Hartford, Conn. – The 2020 Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame class was inducted at a ceremony on Friday, October 4 at the Bond Ballroom in downtown Hartford.  The event, part of Trinity's Homecoming Weekend festivities, was postponed in the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19. Trinty inducted its Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021 on September 18.

"Once again we are beyond excited to honor another group of Hall of Fame inductees," said Trinity Athletic Director Drew Galbraith. "Each new member's unique accomplishments and contributions to Trinity Athletics is truly extraordinary and listening to their stories from their days as a Bantam continue to inspire us all.  This event has proven to be a highlight of the Trinity Athletics year.  We are so glad to honor this particular group and thankful to them for waiting an extra year to be celebrated." 

The Trinity College Athletics Hall of Fame was created to celebrate the rich history of athletic excellence at Trinity College that spans more than 160 years. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women who, through athletics participation, coaching or service, have distinguished themselves in the field of intercollegiate athletics, brought honor and acclaim to Trinity, and contributed to the success and advancement of intercollegiate athletics at the college.  The eight inductees present will also be honored prior to and at halftime of Saturday's Trinity football game against Middlebury College at 1 p.m.  Ryan Bak has deferred his induction to next year due to travel restraints.

The honorees were: Ken Abere '86 for basketball; Christine Smith Collins '91 for rowing; Bill Doyle '85, for squash; Dea Fredrick-Cristea '84 for swimming and diving; former Director of Athletics and Coach Rick Hazelton; former Head Men's Basketball Coach Stan Ogrodnik; Karen Rodgers Miller '85, for basketball, lacrosse and soccer; and Charlie Sticka '56 for baseball and football.  Ryan Bak '03 is a member of the Class of 2020 but had to defer his induction until 2022 due to the pandemic.

The eight inductees in attendance were introduced on the large video screen, and then each gave an equally inspiring and heart-felt speech about what it meant to him or her to be a Trinity Athletic Hall of Famer. The College presented each honoree with an engraved bronze Bantam trophy marking the occasion. At halftime of Saturday's Homecoming football game, each inductee was additionally recognized in front of the Trinity crowd. The college's planned new athletic center will feature the Hall of Fame prominently.

Sticka was introduced first on the video screen by his football teammate, Paul A. Cataldo '57. Sticka '56 was a Little All-American twice in football in the late 1950s and went on to get drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.

Rodgers Miller was introduced by Robin Sheppard, her former coach in lacrosse for the Bantams. Rodgers Miller was a three-sport start for Trinity, serving as captain in women's soccer, women's basketball, and women's lacrosse, and leading the Bantams to multiple NIAC titles during her career.

Ogrodnik was introduced by his former player, Mike Donovan '87.  Ogrodnik coached Trinity men's basketball for 27 years, leading the Bantams to four ECAC titles, seven NCAA Tournament, and the 1995 NCAA Final Four.

Fredrick-Cristea was introduced by her former teammate Nancy Mead '84.  Fredrick-Cristea was an All-American swimmer in multiple events who still holds the college's oldest standing all-time record in the 50-yard freestyle.

Collins was introduced by Burt Apfelbaum '75, a former coach in rowing for the Bantams.  Collins was a star rower for the Bantams, helping Trinity win 26 of 30 races in four years, and went on to earn a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympics.

Doyle was introduced by former squash for the Bantams George Sutherland '73.  Doyle was a four-time All-American squash player, propelling the Bantams to No. 3 in the nation, and went on to lead Harvard to 10 national titles as men's and women's head coach.

Abere was introduced by former teammate REv. Bill Pfohl '86.  Abere was an All-American and scored nearly 2,000 points while leading the Trinity men's basketball team to three ECAC Championship titles in the 1980's.

Hazelton was introduced by Sheppard, his colleague and confidant in the Trinity athletic department in four decades. Hazelton was the Trinity Director of Athletics for 28 years, spearheading the rise of Trinity athletics onto the national stage in several men's and women's sports and overseeing the construction of the Koeppel Community Sports Center and other top-level facilities.

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