Five former student-athletes, one honorary contributor, and the 2007 Worcester State University Women’s Soccer Team will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 25 during Homecoming Weekend [1]. The 2026 class represents field hockey, football, softball, volleyball, and men’s basketball, along with the championship women’s soccer team.
Established in 1985, the Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding athletes for their sportsmanship, leadership, and character, as well as coaches and others who have made significant contributions to the University’s athletics mission. This year marks the 32nd Hall of Fame induction.
The dinner and induction ceremony will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at the Wellness Center beginning at 5 p.m. as part of Homecoming Weekend. Registration remains open.
This year’s inductees are:
Olivia Antonelli ’20, Field Hockey
A dominant offensive force in Worcester State Field Hockey history, Antonelli is the program’s all-time leader in goals (63), assists (31), and total points (157). A four-time Little East All-Conference honoree and 2016 LEC Rookie of the Year, she capped her standout career in 2019 with NFHCA All-Region honors, a selection to the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game, and both the Margaret “Peg” Nugent Scholar-Athlete and Robert Devlin Senior Female Athlete Awards. In 2019, her team won the Little East Conference (LEC) Championship by defeating Keene State College 6-0 to capture the title. Her team then went onto the NCAA Tournament Division III Tournament, falling to Messiah College in the first round. A two-year team captain in 2018 and 2019, Antonelli’s leadership set the standard on the field while consistently excelling in the classroom across LEC, MASCAC, and NFHCA National Academic squads every season. Her unmatched scoring touch, competitive drive, and dedication to academic and athletic excellence cement her legacy as one of the finest student-athletes to ever wear the blue and gold.
Graham Asum ’12, Football
A dynamic two-way threat and one of the most explosive special teams weapons in Division III history, Asum had a legendary career in blue and gold. A 2012 D3football.com All-American and New England Writers All-Star, Asum established himself as the Lancers’ all-time leader in kickoff return yards (952) while tying the New England Division III career record with six kickoff return touchdowns. His electrifying playmaking peaked in a historic 2012 matchup against Framingham State, where he set an NCAA Division III record with 333 kickoff return yards and scored twice on returns of 94 and 90 yards. Complementing his 2,338 all-purpose yards, the two-time All-NEFC standout was equally dominant in the secondary, ranking seventh in program history with 12 career interceptions—highlighted by an unforgettable four-interception performance against Westfield State.
Sydney Despres ’18, Softball
Despres was a standout team captain. She is one of the most dominant sluggers in program history, Despres has a legacy of offensive excellence. She was on the team that won the 2016 MASCAC Championship team. Ranked the top hitter in the country for weeks during her collegiate career, Despres concluded her three seasons (2016–2018) with an astonishing .504 batting average, a .563 on-base percentage, and an .885 slugging percentage. Over that span, she racked up 189 hits, 125 RBIs, and 32 home runs—including a blistering 17-homer campaign—all while striking out just 18 times. A decorated multi-time All-Conference and All-Region honoree as well as a MASCAC Player of the Year, she set the standard for dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship on the diamond. Despres’ positive leadership and commitment to Lancer softball made her an ultimate role model, culminating in her return as an assistant coach in 2019 to help guide the next generation of student-athletes.
AJ Scerra ’17, Football
Scerra is a legendary wide receiver and two-year team captain whose prolific career permanently altered the Worcester State University football record books. He left his alma mater ranking first all-time in career receptions (207), career receiving touchdowns (26), and single-season catches, highlighted by a standout 2012 campaign where he earned national recognition and First Team All-NEFC honors. A dominant offensive force on the field, Scerra also set a single-game program record with 17 receptions against the Coast Guard. He later returned to the sidelines as the wide receivers coach in 2017, helping mentor the next generation of players to break several team records he once helped establish.
Amari King ’19, Volleyball
King stands as one of the most dominant and prolific offensive forces in Lancer volleyball history and led the Lancers to back-to-back 2017 / 2018 MASCAC Championships and two NCAA Tournament berths. In just two seasons at Worcester State, King captured back-to-back MASCAC Player of the Year awards (2017 and 2018), garnered nine MASCAC Player of the Week honors, and was named the university’s 2018 Most Outstanding Female Athlete. She cemented her legacy in the record books by setting the all-time program benchmark with 3.33 career kills per set while racking up 742 total kills (fifth all-time) and a stellar .255 hitting percentage (third all-time). Her historic 2017 campaign alone produced 422 kills and 1,241 attack attempts, both ranking second in single-season school history. King’s relentless scoring ability, efficiency, and game-changing leadership make her an exceptional and richly deserving Hall of Fame inductee.
Gerry Creamer ’72, Honorary Contributor
Gerald “Gerry” F. Creamer Sr. was the consummate floor leader for Worcester State Men’s Basketball, serving as team captain. Renowned by teammates and coaches for his selfless play and steady character, Creamer seamlessly translated his leadership on the court into decades of transformative public service. As head basketball coach at South High Community School from 1981 to 1993, he built a state powerhouse—reaching the 1986 State Finals, the 1989 State Final Four, and earning 1989 Massachusetts State Coach of the Year honors. He later cemented an enduring legacy in alternative education by founding and directing the Comprehensive Skills Center to support at-risk students, an institution the city of Worcester formally renamed The Gerald Creamer Center in 2007. His lifelong mentorship, championship pedigree, and profound community impact make him a defining 2026 Honorary Contributor inductee into the Worcester State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
2007 Women’s Soccer Team
The team had one of the most decorated seasons in Women’s Soccer program history. Finishing with an impressive 16–6–0 overall record and a 5–1–0 conference mark, the Lancers captured both the MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament championships. The squad dominated on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents 47 to 22 behind dynamic scoring from Tiffany Rotatori and Kelsey Irish, alongside a stout defense that produced 12 shutouts. Their remarkable campaign culminated in a historic postseason run to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 and a national ranking.