Induction ceremony

Saturday, June 11, 2022
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Cobblestone Creek Country Club

The Athletics Hall of Fame is the highest level of recognition presented to teams, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators at Mercer County Community College. By honoring those who have contributed to the sports heritage of MCCC and Mercer County as a whole, we are providing an important link to the past - as well as a bridge to the future.

Please join us for a special evening, as we induct our Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022. All proceeds will go to scholarships for our student-athletes and the improvement of our athletic facilities.

Participate

SPONSORSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS, ADVERTISEMENTS, TICKETS, DONATIONS

MCCC Athletics Hall of Fame
Class of 2022

1968 Men’s Soccer National Championship Team - Bio

1^st Vikings national championship team after the official creation of MCCC in 1966
1963 Men’s Soccer National Championship Team (Trenton Junior College) and Coach Stan Dlugosz were inducted in the inaugural HoF class in 2021
18-0-1 record with 3 NJCAA All-Americans (Dave Leckie, Kenneth Hess and Mickey Forker, who was inducted in the inaugural HoF class)

1974 Men’s Basketball National Championship Team - Bio

2^nd consecutive national championship team, including NJCAA National Player of the Year Connie White
1973 Team, Coach Howie Landa, All-American and National Player of the Year Mel Weldon, and All-American Connie White were inducted in the inaugural HoF class

2000 Women’s Tennis National Championship Team - Bio

2^nd consecutive national championship team, including 5 All-Americans
1999 National Championship Team was inducted in the inaugural HoF class

Dan Gakeler – Baseball - Bio

star pitcher at Mercer
drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in 31^st round of MLB Draft (1983) and by Boston Red Sox in the 1^st round (#3 pick) in the MLB Secondary Phase Draft (Jan 1984)
1984-1995 professional baseball career, including a starter and relief pitcher with the Detroit Tigers (1991)

Carol Gibilisco – Administration - Bio

long-time Athletics Administrative Assistant
“Carole was the rudder on the Vikings ship.” Quote from legendary basketball coach Howie Landa at the Howie Landa Tribute and dedication of the Howie Landa Court 9/15/12.

Diane Kelly – Women’s Soccer & Softball - Bio

1^st Vikings athlete to earn All-American status in 2 sports
1984 & 1985 NJCAA 1^st Team All-American in Woman’s Soccer
1984 & 1985 JUCO national leader in goals scored
1986 NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention in Softball
George Washington University – star in soccer and softball
Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame (2000)

David Leckie – Men’s Soccer - Bio

1968 & 1970 NJCAA All-American
member of Vikings 1968 National Championship Team and scored winning goal in the national championship game
1972 National Soccer Coaches Assoc. All-American at Alderson-Broaddus College
1985 Vikings Head Coach:
21-1-0 record – NJCAA national championship runner-up
NSCAA/Metropolitan Life Coach of the Year
Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame (1997), MCCC Soccer Hall of Fame (1997), New Jersey Soccer Association Hall of Fame (2006)

Peter Lindauer – Men’s Soccer - Bio

1969 & 1970 NJCAA All-American on Vikings teams with a combined 33-1-1 record
German American Kickers and Philadelphia Atoms of the NASL
Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame (2000), German American Kickers Hall of Fame (2020)

Jennifer Lopresti – Softball - Bio

Nottingham High School – star pitcher on school’s 1 ^st state championship (1987)
1988 & 1989 NJCAA All-American with the Vikings
Trenton State College
1990 & 1991 NSCA Division III All-American
1991 GTE 2 ^nd Team Academic All-American
1992 Assistant Coach
Nottingham High School Athletics Hall of Fame (inaugural class 2007), Trenton Softball Hall of Fame (2011)

Robert Marchetti – Men’s Track & Field - Bio

NJCAA All-American (1989 and 1990) and four-time regional high jump champion (indoor and outdoor) while at Mercer
won 1993 Western Athletic Conference title with a U. of New Mexico
20-year coaching career at U. of New Mexico, MCCC (head coach (1997-2000), Murray State University, Columbia University and Belmont Abbey College
Steinhert High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Robert (“Bobby”) Sands – Men’s Basketball - Bio

1968 NJCAA All-American and National Player of the Year
Pepperdine College – 1969 & 1970 All West Coast Conference Team
drafted by Los Angeles Lakers in 1970 NBA Draft
recognized among the “50 Golden Iron Mikes” by Trenton Catholic Academy, MCCC Basketball HoF (2003)

Mary Smith-Jones – Women’s Basketball - Bio

1988 NJCAA All-American
averaged 21.6 ppg and tied Terry Dorner’s single game record 46 points
1989-1990 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
1990 1 ^st Team All Pennsylvania State Conference
Cheyney University Athletics Hall of Fame (1991)