The Ithaca College Department of Athletics has officially announced its 51st Hall of Fame class, comprising 10 exceptional individuals. The newest members will be inducted in the fall of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Ithaca College Hall of Fame selection process proceeded as planned this spring with the election of 10 phenomenal individuals to comprise our 51st Class to be inducted," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports Susan Bassett '79. "While the circumstances are different due to our national health emergency, our pride, our tradition of excellence and the inspiration these individual representatives create is the same standard that we know and love for the Ithaca College Athletics Hall of Fame.”
LEIGH BONKOWSKI '06 – SOFTBALL
Bonkowski had one of the most decorated careers in program history. A four-time Empire 8 Conference First-Team selection and a three-time NFCA Northeast All-Region honoree, she was named the 2006 Empire 8 Woman of the Year, 2005 Empire 8 and ECAC Player of the Year, and the 2003 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. She was also named to the NCAA College World Series All-Tournament Team twice. Bonkowski ranks in the top five in program history in career runs scored, home runs, RBI, hits, doubles, stolen bases, and fourth in slugging percentage.
JEFF BOSTIC '09 – MEN'S BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL
A two-sport athlete in men's basketball and football, Bostic was one of the top big men to ever play on the hardwood. Over his four-year career with the basketball program, Bostic tallied 1,099 points, 793 rebounds and a school-record 140 blocks. Bostic was a three-time All-Empire 8 selection and was named to the D3hoops.com All-East Region Team twice, and NABC All-East Region Team as a senior. Bostic also played three seasons with the football team as a wide receiver and notched 14 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown.
KAITLYN DULAC '06 – SOFTBALL
Dulac produced one of the greatest single seasons in IC softball history in 2006, as she was named an NFCA All-American, a First-Team All-NFCA selection for the Northeast Region, and the ECAC Upstate New York and Empire 8 Player of the Year. During the season, Dulac batted a school-record .496 with 57 hits, 16 doubles and drove in 42 runs. Dulac was a four-time Empire 8 All-Star during her career and guided IC to 128 victories, including a school-record 40 in 2006. Dulac finished her career in the top 10 in program history in doubles, RBI, and runs scored.
CHELSEY FELDMAN '09 – WOMEN'S SOCCER, SOFTBALL
Feldman was one of the top scorers in women's soccer history. She ranks second all-time in points (148) and goals (61), and is tied for third in assists (26). A two-time NSCAA All-American and Empire 8 Player of the Year, she was also a three-time all-region honoree. During her junior season, Feldman paced IC to a school-record-tying 19 victories and produced 19 goals and 42 points. In her final two years on South Hill, the Bombers reached the national quarterfinals. Feldman also played one season with the softball team in 2008 and batted .454 with 49 hits, 29 runs scored, 12 RBI and nine stolen bases.
ROBERT GARONE '87 – FOOTBALL
A three-year starter, Garone played on some of the football program’s most dominant teams. From 1983-86, the Bombers posted an overall record of 39-7. Garone would be named an Associated Press, Sports Information Directors’ and Football Gazette All-American in 1986 as an offensive lineman. After his collegiate career, Garone spent one season on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 1987. He then went on to be a founding member of the Ithaca College Athletic Advisory Council, as well as the NYC Chapter of the National Football Foundation. Most recently, Garone played an integral role in the planning and implementation of the 61st Cortaca Jug Game in 2019, which set an NCAA Division III attendance record of 45,161 fans.
BRIAN MEE '60 – BASEBALL, MEN'S SOCCER
Mee was a two-sport athlete in baseball and soccer from 1957 to 1960, and a three-year starter for both programs. As a catcher, Mee played summers with the Fulton County Glovers that won the NYS championship three years. The pro scouts voted Mee to the 1957 NYS All-Star team. After graduation, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1960. After his playing career was over, Mee joined the Amsterdam School District where he spent the next 50 years as physical education instructor, athletic director, head football and baseball coach.
JOE SCALICE '06 – FOOTBALL
One of the top offensive linemen in program history, Scalice appeared in 40 games from 2002 to 2005, and the Bombers won 34 of them. He was named a First-Team All-American by the AP the AFCA, and the Football Gazette in 2005, and an Honorable Mention All-American by D3football.com. Along with those honors, Scalice was a three-time All-Empire 8 and all-region selection.
GRETCHEN SCHLABACH '75 – ATHLETIC TRAINING
After graduating from IC in 1975, and earning a master's degree from Indiana University, Schlabach accepted a position at Western Michigan University, before spending eight years at the University of Mississippi, where she served as head women's athletic trainer. After completing her doctoral work, Schlabach accepted the program directorship at Northern Illinois University, where she retired in 2014. Her professional scholarship and service has been in the areas of professional ethics, values and responsibility in athletic training. She co-authored the first text dedicated solely to professional ethics, Professional Ethics in Athletic Training and served on the inaugural NATA Women in Athletic Training Committee, which advanced women's concerns and life-balance issues in athletic training. Schlabach was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 2019.
JENNIE SWATLING '04 – WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Swatling is in the top 10 in program history in points scored, steals, and three-pointers. Appearing in 110 games over her career, she helped the program to 88 victories and four trips to the NCAA Tournament. A four-time all-conference selection and the Empire 8’s Rookie of the Year for the 2000-01 season, Swatling holds the school’s career and single-season record for free-throw percentage.
ASHLEY WILLIAMS '07 – WOMEN'S SOCCER
One of the most impactful players in Ithaca College women's soccer history, Williams was a NSCAA Second-Team All-American 2006 and was a two-time Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year. Williams also garnered NSCAA Northeast All-Region honors three times and three all-conference nods. She finished her career with 12 goals and 11 assists.