CCSU Announces Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011

The Central Connecticut Alumni Association has announced its 2011 Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. Four former Blue Devil student-athletes and one former coach will be honored on Friday night, April 29, on campus in the CCSU Student Center's Alumni Hall. The five inductees are Corsley Edwards (men's basketball), Jackie Hadden (women's soccer), Marcin Kaczmarek (men's swimming and diving), Jane McFarlane (women's soccer) and Jack Suydam (swimming and diving coach).

These five Blue Devils will take their rightful place among peers that night, joining 127 other honorees already in the CCSU Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame. Tickets for the event are on sale now for $60 and can be purchased by contacting the CCSU Alumni office at (860) 832-1740 or purchased online at www.ccsu.edu/hof. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the dinner and program at 7 p.m.

The CCSU Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes and honors former outstanding CCSU student-athletes for their contributions and achievements in athletics. Nominees, in general, must be of good character and worthy of the award, and individuals, who, through their actions, have shown support for the ideals of the University. Nominees shall have represented CCSU in a positive manner both on and off the playing arena.

For a complete list of criteria, or to nominate someone for induction in the CCSU Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame, click here.

The CCSU Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Corsley Edwards II '01
Edwards completed one of the most successful careers in CCSU men's basketball history in 2002 with his second NEC title and second trip to the NCAA Tournament. He also helped lead the Blue Devils to the NEC title and NCAA Tournament in 2000. He was named the 2002 Northeast Conference men's basketball player of the year and finished second all-time in career points with 1,731 and seventh in career rebounds with 967. Edwards was a three-time All-NEC selection, including a First Team pick as a junior and a senior. He capped his career as a Second Round selection of the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Jacqueline C.S. Hadden '00, MS'03
Hadden's career with the Blue Devils was nothing short of spectacular. She helped put CCSU women's soccer on the map during her four seasons in New Britain. Hadden was a four-time First Team All-Conference selection, and was named the NEC Player of the Year in 1999 as a senior. She won two NEC tournament titles during her career and remains the school's all-time leader in career assists (34). Hadden and the Blue Devils won three regular season NEC titles in her four seasons. In 2001, she was one of just 10 NEC female student-athletes named to the 20th anniversary all sports team. She was the only CCSU representative on the list.

Marcin Kaczmarek '02
Kaczmarek was a three-year member of the men's swimming and diving team and capped his career with an outstanding season in 1999-00. He qualified for the NCAA Championships in three separate events, highlighted by an eighth place finish in the 200 meter butterfly, earning him All-America honors. He was an eight-time ECAC individual champion in his career, including earning Swimmer of the Year honors in 2000. Kaczmarek represented Poland in the World Championships, the World Short Course Championships, the European Championships and the World University Games. Kaczmarek represented Poland in the 2000 Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia.

Jane M. McFarlane '01
McFarlane's career in New Britain helped build the women's soccer program into one of the most successful in conference history. She won a pair of NEC tournament titles, and three regular season crowns, in her four seasons. She was a four-time First Team All-Conference selection. McFarlane was named the NEC Player of the Year in 1997. She still holds the school record for single season points (49), single season goals (23), career points (114) and career goals (51). She capped her career with the Blue Devils by earning the coveted Gail Rutz Award, given to the top senior female student-athlete at CCSU each year.

Ray "Jack" Suydam (posthumously)
Suydam takes his rightful place among the CCSU Hall of Famers this year. He began the swimming program for the Blue Devils in 1965, and coached for 23 years. On May 4, 1991, the pool in Kaiser Hall was dedicated in his honor. Suydam coached six All-Americans and sent several student-athletes to the NCAA Championship during his tenure. During his career the Blue Devils posted a record of 112-101, including a perfect 9-0 record in 1968-69. His tenure on campus began in 1965, and he also served as a professor in the physical education department during his time at CCSU. Suydam was a collegiate swimmer and graduated from Miami (OH) University in 1961.