ITHACA, N.Y. – Ithaca College Director of Athletics, Susan Bassett ’79, announces a new format for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Former Ithaca College Basketball Player and alumnus Kevin Connors ’97 will return to South Hill and serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the 46th annual Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, Sept. 25. This year’s ceremony will take place in the Athletics and Events Center, and begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. The induction is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
“After considerable review and analysis, the Hall of Fame Committee, in conjunction with IC staff, has created a new format for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony to be celebrated in September. The location will now be in the spectacular, LEED Gold certified, Athletics and Events Center, with distinguished alumnus, Kevin Connors ’97 of ESPN serving as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.”
Bassett continued, “We are truly privileged to have Kevin Connors return to campus to help us honor our Hall of Fame inductees. We could not be more excited to have a former Bomber of Kevin’s professional stature launch our new, more interactive Hall of Fame induction ceremony.”
Connors currently works for ESPN and is an anchor on the station’s flagship program, SportsCenter. He has worked at ESPN for the past seven years and previously held positions at WCBS-AM 880 and WCBS-TV in New York City for nearly two-and-a-half years. Connors’ first job out of college was with WRNN-TV in the Hudson Valley, where he was employed for over seven years.
“I am thrilled to serve as emcee of the 2015 Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies. As a former member of the IC men’s basketball team, I’m well aware of the commitment and talent level it takes to be a Bomber. The careers of excellence achieved by all of our inductees are remarkable – and so it will be a true honor to share in their special night,” stated Connors.
As a student at Ithaca College, Connors earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in television-radio and worked on ICTV’s Gridiron Report during his senior year, as well as a radio broadcaster for home football games on WICB. On the court, the Rockville Centre, N.Y. native helped the men’s basketball program to an overall record of 66-39 in four seasons. Connors appeared in 53 contests and amassed 100 points, 56 rebounds and 52 assists.
“Returning to the South Hill is always nostalgic for me. Four of the most memorable years of my life were spent at Ithaca College and it’s always so comforting to see the Bomber spirit alive and well,” expressed Connors.
Eight individuals and two teams will be enshrined into Ithaca’s illustrious Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend. The individual inductee and members of the two teams will sit down with Connors in a question-and-answer forum to talk about their athletic careers as student-athletes at Ithaca College.
For those who wish to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony during Alumni Weekend, please visit the following link for registration information. Tickets are $30 for current members of the Hall of Fame, $40 for adults and $20 for students. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Registration is available until Sept. 13.
Schedule of Events:
5:30 p.m. – Cocktail Reception and Light Dinner – Shelly’s Concourse
7 p.m. – Induction Ceremony – Glazer Arena
8:30 p.m. – Dessert Reception – Glazer Arena
