NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame grew by four following a ceremony in the College Terrace on October 12th. The class of 2007 featured Gary Maasch, Jasmine Sanchez, Gail Smith, and Tom Whitaker. New members have been inducted every few years with the present number of inductees totaling 63.
2007 Hall of Fame Inductees: Gary Maasch, Gail Smith and Tom Whitaker. (Not pictured is Jasmine Sanchez).
Gary Maasch was a two sport athlete who competed on both the men’s soccer team and baseball team. He was the recipient of the New Paltz Gold Key Award which recognized athletes who, during their college career, earned eight varsity letters. Maasch played soccer for coach Al Miller and was part of the 1965 squad who won both the SUNY Conference title and the NCAA College Division Atlantic Coast Championship. He was a co-captain in 1965, named to the Atlantic Coast All-Tournament team, and earned All-SUNYAC honors. Other accomplishments include playing varsity baseball for four years, three under Miller and his final season under Joe Owens. According to his teammate, Daniel Zipkin, he was one of the most spirited, dedicated and serious members of both teams. He always played hard and fought hard for he fellow teammates. After graduation in 1966, he became a teacher at Bayport High School followed by a career change which led him to become a police officer until he retired in July of 2004.
Maasch with fellow 1965 teammates.
Gail Dawson Smith, was a pioneer in sports for women, at a time when women did not have an opportunity to play on intercollegiate teams. Along with her Arethusa sorority sisters, Smith played a large role in introducing women’s athletics at New Paltz. Her assiduous nature and commitment to the notion that women can compete helped pave the way for our future female student-athletes. From 1962-1966 she participated in numerous sports through the Women’s Athletic Association. Smith’s work on behalf of women has been invaluable to the athletics program at New Paltz and beyond. In 2004, she was recognized for her dedication to women’s athletics as a recipient of the Carol Eckman Award .Currently, Smith is the Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at Middlebury College, where she received the Middlebury College Faculty Feminist of the Year Award for her leadership among women athletes in 2005.
Smith with her college roommate Molly McGrath-Curry.
Tom Whitaker, a first baseman and pitcher, was a member of the New Paltz Baseball team from 1972-1976 playing under coach Pete Craemer and George Valacente. In that time the Hawks compiled a record of 55-46, and Whitaker was a four-time All-SUNYAC selection. In 1975, Whitaker posted New Paltz’s single season record for wins (11), conference wins (9), strikeouts (96), fewest runs allowed (13) and complete games (10). In 1976, after his senior season, Whitaker became the second New Paltz player selected in the major league draft when he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whitaker ranks first on the career chart with 17 wins, second in fewest loses (three), and third with a 1.79 ERA.
Whitaker with former high school and SUNY New Paltz Coach Pete Kramer.
Jasmine Sanchez was a member of the New Paltz Women’s Basketball team from 1995-1999, playing under coach Tom Costello and coach Rich Thornton. Sanchez was the first 1,000 point scorer in New Paltz Women’s Basketball History and finished her career with 1,066 points, which places her second on the all-time list. She holds the New Paltz career record for rebounds with 918 and steals with 304. Sanchez was a four –time All-SUNYAC selection , earning honorable mention in ‘96, ‘97, and ‘98 and first team honors in ‘99. In 1996 she was selected as the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year. She continued her career after New Paltz by playing for the Dominican Republic National Team.
