Athletics Hall of Fame inductions
By John Hartrick
The athletics department held its 11th annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during Homecoming Weekend in the West Gym atrium. Former men's basketball coach Dick Baldwin (1991-96), baseball pitcher Jerry Gaube '76, wrestler Keith Cavayero '85 and soccer forward Dave Pabon '95 were honored, boosting the Hall's membership to 60. The accomplishments of the four inductees are detailed on the “Wall of Fame” — a lighted display in the West Gym foyer that features engraved walnut plaques mounted on a brick surface.
"We are very proud of these four individuals," University President Lois B. DeFleur said to the audience. "Their achievements laid the foundation for our current success."
Baldwin (right in photo) coached the final five years of his storied 45-year career at BU, where his teams won an average of 16 games and captured three straight SUNYAC East Division titles. After taking over a program that had won 17 combined games in the two previous years, Baldwin's BU teams rattled off back-to-back 19-win seasons in 1991-92 and 1992-93 and then produced a record-breaking 23-7 season in 1993-94. After winning his 900th career game (the first 879 victories came at nearby Broome Community College), Baldwin was featured in Sports Illustrated and on ABC News. Attendance and local support swelled during his tenure.
Gaube (left in photo) became the first BU baseball player to sign a professional contract when he was courted by the New York Yankees in 1976. On the collegiate hill, he was an all-conference pitcher who still holds the school's career strikeout record (266) and owns two of the top four season strikeout totals.
Cavayero (second from left in photo) was a two-time All-American and three-time SUNYAC individual champion for a nationally-prominent BU wrestling program. He was ranked among the nation's top four in each of his four years and was the school's Athlete of the Year in 1982-83. He placed third in the nation in 1984 and sixth in 1985, and captained the 1983-84 Binghamton team that was ranked No. 1 in the country and finished No. 3 at the NCAA Championship.
Pabon (second from right in photo) was a gifted striker who earned second team All-America honors in 1994 and was a two-time Athlete of the Year recipient. He was a four-time All-SUNYAC and four-time All-State selection and remains the program's all-time points (106) and assists (36) leader. Pabon's teams advanced to the postseason in three of four years, including an NCAA berth in 1994.
The Binghamton University Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1996 to honor those individuals who have distinguished themselves and the University through the intercollegiate athletics program. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those individuals who have brought distinction, honor and excellence to Binghamton University athletics.
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