Goldey-Beacom College Department of Athletics Inducts Fifth Hall of Fame Class

10/12/2022 12:00:00 AM

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Goldey-Beacom College on October 9 continued the celebration of its history with the induction of a fifth class into its Athletics Hall of Fame. The five so chosen included Alex Smith from women's soccer, Devonne Richardson from women's basketball, Azeez Ellegood from men's basketball, former men's soccer coach Michael Finizio and former cross country coach Brian Conley.

The Goldey-Beacom Athletics Hall of Fame Brunch and Induction Ceremony this year took on a different light with NovaCare serving as the title sponsor. The weekend's events as part of Homecoming and Lightning Family Weekend included opportunities for alums to come back on campus to reunite with many friends and also see the many changes that many who continue to be part of the family help ignite. It also gave an opportunity for parents to come on campus and spend time with their kids as part of an atmosphere filled with festivities and fun.

"It seemed only fitting that our Hall of Fame Committee, led by our Sports Information Director Derek Crudele, deliberated and selected five most-deserving inductees to the fifth class of our Hall," Goldey-Beacom Director of Athletics Jeremy Benoit said. "Our Hall of Fame Ceremony continues to be one of the most prolific events on our campus, bringing together the many different arms of the Lightning Family to celebrate its most outstanding achievers. This class certainly is no exception. This year's list includes former Lightning who had strong impacts both on and off the playing surface and we were thrilled to have them back on-campus to celebrate everything they contributed to GBC Athletics."

Smith defined the role of a pure goal scorer during her four years (2011-14) for the Lightning and helped build the foundation for the program's success we see today. In her freshman year of 2011, she netted 15 goals that was the team's single-season record for eight seasons. In her senior year of 2014 with much of the opponents' attention on her, she scored 12 goals in helping the Lightning to their first winning record since 2003 and their first trip to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament since 2006.

Smith was named first team All-CACC in 2011 and 2014, Honorable Mention in 2013 and third team NSCAA All-East Region in 2014. She graduated first in program history with 33 goals and second with 74 points.

Richardson will be part of a second consecutive class into the Hall of Fame with the 2010-11 Women's Basketball Team inducted in the spring of 2022. Standing only 5'8", she was a dominant small forward who played a key role in the 2011 squad winning the CACC title, competing in the NCAA Tournament and helping Goldey-Beacom to 74 victories in her four years (2009-13).

Richardson was picked first team All-CACC in 2013, second team in 2012, Honorable Mention in 2010 and twice was named to the CACC All-Tournament Team (2011, 2013). She graduated first in team history with 1,110 rebounds, 416 assists, 421 free throws and 224 steals, in addition to ending fifth with 1,309 points and sixth with 422 field goals. Richardson held four of the top eight single-season rebounding marks in team history upon graduation and notched the first triple-double in program annals, getting 14 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists January 26, 2013 vs. Post.

Ellegood competed during one of the most prominent eras in Goldey-Beacom basketball and he was a key component, possessing great dribbling and passing skills along with the ability to drive to the goal or find an open player. A four-year starter at guard, he was the squad's Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2010 and was picked Honorable Mention All-CACC in 2011.

Part of a talented roster, Ellegood helped Goldey-Beacom reach the CACC Tournament all four years that included two trips to the conference final and a third to the semifinals. He graduated first in team history with 365 assists, first with a .415 three-point percentage, second with 170 three-pointers, second with 272 free throws and seventh with 1,110 points. Ellegood also helped the squad to a 40-19 record over his last two campaigns with two 20-win seasons.

The tradition of solid men's soccer teams at Goldey-Beacom continued with Finizio, who guided the program to 94 victories over his 14 seasons (1998-2011). The highlight was an appearance in the 2002 NAIA National Tournament, the first national tournament appearance by any team in College history. The squad that season also was the NAIA Region X champion and NAIA Independent Region X champion, one year before winning the program's first CACC title and advancing to the ECAC final.

Finizio notched five seasons with at least 10 wins, five winning seasons and 16 victories in 2002 that remained a school record for 15 years. He was named 2002 CACC Coach of the Year and helped the team gain the CACC Sportsmanship Award in 2010 and 2011.

Conley served as Goldey-Beacom's cross country coach for nine seasons (2006-14) and is posthumously being inducted after passing away April 21, 2015 of cancer at age 42. His leadership helped the men's squad record six All-CACC honorees that included the 2014 Rookie of the Year, seven team appearances at the NCAA Regional, a third-place finish at the 2014 CACC Championship, fourth place the prior season and leading the women's squad to end seventh at the 2017 CACC Championship.

Conley already had made a name for himself in the First State prior to his arrival in Pike Creek. He coached cross country and track & field for six seasons at Christiana High School, producing numerous individual state champions, and was an All-State runner at Newark High School.

Goldey-Beacom continues to honor him with the annual presentation of the Brian Conley Award, which best displays courage, determination and perseverance for which he was given the first honor in 2015. It has since been renamed the Brian Conley Comeback Player of the Year Award.

"Adding this event to the festivities included in the Homecoming and Lightning Family Weekend represented our continued commitment to the appreciation and support of our alumni," Benoit added. "These alumni and former coaches walked so the current generation can run. It is really important to us that we brought them back during a time when they can see and enjoy everything they contributed to while they were here."

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