Sage announces 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame Class; Ceremony slated for Sept. 29
SAGE ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR 2019 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Albany, NY — The Sage Colleges' Department of Athletics is exciting to announce the honorees for the 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame class.
This year's inductees include former women's volleyball standout for Russell Sage College Allison (Archambault) Winter (Hudson Falls, NY), Russell Sage College women's tennis performer Amy Masonson Reese (Monroe, NY), contributor Dr. Dora Metrelis, (Holland, MA), a 1954 Russell Sage College graduate as well as former Junior College of Albany men's basketball coaching legends, Mike Long, Sr. (Slingerlands, NY) and Bill Toomey (Albany, NY).
This year's event will take place on Sunday, September 29 at 11 a.m. and take place at the Armory at Sage. Tickets are available for $30/person, which includes mimosas at 11 a.m., followed a brunch at 11:30 a.m.
With this year's induction, the Hall of Fame which started in 1993, boasts 44 members.
Please RSVP by September 17 by contacting the athletic department office, athletics@sage.edu or call 518-244-2283. For additional questions, please contact Director of Athletics, Sandy Augstein-Collins at augsts@sage.edu
Alison Archambault Winter (Hudson Falls, NY)
During her time with the Gator women's volleyball team, Winter served as a team captain during her career as a junior and senior. She was a two-time NYSWCAA First Team All-State pick and also earned acclaim as a member of the AVCA New York Honorable Mention All-Region performer in 2003 as a senior. She was the first Sage women's volleyball player to surpass the 1,000 career plateau, and finished with 1,173 career kills which was No. 1 during her playing days on the Gator career record book. She also held the team's career digs mark with 1,708 digs and now stands No. 2 in the category, while also breaking the career ace record with 241 aces and total blocks (438), and is now No. 2 in the record book in both categories. She capped her outstanding career as the program's statistical leader in almost every major category.
Her place in the record book still stands among the leaders in Gator history as she is No. 3 in career kills, No. 5 in career kills per set (2.72), No. 7 career kills percentage (.222), No. 2 in digs, No. 4 in digs per set (4.0), and No. 2 in blocks per set (1.03). She also left her mark in the single-season record book as well as she is No. 4 and No. 12 in single-season kills in both 2003 and 2002, respectively. She is also in the Top 15 in kills per game average in a season as well as kills percentage, digs, digs per set averages, aces and ace percentage, and total blocks, blocks per set.
Playing under former coach Lisa Greiner, she was named the Gator of the Year in 2003 and earned numerous awards during her career including the MVP of the 2003 RSC Classic, while having also excelled in the classroom earning Dean's List acclaim in 2004. Tapped for numerous player of the week awards, she was a four-year starter. Active on campus, she also worked as an ambassador in the Admission's Office, and was featured in television ads promoting the college. After her RSC graduation, she remained active with the volleyball team and served as a volunteer assistant coach.
After graduating from Russell Sage, she obtained a position for a prestigious Albany Lobbying Firm. Subsequently, she returned to Sage and obtained a second bachelor degree and in now a tenured high school English teacher.
An English teacher, she is very active in the Argyle Central School District as she is a member of the professional development team and the Technology Committee in addition to her role as the club advisor for P.E.A.C.E. She also served as the varsity cross country coach in 2016-2017, while serving as the advisor of the newspaper club. In her spare time, she has participated in three marathons.
The mother of two sons, William (2) and Timothy (6 months), she is married to Bill Winter.
Amy Masonson Reese (Monroe, NY)
Arguably one of the greatest performers to step onto the tennis court, Amy Masonson Reese (Monroe, NY) left her mark on the women's tennis program. A letterwinner for the tennis team in 1993, 1994, and 1995 she was coached by Jack Boyajian and excelled during her time in a Sage uniform.
As a sophomore, she arrived on the Troy campus after attending the University at Buffalo where she held down the top spot in the singles' lineup for the Division I program. At RSC, she helped to lead the team to an 8-3 overall record, while individually excelling in both singles and doubles. She went 9-1 overall with an 8-1 record at No. 2 singles. She also picked up a win at No. 1 singles that fall. She added a 6-1 mark on the doubles ladder as well playing with Denise Johnson and Sara Woeppel. Over the course of the season, she was involved with key team victories as the Gators topped SUNY-Plattsburgh, 7-2 as well as Wells, Clarkson University, Bard, Castleton, and Castleton as the team won six consecutive matches along the way.
As a junior on the 1994 team, she went 6-1 in singles during the 1994 season, adding a 5-3 mark in doubles competition. She helped the program win five consecutive matches that fall including wins over North Adams State, SUNY-Potsdam, Saint Rose, Clarkson, and Castleton. The team also picked up a fourth place finish early in the season while competing at the RPI Tournament to open September off in style. In doubles, she teamed with Sara Woeppel and they went 4-1 with one another at No. 1 doubles. She also partnered with Renee Lamoreaux, Allison Manzi, Patricia Schatz, and Kate Hollingworth in doubles and finished the year with a 5-4 record.
