LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Siena Athletics Hall of Fame is back. Following a five-year gap primarily due to the pandemic, Siena Athletics is pleased to announce its 16 newest Hall of Famers officially comprising the Class of 2023. The 16-member Class of 2023 spanning five years of honorees will be formally inducted on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. at The Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel in nearby Albany.
The 16-member Siena Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 includes former standouts spanning nine different programs including one two-sport star, and is highlighted by seven first-time eligible inductees. Men's Basketball led all programs with four inductees, while baseball, softball, women's basketball, and women's soccer had a pair of inductees apiece. The Siena Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 encompasses five years of honorees from 2019-23.
The Siena Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. at The Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel located at 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany right by the airport. The 16-member class will also then be recognized publicly at halftime of the Siena Men's Basketball game vs. Mount St. Mary's set for Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. at MVP Arena. Registration to attend the induction ceremony, which includes a ticket to Sunday's basketball game, will open right after the holidays at which time additional information will be provided on how to register.
Taylor (Akana) Arakawa '14, Volleyball (2010-13)
The tenth inductee from Siena Volleyball, Akana was the 2011 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2014 MAAC nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. The 2013 Senior CLASS Award candidate was one of 30 nationally and one of just two in the Northeast. A native of Kaneohe, Hawaii and the second Aloha State native to join the Siena Hall, Akana was the 2010 MAAC Rookie of the Year, a three-time First Team All-MAAC selection (2011-13), and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree (2012-13). The 2012-13 Siena Female Student Athlete of the Year currently ranks second in program history in kills (1,700), kills per-set (3.90), Points (1,876.5), and points per-set (3.14).
Doremus Bennerman '22, Men's Basketball (1990-94)
One of only two Siena men's basketball players with over 2,000 career points, Bennerman ranks second all-time with 2,109 points. The 1994 Most Valuable Player of the 1994 NIT led Siena to the Semifinals at Madison Square Garden and amassed 174 points over five-games, including a school-record 51 points in the third-place game against Kansas State. The Stratford, Connecticut native was the 1993-94 MAAC Player of the Year, twice named a First Team All-MAAC selection during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, was a 1993 USBWA District 2 All-Region and 1994 NABC and USBWA District 2 selection. Bennerman still holds the program's single-season scoring record (858 points during the 1993-94 season), as well as the all-time (579) and single-season (248) records for free throws made and single-season mark for three-pointers made. As a first-ballot hall of fame selection (eligible upon graduation), he joins three former players and his coach – Mike Deane, HOF '12 - in enshrinement. Bennerman enjoyed a successful professional playing career from 1994-2008, most notably in Sweden, where he resides.
Brett Bisping '17, Men's Basketball (2012-17)
A first-ballot hall of fame selection, Bisping led Siena Men's Basketball to the 2014 CBI Championship, and was named the tournament MVP in the school's second national postseason title in any sport. The Peoria, Illinois native was a First Team All-MAAC selection during the 2015-16 season, a Second Team honoree for the 2016-17 campaign, and a two-time NABC All-District honoree, with First Team honors in 2015-16. The 2015-16 Siena Male Student Athlete of the Year, Bisping ranks 11
th all-time with 1,528 career points and fourth with 1,024 rebounds, remaining as the only player in program history to eclipse 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. The MAAC's leading rebounder in each of his final two seasons, he was a 2017 Senior CLASS Award Candidate, a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree and a 2016 1-AAA ADA Scholar Athlete selection, while helping the team reach the 2017 MAAC Championship Game. He joins teammate Marquis Wright '17 as part of this year's class, and played professionally in Japan following graduation.
Molly Chamberlain '11, Swimming & Diving and Water Polo (2007-11)
Siena Swimming & Diving's third honoree and the first hall of famer in school history to play water polo, Chamberlain holds school records in six different swimming events, including the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, and as part of the 200 free relay, 400 free relay, and 200 medley relay. She is aboard the Program's All-Time Top Ten Performers list in five different events, and was part of the 2010 MAAC Champion 200 medley relay team. Named the Team MVP following the 2009-10 season, she was a team captain her senior year. The Kingston, Pennsylvania native also played 107 matches with Siena Water Polo, and currently ranks fourth in program history in both shot percentage (.452) and steals (143). She joins teammate Brittany Pavolko '11, HOF '18 in enshrinement.
Justin Cleveland '99, Football (1995-98)
The seventh Siena Football member in the hall of fame, Cleveland anchored an offensive line at center for all four seasons that paved the way for former NCAA I-AA all-time leading rusher Reggie Greene '98, HOF '04. The Brant Lake, New York native went from never playing football in high school to a three-time All-MAAC selection, including First Team nods in 1997 and 1998. A two-time team captain, Cleveland was an All-ECAC selection in 1997 and two-time Siena Offensive Lineman of the Year, while helping the team rank ninth nationally in I-AA with 251.1 rushing yards per-game in 1997. He went on to enjoy a ten-year professional playing career which included stints in the Italian League and Arena Football, qualifying for the playoffs nine times and winning ArenaBowl XXI in 2008 with the Philadelphia Soul.
