Special events/announcements, winter 2019
Binghamton continues to celebrate 50 years of women’s athletics
Suzyn Waldman to be featured speaker at “Celebrating Women’s Athletics Luncheon”
The Binghamton Bearcats Athletic Association (BBAA) will host the 15th Annual Celebrating Women’s Athletics Luncheon presented by M&T Bank at noon on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Events Center.
Held each year to recognize the achievements of Binghamton University’s female student-athletes, the luncheon also raises funding for scholarships awarded to female student-athletes at Binghamton University. This year, Major League Baseball broadcaster Suzyn Waldman is the featured speaker.
Waldman is considered a female pioneer in the field of sports broadcasting. Since the 2005 Major League Baseball season, she has been the color commentator for the New York Yankees, working with John Sterling on radio broadcasts, first for WCBS-AM and currently for WFAN in New York City. She is the first woman ever to provide color commentary in the radio booth for a Major League Team.
Waldman was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2016. In addition, she was part of the 2006 exhibit in the Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit entitled “Women in Baseball.”
Hall of Fame Class of 2019 enshrined
The Binghamton Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019 was formally enshrined on Dec. 7, following the men’s basketball home game against Boston University. The group of four individuals and one team was recognized at the Events Center in front of a crowd of nearly 200.
Honored were tennis player Anna Edelman ‘11, basketball player Larry Gainen ‘68, track and field athlete Hasani Hampden ‘06 and volleyball player Michelle McDonough ‘11 along with the 1999-00 women’s basketball team. They were selected by a 15-member committee of coaches, staff, alumni, current HOF members and members of the media.
“I wish our 450 student-athletes could attend this event and hear your stories so they could understand those individuals who came before and how they have shaped what Binghamton athletics is today,” Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott said. “Our mantra is ‘Excellence with Honor’ and each inductee epitomizes that. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.”
In the 23 years since its inception, the Hall of Fame has seen 111 inductees spanning 19 sports.
Ten-year anniversary of men’s cross country championship
Two weeks ago, the Binghamton men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the America East Championships at Albany. In addition to their families and track & field teammates cheering them on, there was another special group of supporters on hand — the 2009 Binghamton men’s cross country team.
Ten years ago, the Bearcat men’s squad won their first-ever America East cross country title. The runners have stayed close over the years and decided to reconnect on the same weekend as the conference meet. After gathering on Friday evening for a social hour, the 2009 Bearcats came to the America East meet and then ended the weekend with a team dinner.
Although it has been 10 years, the Binghamton alums were able to pick up right where they left off in terms of the closeness they had with each other. The process of coming together to make history cemented their bond as teammates long after graduation.
“It was fantastic to reunite with everyone,” Chris Gaube said. “What made this group so special was our collective bond and shared experience in building up the program. It was great to reminisce about the 2009 Championship, but also see and hear how great everyone is doing. It felt like we all picked up right where we had left off last.”