Third Hall of Fame Class announced at LIU

Long Island University’s department of athletics recently announced the names of the eight former athletes, coaches and administrators who were selected for the school’s third Hall of Fame class.

The members were chosen from a committee comprised of current and former administrators. The induction is slated at halftime of the January 26 men’s basketball game against St. Francis (PA) at Schwartz Athletic Center in downtown Brooklyn.

Saverio ‘Pic’ Picariello (deceased), who alongside Naismith and LIU Hall of Fame basketball coach Clair Bee guided the Blackbirds to a pair of undefeated seasons (1935-36 and 1938-39) and to two NIT championships (1939 and 1941), will be inducted. Picariello’s legendary career as the coach of six sports at LIU spanned more than 30 years.

Men’s basketball players and backcourt mates Barry Leibowitz and Larry Newbold will be present among those inducted.

Leibowitz, one of New York City’s top playmakers, totaled 1,032 points from 1964-67. He helped the Blackbirds to a 60-18 mark, three consecutive Tri-State League championships and to three straight NCAA College Division appearances.

Newbold was Leibowitz’ backcourt partner for two of those years. One of the top point producers and clutch players in metropolitan basketball from 1965-68, Newbold tallied 1,298 points and helped the Blackbirds to a ledger of 66-13, two Tri-State League titles, two NCAA College Division appearances and to an NIT berth in 1967-68. An AP and UPI College Division All-American, Newbold poured in 35 points in a two-point loss to Notre Dame in the NIT.

Gary Rosenthal (1957-65), who built the LIU men’s soccer program into a national power, will be inducted. In his final four years as head coach, Rosenthal took a team that never had a winning season and fashioned a 39-10-4 record. He led the Blackbirds to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances in 1963 and 1965 as well as to a pair of Metropolitan Conference championships. He recruited and coached five All-Americans in his tenure.

Steve Turner (1967-69), the top male tennis player in school history will be inducted. Turner did not lose a singles or doubles match in three years on the LIU team. He captured three ECAC championships and helped the Blackbirds become one of the dominant teams in the East. Turner qualified for the U.S. Open.

Two female athletes - Jeanette Saunds and Thuy Bonagura - will be inducted and brings the total to eight women representing the LIU Hall of Fame.

Saunds (1986-90) was the first player in LIU women’s basketball history to score more than 1,000 points (1,178) and grab more than 1,000 rebounds (1,034). The Blackbirds improved in the win column in each of her four years at the school. She remains the sixth all-time leading scorer and second all-time rebounder.

Bonagura (1988-91) was a great control pitcher who won 53 games in her career and led LIU to three consecutive Northeast Conference championships from 1988-90. As a senior in 1991, she went 12-3 with a school-record 0.58 ERA. Her 454.2 innings pitched ranks third all time and she was the 1988 NEC Tournament MVP.

Finally, one of the great names in athletic training, Charles ‘Doc’ Turner (deceased) will be among those inducted. The Blackbirds’ trainer in the 1970s, Turner worked as a trainer for nearly 60 years. One of the revolutionary figures in the field, Turner worked every Olympiad from 1928-76, was a trainer for the Negro Leagues and was the trainer for the Harlem Globetrotters for five years.

“Our third Hall of Fame class presents another outstanding field from a broad range of athletes, coaches and administrators throughout our rich athletics history,” said fifth-year director of athletics John Suarez. “The selection process gets more difficult each year, but I think the committee was able to come through with a class that rivals our first two.”

During the induction ceremony, the inductees will receive a replica plaque of what will be displayed on the Wall of Fame, located in Founders Hall adjacent to Schwartz Athletic Center.

Following the game, there will be a ceremony held in Luntey Commons, also adjacent to Schwartz Center, where each inductee will be invited to speak.