11/9/2026 3:51:00 PM | General
LOWELL, Mass. - UMass Lowell Athletics hosted its 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, November 7, enshrining four individuals and three teams in front of a capacity crowd at Moloney Hall inside the campus' Meehan Student Center.
The 2026 induction class included Elyssa Boris '12, Connor Hellebuyck, Allen Mottram and Kathy O'Neil '99, as well as the 2002-03 and 2003-04 men's basketball teams and the 2015 men's cross country team.
"The Hall of Fame is one of the most special traditions we have within UMass Lowell Athletics because it gives us an opportunity to celebrate the people and teams who have helped shape our history and build the foundation of our programs," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts. "This year's class represents excellence across generations of River Hawks. While their athletic accomplishments are remarkable, what makes this night truly special is celebrating the relationships they built along the way. We are proud to welcome the Class of 2026 into our Hall of Fame and look forward to seeing their legacies continue to inspire our current and future student-athletes."
The 2011 NE10 Player of the Year and 2012 recipient of the UMass Lowell Cushing Award, Boris stood out as an impactful two-way player during her career with UMass Lowell softball from 2009-12. Ranking first on the program's all-time record list for most career RBI (151), her 2011 season was stellar, as she set program records for most home runs in a season (13), most total bases (120), and most pitching appearances (47). She also led the River Hawks to a program-best 34-18 record and an appearance to the 2012 NCAA Tournament the following season.
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"I'm very honored and humbled to be here. It's quite an honor to be here," said Boris. "It's great to feel like the alumni and the current team are really connected. We keep in touch and root for each other. It's a really great environment to be a part of."
A two-time Hockey East Tournament MVP, Hellebuyck produced one of the most storied goaltending careers in UMass Lowell hockey history from 2012-14. Compiling a 38-12-2 career record with a .946 save percentage to back it up, Hellebuyck led the NCAA in both goals against average and save percentage in his two seasons with the River Hawks. A recipient of the inaugural Mike Richter Award in 2014, given to the top goaltender in the country, Hellebuyck propelled the River Hawks to an appearance in the 2013 Frozen Four with a 1.37 goals against average and six shutouts.
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"Today is a very exciting day for me and my family. It is an honor to be inducted into the River Hawk Hall of Fame," stated a video message from Hellebuyck, who was unable to attend due to his NHL schedule. "I want to thank the whole River Hawk staff and Norm Bazin for giving me my shot and Cam Ellsworth for shaping me into the goalie I am today."
Mottram, a prolific hitter for the baseball team from 2000-03, forged one of the most productive careers for the River Hawks. The 2003 NE10 Player of the Year, Mottram finished his career as the program leader for a multitude of offensive categories, notably home runs (35), RBI (216), and slugging percentage (.610). His offensive prowess helped lead the River Hawks to a pair of World Series appearances.
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"I was a little shocked at first, but I'm thrilled to be here," commented Mottram. "We had some great teams when I was here, a couple World Series teams. I'm mostly excited about connecting with some old teammates and some of the basketball guys who I knew very well while I was here too. I'll always have love for this program."
Serving as the head coach of the women's basketball team from 1985-2011, O'Neil established one of the most accomplished coaching legacies for UMass Lowell. Posting a 411-329 career record, O'Neil cemented herself as the winningest coach in program history and added eight NCAA Tournament appearances, six New England Collegiate Conference Tournament titles, and four NECC regular-season championships. The 1996-97 NECC Coach of the Year, her coaching prowess showed with her teams, as she produced five NECC Players of the Year, two NECC Tournament MVPs, one NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, and 11 members of the program's 1,000-point club.
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"I was so surprised. I didn't expect it at all," shared O'Neil. "Coaching the people and being a part of a team was always the best part. That's just so heartfelt for me, being involved in that."
The 2002-03 men's basketball team excelled on the court, as they finished with a school-record 28 wins and only five losses. Beginning the season with a resounding 14-0 start, the River Hawks continued their success in postseason play, capturing both the NE10 regular-season title and NE10 Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, the River Hawks surged to an Elite Eight appearance before falling to Bowie State, 72-62.
Following their success from the previous season, the 2003-04 men's basketball season proved to be a continuation of dominance on the court for the River Hawks, as they matched their program record 28 wins alongside back-to-back NE10 regular-season and Championship titles. Led by Elad Inbar, who would be recognized after the season as the 2004 NCAA Division II Player of the Year, the River Hawks championed their way through another Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Humboldt State, 89-82.
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"It's great. I haven't seen these guys in 22 years," commented Inbar. "A very nice campus, I'm just excited to be here. Seeing the old buildings, my old classes, the Costello Gym where we played. It's great."
Capturing the first America East Championship three years after the start of the university's Division I era, the 2015 men's cross country team overpowered their competition on the course. Led by Robert "Bobby" Allen and Paul Hogan, two River Hawks who would both be honored with All-Conference First Team selections, the River Hawks secured the championship 32 points ahead of the next closest team to solidify themselves with the largest margin of victory in the men's championship since 2002. Peaking at No. 10 in the Northeast Region, the coaching staff was also recognized as the Men's Coaching Staff of the Year.
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"I'm super excited and proud of the whole team," said Allen. "With the team spirit they have at UMass Lowell, it's going to keep getting bigger and better."