Colin Clive '14, Men's Lacrosse (2011-14)
A key cog on Siena Men's Lacrosse teams that advanced to MAAC championship games in all four years, Clive's collegiate career was bookended by MAAC titles in 2011 and 2014. The 2011 MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, the Massapequa, New York native took home a pair of All-MAAC honors, including a First Team nod in 2013. A 2014 Senior CLASS Award candidate, he is currently tied for fifth all-time in program history in goals (115), and is 13
th in points (143). The 12
th men's lacrosse member of the Siena Hall,
Clive passed away on July 3, 2023 at the age of just 31 following a courageous five-year battle with brain cancer.
Tehresa (Coles) Massena '14, Women's Basketball (2011-15)
One of now 17 Siena Women's Basketball hall of fame members alongside teammate Kollyns Scarbrough '18, the former Coles was the 2014-15 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, the Siena Female Student Athlete of the Year for that season, and also was the MAAC Nominee for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year award. A Loudonville native and star at Colonie Central High School, she was selected as the 2019 Siena female inductee into the MAAC Hall of Fame Honor Roll after finishing as one of just four players in MAAC history to eclipse 1,000 points, 500 points, 300 steals, and 250 assists over a career. The program's all-time leader in both career (308) and single-season (98) steals currently ranks 16
th in scoring with 1,199 points and was a Second Team All-MAAC selection after leading the Saints to the WBI Championship Game during the 2014-15 season.
Joe Drpich '18, Baseball (2015-18)
Making up one of 20 Siena Baseball members in the hall of fame and a first-ballot selection, Drpich was consistently awarded throughout his collegiate career, beginning with winning MAAC Rookie of the Year and earning Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors in 2015. A native of South Salem, New York, he was a First Team ABCA/Rawlings All-Region selection, ECAC All-Star, and the Siena Male Student Athlete of the Year in 2017, while capping off a run of four straight All-MAAC honors, including First Team nods in 2015 and 2017. Drpich currently ranks inside the program's top-ten in six different offensive categories, recording 224 hits over four seasons and helping the Saints to the 2015 MAAC Championship Series.
Shannon Jones '13, Softball (2010-13)
The first full-time Siena Softball player selected to the hall and one of two in the current class alongside teammate Jessika-Jo (Sandrini) Tatum, Jones finished as arguably the greatest hitter in program history. Honored as the MAAC Co-Player of the Year in 2012, she took home NFCA Second Team All-Region and First Team ECAC All-Star honors that year. The Troy, New York native and Troy High School star helped the Saints to their only MAAC Regular Season Title to-date in 2013, and completed a string of four straight All-MAAC honors, including three First Team nods. Jones graduated as the program's all-time career leader in batting average (.387), hits (229), runs scored (135), doubles (51 – currently second), RBI's (154), total bases (388) and slugging percentage (.655), as well as second in home runs (34). She is still the single-season leader in runs (46 in 2012), home runs (14 in 2012), total bases (127 in 2012), and slugging percentage (.836 in 2012), as well as second in hits (66 in 2012). The 2011-12 Siena Female Student Athlete of the Year, Jones is also currently top-ten in MAAC history in four offensive categories, including fourth all-time in doubles and RBI's.
Dan Paolini '17, Baseball (2009-11)
A first-ballot selection and one of 20 Siena Baseball hall inductees to-date, Paolini took home All-American honors in each of his three seasons in Loudonville, earning College Baseball Insider Honorable Mention and ABCA Third Team All-America honors in 2011 and Collegiate Baseball Second Team honors in 2010. The Stratford, Connecticut product was a 2011 ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Northeast Region selection, a two-time MAAC Player of the Year (2010 & 2011), the 2009 MAAC Rookie of the Year and ECAC Rookie the Year, as well as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American selection. A three-time All-MAAC selection with First Team nods in 2010 and 2011, Paolini remains the MAAC's home run king with 56 career long balls and 26 during the 2010 season. He is also the program leader in career batting average (.380) and also still holds the single-season records for hits (86 in 2009), runs (62 in 2010), RBI's (67 in 2011), and total bases (137 in 2010), as well as still ranking third in MAAC history in average and seventh in RBI's. Paolini was drafted in the tenth round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners and played six seasons of professional ball, reaching as high as AAA in 2015.
