2005 Inductees

Mercy Aghedo (‘00) played women’s basketball for the Peahens and is third all-time in rebounding with 1,050 and first all-time in blocked shots (122). Her 11.7 rebounds per game are the highest in the Division I era (1981-on). Aghedo won the MAAC Championship three times and was named All-MAAC second team in 2000, All-MAAC first team in 2999 and All-MAAC third team in 1997. She was named to the MAAC All-Tournament team in 2000 after tying the tournament record with 42 rebounds in three games. Aghedo finished her career by posting a double-double in the 2000 NCAA Tournament.

Len Americo is an honorary inductee to the Hall of Fame. He was the most successful tennis coach in school history. He led the men’s team to MAAC titles in 1992, 1993 and 1996 and led the women’s team to its best finishes (3rd in 1989 and 1990). Americo also coached numerous individual champions, including the first women’s MAAC #1 singles champ (Nancy Strbic in 1990) and repeat men’s #1 singles champion Amechi Nweje (1992 and 1993).

Ricky Bellinger (‘00) played men’s basketball for the Peacocks and is second on the all-time scoring list with 1,743 points. He was only men’s basketball player in history to lead the team in scoring for four years. He was named All-MAAC third team in 2000, All-MAAC second team in 1999, All-MAAC third team in 1998 and All-MAAC second team in 1997. Bellinger was also named MAAC Rookie of the year in 1998.

Donald Gallo (‘65) played baseball for the Peacocks. He was a consistent .300 hitter and went 4-5 in a game against Boston College and also got four hits in a game against Iona. He played varsity for three seasons and held several offensive and defensive records. He also won several gold glove awards. Gallo was the focus of many professional scouts in the area, but a military obligation prevented him for pursuing professional baseball. He has been inducted in the Dutchess County NY Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame, the NY State American Softball Association Hall of Fame and the Dutchess County NY Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hope Grieser (‘98) was a softball and volleyball player at Saint Peter’s. A four-year starter, playing primarily at catcher, she was an exceptional athlete and also started at second base in the 1996 MAAC tournament. A five-sport letter winner in high school, she was a key player in establishing Saint Peter’s as one of the most successful NCAA Division I programs in the Northeast region. In her freshman season, 1995, the team set what was then a school record with 19 wins (19-22-1). They set new records in each subsequent year (30-20 in 1996; 32-16-1 in 1997 and 32-12-1 in 1998). They shared the conference regular season title in 1996 and were ranked as high as fourth in the region in 1997. Grieser was a two-time selection on the MAAC All-Academic team (1997 and 1998) and was named All-MAAC Designated Player in 1997 and All-Northeast Region Catcher in 1997. She was also an All-MAAC Tournament selection in 1996. As a junior Grieser hit .336 with a then-school record 17 doubles in 1997. She was also a setter for the volleyball team, playing that sport for two seasons and earning All-Tournament recognition along the way.

Dr. Joseph McLaughlin (‘77) has been an integral part of the Athletics Department as a member of the Saint Peter’s faculty. He is being honored with the Special Service Award. He has served as the faculty moderator for the baseball team and can always be seen at several Peacock and Peahen contests. Dr. McLauglin is also a member of the Athletics Investigative Committee and has been a chaperone for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at the MAAC Tournament. Most importantly Dr. McLaughlin has always been available to the students of Saint Peter’s College and is a mentor to every student on campus.

John Nagel (‘81) is being awarded a Special Achievement Award for his accomplishments in Hudson County. The most successful girls track and cross country coach in Hudson County, Nagle has 26 years of service at St. Dominic Academy, where he is Director of Athletics and head coach of the cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field teams. His St. Dominic teams have captured numerous county and state individual crowns, as well as Penn Relays championships. Nagel is also the track and cross country coach at his high school alma mater, Hudson Catholic. He is a member of the Hudson County Track Coaches Hall of Fame and owns numerous County Coach of the Year awards.

Casey Strange (‘97) played men’s soccer for the Peacocks for four seasons. He is seventh all-time with 70 points, 8th in goals with 28 and tied for 12th in assists with 14. In 1996, he scored seven goals and had six assists for 20 points in leading Saint Peter’s to a 4-2-1 MAAC record. As a junior, Strange scored eight goals and had four assists for 20 points.