As a senior in 1995, she helped the Gators to a 6-4 team record and also served as the team's captain. She led the team in wins as she shined individually with a 7-2 record in singles action. In doubles play, she went 2-5 on the year with her partners Allison Manel and Woeppel. The Gators once again had some impressive wins that fall as they beat Utica, Potsdam, Clarkson, and Castleton, and had two shutouts victories beating both North Adams State and Wells College, 9-0.
During her career, she strung together a 22-4 career record in singles action having played mostly at the No. 1 spot with a few matches at the No. 2 spot in singles matches. In doubles, she was 13-9 having also played in the No. 1 or No. 2 doubles position for the Gators.
A 1996 graduate of Russell Sage College, she has gone on to a distinguished career as a physical therapist. After starting her career focused on pediatric physical therapy, Reese has turned her focus to long-term acute care and skilled nursing at an adult rehabilitation center. Active in her community, Reese has volunteered at the Robert Yeager Health Center as well as helping to collect toys and clothes for families in need in her hometown.
A married mother of two daughters, Brooke (13) and Andie (10), together with her husband Seth, they enjoy an active lifestyle. She enjoys yoga, skiing, hiking, and of course tennis. She is proud that her daughter Brooke has enjoyed tennis and is looking forward to watching her play this fall on the varsity team!
Bill Toomey (Albany, NY)
For eight seasons, Bill Toomey led the Sabre men's basketball program at the Junior College of Albany. In addition to his role as the head men's basketball coach at JCA, Toomey was also the program's director of athletics from 1982 until the mid 1990's. He was an assistant coach at JCA from 1980-82 before assuming his role as the head coach in the summer of 1982. His tenure as the Sabres' head coach spanned from 1982 until 1990 and he finished his career with an impressive .634 career win percentage. Three times during his tenure, the program had 20 plus wins as the 1982-1983 team went 23-4 and the following year, the Sabres were 22-9.
He produced a career record with JCA of 142-82 and had a school-record 17-game win streak along the way as his 1982-83 team excelled on the hardwood.
Presented with the Sage Colleges' 75th Anniversary Commemorative medal in 1991, Toomey has coached two Sage Athletic Hall of Fame players in James Taylor and John Wagner. Taylor was third all-time in rebounding and eighth in career scoring during his time at JCA, while Wagner set the mark for most career assists with 366 under Toomey. Willie Wall scored 1,000 points during his time with Toomey and during his time on the hardwood was the first JCA performer to eclipse 1,000 points finishing with 1,034. Several of Toomey's former players hold single-game records as well as ranking in the Top 10 in scoring all-time as Matt McClure, Taylor, and Ralph Simeone all played for him and round out the Sabres' all-time career scoring list. McClure finished seventh in career scoring and went on to serve as a team captain for the University at Albany men's team in 1988-1989. Another player that earned acclaim under Toomey was Steve Novotny, a NJCAA Academic All-American.
During his time on the sidelines, Toomey has garnered considerable acclaim as well as having led five teams to the NJCAA Region III Eastern finals.
A 1977 graduate of Siena College, Toomey also earned his juris doctorate degree from the Albany Law School in 1993. He played his high school basketball at CBA and was also a member of the Siena Saints' team from 1973-1976.
Active in the community and in athletics, Toomey is a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) having joined the organization in 1990. Since 1998, he is a member of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA). In 2010, he was honored by the IAABO as the recipient of the prestigious Jack Cahill Award. He has spent countless hours serving as the head coach of the Adirondack Regional Men's Open Basketball program with the New York State Empire State Games from 1987-1989. He is also still active on the sidelines serving as an assistant basketball coach at the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, his alma mater, while additionally providing guidance as an attorney for the institution.
Retiring in 2015 from his career as the Chief Counsel to the New York State Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, Toomey is the second of nine children of Bill and Joanne Toomey.
Mike Long, Sr. (Slingerlands, NY)
The venerable mentor Mike Long, Sr. has been a staple in the coaching ranks for the past 50 years and is a member of three different Halls of Fame, adding the latest to his distinguished resume as he now joins his fourth hall of fame with his induction this year into Sage's Athletic Department Hall of Fame.
Mike Long spent 13 years on the sidelines as the head men's basketball coach at Junior College of Albany from 1990-2003 and took over the reins from Bill Toomey in 1990 after spending the previous four seasons as his assistant.
During his time at JCA, Long directed the Sabres to an impressive record of 222-142, for a .609 win percentage. The 2001-2002 season was the most successful season the Sabres ever had. The team went 27-4, losing all four games by no more than seven points, again advancing to the NJCAA Division II Region III tournament. The team was nationally ranked the whole season, reaching No. 8 at its highest point. The 27 victories is the record for most wins in a season in the program's history and Long was rewarded for his success as he earned NJCAA Region III Division II Coach of the Year status for his efforts.
