchester before moving onto Dowling College.
With a quick break for dinner, Andre Herrera would be asked to come back up to the podium to induct the next Viking Hall of Famer, former Football Center, Don Scarcella. Don would be apart of what was the cornerstone of the Vikings Football Program. In his first year back in 1970, Scarcella would come to Valhalla and play under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Comenzo. The Vikings would build a 4-3 record with a commanding win over crosstown rival Pace University. Coming back for the 1971 season, losing would not be an option. Scarcella and the rest of his Viking teammates would bring home the ECCFC National Championship back to WCC without losing a game while outscoring their opponents 261 to 69. The Vikings would be the #1 team and truly put the program on the Club Football map.
The final inductee of the evening would be the 2014 Vikings Baseball Team who became the first team since the 1992 Baseball Team to head to the NJCAA World Series but as a Division 2 program. Under the direction of Hall of Fame Coaches Billy McClure and Bill McClure Sr, as well as Scott "Nate" Nathanson, Gene Sheible, and John Sheible, the 2014 Vikings would go beyond adversity to put the program onto the national level.
With their home campus field under renovation, Westchester would play every game away, a feat anyone knows is tough and taxing. SUNY WCC would ultimately win the Region 15 Title in three games and move onto the East District Tournament which oddly enough, the Vikings would "host" thanks to Rockland Community College. Westchester would open up against Region 21 powerhouse UConn Avery-Point and in a run-rule shortened game, WCC would win 12-4 and take an 1-0 record in the three-team round robin style tournament. Game two Westchester would take on Region 3 foe Mercyhurst Northeast. The Saints would quiet the bats of the Vikings and would come away with a 4-2 victory putting SUNY WCC at 1-1 on the day. Mercyhurst would then defeat the Pointers of UConn AP putting them at 2-0 and in the drivers seat only needing one win to get them to Oklahoma.
Championship day would come and Westchester would be ready for 18 innings of baseball. Game one would go to the Vikings with a 6-3 victory and bring on the if necessary game. Westchester would rewrite the history books defeating the Saints 9-2 and punch the Vikings ticket to the Division 2 NJCAA World Series in Enid, OK.
Out in Oklahoma, Westchester would face Madison College and Northern Oklahoma-Enid but ultimately fell to both programs in the double-elimination tournament. In attendance from the 2014 team would be All-Region pitcher Tyler Allen, All-Region/All-American outfielder Fabio Ricci, pitcher Louis Angiolillo, infielder Nicholas Greto, and pitcher Trey Pizzutello.
Another great night in the books for the SUNY Westchester Athletics Department with special thanks to the SUNY Westchester Alumni Association, Juliano's Catering Hall, and all in attendance as we look forward to another great year and next years Sports Hall of Fame ceremony!
