Golden Eagles induct eight

Golden Eagles induct eight
Football falls to Ithaca

Athletes from four decades and eight sports were the latest inductees into the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame as SUNY Brockport celebrated its annual Homecoming September 30 and October 1.

The first individual female to win a national title, Carrie Gorton Ciripompa, was honored following her four-time All-American career in track and field throwing the javelin. Jen Feneli-Sullivan was honored as the school's all-time leader in women's basketball in 24 categories. Twins Melissa DeCoursey Gehringer and Michelle DeCoursey Rothe were both inducted following record setting softball and tennis careers for each. Andy Betty Rich was the fifth female as a two-time all-state basketball player in the early 1970's and a three-decade long career as a coach and mentor at East High School.

For the men, two-time All American wrestler John Parisella was inducted along with Josh Warner - the first Brockport football player to play in the NFL - and T.J. Williams, who was part of the last undefeated men's soccer team at the school, was All-New York State and All-SUNYAC for two seasons and won two New York State high school championships as a coach.

Prior to the induction ceremony, the Golden Eagle football team lost a battle of top-30 ranked teams 26-7 to Ithaca College.

The Bombers scored first on a 48 yard touchdown pass following a scoreless first quarter. They made it 14-0 on a 12-yard touchdown reception by Kelly Gordon.

Brockport rebounded just before the half when a pass interference penalty in the end zone gave the Golden Eagles a first down at the four yard line. With 42 seconds remaining before the break, Jeremy Darron ran off right tackle and plowed into the end zone to close the lead to a touchdown.

The Bombers ended any hope, however, on an 11-yard touchdown run by Jamie Donovan and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mike Oertel. The extra point attempt on the first score of the half was blocked and the two-point conversion attempt on the second score failed.

The Golden Eagles, who fell to 2-2 with the loss, threatened with seven minutes remaining with the ball at the Ithaca 5-yard line, but a fumbled snap and an interception ended the drive.