There is still time to register for our 2021 SUNY Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame Virtual Ceremony this Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Please review the links below to reserve your spot on Zoom as we welcome four new members to our hallowed halls!
HALL OF FAME VIRTUAL CEREMONY
VIRTUAL PROGRAM: CLICK HERE
REGISTRATION LINK: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2ahof
ZOOM LINK: https://delhi.zoom.us/j/99862025972
DELHI, N.Y. (March 22, 2021) - The SUNY Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce its four new members as part of the 2021 induction class. This year's class includes Alaric Best '08 (Cross Country/Track & Field), Mike Deane (Men's Basketball Coach, 1976-80), Kelsey Pratt '12 (Volleyball), and Phil Mattera '81 (Wrestling). The four will be recognized in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom, with an in-person ceremony to take place at a later date.
"We are deeply honored to have such a diverse group join our Hall of Fame this year," said Director of Athletics and Committee Chair Bob Backus. "We are excited about presenting our induction class virtually in May, with the fullest intention of having our inductees join us on campus once circumstances allow us to do so. We invite all previous Hall of Fame inductees, alumni, and supporters to join us for our special Zoom presentation, which will include a short video highlighting our 2021 class, with remarks from each inductee to follow."
MEET THE INDUCTION CLASS
ALARIC BEST '08 – CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD
Alaric Best was a key member of the Broncos cross country teams that posted back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in 2006 and 2007. He served as Delhi's crucial fifth and final finisher on a tough, hilly course to lock up the '06 team crown, while earning All-American Honorable Mention in '07. In track & field, Best was a two-time All-American in the 4x800, earning indoors honors in 2007 and outdoors in 2008. He continued his career at NCAA Division II University of New Haven, where as the cross country team captain as a senior helped guide the Chargers to the NCAA East Regionals, placing 12th. Best stayed on at UNH as an assistant coach, which then led to his current appointment as head coach at fellow Division II Ursuline College in 2015. His coaching highlights with the Arrows include three NCAA Track & Field Individual National Champions, nine NCAA All-Americans, 24 NCAA national qualifiers, and the track & field team achieving its highest national ranking in school history. Upon earning his Bachelor's degree in 2010, Best transferred hours from UNH back to SUNY Delhi to receive his Associate's in Recreation & Sports Management. He holds two Master's degrees, one from UNH in Labor Relations and a second from Ohio University in Recreation and Sport Science/Coaching Education.
MIKE DEANE – MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH, 1976-80
Mike Deane revived a struggling Delhi men's basketball program starting in 1976, compiling 70 wins over four seasons. By the end of the decade the Broncos were back in the NJCAA Region 3 championship chase and finished with a 21-win season in Deane's final year in 1979-80. He moved on to a two-year run as head man at SUNY Oswego, guiding the Lakers to the ECAC Tournament before starting his 30-plus year run at the NCAA Division I level when he joined the Michigan State coaching staff. Deane's first Division I head coaching assignment was at Siena College, where his Saints won 166 games from 1986-94, reached the second round of the 1989 NCAA Tournament, and made three NIT Tournament appearances, including a third-place finish in 1994. All told, he led four NCAA Division I programs – Siena, Marquette, Lamar, Wagner – and steered Siena, Marquette, and Lamar to the NCAA Division I Tournament, including twice with Marquette. Deane's last coaching stop was as an assistant at James Madison from 2012 to 2017. Originally from Stony Point, NY, Deane was a SUNY basketball product at Potsdam State, earning Small College All-American nods in 1973 and 1974, and was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the '74 NBA Draft.
KELSEY PRATT '12 – VOLLEYBALL
Kelsey Pratt was the premiere middle hitter during arguably the greatest two-year run in SUNY Delhi volleyball history. From 2009 to 2010 the Broncos combined for 50 wins and back-to-back Mountain Valley Conference Championships and NJCAA Region 3 Tournament appearances. Pratt earned 2009 MVC Co-Player of the Year and First Team All-Region 3 as a freshman. In 2010, the sophomore from Amarillo, Texas was chosen Third Team All-Region, earned NJCAA Division III Player of the Week accolades, and selected the 2010-11 SUNY Delhi Female Athlete of the Year. She ranks first all-time in school history with a 34% career hitting efficiency, second with 509 career kills (first among two-year student-athletes), and third with 113 career blocks. Pratt remained with the team as a student assistant coach before graduating with her Bachelor's from Delhi in Travel and Tourism Management in 2012. She spent time in the hotel business in New York City and her home state in Texas, as well as overseas in Dubai. Pratt remains an avid supporter of Broncos volleyball, following the team on social media and regularly watching games.
PHIL MATTERA '81 – WRESTLING
Phil Mattera fit right in with the heyday of Delhi wrestling in the early 1980's. The Deer Park High School graduate was a two-time NJCAA Region 3 champion in the 150 lbs. category in 1980 and 1981, followed by taking the podium at '81 nationals with a sixth-place finish. Additional accolades included being a two-time champion at the Corning Invitational and Mohawk Valley Invitational, as well as winning the Niagara Invitational. He held the school record for career wins (101) and career pins (49), and was chosen as SUNY Delhi's 1980-81 Male Athlete of the Year. During this time Mattera was also an Academic All-American and a USA Bronze Medalist at the 1980 Junior Pan-American Games in Greco-Roman wrestling. After earning his AOS in Plumbing & HVAC, Mattera received a full scholarship to compete at Hofstra University, winning back-to-back East Coast Conference titles and qualifying for NCAA Division I nationals in the 150 lbs. category in 1982 and 158 lbs. in 1983. Mattera was named to the NJCAA Region 3 Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1987. After graduation he worked in the construction field and served in the New York City Department of Buildings, holding the titles Administrative Chief Inspector, Assistant Chief Inspector, Supervising Inspector and Building Inspector. He was a responder and survivor during the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, and in the months following performed inspections on surrounding buildings to ensure safety and reform. His service earned him multiple Commissioner's Awards and the 2017 New York City Community Champion Award.
