DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce the Class of 2025 that will be inducted into the Corsair Hall of Fame on October 17 at the Main Auditorium in the MacLean Campus Center.
John Cordasco '13 (football), Ryan Medeiros '15 (baseball), Gerald "Jerry" Jennings (head coach, women's lacrosse, women's diving, women's sailing), and the 1987-88 SMU men's basketball team will be enshrined. Additionally, former women's lacrosse standout Katelyn (Elliott) Griffin '12, former Corsairs staff member Louise Goodrum, and the 1992 UMass Dartmouth women's soccer team will be recognized for their induction into the 2025 Little East Conference Hall of Fame.
"This year's inductees reflect the spirit of the Corsair; the all-in, team-centered, and selfless individual whose contributions elevate groups to their highest potential," stated
Lori Hendricks, Director of Athletics. "Within this class, we have wonderful role models for our current student-athletes and department members. I look forward to welcoming our inductees home, along with their select sport reunion classes, and celebrating their contributions to our athletics legacy."
John Cordasco '13 - Football
Cordasco remains in the top five all-time in career tackles for the Corsairs, having recorded 287 tackles (145 assisted, 142 solo) in 36 games played. He amassed 33.5 tackles for a loss of 129 yards, while also posting eight interceptions for 151 yards. Cordasco notched 11 pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries for 15 yards, while also blocking a kick. He is the program's all-time leader in fumble recoveries and forced fumbles, while ranking third all-time in assisted tackles. Additionally, Cordasco is fourth in career tackles for loss, fifth in total tackles, seventh in solo tackles and eighth in interceptions.
In his senior season, Cordasco led the Corsairs with 96 tackles (46 solo, 50 assisted). Of the 96 tackles, 11.5 were tackles for a loss of 36 yards. He also posted 0.5 sacks for three yards with two interceptions for 73 yards – a team-high. In addition to two pass breakups, he had two quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries for 151 yards and two forced fumbles.
As a junior in 2010, Cordasco posted the second-most tackles on the squad with 80 (35 solo, 45 assisted), adding a team-best 11.5 tackles for a loss of 59 yards. He posted a sack for 20 yards with three interceptions for 78 yards. Additionally, he had three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.
In his sophomore season, Cordasco was fourth overall with 41 tackles (25 solo, 16 assisted), adding 5.5 tackles for a loss of 14 yards. He also posted an interception and three pass breakups.
Cordasco's rookie season was equally impressive as he finished second on the team in tackles with 70 (36 solo, 34 assisted). He amassed 5.5 tackles for a loss of 20 yards with a sack for seven yards. In addition to two interceptions, he had three pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
Ryan Medeiros '15 – Baseball
One of the most dynamic players in UMass Dartmouth baseball history, Medeiros played in 154 career games (153 starts) for the Corsairs from 2012-15. In that time, he posted a career .317 batting average, notching 198 hits in 624 at-bats – the most AB's in program history. Of his 198 hits – which ranks in the top-five in Corsair history – 55 were doubles (also in top three), five were triples and 14 were home runs.
Medeiros recorded 151 runs scored with 93 runs batted in during his four-year career. Additionally, the outfielder stole 39 career bases with 326 putouts, 45 assists and 20 errors for a .949 fielding percentage. Medeiros struck out just 88 times in 624 at-bats, garnering 54 walks in that time while being hit-by-pitch 22 times.
Highlighting his incredible career was the 2014 season as he batted .358 while starting all 43 games for the Corsairs. In 190 at-bats, he posted 68 hits, including 21 doubles, three triples and two home runs. He had 26 runs batted in with 46 runs scored. For his efforts, he was named the Little East Player of the Year and was an All-Region First Team selection.
Medeiros helped the Corsairs to three straight Little East Conference Tournament appearances from 2013 through 2015. The Corsairs posted an overall 78-85 record (26-30 LEC) during his outstanding career.
Gerald "Jerry" Jennings – Head Coach, Women's Lacrosse, Diving, Women's Sailing
Jennings arrived at UMass Dartmouth (then Southeastern Massachusetts University) in 1986, serving as the head coach of the diving program. During that time, he coached eight All-Americans, along with 13 NCAA National Qualifiers. The 1992 NCAA National Diving Coach of the Year, Jennings was also a six-time New England Intercollegiate Association Diving Coach of the Year.
Jennings – who saw nine divers win New England Championship titles - went on to serve as head coach of the Corsairs swimming & diving teams for two seasons in 1997-98 and 1998-99.
In 1998, Jennings became the first head coach for the inaugural UMass Dartmouth women's lacrosse team. In his 14 seasons at the helm, the Corsairs posted a 94-113 record, going 23-36 in Little East action. Jennings coached one All-American, three Little East Rookies of the Year, two LEC Offensive Players of the Year and one conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In the Spring of 2012, Jennings took on the role of head coach for his third team at UMass Dartmouth with the inception of the women's sailing team. During his tenure, which ran until the Spring of 2017, the Corsairs saw solid improvement each year. Among the highlights included the 2016 spring season as UMass Dartmouth posted three Top-10 event finishes in NEISA action – one of the most successful springs in program history.
The 1987-88 Southeastern Massachusetts University Men's Basketball Team
One of the most successful teams in program history, the 1987-88 squad finished 24-4 overall with an 8-2 mark. At the time, their 24 wins ranked second-most in program history and continues to remain tied for seventh-most all-time. The Corsairs won the LEC regular season title and captured the conference tournament crown for the second straight season.
SMU advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year, defeating MCLA, 91-75, before falling to Clark in the Sweet Sixteen – who would go on to finish as a national semifinalist.
The Corsairs went on an 11-0 run from February 2 through March 4 before falling in the Sweet Sixteen. Additionally, the team recorded seven games with 100 or more points scored, including six victories.
At season's end, Kevin Kolek, Tim Dupree and Paul Hart were all named to the All-Little East First Team. Kolek was named the conference's Player of the Year for the second straight season, while rookie Val Sender was the LEC's Rookie of the Year.
Additionally, five players from that team still rank among the program's all-time leading scorers, including Sender (2,201), Kolek (2,027), Dupree (1,807), Hart (1,297) and Greg McCann (1,169).
