RCC to Induct Hall of Fame Members

Tom McNamara, a former standout baseball player at Rockland Community College, heads a five-member 2012 induction class into the Hawks’ Hall of Fame.

The induction dinner will be held Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Italian-American Social Club in West Haverstraw. Festivities are set to begin at 7 p.m.

McNamara, an alum of Albertus Magnus High School who is currently the director of amateur scouting for the Seattle Mariners, was a 1985 all-Mid Hudson Conference selection at RCC, and then helped Dominican College to NAIA district championships in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

McNamara played one season of pro ball for the Bellingham (WA) Mariners, and later was inducted into the Dominican College Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Chargers’ first class.

Following his playing career, McNamara continued his involvement with the game by joining the Hawks’ coaching staff.  Working under head coach Dan Keeley, McNamara helped guide the Hawks to the 1993 NJCAA World Series.  He left RCC after three seasons to take a position with the Seattle Mariners.  He worked as an area scout for the Northeast region from 1994-2000.  After spending two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and five years with the San Diego Padres organizations, he returned to Seattle and is now in his current position.

Also at the dinner, the athletic department will present the Dr. Cliff L. Wood Service Award. The award, now in its second year, is presented to an RCC graduate who exemplifies outstanding community service. 

Since 1960, SUNY Rockland Athletics has produced 51 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) all-Americans and more than 50 former student-athletes have become coaches. 

Admission price of $50 includes hors d’ouvers, cocktails, salad, pasta, prime rib, coffee, dessert and dancing.  For reservations or more information please call the RCC athletic office at (845) 574-4452 or 4512.

Also being inducted Saturday, joining 25 previous inductees, are:

• Joseph Romano, Class of 64, wrestling & soccer: In 1962, Romano advanced through the regional wrestling tournament and finished second.  He finished third in 1963. He was a two-year team captain on the wrestling squad and was the soccer team captain in 1963.  After serving the nation in the United States Navy, Romano came back to Rockland and took a teaching position at the Clarkstown Central School District in 1971 before beginning illustrious teaching and coaching career at Goshen High School.

• Lucia Lopez-Patterson, Class of 1993, soccer & softball: Was a two-sport standout, leading the NJCAA in batting and slugging as a freshman. Lopez-Patterson, who was also a catalyst on the soccer team for two seasons, attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. She works as an officer for the Michigan State Police and lives in Taylor, MI.

• Jack Watson, Class of 1990, golf: Currently a Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology and Chair of the Department for Sport Sciences at West Virginia University, Watson attended RCC before competing at the University of Virginia. He twice qualified for the NJCAA National Championship, finishing second in 1990 and being named an all-American.

• Kurt A. Palmer, Class of 1996, soccer: Palmer was a member of the 1993 team that won the Region XV championship and advanced to the NJCAA Tournament.   The 1993 season ended with the nationally ranked (No. 8) Hawks boasting an 18-1-0 record. After graduation, Palmer attended St. John’s University where he was a member of the Red Storm’s 1996 team which captured the NCAA National Championship. He is now the assistant men’s soccer coach at Adelphi University after spending seven years as an assistant coach at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.