Hofstra Athletics Names 2023 Hall Of Fame Inductees

HEMPSTEAD, NY — The Hofstra University Department of Athletics announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The class consists of five individuals who will be inducted at the 2023 Hofstra Pride Athletics Hall of Fame and Golf Outing, which will take place in June.

The class includes: Willie Colon (football), Olivia Galati (softball), Doni Jantzen (Homenick) (field hockey), Tom Ryan (wrestling coach) and Vinnie Sombrotto (men's lacrosse).

"We are very excited for the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023," said Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole, Jr. "This class is another outstanding group that represents the best of Hofstra Athletics. I know I speak for everyone at Hofstra when I say that we are looking forward to a great night celebrating these five tremendous individuals on June 26."

With this class, the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame will include 126 individuals and nine teams.

The Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is:

Willie Colon — A football student-athlete from 2002 to 2005 and team captain as a senior, Colon was a standout offensive lineman for the Pride. A two-time All-Atlantic 10 selection, Colon had a breakout season as a senior that saw him earn First Team All-America honors from the Associated Press, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and the American Football Coaches Association. He also picked up Third Team All-America accolades from The Sports Network and Football Gazette. In addition, Colon was named to the All-ECAC team following his final season as well. Colon was a fourth round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2006 NFL Draft and played six seasons for the team. He helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII and started 62 regular season games and four playoff games for Pittsburgh over his six seasons, including three consecutive seasons of starting all 16 games. In 2013, the Bronx native returned home after signing with the New York Jets. He started 38 games over his three seasons with the team before retiring following the 2015 season.

Olivia Galati — A softball student-athlete from 2010 to 2013, Galati finished her Pride career as one of the most decorated student-athletes in Hofstra history. A pitcher, Galati was a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American and was Hofstra's first First Team selection in 2012. A four-time Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year, she was also named First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association in each of her four seasons. In addition, Galati garnered four NFCA All-Northeast Region nods. She was a standout in the classroom as well, earning Academic All-America recognition as a senior. Galati helped the Pride win three CAA Championships during her tenure and was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player all three times. In addition, she was part of three NCAA Tournament teams, including the program's first-ever super regional appearance in 2012. Galati, who had her No. 2 jersey retired in 2017, holds nearly every pitching record at Hofstra, as she tops the record book in total appearances (183), starts (159), innings pitched (1,092.2), wins (129), strikeouts (1,495), and no-hitters (12). She also holds the top three single-season strikeout marks and four out of the top five. Galati led the nation in ERA as a junior at 0.95. Within the CAA, Galati holds the conference record for career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. An accomplished hitter, Galati also batted .311 for her career with 27 doubles, nine home runs, and 85 RBIs. Following her senior season, Galati was picked second overall by the New York/New Jersey Comets in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft. She won the NPF Championship in 2014 with USSSA Pride.

Doni Jantzen (Homenick) — A field hockey student-athlete from 2003 to 2006, Jantzen played in 79 games during her four seasons. A forward/midfielder, she totaled 48 points on 18 goals and 12 assists during her tenure and helped lead Hofstra to three Colonial Athletic Association Championship appearances. Jantzen was an STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Third Team All-American in 2004 and 2005, and was a three-time NFHCA All-Mid-East Region honoree. She earned All-CAA First Team honors in 2004 and 2005, and was selected to the All-CAA Second Team in 2006. Jantzen represented Hofstra on the 2006 NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Team, and she was named to the NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2022, Jantzen was named to the U.S. Women's Over-35 roster for the World Masters Hockey World Cup and scored one goal to help the United States place fifth out of 12 teams.

Tom Ryan — Hofstra's wrestling coach from 1995 to 2006, Ryan revitalized the Pride's program during his highly-successful tenure. He compiled a dual meet record of 109-82-2 over his 11 seasons and ranks second on Hofstra's all-time wins list. An eight-time conference coach of the year, Ryan won six consecutive conference titles between 2001 and 2006, with one East Coast Wrestling Association title and five Colonial Athletic Association championships. The Pride also had a 47-match league unbeaten streak (46-0-1) over those six seasons. He coached 65 NCAA qualifiers and produced 11 All-America honorees, including Hofstra Athletics Hall of Famers Eric Schmiesing (twice) and Jon Masa (three times). He also coached Chris Weidman, Roman Fleszar (twice), Mike Patrovich, and Chris Skretkowicz (twice) to spots on the NCAA medal stand. As a team, Hofstra placed in the top 25 at the NCAA Championships six times, including an 11th-place showing in 2006, and was 26th one other year. Ryan was also a two-time New York State Coach of the Year and led Hofstra to two New York State championships and two runner-up finishes. Ryan has coached at Ohio State since 2007 and has led the Buckeyes to the 2015 National Championship and five NCAA runner-up finishes.

Vinnie Sombrotto — A men's lacrosse student-athlete from 1979 to 1980, Sombrotto was a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Second Team All-American selection at midfield in 1980 after scoring 37 goals and 17 assists. The 37 goals are the 16th-highest single season total in program history and the 54 points rank 25th on the single season list. He also served as team co-captain that season. Following his collegiate career, Sombrotto represented the United States on four World Lacrosse Championship teams (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994), winning the gold medal each time. He was a two-time Team USA captain and was named to the 1982 All-World Team. Sombrotto also enjoyed an illustrious career as a club player for Long Island-Hofstra, winning 10 U.S. Club National Championships and three National Club Player of the Year honors. A 15-time All-Club selection, he also earned Newsday All-Century Team accolades and is a Krongard Award recipient, the highest honor in club lacrosse. Sombrotto also played professional lacrosse for the New York Saints and Long Island Lizards, and served as an assistant coach for the Lizards before a one-year stint as head coach in 2004.