Manhattan College Athletics is pleased to announce the induction of seven individuals and two Jasper teams into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. The seven individuals are George Beamon '13 (Men's Basketball), Heather Marshak Gelb '00 (Softball), William Lanigan '69 (Speed skating), Kevin Leighton (Baseball Coach, 2006-2011), Lisa Margiotta '96 (Women's Soccer), John Rothrock '72 (Track & Field), and Cara Rostant '13 (Track & Field), joined by the 2004 Men's Track and Field Team and the 1971 Men's Rowing Team.
"It is a privilege to oversee the selection process, and I am excited to celebrate the accomplishments of these esteemed athletes and teams at our induction ceremony in November," said Lou Calvelli, director of Alumni Relations at Manhattan College. "We acknowledge their achievements and the enduring spirit of the Manhattan College Community. Their dedication, resilience, and passion inspire us all."
"We couldn't be more proud to call them members of our Manhattan College family and now in our Athletics Hall of Fame," said Athletics Director Irma Garcia.
George Beamon '13 (Men's Basketball) - Beamon was a standout player on hardwood for the Jaspers who finished his five-year career (2009-2014) with 1,843 points, fourth most in program history. In his junior year of 2011-12, Beamon ranked 24th in the country averaging 19 points per game and exceeded the 1,000-point mark that same season. Having averaged 15.4 points per game for his career, Beamon was a two-time All-MAAC First Team honoree and was once named to the All-MAAC Second Team. In the 2014 MAAC Championship Game win over Iona, Beamon led Manhattan with 16 points and eight rebounds to be named Most Outstanding Player.
Heather Marshak Gelb '00 (Softball) - Nicknamed "Heat", Heather Marshak was a standout right-handed pitcher on the Manhattan Softball team from 1997-2000. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1999 MAAC Softball Tournament after she led the no. 4-seeded Jaspers to the title and an NCAA Tournament bid. Marshak went 3-1 in the tournament to clinch the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance in a different sport outside of basketball and track & field. She ranks no. 13 all time in career strikeouts in the MAAC with 255 punchouts to her name.
William Lanigan '69 (Speed skating) - Although Manhattan didn't field a speedskating team, William Lanigan can be considered one of the most unique athletic figures in the school's history. A physical education major, Lanigan sharpened his speed skating skills locally at Van Cortlandt Park Lake, where he learned the sport himself during an era where there were no coaches for speed skating. Lanigan went on to win 17 National, North American, or U.S. Open Championships, setting more than 40 records in the process. Lanigan twice represented the United States in the Winter Olympic Games.
Kevin Leighton (Baseball Coach, 2006-2011) - During his Manhattan tenure, Kevin Leighton led Manhattan Baseball to two NCAA Tournament appearances, in addition to winning two MAAC Tournament Championships and another pair of regular season titles. Most notably, in 2006, Leighton's Manhattan squad beat #6 Nebraska in an NCAA Regional Game on the Cornhuskers' home field in Lincoln.
Lisa Margiotta '96 (Women's Soccer) - Margiotta's career ranks among the all-time greats in the history of the Manhattan College Women's Soccer program. She places third all-time in career goals, assistants, and all-time points. In her first two years as a Jasper, Margiotta led Manhattan to MAAC Tournament appearances.
John Rothrock '72 (Track & Field) - Known as "Jaz" to his teammates, Rothrock is regarded as one of the great distance runners to have graced the Manhattan College campus. Included in his many accomplishments, Rothrock was a multiple Met Champion, an IC4A Champion, and a National Champion. Rothrock was also a National AAU All American, an NCAA Division 1 All American and was named three times to the IC4A All East Track and Field team. During his track career at Manhattan, Rothrock set 5 new school records. Rothrock was part of the two-mile relay team, along with John Lovett, Mike Gaertner, and Cliff Bruce, that posted a time of 7:27.6 at the 1972 Philadelphia Track Classic which still stands as a program record today, over 52 years later. Rothrock was team captain of both the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams in his senior year. Rothrock was also selected to be a member of the USA Track and Field Team that competed against Russia in a friendly dual meet leading up to the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Cara Rostant '13 (Track & Field) - Rostant was a prolific sprinter at Manhattan who showcased her skills in the 200m, 300m, and 400m. Rostant was the champion in the 400m (56.46 seconds) at the 2012-13 MAAC Indoor Championships. She was a perennial power at MAACs, winning four medals at the 2012 MAAC Outdoor Championships, including first-place honors in the 200m (24.61) and the 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter relays. In total, Rostant won four MAAC Championships in the 200m and another pair of titles in the 400m which highlight her decorated career.
2004 Men's Track & Field - This track and field squad won just about everything they competed in, carrying several designations: Indoor & Outdoor Metropolitan Championships, Indoor & Outdoor MAAC Champions, and Indoor IC4A Champions. Additionally, Manhattan took second place in the Outdoor IC4A Championships and posted the 15th best score at the Outdoor NCAA Championships. Despite falling just short in second place at the Outdoor IC4A Championships, the Jaspers still made an everlasting impression as senior Rajne Svenssohn took home first place in the decathlon and Manhattan hammer throwers swept the podium. Senior thrower Jake Freeman became the second athlete ever to win both of his events (hammer and weight) all four years he was eligible to compete in the IC4As. Freeman capped off the season and his career with a first-place showing in the hammer nationals while freshman Zoran Loncar also achieved All-American Status in the hammer.
1971 Men's Rowing - The 1971 Manhattan Men's Rowing Team took first place in Metropolitan Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships, highlighted by a first-place showing in the Varsity 4 race. Manhattan also captured first place in the Varsity 4 race at the DVRA Regatta, finishing ahead of the likes of University of Alabama and University of North Carolina. In total, the Jaspers secured one Metropolitan title, two MET victories, one national collegiate championship.
