Hall of Fame inducts three athletes, one team
Wrestler Josh Ruff, golfer Jeff Wolniewicz, baseball player Corey Taylor part of new class
The Binghamton Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 was formally inducted in a ceremony Dec. 8 at the Events Center. Honored were wrestler Josh Ruff ‘05, golfer Jeff Wolniewicz ‘07 and baseball player Corey Taylor ‘11, along with the 1992-93 golf team. They were joined by a gathering of more than 100 friends and family in the TAU Bearcat Room.
Master of Ceremonies Roger Neel kicked off the event, which also featured remarks by University President Harvey Stenger, Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott and HOF ambassador Leah Bowers ‘02.
Ruff was a two-time NCAA qualifier who set the initial bar for Binghamton University’s Division I wrestling success by winning its first individual conference title in 2004. He won 74 matches in three years before being denied his senior season when the sport was discontinued for one year. Ruff held a career dual match record of 36-4 and was a two-time captain, Academic All-American and CAA Scholar-Athlete.
Wolniewicz was a four-time all-region selection who led the Bearcats to a pair of NCAA berths during his tenure. A two-time captain, he ranks third in program history with a 75.07 scoring average and recorded 23 top-10 tournament finishes in his career. Two of his marquee performances earning medalist honors at the 2004 Yale Invitational (final round 66) and the 2006 New England Championship (opening-round 68). He was also a two-time Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-America Scholar.
Taylor was the offensive power behind a baseball program that captured three consecutive America East regular season titles and broke through with the program’s first NCAA tournament berth in 2009. He was named America East Player of the Year in 2010 when he ranked 11th in the nation in RBI. Taylor was a two-time all-region selection and is the program’s all-time leader in RBIs, home runs, runs and stolen bases.
The 1992-93 golf team, coached by Hall of Famer John Affleck, becomes the fourth team enshrined. They completed a 200-7 year (win percentage of 97 percent) by placing fourth at the 1993 NCAA Championship at Torrey Pines GC. The team, anchored by Hall of Fame individuals Chris and Jake Sladish, won eight invitationals and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the country. Other team members were Dave Andrews, John Binkley, Eric Coultoff, Michael Feldman Chad Houseknecht, Greg Marris and Tim Rose. Assistant coach Pete Atwater joined Affleck at the reigns. Andrews spoke on behalf of the team.
In the 22 years since its inception, the Hall of Fame has seen 107 inductees spanning 19 sports. Hall of Fame nominations are accepted year-round and can be sent to committee chair John Hartrick at hartrick@binghamton.edu.