The Westfield State University Athletic Hall of Fame honors individuals and teams that have had great impact on the Owls' athletic program, whose individual success reflects the core values of the athletics program and the institution.  The first Hall of Fame class was recognized in 1994; the Hagan Award (sustained excellent service in support of the Westfield State athletics program was first given in 2009); Teams of Distinction were added to the rolls in 2017.  For full information, please utilize the links on this page for nomination information and criteria.

2018 Class Inducted

Westfield State University Athletic Hall of Fame added four individuals and two teams to its roll at the 23^rd Induction ceremony on October 19^th at the Scanlon Banquet Hall as part of the school’s Homecoming and Family Weekend activities.

President Torrecilha welcomed the crowd of 175 guests, and inductees Tom Daviau ’74, Jessie Holmes ’06, Megan (Wolski) Loftus ’08 and Steve Marino ’71, as well as the members of the 1981 field hockey team and the 1980 men’s track and field teams, which were inducted as teams of distinction.

The 1981 field hockey team was the first group recognized.  The team advanced to the inaugural NCAA Division III final four – an event that was hosted at Westfield State.  Owls head coach Kathy O’Neil relayed the story of how a broken down bus extended the length of a season opening trip to New Hampshire - and may have helped spur the sensational season.

“I’m so proud of them and I am so grateful for the University to recognize them,” said O’Neil of her team. “It was an awesome season.”

Men’s basketball standout Tom Daviau, who captained the Owls first ever ECAC Tournament team, noted his love of the game, and the importance of his fellow alumni.

“I loved playing basketball at Westfield,” said Daviau. “For me it was not about stats numbers weren’t a big deal to me it was about the love of the game fighting hard against competition and doing the small things that make our team successful … “While Basketball took up a good part of my time at Westfield, it was the long lasting relationships that I made here at Westfield that were quite frankly more important.”

Jessie Holmes set the school’s all-time sack record as part of standout football teams in the early 2000’s.

 “I did not want to come to the school and be lost and have to find my own way,” said Holmes. “So playing football gave me the opportunity to have an instant brotherhood and connections. I couldn’t ask for a better group of players and coaches throughout my experience.“

Loftus set career scoring records as a member of the field hockey team.

 “I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that Westfield gave me and proud to be an Owl incredibly honored to be recognized here tonight,” she said.  “Coach Cabral, thank you for asking more of me, teaching me so much. If it wasn’t for you pushing me to run faster, work hard or be more confident I certainly wouldn’t stand at this podium today.”

Longtime Owls football coach Steve Marino retired in 2014.  Always quick-witted, Marino noted his surprise when Athletic Director Paul Bogan showed him to the office when he took the job, and had one desk for the entire staff at that time, and discovered that the campus didn’t have a weight room at that point.

“This college coaching is harder than I thought,” joked Marino.  “I ended up staying for 24 years. It was really an honor and a privilege for me to Coach at Westfield for that time, and to be part of these young men’s lives for that period of time.”

Legendary Owls track and field coach Jerry Gravel flew in from San Diego to speak on behalf of his 1980 team, which won the New England Division III title.

Gravel capped the evening by spinning the tale of the championship meet when one of the other coaches accused him of running up the score on their foes.

“I said Frank, I have absolutely nothing to do with this. If you think I’m running up the score see those guys up there in the stands, go up there and you tell them we’re running up the score.  I’ve been standing here in our amazement just like you. I have nothing to do with this, this is happening without me and maybe even in spite of me.”

The Owl Club hosted a breakfast get together for coach Gravel and the many alumni who stayed over after the dinner.

The Hall of Fame Committee announced that the ceremony would move to a two-year cycle, with the next inductions scheduled for 2020.

If you know of an alumnus who you believe should be considered for the Hall of Fame, you can submit a nomination on line at WestfieldStateOwls.com, or contact a committee member with the pertinent information.  

                                                             1980 Track and Field Team 

                                     1981 Field Hockey Team