ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany Department of Athletics has announced the induction of four individuals and one team to the UAlbany Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The inductees represent a total of five of the Great Danes’ varsity programs spanning the Division I and III eras.
UAlbany Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Grace Claxton ’17 – Women’s Track & Field
Mike Simpson – Football
Merrick Thomson ’07, ’09 – Men’s Lacrosse
Lee Tschantret ’90 – Men’s Soccer
2014 Field Hockey Team
The enshrinement ceremony for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will take place on Friday, Sept. 27, starting at 6:00 pm at the newly renovated Broadview Center on campus. Cocktail hour will begin at 6:00 pm followed by a buffet dinner with the induction program at 8:15 pm. The event is open to the public, and tickets for attendance are $75 for adults and $50 for children under 12. Registration for the evening is available HERE.
“UAlbany Athletics has a rich history of success and the Class of 2024 features some of our all-time greats from several different eras,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics Mark Benson. “These inductees played a major role in lifting their programs to new heights. We look forward to celebrating their contributions this fall when we enshrine them into the Hall of Fame.”
Arguably the most accomplished member of the track & field program, Grace Claxton collected 12 America East titles while at UAlbany. She still holds indoor program records in the 300m, 400m, and 4x400m, and outdoor records in the 400m and 400m hurdles. She has gone on to have a decorated professional career, becoming UAlbany’s first-ever Olympian. She has won three Puerto Rico National Championships, has competed in five World Championships, and competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. She is set to represent Team Puerto Rico once again this summer in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Spending nearly 30 years on the UAlbany sidelines, football defensive coordinator Mike Simpson played a major role in the development of the football program. Under legendary coach Bob Ford, Simpson aided the Great Danes in winning six NEC Conference Championships and two Eastern Football Conference Championships during his time in the Capital Region. He was responsible for developing greatness both on and off the field, coaching defenses that…
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