Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will induct five outstanding honorees and recognize a championship team at its 44th annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at the Ruth S. Harley University Center in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom.

The dinner, which honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletics program includes Ron Atanasio (Men's Soccer), Kim Barnes-Arico (Women's Basketball), Sandy Kapatos (Men's Lacrosse), Richard Spitzner '56 (Swimming & Diving) and Jeff Tyler '00 (Baseball).

The Panther Legendary Team award will be presented to the 2001-02 women's basketball team. That Panther squad became the first and only team in program history to capture an East Coast Conference regular season title and a tournament crown in the same season. They also went on to make the team's second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, posting a record of 28-3 and advancing to the Sweet 16.

Barnes-Arico strung together three of the most successful seasons in women's basketball history from 1999-2002, twice earning East Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors and guiding the Panthers to the programs first National Ranking during the 2001-02 season. She posted a record of 65-24 overall earning NIT/Met Writers Association Division II Coach of the Year status in 2001-02.

Atanasio is among the best goal scorers to come through Adelphi, sitting 10^th on the career list with 35 goals and sixth on the single season list with an astounding 19, which he scored in 1975. An NSCAA All-Region honoree, Atansaio helped the Panthers to an NCAA Championship in 1974 and a third place finish in 1975, handing out an incredible 19 assists that season.

Kapatos was at the helm of the men's lacrosse program for 14 seasons (1994-2007), guiding Adelphi to four of the programs seven National Championships. He was named East Coast Conference Coach of the Year four times and earned recognition as the National Coach of the Year in 2001. He produced four NCAA Player of the Year award winners and 61 All-Americans in his 14 seasons, racking up 115 wins.
 
Spitzner was a mainstay in the swimming pool during his time at Adelphi and was a key cog in the Brown and Gold's 1956 undefeated season, the first in program history. Spitzner was 10-0 in the 200 yard backstroke that season and was named the schools Most Outstanding Senior Athlete. At one time, Spitzner held pool records in the 50 yard freestyle, 200 yard backstroke, individual medley, 300 yard medley relay and the 4x100 yard freestyle relay.

Tyler put together one of the finest seasons on the mound in Adelphi baseball history in 1999. He posted an earned run average of 1.50, tossed nine complete games, threw two shut outs and pitched 84 innings, helping the Panthers to a Northeast Region Championship and a second round appearance in the College World Series. For his efforts, Tyler was named the NCBWA Pitcher of the Year and a ABCA All-American.
 
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, special recognition awards will be presented. Ron Feingold, former Chair and Dean of the Adelphi University Department of Health Studies, Physical Education and Human Performance will be honored with the Woodruff Award, presented for excellence in coaching, teaching and educating young adults. The Frank Cassell Memorial Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions made to Adelphi Athletics, will be presented to former Adelphi University Assistant Athletic Director Suzette McQueen.

The Adelphi University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 to honor those athletes, coaches and friends who have distinguished themselves during their time at the university and thereafter. For more information, please contact Adam Siepiola, Assistant Athletic Director, at (516) 877-4293 or siepiola@adelphi.edu. The cost of the dinner is $100 per person and reservations are required. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.