Five former student-athletes, one coach, and the 1972 Worcester State University Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Team will be inducted into the Lancer Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 27.
Honorees include players from softball, volleyball, track and field, football, and basketball and Men’s Basketball coach Thomas W. Moore. This year’s event kicks off Homecoming Weekend when the university will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
“This year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony is extra special as we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of Worcester State,” said Thomas McNamara ‘94, vice president of University Advancement. “Athletics has long played an important role in building school pride, enriching campus life and teaching students leadership, teamwork and goal setting. We’re proud to welcome all of the outstanding 2024 inductees and to celebrate generations of student-athletes and coaches who epitomize Lancer pride. As a former Lancer student-athlete myself, I am especially proud to be see my former basketball coach at Worcester State, Tom Moore, being celebrated.”
Established in 1985, the Athletics Hall of Fame awards are given every other year to outstanding athletes for their sportsmanship, leadership, and character and to coaches and others who have contributed to the Athletics mission. This year marks the 31st Hall of Fame induction. The dinner and ceremony will be held on Friday night during Homecoming Weekend at the Wellness Center starting at 5 p.m. Registration is still open.
“We are excited to recognize this exceptional group of former student-athletes and a coach that represented our institution at the highest of levels,” said Athletics Director Michael Mudd. “The fact that this class is being inducted during the school’s 150th anniversary celebration makes the event that much more special.”
This year’s inductees are:
Jeremy J. Gaucher ’08, Football
Four-year starter of the Worcester State Football team as a wide receiver and captain his senior year. His stats include 143 receptions over 2,000 yards, 17 touchdowns, 106 points, and over 2,000 all-purpose yards rushing and receiving. He was awarded Offensive Rookie of the Year, ECAC Division III Northeast All Star, First Team All NEFC, All Worcester area football association, 2005 MVP, Honorable Mention All-American Team, and Worcester State Male Athlete of the Year.
Terrence A. Gibson ’16, Men’s Track & Field & Football
As a member of the Worcester State Track & Field team from 2011 to 2015, he was a national champion for hurdles and a four-time All-American for Track. He holds the school records for 60-meter and 110-meter hurdles and was a part of the record holding 4×100 relay team. He was an Open New England Champion, an ECAC Division Ill New England Champion, and a four-time Division Ill New England Champion.
Thomas W. Moore, Contributor, Men’s Basketball Head Coach
During his tenure as head coach for the Men’s Basketball team at Worcester State from 1989 to 1994, he oversaw the Lancer’s most successful five-year period in school history (’76-’59) and guided the team to the ECAC Tournament in 1993 and the NCAA Division 3 Tournament in 1994. After Worcester State, he went on to win National Championships as an assistant coach at UConn and was the head coach at Quinnipiac University.
Courtney N. (Salisbury) Peloquin ’17, MOT ’18, Women’s Softball & Volleyball
As a two-sport athlete, she was a four-year starting catcher and two-year captain, leading the Worcester State Softball team to 79 wins during her career. Her batting average is .366 with 192 hits including 136 singles and 47 doubles, leading the 2016 season with runs scored. She was a member of the 2016 MASCAC championship team, three time AII-MASCAC catcher, and 2016 Second Team NFCA All-New England catcher.
Marcus S. Price ’15, Football
As a three-year member of the Worcester State Football team, he earned All-NEFC Bogan Division honors with 230 rushes for 1,230 yards (123.0 yards per game). He ended his career as a Lancer with the third most rushing attempts in game (37), most in season (230), most in career (594), most rushing yards in a season (1230), third most in career (2839) and fifth most rushing touchdowns in career (19). He earned Worcester State Football most valuable player, First Team All NEFC in 2011 and was selected to play in the Division III North-South All-Star Classic in Salem, Virginia.
Lindsay M. (DelleChiaie) Rocco ’10, Women’s Basketball
She was a four-year member of the Worcester State Women’s Basketball team from 2004 to 2008 and captained her senior year. She achieved status as a 1,000-point scorer with career points totalling 1,233 points. She made 184 three pointers in her time as a Lancer. She was All Conference First Team (’05-’06 and ’07-’08), All Conference Second Team (’06-’07), and team MVP (’08). She also was the Co-Female Lancer of the year in 2008.
1972 Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Team
Winner of the Inaugural Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Championship
The Worcester State 1972 Men’s Outdoor Track and Field team posted 17 and 1 record and won the inaugural Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Championship, scoring 89 points. The team won five events establishing Massachusetts State College records in the process. Members of the 1972 track team broke or tied 22 school records.
Achievers
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