LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Athletics hosted its 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 1 at the Inn & Conference Center as part of River Hawk homecoming weekend.
The ceremony enshrined three historic UMass Lowell teams into the Athletics Hall of Fame, including the 1975 softball team, which was the university's first women's team to advance to post-season play, as well as the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Northeast Regional Champion baseball teams.
Only three years after Title IX passed, the 1975 softball team finished undefeated in the regular season and qualified for the first State Championship in the MAIAW. The team stayed unbeaten heading into the championship game, and despite falling to Westfield, left a lasting mark on UMass Lowell athletics.
"It was amazing getting to see my teammates again," commented Barbara (Ryder) Brennan '76, who was inducted individually in 2021. "It's been 46 or 47 years since we've seen each other. We're all from all over the place. That to me was the best thing today, getting to see them again and talk to them again. Being able to come together as a team again was amazing."
After winning the Northeast-10 Championship, the 2001 baseball team took down Concordia in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Division II College World Series for the first time in program history. In their first College World Series game, the River Hawks defeated Central Missouri, 13-5, for their program-record 39th win of the season. The team still holds many other program records, including runs scored and hits in a season.
"There is no greater goal and accomplishment than a team goal and a team victory," explained Jonathan Cahill '01. "The opportunity to celebrate today with my teammates, getting inducted into the Hall of Fame as a team is much more important than any individual accolade or award. It's truly humbling to be on the stage with them and it's great to be in the same class as them, as well."
The 2002 baseball team continued the success that came before them by winning 35 games, while hitting a record 64 home runs on the way to back-to-back Northeast-10 Championships. With their backs against the wall, the River Hawks won an elimination game against Bryant before taking down Concordia twice to make it back to the College World Series. There, the team earned wins against Florida Southern and Ashland University before falling to Cal State Chico, the eventual champion.
"This is an honor. Coming to Lowell, with the history of the baseball teams and everybody that came before us, and being inducted to the Hall of Fame is truly an honor," remarked former pitcher and outfielder David Williamson (2001-02). "Especially to be inducted with such a great group of guys, it's special. Being able to come back and see all the guys, talk about the memories, and see the current team play means a lot to me."