In his last season at the helm of JCA's program, Long led the team to a 19-9 finish in 2002-2003 and helped the program advance to the semi-finals of the NJCAA Division II Region III tournament.
Among the many great JCA players Mike Long coached are Sage Athletic Hall of Fame honorees, Chad Thomas, Rafael Salazar, Dwayne Barnes, and Greg Plummer. Long's players hold program marks as well as both Thomas and Plummer are the only 1,000 point scorers in JCA history, while former Sabre Dan McGraw holds the mark for most career three pointers and Rob Villanueva holds the record for most rebounds at JCA.
Long came to JCA from The College of Saint Rose after serving as the head coach for the Golden Knights from 1973-1986. He later returned to Saint Rose and spent many years as an assistant for the men's basketball program. He is affectionately nicknamed "The Father of Saint Rose Basketball" and on November 15, 2008, the court at Saint Rose College was named in his honor.
He received a bachelor's degree in economics from Siena in 1968. While at Siena, he played three years of basketball for the varsity squad, and was named team captain his senior year. During the course of his early coaching stints, Long was an assistant coach and player for the Ft. Sheridan Post team, while fulfilling his military duties until 1971. Upon completion, he became the JV coach at his alma mater, Siena College, for a season.
He was instrumental in bringing men's basketball to the athletics program at Saint Rose, as he took the reins for the Golden Knights inaugural varsity season in 1973. Long completed his 13 seasons with a 164-156 record, and was inducted into Saint Rose Athletics Hall of Fame in April, 1992. Long was subsequently inducted into the Bishop Maginn High School Hall of Fame in 2006 and New York's Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame as well in 2010.
Among the many accomplishments during his tenure as a basketball coach in the Capital District, Long has led nine teams to regular-season conference titles, four conference tournament crowns, a pair of NAC Coach of the Year citations (1979 and 1980), as well as a the Paul F. Bishop Coach of the Year (2016) and the Sam Perkins Sportsmanship Award in 2013.
On August 12, 2013, Long was named as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. On December 8, 2013, the Vikings beat Corning Community College giving Long his 400th career victory as a collegiate head coach. Since his arrival at HVCC, Long has led the team to several titles and accomplishment and was honored in 2016 as the Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year as well as the NJCAA Region 3 Coach of the Year. To date, Long boasts a career coaching record of 496-378, while owning a mark of 320-213 in the NJCAA.
Active in the community, he was the founding father and Head Coach of the Helderberg Hoopers AAU basketball team from 1996-2006. He has also been active with the LaSalle and Saint Rose Summer Basketball Camps, as well as the Wray, Colorado Summer Basketball Camp. Long is a retired space planner for the NYS Office of General Services.
Dr. Dora Metrelis (Holland, MA)
Joining the Athletic Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions to the Department of Athletics is 1954 Russell Sage College graduate, Dr. Dora Metrelis. Since graduating from RSC, Metrelis has had a long career of service and giving.
Dr. Dora Metrelis served as the Southern Connecticut State University Owls' head field hockey coach from 1961-76 and was a professor at the university from 1961-88. During her time on the sidelines, she guided the Owls to their most successful era in program history and closed her career with a record of 81-31-30. Her teams posted three consecutive undefeated campaigns from 1963-65, with the 1965 team not meriting a goal throughout the entire season. She led the SCSU field hockey team to a sixth place finish in the prestigious Associate for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Tournament in 1976.
She also coached the softball team at SCSU for 10 seasons. Metrelis was also a faculty member at SCSU and was a decorated official and instructor. During her career, she also coached softball, basketball and badminton. She has been recognized by numerous organizations for her contributions to athletics including: Connecticut AHPERD Certification of Appreciation and Professional Honor Awards, recognition from the Connecticut Field Hockey Coaches Association, honorary membership in the EAPECW and induction into the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for her work as an official.
In 2018, SCSU honored Dr. Metrelis by inducting her into their Athletic Hall of Fame for the tremendous contributions to athletics at the university.
Active in the community, Metrelis served many roles in her hometown of Holland, Massachusetts. She served on the Board of Health from 1990-1994 as well as a member of the town's Fire Department from 1989-2003. She retired at the rank of lieutenant after almost 15 years of service to her hometown. She also spent time as the Town Moderator holding that role from 1990 to 2003 as well.
An avid golfer and boater, she splits her time between Massachusetts and Florida and manages to still find time to golf three times a week.
She has also been very generous to her alma mater having endowed a scholarship at RSC for academically successful junior and senior Russell Sage College students. She was also very instrumental with a gift to aid in the return of the sport of field hockey at The Sage Colleges as the Gators launched the program once again in the Fall of 2018.
