Fitchburg State University Inducts Six into 2018 Hall of Fame

Fitchburg State University Inducts Six into 2018 Hall of Fame

Fitchburg, Mass. – Fitchburg State University added six new members to the Athletics Hall of Fame on September 30th at the Hall of Fame banquet held in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge as part of Homecoming Weekend.

The Class of 2012 has a pair of honorees in Christopher Kibler (track and field) and Matthew Muolo (track and field). Also honored were field hockey player Beth A. (Long) Deneen ('85), track and field star Debra A. Cassinelli ('84), men's head soccer coach and longtime assistant ice hockey coach Malcolm J. MacPherson and the 1957 men's soccer team.

The Hall of Fame is composed of former student athletes, coaches, teams, and individuals who made outstanding contributions to athletics at Fitchburg State University. Nominations are made in the categories of Outstanding Student Athlete, Outstanding Contributor and Outstanding Team. Every two years, alumni are selected from the pool of candidates for induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Christopher M. Kibler '12, '15 – Men's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field and Cross Country

Kibler holds the Men's Indoor Track school records in the mile (4:07.29), the 3,000 meter (8:28.97) and the 5,000 meter (14:44.01), while also holding the Men's Outdoor Track school record in the 1,500 meter with a time of 3:56.30. He garnered All-American accolades at the 2014 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field National Championships in the mile as well as holding the MASCAC Championship Meet records in the 3,000 meter and 5,000 meter. Chris also holds the New England Alliance Indoor Championship record in the 10,000 meter.

Chris graduated magna cum laude from Fitchburg State in 2012, earning his bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He was awarded his M.B.A. in management from Fitchburg State in 2015.

Matthew Muolo '12 – Men's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field

Muolo holds the Men's Indoor Track school record in the shot put with a toss of 15.59 meters, and the Men's Outdoor Track records in the shot put (15.03m) and discus (51.93m), along with the MASCAC Championship meet record in the weight throw (60.4m). Matt earned All-American honors at the 2012 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field National Championships in the weight throw.

Beth A. (Long) Deneen '85 – Field Hockey & Softball

Deneen, a solid defensive player for the field hockey team, totaled 53 points on 23 goals and seven assists in 65 career games. As a freshman she helped the Falcons achieve a 15-3-3 record and was named MVP her junior and senior years. During her time on the Fitchburg State Softball Team, Beth batted .604 (29-for-48) with nine runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, two stolen bases and 11 RBI. In addition, Beth was also a 4x Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) First-Team All-Conference selection as well as a 3x North East Field Hockey Association (NEFHA) honoree.

As a student, Beth devoted time off the field to promote greater equality for women's athletics serving two years as president of the university's Women's Athletics Association. She also served on the formation committee for the Fitchburg State Athletics Hall of Fame and was instrumental in planning its inaugural event in 1994.

Debra A. Cassinelli '84 – Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field and Cross Country

Cassinelli set the Women's Indoor Track school records in the 3,000 meter (10:29.5), the 5,000 meter (17:46.97) and the two mile (11:36.50) as well as holding the Women's Outdoor Track school record in the 10,000 meter with a time of 37:30.7. Debra also earned All-American honors at the 1982 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in the 10,000 meter.

Malcolm J. MacPherson – Head Men's Soccer Coach (1983-1991) & Assistant/Associate Head Ice Hockey Coach (1989-2017)

MacPherson led the Men's Soccer Team to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Championship Tournament in 1988 and 1989 and 3 ECAC tournament appearances, while holding the Men's Soccer all-time school record for coaching wins (108) and winning percentage (.717). In 1987, Malcolm was named MASCAC Coach of the Year.

In addition, Malcolm joined the Fitchburg State Ice Hockey coaching staff during the 1989-90 season as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach prior to the 1997-98 season, where he remained on the bench until retiring following the 2016-17 season. He assisted in 383 of the program's wins, including 27 postseason appearances and 6 tournament championships.

1957 Men's Soccer Team

The 1957 Men's Soccer Team, coached by Athletic Director Robert G. Elliot, concluded the season with an overall record of 7-2 and a 7-1 mark in conference play, capping the season with a 1-0 victory over Bridgewater Teachers College to capture the program's first ever New England Teachers College Conference (NETCC) Championship after nearly accomplishing the feat one season earlier. A hard fought win, the team overcame a number of key injuries throughout the season, to beat an otherwise undefeated Bridgewater in the 4th period. Charlie Campbell scoring the winning goal.

Members of the 1957 Fitchburg Teachers College Men's Soccer Team:

David W. Allan '60; Leo R. Bachant '59; John A. Bicknell '58; Charles H. Campbell '59; Peter Cariglia '60; Thomas J. Collins '59; Louis E. Daniels '67, '74; James A. Fotopulos '58, '65; Eugene S. Graveline '58; Gordon W. Haggerty '58, '90; Brenton P. Hardy '59; James C. Hopkins '59; Robert Joensuu; Emile S. Johnson, Jr. '61; Frank S. Lentine '60, '63; Francis M. Marcille '60; Paul Marcille; John W. McDermott '58; James P. McDonnell '58; Ronald N. Normand '60; Robert Reed '60; Rolland Rochon '59; William E. Sanderson '59; James A. Sweeney '60; Charles W. Tardanico '71; Charles A. Vars '60; John P. Walsh '58 (co-captain); William J. Walsh '61; Robert G. Wills '58 (co-captain); Frank W. Worthley '60, '75; and Harry Zeroogian '59

Photo Credit :  Jennifer A. Gyles