NEW PALTZ, NY — On Friday October 12th, New Paltz Athletics will enter four new members into their Sports Hall of Fame. The festivities will kickoff at 6:00 PM with a reception and dinner at the College Terrace located adjacent to the Athletic and Wellness Center. The four inductees who exemplified both athletic skill and sportsmanship are Gary Maasch (1966), Jasmine Sanchez (2000), Tom Whittaker (1976) and Gail Smith (1966).
Maasch was a two sport athlete who competed on both the men’s soccer team and baseball team. He was part of the New Paltz 1965 Men’s Division III soccer Regional Championship as the Hawks won the SUNYAC crown for the first and only time.
Sanchez competed on the women’s basketball team from 1995-1999 and during her four year career amassed one of the best careers of any New Paltz athlete. Sanchez was the first 1,000 point scorer in school history for women’s basketball and was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year in 1996. She finished her career with 1,066 points which is now second all-time in school history.
Whittaker was a member of the New Paltz baseball team from 1973-1976. He was three times named to the all-SUNYAC team. He is third all-time in school history with a 1.79 ERA and and second all time with 101 strikeouts. In 1975 he posted his best season and still holds New Paltz records for wins (7), fewest runs allowed (13) and complete games (7).
Smith who played athletics from 1963-1966 in New Paltz was never part of a formalized team because at the time, there was not organized female athletics at New Paltz. Smith, however, played a large role in initiating female athletics at New Paltz and helped paved the way for female athletes today.
