Courtesy of John Jay Sports Information
NEW YORK, NY - The John Jay College of Criminal Justice Department of Athletics has officially announced its 11th Hall of Fame class, which will be inducted this spring. Five exceptional individuals, one coach, and one staff member will be enshrined into the illustrious Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2021 includes
Danielle Bonici (softball),
Jim Briscoe (baseball),
Bob Fletcher (head athletic trainer),
Kaitlin Hicks (women's cross country),
Eric Sorensen (baseball),
Anthony Tripi (baseball), and
Richie Vitaliano (assistant baseball coach).
"This year's inductees represent three facets of athletics," said
Mark Francis, Interim Director of Athletics. "There is a dedicated coach and an athletic trainer who saved careers and chronicled performances. In addition, there are the student-athletes whose careers epitomized the best of Bloodhound Athletics. I am delighted to recognize the inductees and I look forward to recognizing the many others who contributed significantly to the success of our department."
Unfortunately, due to current federal, state and community guidelines, the annual celebration in the spring will be virtual. John Jay College is hoping to have an 'in-person' celebration in either the fall of 2021 or spring of 2022 to formally honor this group of individuals.
To learn more about the John Jay College Athletics Hall of Fame including the qualifications, please visit
www.johnjayathletics.com/halloffame.
About the Honorees:
Danielle Bonici was a four-year letterwinner as a member of the softball program from 2007-2010. Regarded as one of the greatest players in the program's history, Bonici was an all-star both on and off the field. The shortstop appeared in 116 games and registered a .404 career batting average with 137 hits, 93 runs scored, 19 doubles, nine triples, six home runs, and 101 RBIs.
Bonici's career got off to a hot start after hitting a career-best .439 in her rookie campaign with 36 hits, 28 runs, and 21 RBIs and being named a CUNYAC First Team All-Star. In her next season, she batted .388 with a career-best 38 hits and a career-best 31 runs batted in while taking home CUNYAC First Team All-Star honors.
As consistent a hitter as anyone in the conference, Bonici finished 36-for-93 (.387 average) in her junior campaign with 27 RBIs. For the third straight year, she was selected as a conference First Team All-Star. In an injury-shortened senior season, Bonici finished with a .409 average with 27 hits and 22 runs batted in to be named a CUNYAC Second Team All-Star.
She is currently in the Top 30 in conference history in career hits, triples, and RBIs. A scholar-athlete, dean's list student, and member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) throughout her career, Bonici organized Lupus Research Walks for fellow Bloodhounds as well as the program's first Lupus Awareness Day. Additionally, she created 'The Richard Gardner, Jr. Memorial Toy Drive' which is held in memory of a fallen police officer who was accidently killed in 1995. Bonici also orchestrated community events such as baseball and softball camps on Randall's Island.
Following her playing career, Bonici served as an assistant coach with the program, before taking over the reins in 2013. In addition, she served as the department's Assistant Sports Information Director for three years.
Jim Briscoe was a two-year letterwinner as a member of the baseball program from 1985-86. In his two seasons, he finished with a career average of .355 with 59 hits, 47 runs scored, 10 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 55 runs batted in, 24 walks, and nine stolen bases.
In his rookie year, the first baseman/outfielder posted a .317 average in 20 games, as the Bloodhounds won both a CUNYAC championship and Knickerbocker title. His sophomore campaign was one of the best single-seasons in program history. He recorded a conference-best .368 batting average with 46 hits, 33 runs, seven doubles, a school-record 11 homers, and 51 RBIs as John Jay delivered another Knickerbocker championship. As a result, he was named a CUNYAC All-Star, Knickerbocker All-Star, NY State Division II/III All-Star, and District All-American DIII All-Star. At the 1986 John Jay Annual Awards Banquet, Briscoe was awarded the John Jay College Male Athlete of the Year honor.
