Riverdale, NY - A new group of Dolphins legends are taking their rightful place in the Athletics Hall of Fame.
Julie Mulry Kaen '80, Kevin Jardines '16, Tyler Cucullu '17, Rachel Heizer '18, Julia McGowan '18 and the 1995-96 men's basketball championship team were appointed as the Class of 2023, with athletics director Phil Stern spearheading the selection committee, along with members of the athletic and alumni relations departments.
"We are looking forward to celebrating this talented class of inductees," stated Phil Stern, Director of Athletics. "This is represented by first ballot hall of famers, a pioneer and one of our first championship teams. The Hall of Fame Banquet has grown into an event that our entire campus looks forward to. Congratulations to class of 2023!"
The group follows the 2022 class that featured Jessie Mitchell '11, Christina Barone '17, Mackenzie Heizer '17, as well as the 2014-15 women's basketball championship team and the 2015 women's volleyball championship team.
Kaen enters the CMSV Athletics Hall of Fame as a pioneer, both as a student at the Mount and in her career. Kaen was a two-sport athlete in Riverdale, where she first excelled as a member of the women's basketball team. She was appointed captain for all four years while scoring nearly 1,000 career points. She also helped found the softball program, a team she was also a member of.
Kaen furthered her success in athletics at Saint Barnabas High School in the Bronx, where she serves as Athletic Director while previously coaching basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball. She was also named to the high school's Hall of Fame in 2008.
Jardines becomes the first CMSV Hall of Famer to represent the sport of men's soccer, and it's for good reason. From the start of his career until his graduation, Jardines starred for the Dolphins and is arguably the most accomplished athlete in program history. Jardines sits atop a number of career and season records, including being first all time in goals, assists, points, shots on goal and game winning goals, among other categories.
Jardines' success was recognized by the Skyline Conference as well. The forward from South Gate, California named First Team All-Conference in three of his four years played while also taking home the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year award in 2013.
Cucullu, like Jardines, emerged as arguably the top athlete in men's volleyball history throughout his time at the Mount, spanning from 2014 through 2017. Cucullu took his talents from Henderson, Nevada and immediately made an impact, as he was awarded four First Team All-Skyline selections while helping lead his team to four straight Skyline Conference postseasons appearances, including a spot in the championship game in 2017.
Cucullu climbed up multiple ranks in the record books en route to a fantastic career. He remains atop multiple offensive categories for the Dolphins, including aces, aces per set and points, as well as leading the nation in both aces per set (twice) and points per set.
Heizer joins her sister in her rightful place in the Hall of Fame, after putting together four seasons that rivals Mackenzie, with the argument of top softball player in CMSV history being between the both of them. Heizer was a rare two-way standout for the Dolphins, and it's hard to say what position she was better at. She exited Riverdale ranking in the top five in 15 different all-time categories both as a hitter and a pitcher, as well as earning Skyline Player of the Year honors two different times.
Heizer was also awarded Rookie of the Year honors, as well as placing on three different First Team All-Conference lists throughout her tenure.
Julia McGowan, too, wrapped up her career in white and gold as one of, if not the greatest women's soccer player to compete for CMSV. McGowan continues to hold all-time program and season records in goals, assists and points, while also earning Player of the Year honors in 2016, as well as two First Team All Skyline selections. McGowan didn't only dominate at the conference level - she also ranked top 10 in the nation in scoring in 2016 while also finishing in the top 10 in assists in 2014.
McGowan's success has only continued into the real world, but in a different fashion. She is currently a registered nurse at Montefiore Hospital, where she worked on a first exposure floor during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 1995-96 men's basketball team stand out among the rest in the history of CMSV, as they were the first to reach the NCAA Division-III national tournament after going 18-9 in the regular season. Led by legendary coach Chuck Mancuso, the Dolphins impressed over the 27 game slate and saw key contributions from current Hall of Famer Ira Nicholson '97 (13.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and six blocks per game), Richie Cole (15 points per game), Anwar Hannon (11.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game) and Danny Mannix (7.7 points, six assists and 2.3 steals per game).
The 2023 CMSV Athletics Hall of Fame banquet will be held on November 11 in Smith Hall. Click here to purchase your tickets for the big event.