Jessika-Jo (Sandrini) Tatum '14, Softball (2011-14)
One of two full-time and four total Siena Softball members of the hall of fame, the former Sandrini was arguably one of the best two-way players in both Siena and MAAC history, taking home the 2013-14 Siena Female Student Athlete of the Year honor and three First Team All-MAAC nods – twice as a hitter (2012, 2013), and once as a pitcher (2014). The Adna, Washington native was also a Second Team All-MAAC pitcher twice in 2012 and 2013, a Second Team ECAC All-Star in 2012, and the 2014 College Sports Madness MAAC Pitcher of the Year. Sandrini is Siena's all-time leader in wins (56), strikeouts (488), and complete games (68), and is tied for first in shutouts (11), and fifth in ERA (2.91). She still owns single-season pitching records for wins (20 – also second with 15), strikeouts (164), and shutouts (5). As a hitter, Sandrini ranks second in on-base percentage (.473 – graduated first), and in runs (116), tied for third in hits (188 – graduated tied for second), third in average (.357 – graduated second) and doubles (40 – graduated second), fourth in total bases (285) and walks (64), fifth in RBI (107) and slugging percentage (.542), and tied for eighth in home runs (17). She was a key component on Siena's only MAAC Regular Season Championship team to-date in 2013.
Kollyns Scarbrough '18, Women's Basketball (2014-18)
A first-ballot selection and enshrined in the current class alongside teammate Tehresa (Coles) Massena '14, Scarbrough was a First Team All-MAAC selection following the 2014-15 season and a two-time Second Team Honoree. The Jamaica, New York product was the 2018 MAAC Nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award and finished her career ranked eighth all-time in points (1,515) and seventh in rebounding (733). The program record-holder in minutes played (3,768), she led the Saints in scoring during the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons, and was an integral part of Siena's run to the 2015 WBI Championship Game.
Tara Sobierajski '17, Women's Soccer (2013-16)
A first-ballot selection and one of five Siena Women's Soccer hall of fame inductees alongside current class honoree Kristen (Turner) Salamone '07, Sobierajski was the 2016 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time Siena Female Student Athlete of the Year following the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. The native of Rockaway, New Jersey earned a pair of United Soccer Coaches All-East Region selections in 2015 (Third Team) and 2016 (Second Team), two ECAC All-Star selections in 2015 (First Team) and 2016 (Second Team), and a four-time All-MAAC honoree, including First Team nods in each of her final three seasons. The program's all-time assists leader (23) also has the most matches started (82) and third in career matches played (82). Sobierajski was part of Siena's 2015 Cinderella MAAC Championship team that won the title as a No. 6 seed. She ranked top-three on the team in scoring as a defender in three of four seasons and never missed a game in four years.
Kristen (Turner) Salamone '07, Women's Soccer (2003-06)
One of the top scoring threats in program history, the former Turner was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and a Third Team United Soccer Coaches All-East Region selection following her senior season in 2006. The two-time First Team All-MAAC selection (2004, 2006) made Second Team in 2005 and was selected to the MAAC All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2003. A native of Wappingers Falls, New York, she currently ranks second in program history in career points (87), goals (35) and game-winning goals (13), as well as tied for seventh in career assists (17). One of five hall of fame members for her sport, Turner joins teammate Noel Cox '06, HOF '11 in enshrinement.
Edwin Ubiles '18, Men's Basketball (2006-10)
Part of three MAAC Championship teams, five NCAA Tournament games, and a pair of First Round victories, Ubiles ranks third all-time in scoring (1,939) and tenth in steals (157). The Poughkeepsie, New York product earned a spot on the 2010 Lou Henson All-America Team, was a three-time NABC District 1 selection from 2008-10, and two-time First Team All-MAAC choice in 2009 and 2010. The 2007 MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year scored in double-figures during 106 of 131 career games, and was part of the winningest class in program history with 97 victories. A first-ballot selection joining teammates Kenny Hasbrouck '09, HOF '14, Alex Franklin '10, HOF '15, Ryan Rossiter '11, HOF '16, Ronald Moore '12, HOF '17, and coach Fran McCaffery HOF '17 in enshrinement, he became the first Siena Men's Basketball player to appear in an NBA game on March 21, 2012, doing so for the Washington Wizards, and played professionally from 2011-19.
Marquis Wright '17, Men's Basketball (2013-17)
Inducted alongside teammate Brett Bisping '17, Wright stands as one of only three players all-time to rank inside the program's top-ten in points and assists – alongside hall of famers Marc Brown '91, HOF '98 and Doremus Bennerman '22, HOF '23. The Waldorf, Maryland native is currently tenth with 1,546 points and third with 614 assists, and fifth with 199 steals. A 2017 NABC Second Team and 2017 MAAC Second Team selection, he was named to the 2014 Kyle Macy Freshman American Team and was the 2013-14 Siena Male Rookie of the Year. Wright led the team in scoring his senior season, in assists three out of four years, and helped the Saints capture the 2014 CBI title for the school's second national postseason title, as well as advance to the 2017 MAAC Championship Game. He has enjoyed a successful international professional playing career since graduation.
