The Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame UConn Hall of Fame pays tribute to athletes from Fairfield County who went on to stellar careers at UConn, Connecticut’s state university. Former UConn athletes are inducted each year during a reception, which is open to the public. On Saturday, May 12, 2007, the inaugural UConn Fall of Fame inductions took place.
“Taking the next step in expanding our Hall of Fame to include UConn athletes was a natural progression with the Hall being houses at UConn Stamford,” said Tom Chiappetta, executive director of the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame & Youth Foundation, Inc., which oversees the FC Sports Hall of Fame. “We have identified hundreds of athletes from the county that went on to outstanding achievement at UConn, and we will now recognize them here on their home turf.”
The UConn Hall of Fame is housed at the UConn Stamford Campus.
Hirsch played four seasons with the Huskies from 1996-99. She was a standout infielder, primarily as a second baseman. The Stamford High graduate was an All-BigEast and All-ECAC selection as a senior. Hirsch is in the UConn career record book in several different categories including sixth in triples (13), ninth in singles (139), ninth in assists (314) and 12th in runs scored (96). After being an All-State selection and batting .578 her senior year in high school, she was the recipient of the Allyson Rioux Award as the top female student athlete in Stamford. The award is named after Rioux, who was just named as one of the 2013 inductees to the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame.
McKay was a four-year starter for the Huskies from 1979-82. He averaged double figures in each of those seasons, including a career-high 16.7 as a sophomore that led the team. The 6-5 guard/forward also led the team in scoring as a senior at 14.3. The Harding High graduate concluded his outstanding career with 1,633 points and is 12th on the school’s all-time scoring list, after being in the fourth spot when he finished his career. McKay is fourth on the all-time list of games in double figures with 91, tied with Ray Allen. Drafted by the Utah Jazz in the fifth round of the 1982 NBA draft, he played in one NCAA tournament and three NITs.
Penders, who is the father of the current UConn baseball coach, also named Jim, was a co-captain second baseman for the 1965 team that reached the College World Series. Penders, who played three years for the Huskies, scored the winning run against Holy Cross in the ’65 New England Championship game played at Fenway Park that sent the Huskies to the field of eight in Omaha. He missed the 1963 season in overcoming a life-threatening beaning and became the first college player to wear a double-ear flapped helmet after suffering a fractured skull when he was struck by a pitch at the left temple.
Equale played four seasons for the Huskies hockey team and was one of the school’s all-time great offensive performers. When he finished his career in 1996, he was near the top of the UConn record book in goals (79, 3rd all-time), assists (109, 2nd) and points (188, 3rd). Captain of the squad his senior year, Equale earned first-team All-American honors and led the NCAA in points and assists per game. An All-FCIAC center at Wilton High, he went on to play four years of professional minor league hockey.
Murano was a three-year varsity starter at middle linebacker from 1950-52. His senior year he was a co-captain and helped lead the Huskies to their first ever Yankee Conference championship. He led the team in tackles and interceptions and was named first team All-Yankee Conference and honorable mention Little All-American. In 2003, Murano was selected to represent UConn’s 1950’s era former players at the opening of Rentschler Field. As a junior at Greenwich High in 1946, he was a center and middle linebacker as the school won its first ever state football title.
Ross was one of the top soccer goalkeepers in UConn history. As a sophomore in 1976, the Brien McMahon of Norwalk graduate turned in one of the greatest seasons ever in net for the Huskies. The team went 18-2-2 with Ross recording all the victories, including 14 by shutout with a 0.50 goals against average that earned him All-Yankee Conference honors. His junior year never got off the ground as he sustained a serious neck injury at the start of the season and missed the entire campaign. He captained the 1978 team and still holds school records for the lowest career GAA (0.35), fewest goals allowed (14) and fewest losses (3).