Following his time at John Jay, Briscoe joined the New York Police Department. He retired as a lieutenant after serving the city for over 30 years. While working for the NYPD, Briscoe returned to John Jay to take night classes to complete his bachelor's degree.
Bob Fletcher was a member of the Bloodhounds athletics staff for 27 years spanning from 1978-2005. In his first 12 years at John Jay, Fletcher served as the head athletic trainer. In that role, he was responsible for ensuring that all student-athletes received proper injury treatment. Fletcher evaluated all athletes and diagnosed and treated all injuries to keep student-athletes on the playing surface. He was more than just an athletic trainer, mentoring decades of student-athletes.
In 1990, he was offered the position of Director of Facilities, Recreation, and Intramurals and served in that role until his retirement in 2005. In addition, Fletcher taught at the college in the areas of first aid and safety for 12 years. He was named the men's soccer coach for the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Fletcher was also the 'unofficial' photographer for the program.
Kaitlin Hicks was a four-year veteran of the women's cross country team from 2013-2016. The scholar-athlete and dean's list student was one of the most decorated runners in the program's history. Hicks holds multiple program records including in the 3k, 5k, and 6k and was a four-time team MVP.
In her rookie season, Hicks stormed out of the gate and was the most consistent runner on the squad. At the CUNYAC Championship, she finished in third place to secure CUNYAC All-Star recognition. Hicks then ran at the NCAA Division III regional meet where she sped through the 6k course in a school-record time of 24:05. In her sophomore campaign, Hicks improved upon her finish at the CUNYAC Championship, this time placing second overall with a career-best finish of 25:26. She earned CUNYAC All-Star honors and at the 2015 John Jay Annual Awards Banquet, Hicks was chosen as the John Jay College Athlete of the Year.
On top of being the leading Bloodhound performer at every race during her junior season, she did not disappoint in the postseason. Hicks again finished second at the conference championship in a time of 25:27 and was named a CUNYAC All-Star. She then competed at the ECAC Championship, where she finished in at 25:04, a John Jay ECAC program record.
Hicks saved her best for last. During her final season, she notched a first-place finish as well as multiple top-five finishes. At the CUNYAC Championship, she was finally able to secure a first-place finish as she cruised to a career-best and school-best time of 24:58 and was subsequently named the CUNYAC Performer of the Year. At the highly competitive ECAC Championship, Hicks once again secured another program record by finishing in the top three (25:04). As a result, she was invited to run in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals and broke another school record (and her own from 2013) by speeding through the course in a time of 23:15. For the second time in her career, Hicks received the John Jay College Athlete of the Year award as well as garnered the CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention accolades.
Eric Sorensen was a four-year letterwinner as a member of the baseball program from 1996-99. The catcher had an illustrious career and was one of the most accomplished players in program history. Sorensen appeared in 120 games and finished with a career .418 batting average, 163 hits, 104 runs scored, 58 doubles, eight home runs, and 106 RBIs.
In his rookie season, he hit .370 with 34 hits, three home runs, and 23 RBIs to lead the Bloodhounds to both the CUNYAC and Knickerbocker Conference Championships. John Jay also earned an NCAA Division III regional bid for the first time in program history. Sorensen followed that with a .394 average in his sophomore campaign with 39 hits, 32 runs, and 21 RBIs. For his efforts, he was named a CUNYAC, Knickerbocker, and NY State All-Star in each season.
In 1998, Sorensen boasted a .398 average with 37 hits, a career-best four homers, and 29 runs batted in as John Jay captured the Knickerbocker Conference regular-season championship. He earned CUNYAC Player of the Year, Knickerbocker Player of the Year, New York State All-Star, and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second-Team honors.
