LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Athletics announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class on Monday. The decorated group, which includes four individuals and three teams whose accomplishments helped shape some of the most successful eras in River Hawk history, will be formally inducted in an event on Saturday, November 7. Registration is open now and the event is expected to sell out. 
 
The 2026 class features Elyssa Boris '12 of softball, Connor Hellebuyck of ice hockey, Allen Mottram of baseball and Kathy O'Neil '99 of women's basketball, as well as the 2002-03 men's basketball team, 2003-04 men's basketball team and 2015 men's cross country team.
 
"This year's Hall of Fame class represents the very best of UMass Lowell Athletics," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts. "From record-setting individuals to championship teams that elevated their programs, they all brought tremendous pride to our university and left a lasting impact on our River Hawk community. We are thrilled to celebrate their achievements and welcome them into the Hall of Fame."
 
Boris was one of the most impactful two-way players in UMass Lowell softball history, leaving her name throughout the program record book as both a hitter and pitcher during her career from 2009-12. In addition to ranking first on the program's all-time record list for most career RBI with 151, in 2011, she also set program records for most home runs in a season (13), most RBI in a season (51) and most total bases in a season (120). In the circle, she also established program-best marks for most career pitching appearances (141) and most pitching appearances in a season (47) in 2011. Throughout her career, she also set Northeast 10 records for 2010 league record for home runs, doubles and saves.
 
Named the NE10 Player of the Year in 2011 and UMass Lowell Cushing Award Winner in 2012, Boris was also a three-time NE10 All-Conference selection and a two-time All-Region selection. Boris helped lead UMass Lowell to a 2012 NCAA Tournament appearance and the program's best record at 34-18 that same season. She remains one of only nine pitchers in program history to throw a no-hitter. Her success extended beyond competition, as well, as she earned Academic All-America Second Team recognition in 2012.
 
Hellebuyck authored one of the most dominant goaltending careers in UMass Lowell hockey history from 2012-14. He posted a 38-12-2 career record with a 1.60 goals against average and a .946 save percentage. Hellebuyck led the NCAA in both goals against average and save percentage in each of his two seasons with the River Hawks and recorded 12 career shutouts.
 
During the 2012-13 season, Hellebuyck went an incredible 20-3-0 in net with a 1.37 goals against average, .952 save percentage and six shutouts, helping lead UMass Lowell to its first ever Hockey East Championship and a trip to the Frozen Four. He followed with an 18-9-2 record, 1.79 goals against average, .941 save percentage and six more shutouts in 2013-14, as the River Hawks captured yet another Hockey East title.
 
Hellebuyck became the first player to win Hockey East Tournament MVP honors twice, earning the award in both 2013 and 2014. He was also a two-time Hockey East All-Tournament Team selection, two-time Hockey East All-Star, Hockey East All-Rookie Team honoree, New England Hockey Writers All-Star and 2014 All-American. He capped his collegiate career as the Mike Richter Award winner, presented to the top goaltender in the country.
 
Mottram, who starred for the River Hawks from 2000-03, cemented his place as one of the most productive hitters ever to wear a River Hawk uniform He still ranks among the program's all-time leaders in nearly every major offensive category, having finished his career as the program record holder in home runs (35), RBI (216), hits (282), total bases (457) and slugging percentage (.610).
 
Mottram also ranks among the best in program history with a .377 career batting average, 749 at-bats, 179 runs scored and 58 doubles. His 2002 season remains one of the finest single-season performances at UMass Lowell, as he set school records for home runs (16) and RBI (73). He also drove in 71 runs in 2001, the second-highest single-season total in program history. A three-time all-conference performer, Mottram was selected as the NE10 Player of the Year in 2003.
 
O'Neil built one of the most accomplished coaching legacies at UMass Lowell during her tenure as women's basketball head coach from 1985-2011. The winningest coach in program history, O'Neil compiled a 411-329 career record with eight NCAA Tournament appearances, six NECC Tournament titles, four NECC regular-season championships and one ECAC Championship.
 
O'Neil's teams produced five NECC Players of the Year, one ECAC Player of the Year, 17 NECC All-Conference selections, two NECC Tournament MVPs, four CoSIDA Academic All-America selections, one NE10 Rookie of the Year, one NE10 Defensive Player of the Year, four NE10 All-Conference selections and four NE10 All-Rookie Team selections. She also coached 11 members of the program's 1,000-point club, including the only 2,000-point scorer in team history, and was named NECC Coach of the Year in 1996-97.
 
The 2002-03 men's basketball team put together one of the most complete seasons in program history, finishing with a school-record 28 wins and just five losses. The River Hawks opened the year with the best start in program history at 14-0 and also set records for most consecutive wins (14) and highest scoring margin (+11.7) during the season.
 
After capturing the NE10 regular-season title and clinching a first-round bye in the postseason tournament, UMass Lowell powered through the field to capture the NE10 Championship, defeating No. 9 Franklin Pierce, No. 5 Assumption and No. 2 Southern New Hampshire by a combined 30 points to secure the conference crown and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Serving as regional hosts, the River Hawks defeated Saint Rose, 91-68, before taking down Southern Connecticut, 86-73, to open their NCAA Tournament run. In the regional final, UMass Lowell beat No. 2 CW Post, 69-59, to advance to the Elite Eight before falling to Bowie State, 72-62.
 
The 2003-04 men's basketball team followed with another historic campaign, matching the program record with 28 wins and capturing second consecutive NE10 regular-season and tournament championships. The River Hawks, who entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the NE10 Tournament on a six-game winning streak, first defeated No. 9 Merrimack, 81-57, and No. 5 Bryant, 68-47. The River Hawks then edged No. 2 Southern New Hampshire, 67-63, in a rematch of the previous year's championship game to secure back-to-back NE10 Tournament titles.
 
The River Hawks again hosted the NCAA Regionals, opening with a 74-64 win over Bridgeport before continuing their postseason run to earn a second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight. The season also featured a landmark individual honor, as Elad Inbar was named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year.
 
The 2015 men's cross country team made history by capturing the first America East Championship in school history just three seasons into the university's Division I era. UMass Lowell won the championship with 42 points, finishing 32 points ahead of the next closest team for the largest margin of victory in the men's championship since 2002. The River Hawks placed all scorers inside the top 39, with five runners in the top 16, three in the top 10 and two in the top three. The team's finishers placed second, third, 10th, 11th, 16th, 29th and 39th overall.
 
Four River Hawks earned All-Conference honors, with Robert "Bobby" Allen and Paul Hogan landing on the First Team and Zach Ganshirt and John Abraham earning Second Team recognition. The staff was named Men's Coaching Staff of the Year, while the team peaked at No. 10 in the Northeast Region. Allen also went on to win the NEICAAA New England Cross Country Championship, and Hogan was named to the America East All-Academic Team.
 
The 2026 UMass Lowell Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Meehan Student Center, formally UCrossing, in the Moloney Ballroom.