Vorvis was a four-year letterman for the women’s tennis team from the 1997-98 season thru 2000-01. She was one of the top six players as a freshman and played in the #1, 2 or 3 singles positions the rest of her career. Vorvis also was part of the top doubles tandems for the Huskies. She reached the New England finals in both singles and doubles as a junior. Her senior season was highlighted by being named captain and also earning the first full scholarship for the women’s tennis program. At Fairfield High she went 18-3 as a senior and also was a starting guard for the school’s FCIAC championship basketball team.
Fagan played four seasons (1991-94) at UConn and ranks in the top 10 all time in nine categories, including career at bats (680, 4th) games (207, tied for 5th), and hits (201, 8th). In 1993 as the starting shortstop, she was a key player in the Huskies’ best ever season, which produced a school-record 45 wins, both Big East regular season and tourney titles and a fifth place finish in UConn’s only trip to the College World Series. Now living in Milford, the Norwalk High graduate was a co-captain her senior year, had a career .296 batting average, was a three-time All-Big East performer and was twice named All-New England.
Hutchings was one the top defensemen in the history of the Husky hockey program. He never missed a game as a four-year letterman (1977-80), and ended his career as the top scoring defenseman in school history with 50 goals, 52 assists and 102 points. Hutchings, who still resides in Ridgefield, captained the 1980 team and was a scholar/athlete award winner that year. The former Ridgefield High hockey standout coached at his alma mater as an assistant and head coach for 12 years.
Mulcahy was a four-year starter (2000-03) on the defensive line and was a captain for the 2003 team. Despite nagging injuries, he played in 37 consecutive games. His senior year he had 5 sacks as UConn went 9-3, with that season beginning its run of success at the Division I level. The Staples High alum and Stamford resident was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns, and spent time in training camps and exhibition seasons for six different NFL teams from 2003-07, and also with NFL Europe squads.
Murphy was a four-year performer (1976-79) and led the Huskies to three NCAA tourney appearances. A hard-nosed midfielder, the Staples High graduate captained the 1979 team. He was a two-time All New England selection and three times All-Yankee Conference. Murphy, who was twice named all-state as a scholastic star, played two years professionally in the North American Soccer League before a knee injury ended his career. He is currently in his third year as head soccer coach at Connecticut College.
Schmidt, a 1978 UConn graduate, only swam for the Huskies for two seasons, but she became one of the program’s first to receive national recognition. As a sophomore in 1975-76, she earned two-time All-American status by posting national rankings in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events, breaking the national women’s record time in the 50. She was the team’s MVP that season and led UConn to a 24th place finish at the 140-team national meet. The Stamford High grad was later honored as one of the first inductees into the UConn Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame. As a high school swimmer, she competed in the 1972 U.S. Olympic trials in the 100 free.
Staak, a 6-foot-2 guard/forward, started for three seasons (1968-69, 69-70, 70-71) for the Huskies. The Darien High product averaged 18.1 points per game in his career, tied for 6th best in school history, and finished with 1,288 total points, the fourth-best total in UConn history at the time. Staak is currently 25th on the all-time Husky scoring list, and is one of only 14 players to average better than 20 points per game in a season (20.9 in 70-71). [br][br]After his playing career ended, Staak became an assistant to UConn Coach Dee Rowe for two seasons (72-73, 73-74). That launched a highly successful collegiate and pro basketball coaching career, which included six years as head man at Xavier University and four more at Wake Forest. He was also a longtime NBA assistant and is now a scout for the Orlando Magic. Staak was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
All-time leading boys’ basketball scorer (2,301) in city of Stamford history. Played 132 games in 4 seasons (1996-99), 5th all-time. As sophomore starter in all 31 games, averaged 13 points per game.Played key role in 3 Big East championships, including All-Tourney as Jr.