Sorensen closed out his career with a whopping .500 average (53-for-106) with a CUNYAC and school-record 25 doubles, 34 runs, 33 RBIs, and 20 walks to lead John Jay to a CUNYAC Championship and ECAC postseason semifinals. He was subsequently named the CUNYAC Player of the Year, Knickerbocker Player of the Year, ECAC Player of the Year, and named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team. Sorensen finished as the NCAA Division III stats leader in doubles and doubles per game (0.81) and finished second among the nation's leaders in batting average. At the 1999 John Jay Annual Awards Banquet, he garnered the John Jay College Male Athlete of the Year award.
Following his tenure at John Jay, Sorensen signed a professional contract with the Johnstown Johnnies. After a stint in the Frontier League, he joined the New York Police Department where he worked for 20 years. While in the NYPD, Sorensen was a member of the NYPD baseball team and served as the general manager for 12 seasons.
Anthony Tripi was a four-year letterwinner as a member of the baseball program from 1985-1988. One of the most accomplished four-year players to come out of the 1980's, the outfielder appeared in 140 games and compiled a .372 batting average, 174 hits, 119 runs, 35 doubles, seven triples, 26 home runs, 158 runs batted in, 52 walks, and 28 stolen bases.
In his rookie season, he hit .349 with 30 hits, 18 runs scored, six homers, and 25 RBIs. He also saw time on the mound posting a 6-1 record, while logging 36.1 innings pitched. In his sophomore campaign, Tripi finished with a .345 average with 39 hits, 26 runs, a team-leading three triples, a pair of home runs, and 28 runs batted in.
His final two seasons as a Bloodhounds were some of the finest in the program's history. In 1987, the junior tallied a .392 average with a career-high 56 hits, 40 runs scored, a career-high 12 doubles, eight homers, a career-high 54 RBIs, and 15 walks. In his final year as a Bloodhound, Tripi hit .389 with 49 hits, 35 runs, eight doubles, a career-high 10 home runs, 51 runs batted in, and a career-best 18 walks to bring home a CUNYAC Championship for the Bloodhounds. He led the squad in hits, doubles, homers, RBIs, and total bases (89).
Tripi's 26 home runs remain a program record at John Jay.
Richie Vitaliano served as an assistant coach with the baseball team from 1982-1990. He came to John Jay College in the fall of 1982 after previous stints at Wagner College and CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). He came in with enormous baseball knowledge, as well as a remarkable energy to succeed. Along with fellow assistant coach and HOF '19 inductee
John Verwoert, Vitaliano worked under legendary head coach
Lou DeMartino for eight seasons, serving as bench coach, third base coach, and in player development.
During his tenure, he helped guide the Bloodhounds to a .621 (144-88) overall winning percentage and .765 (39-12) conference winning percentage (team and conference records from 1989 not available). John Jay took home CUNYAC championships in 1984, 1985, and 1988 and Knickerbocker titles in 1988 and 1990. Three of his former players went on to sign professional contracts following their careers at John Jay.
While coaching, Vitaliano served as a member of the New York Police Department for over 20 years. He mentored dozens of players who were looking for advice to enter or advance their careers in the NYPD or other law enforcement agencies.
Since his tenure at John Jay, Vitaliano has continued coaching and is currently the head junior varsity coach at a high school in central New Jersey.
About the John Jay College Athletics Hall of Fame
The John Jay College Department of Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1993 with the induction of its first three members. Since that first ceremony, 33 of John Jay's most decorated athletes, teams, celebrated coaches, and valued supporters have been enshrined in recognition of their accomplishments. As we move forward, the John Jay College Department of Athletics looks to continue honoring former student-athletes, coaches, and "Friends of the Program" with future Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
About John Jay College of Criminal Justice:
An international leader in educating for justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York is a Hispanic Serving Institution and Minority Serving Institution offering a rich liberal arts and professional studies curriculum to 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 135 nations. John Jay is home to faculty and research centers at the forefront of advancing criminal and social justice reform. In teaching, scholarship and research, the College engages the theme of justice and explores fundamental human desires for fairness, equality and the rule of law. For more information, visit www.jjay.cuny.edu and follow us on Twitter @JohnJayCollege.