WEST WINDSOR, NJ – Mercer County Community College (MCCC) will induct the Class of 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame honorees at an awards ceremony and dinner on June 16 th from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. Proceeds from the event, hosted by the MCCC Athletics Committee and the MCCC Foundation, will support scholarships and improvements for MCCC athletic facilities.
This year’s honorees include seven distinguished student-athletes, three illustrious coaches (one also a former student-athlete) and three Viking squads.
“With more than 60 years of athletic history, the MCCC Hall of Fame induction ceremony allows stories from the past to be retold while raising funds to continue supporting our student-athletes and the continued growth and success of an esteemed athletic department,” said MCCC Athletics Hall of Fame Co-Chair Daniel Klim. “The Hall of Fame shines a bright light on all of those who wore a Mercer uniform on campus and beyond.”
The 2023 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will honor the 1981 Men’s Baseball Team (JUCO World Series Participants); the National Championship-winning 1982 Men’s Soccer Team; and the 2002 Women’s Tennis Team, which also brought home a National Championship.
Student-athletes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame include: Jim Dill (soccer); Carol Kokotajlo (softball); Maggie Muscarella (soccer); Marc Nichols (tennis); Steve Reid (soccer); Angelika Stec (basketball); and Randy Voorhees, (baseball).
Coaches to be named to the MCCC Athletics Hall of Fame include student-athlete inductee Randy Voorhees (baseball coach), Bill Drake (women’s soccer/softball coach) and Bob Pugh (men’s basketball coach/administrator).
MCCC has a proud history of producing top-tier student athletes including alumni who went on to play professional baseball and soccer such as Dave Gallagher, who played nine Major League Baseball seasons and Stern John, who played in the English Premier League.
“We have a very special program here at MCCC and I’ve had the privilege of seeing our extraordinary student-athletes and coaches through 76 conference championships and 55 regional championships during my 26-year tenure,” said John Simone, retiring athletic director for MCCC. “This event presents a powerful opportunity to reconnect alumni, the college and the community to build support for our program that touches the lives of so many talented and hardworking students.”
MCCC students continued their winning ways on the field in 2023, with Bella Truelove earning first team All-American honors for softball. Additionally, the men’s lacrosse team claimed the Region 19 championship in a 12-8 victory over Sussex, and women’s soccer went undefeated on their way to a #14 national ranking by NJCCA.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame ceremony are available for $115 per adult and $60 per child (12 and under) and include admission to the awards ceremony, live music, dinner, and complimentary beer and wine. Tickets can be purchased online here:
Sponsorships and advertising opportunities are also available. All sponsors will be recognized at the event, in MCCC’s 2023 Annual Report, and on the MCCC Athletics Hall of Fame website. To learn more, click here:
About Mercer County Community College
Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College is a publicly supported comprehensive institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy. The scenic 292-acre West Windsor Campus was opened in 1972 to serve the needs of Mercer County residents. MCCC’s James Kerney Campus, located in downtown Trenton, serves as an educational and cultural hub for city residents that meets the changing needs of thousands of students and community members seeking educational fulfillment and personal and career growth. President: Deborah E. Preston, Ph.D.; www.mccc.edu