Nationally honored high school player at Brien McMahon (Norwalk). Led Mitchell Jr. College to 3rd place finish nationally, JC All-American (1995). Three-year performer at point guard (1996-98). Co-captain as senior, led team in both assists and steals. Big East Tournament Outstanding Player, 2nd team All-Big East (1998). 7th all-time in school history in steals (248), third best single season total (108)
One of Stratford High’s greatest all-around athletes. Two-sport standout for the Huskies in baseball and basketball (1964-67). Centerfielder in baseball, point guard who led his teams to 59-16 record. Played in both NCAA basketball tourney & College World Series (1965). As senior, only player in school history to captain both baseball/basketball teams. UConn athletics’ Red O’Neil Award winner for lifetime achievement (2001). One of top college basketball coaches in country with over 620 wins at 7 schools.
All-State running back at Trumbull High (1977). One of most versatile offensive players in school history (1979-82). Ranks 2nd in career all purpose yards (4,813), #1 single season mark in ‘81. Is in top 3 all-time in 7 punt return categories, ranks # 1 with 99 returns. Is #2 with 57 kickoff returns and 3rd in net yards. In Top 10 all-time for carries and net yards as running back, also was wide out.
Giaquinto was a running back for the Huskies for two seasons (1975-76), and still holds the school record for rushing yards in a game with 277 versus Holy Cross in his final game in a UConn uniform. He also is tied for the school mark for longest kickoff return (100 yards) for a touchdown. The Stratford High graduate spent four years in the NFL (1980-83), and is the only UConn player to own a Super Bowl ring as he was a member of the winning Washington Redskins’ team in Super Bowl XVII over Miami, where he started his pro football career with the Dolphins. Giaquinto just completed his 19th season as head baseball coach at Sacred Heart University.
Paul Hunter was a hard-nosed defender for three seasons on the UConn men’s soccer teams of the mid-70’s that built the foundation for one of the Huskies’ most successful athletic programs. Hunter, a Staples High graduate, was a two-time All-American (1975 & 76) and was also twice named the recipient of the Squires Award, which goes to the Husky voted the consummate team player. Hunter captained the 1976 squad, and then played professionally in the North American Soccer League from 1977 to1981, including a stint with the legendary New York Cosmos as a rookie in ‘77.
Tim Hunter left large footsteps for his brother to follow as he started the Hunter family legacy at UConn by earning All-American honors twice (1972 & 74) and being the captain of the 1974 side. A three-year letterman, Tim was a speedy, left-footed goal scorer, who is still in the top 20 all-time school scoring list with 22 goals and 20 assists for 64 points. The elder Hunter, whose four assists in one game is still tied for a school record, also played professionally for three seasons. [br][br]Both Hunters were elected to the Connecticut State Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.
Smith is still the all-time leading scorer in UConn men’s basketball history with 2,145 points. The former Kolbe-Cathedral High graduate was the first key in-state recruit for Coach Jim Calhoun, and was one of the catalysts of UConn’s subsequent incredible success run, startingwith the Huskies’ first Big East Tournament championship in 1990. As a sophomore that year, Smith was named MVP of the Big East tourney.
The Buckley twin sisters set the foundation for one of UConn’s most successful sports programs—women’s soccer. The Trumbull High grads played four seasons (1980-83) when the program had just been formed and their accomplishments are still the standards for players today. As a sweeper-back, Tara is the only four-time All-American in UConn women’s soccer history and Moira is still the all-time leading points and goal scorer with 166 points on 63 goals and 40 assists.
The Buckley twin sisters set the foundation for one of UConn’s most successful sports programs—women’s soccer. The Trumbull High grads played four seasons (1980-83) when the program had just been formed and their accomplishments are still the standards for players today. As a sweeper-back, Tara is the only four-time All-American in UConn women’s soccer history and Moira is still the all-time leading points and goal scorer with 166 points on 63 goals and 40 assists.
Usher’s UConn ties are long and unique in that he was not only a star athlete, but a successful assistant coach and is now a UConn administrator. Usher, a Stamford High alum and former head football coach at Rippowam High in Stamford, was a three-year letter winner in football at Storrs from 1971-73, and was a starting linebacker on the Husky squad that won the ’73 Yankee Conference championship with an 8-2-1 record. He also spent eight years as the school’s defensive coordinator (’82-’89). He presently is associate director of admissions at UConn.