Ann Ash, your talent, drive and determination have distinguished you as one of the most versatile athletes to ever wear a Worcester State uniform.

You earned 15 varsity letters while playing field hockey, volleyball, basketball and softball for the Lancers from 1970 to 1973. In the fall it was off the field hockey practice field and onto the volleyball court all in the same day. A leader indeed, you were captain of the field hockey, basketball and softball teams.

You were honored for your undergraduate achievements by selection to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and were the recipient of the Outstanding College Athlete Award.

You were an assistant coach in field hockey, basketball and softball at Worcester State from 1974 through 1976 and were head volleyball coach in 1974 and 1975.

You are currently a teacher, coach and the athletic director at St. Peter-Marian High School in Worcester. Your high school teams have compiled amazing records in softball (204 -13) and basketball (216 -42). Your basketball teams have won seven district titles and one state title, while your softball teams have won nine district titles and four state championships. You were named the 1984 Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association "Coach of the Year". You are a widely recognized leader in the high school coaching ranks in New England.

Ann Ash, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame as a charter member.

John Dupuis '77

John Dupuis, your accomplishments in track in the discus and shotput are legendary in Worcester State athletic annuls, for not only did you gain fame individually and for Worcester State with your individual feats, you inspired your teammates to reach for and attain their maximum potential.

You were named an NCAA Division III All American five times, three in the shotput and twice in the discus from 1974 through 1976.

You set the national NCAA Division III shotput record at an invitational meet at the University of Chicago in 1976. You were the New England Track Champion five times, three in the shotput, once in the hammer, and once in the discus. You are the only Worcester State alumnus to have participated in the Millrose games and you won the shotput event in 1979. You were a co-captain of the Team USA indoor track team in 1984.

You still hold the College record of 60'9" in the shotput which was set in 1977 and the discus record of 167'2" set in 1976.

You are currently the athletic director of the Massachusetts Correction Institution in Shirley and you coached the inmates at MCI Norfolk to a national weightlifting title in 1982.

John Dupuis, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame as a charter member.

James FerdeIIa '68

James FerdeIIa, basketball has played a major role in your life and you have played a major role in the lives of many basketball players. As a player you were a fiery competitor, a trait which has not diminished throughout your highly successful coaching career.

You showed your relentless desire to perform to the best of your ability while spearheading Worcester State teams to great success from 1964 through 1968.

You were not only an outstanding competitor and team leader for four years, you were also our most consistent scorer and at the time of your graduation you were the leading all-time scorer with 1,534 points. You were captain of the team in both your junior and senior years and you held the record for the most free throws in a game, a season and a career. You established a single game scoring record with 41 points and you were named the team's most valuable player three times. In 1965, you were the first freshman ever selected MVP by the Worcester Coaches-Sportcasters Association.

You were an assistant coach at Worcester Boys Trade for three years and then you became the first and only head coach at Shepherd Hill Regional High in 1973, where you also teach. Your teams have won two Clark Tournaments, a district championship and made it to the state semi-finals once. You have produced 12 winning teams in the past 13 years and have been director of the Shepherd Hill basketball camp for 10 years.

James Ferdella, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame as a charter member.

William Ferris '56

William Ferris, as a standout in basketball and baseball you played a key role in one of Worcester State's most successful athletic eras. Your individual accomplishments are a tribute to your natural abilities and your determination.

You earned eight varsity letters in basketball and baseball and were captain of both teams. You were the College's all time leading scorer in basketball at the end of your career with 991 points while leading the team to four straight winning seasons.

You were the all-time leading free throw percentage shooter and you scored the basket that beat Assumption College in 1953.

A teacher-coach at Burncoat High, you were honored by the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches for your contributions to basketball. During your coaching career your teams won over 300 games.

You coached high school basketball at St. Mary's and Burncoat High Schools for 24 years and you led your St. Mary's team to the New England championship in 1964, the only Worcester area team to ever accomplish the feat.

William Ferris, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame as a charter member.

Matthew Hehir '71

Matthew Hehir, dedicated his short but full life to the betterment of people around him and the game of hockey.

His drive and commitment in all of his pursuits will endure. His accomplishments as an athlete, teacher, coach, and real person are a matter of record.

He was instrumental in the start of varsity hockey at Worcester State in 1966 when he combined his efforts with Frank Shea, Robert Reidy, and the late John "Doc" Coughlin to elevate the program from club to varsity status. He was the team's leading scorer and captain in 1970 and 1971. He played every position, including goalie when necessary. Where ever he was needed to play, he did so with total enthusiasm and dedication.

He was a Central Massachusetts All Star while playing hockey at Sacred Heart Academy and after graduation from Worcester State College became the head hockey coach at St. Mary's High in Milford in 1971. He was a teacher at Sacred Heart Elementary School and was a member of the Worcester State Athletic Council for two years.

Tonight we honor Matthew Hehir's extraordinary life with his posthumous induction as a charter member of the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame, and, in doing so, we are deeply honored.

Kevin Lyons '65

Kevin Lyons, your accomplishments on the baseball field are among the most memorable in Worcester State College athletic history .

Your abilities as an inspirational leader were evident as you were the captain of the 1965 team. You were a four year veteran and you complied an amazing .398 career batting average, a school record. You also held the record for the most career hits, runs and stolen bases.

You were a member of the 1964 and 1965 New England Conference championship teams which won 27 straight games, a record which still stands today.

You batted .446 in 1964 and knocked the cover off the ball with a .460 average in 1965. You went on to coach at Quinsigamond Community College from 1968 through 1970.

You were the class marshall at Worcester State College and a Harvard Fellowship nominee in 1965. You are currently a sales representative for Miller Brewing Company.