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Nominations for future UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame classes can be submitted here.
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The 2026 induction class included Elyssa Boris '12, Connor Hellebuyck, Allen Mottram and Kathy O'Neil '99, as well as the 2002-03 and 2003-04 men's basketball teams and the 2015 men's cross country team.
"The Hall of Fame is one of the most special traditions we have within UMass Lowell Athletics because it gives us an opportunity to celebrate the people and teams who have helped shape our history and build the foundation of our programs," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts. "This year's class represents excellence across generations of River Hawks. While their athletic accomplishments are remarkable, what makes this night truly special is celebrating the relationships they built along the way. We are proud to welcome the Class of 2026 into our Hall of Fame and look forward to seeing their legacies continue to inspire our current and future student-athletes."
The 2011 NE10 Player of the Year and 2012 recipient of the UMass Lowell Cushing Award, Boris stood out as an impactful two-way player during her career with UMass Lowell softball from 2009-12. Ranking first on the program's all-time record list for most career RBI (151), her 2011 season was stellar, as she set program records for most home runs in a season (13), most total bases (120), and most pitching appearances (47). She also led the River Hawks to a program-best 34-18 record and an appearance to the 2012 NCAA Tournament the following season.
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"I'm very honored and humbled to be here. It's quite an honor to be here," said Boris. "It's great to feel like the alumni and the current team are really connected. We keep in touch and root for each other. It's a really great environment to be a part of."
A two-time Hockey East Tournament MVP, Hellebuyck produced one of the most storied goaltending careers in UMass Lowell hockey history from 2012-14. Compiling a 38-12-2 career record with a .946 save percentage to back it up, Hellebuyck led the NCAA in both goals against average and save percentage in his two seasons with the River Hawks. A recipient of the inaugural Mike Richter Award in 2014, given to the top goaltender in the country, Hellebuyck propelled the River Hawks to an appearance in the 2013 Frozen Four with a 1.37 goals against average and six shutouts.
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"Today is a very exciting day for me and my family. It is an honor to be inducted into the River Hawk Hall of Fame," stated a video message from Hellebuyck, who was unable to attend due to his NHL schedule. "I want to thank the whole River Hawk staff and Norm Bazin for giving me my shot and Cam Ellsworth for shaping me into the goalie I am today."
Mottram, a prolific hitter for the baseball team from 2000-03, forged one of the most productive careers for the River Hawks. The 2003 NE10 Player of the Year, Mottram finished his career as the program leader for a multitude of offensive categories, notably home runs (35), RBI (216), and slugging percentage (.610). His offensive prowess helped lead the River Hawks to a pair of World Series appearances.
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"I was a little shocked at first, but I'm thrilled to be here," commented Mottram. "We had some great teams when I was here, a couple World Series teams. I'm mostly excited about connecting with some old teammates and some of the basketball guys who I knew very well while I was here too. I'll always have love for this program."
Serving as the head coach of the women's basketball team from 1985-2011, O'Neil established one of the most accomplished coaching legacies for UMass Lowell. Posting a 411-329 career record, O'Neil cemented herself as the winningest coach in program history and added eight NCAA Tournament appearances, six New England Collegiate Conference Tournament titles, and four NECC regular-season championships. The 1996-97 NECC Coach of the Year, her coaching prowess showed with her teams, as she produced five NECC Players of the Year, two NECC Tournament MVPs, one NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, and 11 members of the program's 1,000-point club.
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"I was so surprised. I didn't expect it at all," shared O'Neil. "Coaching the people and being a part of a team was always the best part. That's just so heartfelt for me, being involved in that."
The 2002-03 men's basketball team excelled on the court, as they finished with a school-record 28 wins and only five losses. Beginning the season with a resounding 14-0 start, the River Hawks continued their success in postseason play, capturing both the NE10 regular-season title and NE10 Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, the River Hawks surged to an Elite Eight appearance before falling to Bowie State, 72-62.
Following their success from the previous season, the 2003-04 men's basketball season proved to be a continuation of dominance on the court for the River Hawks, as they matched their program record 28 wins alongside back-to-back NE10 regular-season and Championship titles. Led by Elad Inbar, who would be recognized after the season as the 2004 NCAA Division II Player of the Year, the River Hawks championed their way through another Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Humboldt State, 89-82.
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"It's great. I haven't seen these guys in 22 years," commented Inbar. "A very nice campus, I'm just excited to be here. Seeing the old buildings, my old classes, the Costello Gym where we played. It's great."
Capturing the first America East Championship three years after the start of the university's Division I era, the 2015 men's cross country team overpowered their competition on the course. Led by Robert "Bobby" Allen and Paul Hogan, two River Hawks who would both be honored with All-Conference First Team selections, the River Hawks secured the championship 32 points ahead of the next closest team to solidify themselves with the largest margin of victory in the men's championship since 2002. Peaking at No. 10 in the Northeast Region, the coaching staff was also recognized as the Men's Coaching Staff of the Year.
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"I'm super excited and proud of the whole team," said Allen. "With the team spirit they have at UMass Lowell, it's going to keep getting bigger and better."
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Nominations for future UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame classes can be submitted here.
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