Lois Ford Batbouta '72

Lois Ford Batbouta, not only were you an outstanding player, you were instrumental in the development of the field hockey, softball and basketball programs at Worcester State College.

Your talent, drive and determination helped the College to establish all three women's program which are so successful today.

Your strongest sport was field hockey and you set a school record by scoring 12 goals in 1971 while leading the team to a 6-1-1 record.  Your  leadership qualities were recognized as you were named the captain of the 1970 team and a co-captain in 1971, a team which won the state championship. You were also captain of the basketball team for two years.

You also played varsity volleyball and tennis and were a point-guard on the 1971 state championship basketball team.  You played two years of softball as a centerfielder and pitcher and the team had a record of 12-1.  you hit .413 for your career.

You were a member of the WSC Women’s Athletic Association and a member of the Athletic Recreation Association while an undergraduate.

You coached high school tennis in Southbridge in 1974, served as an assistant JV women’s basketball coach at the University of Rhode Island in 1973 and were the field hockey coach at holy Cross College from 1974 through 1980.

Lois Ford Batbouta, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Denise Desorcy Collins '79

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

You earned 11 varsity letters while playing volleyball, basketball and softball for the Lancers. Your leadership was evident as you were elected a co-captain of all three teams.

You were the recipient of the Lancer A ward for outstanding contribution to WSC athletics in 1979. You were a member of the 1979 team that won the Massachusetts State College championships in softball and basketball and the MAlAW Division II softball title. The team also won the MAlAW Division II title in basketball in 1976. You were named a MASCAC All Star in softball in 1979. You scored 31 points in a basketball game which is currently tied for third place on the all time single game scoring list. You scored 880 points in basketball and had an outstanding .404 career batting average in softball. You were honored for your undergraduate achievements by selection to the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. You graduated Cum Laude and were a Dean's List student for three straight years.

You were an assistant basketball coach for two years when the Lancers won the National title in 1980 and finished 3rd in the nation in 1981. You still coach youth programs in Auburn in basketball and soccer and are a substitute physical education teacher.

Denise Desorcy Collins, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ronald W. Dunham '70

Ronald W. Dunham, 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 outstanding, a trait which has not diminished throughout your highly successful coaching career.

You were not only an outstanding competitor, you were a consistent scorer and your 1,136 career points ranks you 10th on the all time scoring list at Worcester State College.

Your leadership qualities were evident as you were elected captain of the 1970 team. You were twice selected the most valuable player at Worcester State in 1968-69 and 1969-70. You were also named an All New England State College All Star in 1969-70. You were named All-City for two straight years while playing at Burncoat High School and were selected the Most Valuable Player of the All-City team.

You have been the head basketball coach at Millbury High School for 15 years and your teams have had tremendous success winning 212 game while losing just 99 times. Your teams have won seven Southern Worcester County League titles, four Clark Tournaments, two District titles and were a state finalist once. You were named Coach of the Year in Division III in 1983-84 and Division II in 1985-86.

You are currently a guidance counselor-coach at Millbury High School.

Ronald Dunham, it is with great pride that we induct you~ into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

John Hehir '73

John Hehir, as a standout in ice hockey and baseball you played a key role in one of Worcester State's most successful athletic eras. Your accomplishments are a tribute to your natural abilities and your determination.

You earned eight varsity letters in hockey and baseball you were a co-captain of both teams in 1973.

You were a catcher in baseball and hit a lofty .346 for your career. You were a "defensive" defenseman in hockey and opposing players were well aware of your presence on the ice. You scored 13 goals and had 42 assists. You were a member of teams that went 55-24-2 and the 1971-72 team had an outstanding 21-3 season, the most wins in a season by a Lancer hockey team.

You were an All-City catcher in 1969 at Sacred Heart Academy and traveled around the country and Canada playing fast pitch softball for Interstate Batterymen for seven years. You were a member of the Athletic Council at Worcester State for three years. You coached youth hockey in Worcester for three years and Gehrig League baseball for four years.

You are the owner of Interstate Battery of Northern Massachusetts.

With your induction, you become the second member of the Hehir family to enter the Hall of Fame. Your brother, Matthew Hehir, was posthumously inducted as a charter member in 1986.

John Hehir, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Joseph Rinaldi '73

Joseph Rinaldi, you were an outstanding ice hockey forward for four years and your abilities as an inspirational leader were evident as you were elected a co-captain for three years from 1970 to 1973.

At the time of your graduation you were the College's all time leading scorer with 76 goals and 102 assists. You are currently the fourth leading all time scorer.

You were the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) scoring runner-up in 1971-72 when you scored 27 goals and had 39 assists. You were named a Hart City All Star in 1969-70 and 1970-71 and were named the recipient of the Matthew Hehir Memorial Trophy as the team's Most Valuable Player in 1973. You held the record of most goals in a game when you scored five times and you were a member of the line that still holds the College and ECAC record that still stands for scoring three goals in just 45 seconds. Your teams had a 55-24-2 record, including a 21-3 season in 1971-72, the most wins ever.

You were honored for your undergraduate achievements by selection to the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and also the Who's Who in College Athletics. You were a member of the College's Athletic Council for two years.

You taught high school for 10 years and were a College Professor and Director at Central New England College for 6 years. You coached one year at Murdock High School and one year at Nichols College and were an ice hockey official for 15 years.

You are currently the president of CX Computer Exchange Company.

Joseph Rinaldi, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.