Hall of Fame Dinner A Success With Large Turnout

January 30, 2005

SMITHFIELD, RI - More than 140 alumni, parents, administrators, coaches and staff showed up at the beautiful Grand Hall in the Bello Center Saturday night as Bryant University welcomed four new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame.

Former volleyball standout Jennifer Carvalho '98, baseball star Jason Eldridge '99, men's golf all-American Scott Trethewey '91, and longtime coach and administrator Bob Reall were all honored by their former teammates, coaches and friends during the induction dinner ceremony.

"These individuals join 45 other former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors who have been honored for their accomplishments," said Director of Athletics Dan Gavitt.

The Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2005 brings the number of new Hall of Fame members to 19 since 2001-02, when the Bryant Athletics Hall of Fame was restarted after a 10-year dormancy. In all, the induction of these four individuals brings the total number in the Hall of Fame to 64.

"Tonight is a real Bryant 'Family Night'," remarked President Ronald K. Machtley noting the large turnout of family members on hand. "This is a great evening for Bryant Athletics and to be able to see these individuals compete, not too long ago, and now enter the Hall of Fame is truly special. I congratulate each of you for this much deserved honor."

Gavitt, who served as the master of ceremonies throughout the evening, mentioned the impressive numbers associated with the four inductees: Two All-American honors; three Northeast-10 All-Conference honors; three New England Player of The Year honors; two Bryant Athlete of the Year recipients; six NCAA tournament appearances; seven New England titles; multiple school record holders, NCAA record holders, and several campus and community organizational activities.

Each of the honored inductees spoke about the special things that made Bryant such a wonderful experience, and the one theme that echoed each acceptance speech was the memories and the friendship made with their teammates and coaches during their careers at Bryant.

"If it wasn't for my teammates, I wouldn't be here tonight accepting this honor," said Eldridge during his speech. "My coaches (Jon Sjogren) and the support from everyone at Bryant from the President down, helped prepare me for the future in so many ways."

THE CLASS OF 2005

Jennifer Carvalho - Volleyball

A four-year member of the Bryant women’s volleyball team from 1994 to 1997, Jennifer Carvalho ‘98, enters the hall of fame as one of the top setters in the program’s history.

A native of Seekonk, Massachusetts and graduate of East Providence High School, Carvalho made an immediate impact with the Bulldogs since first stepping onto campus in 1994. In her first year, she was named the Northeast-10 Conference and AVCA regional freshman of the year and concluded her illustrious career with the distinction of being named Bryant’s athlete of the year as a senior in 1998.

Bryant posted a 99-47 overall record during her four-year career. During that time, she was a two-time Northeast-10 all-conference selection (1996, 1997) and earned AVCA All-Northeast Region honors in 1997.

Graduating as the school’s all-time career assists leader (4,728), Carvalho still ranks seventh for career service aces with 178; ninth in career digs with 1,047; eighth with 483 career games played; and 10th in career matches played (138).

In addition to serving as team captain and as a member of the Bryant Captains’ Council and Delta Zeta sorority, Carvalho played an active role in several community service programs, including Special Olympics, D.A.R.E., various food drives and walk-a-thons.

Jason Eldridge - Baseball

After a year that saw the Bryant baseball team make school history in the NCAA tournament in 2004, it’s only fitting to have one of the school’s all-time greats selected to the Hall of Fame this evening.

While it may be easy to look at the individual achievements of Jason Eldridge, it was also his leadership both on and off the field that helped guide Bryant to a Northeast-10 Conference championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance in twelve seasons in 1998. As a player from 1996-99, Eldridge simply rewrote the Bulldog baseball record book with his play at the plate and ability to run the bases.

During the 1998 seasons, Eldridge earned Second Team All-America Honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings, and was named the Northeast-10 Player of the Year after leading the conference in batting (.461), runs batted in (79) and doubles (22). A two-time first team all-conference selection, Eldridge was named the Bryant Athlete of the Year in 1999.

A native of Belchertown, Mass., Eldridge broke or tied four school records during the season and today stands as the school’s all-time career hits leader with 247. He also holds the school record for career RBIs (182) and RBIs in a season (79).

He ranks second for all time hits in a season with 89 in 1998, career batting average (.371), single season batting average (.461), career doubles (50), single season doubles (22), and 72 stolen bases.

Bob Reall - Contributor

To many, Bob Reall was Bryant University Athletics. Spending 24 years of coaching three different sports as well as serving in various administrative capacities – including interim director of athletics – Reall enters the Hall of Fame as a contributor for his many roles served within the department.

Retiring from Bryant in May of 2000, Reall coached more than 450 games, including seven seasons as coach of Bryant’s then varsity ice hockey team, two as the school’s baseball coach, and 12 seasons as Bryant’s softball coach.

During his time as ice hockey coach, the Bulldogs captured the ECAC Division III championship.In only his second year as coach of the Bryant softball team, the Bulldogs set a school record for wins in a season with 23 in 1989. The record didn’t last however, as Reall’s Bulldogs posted a 28-win season in 1994 and won the ECAC tournament.

In addition to his coaching duties, Reall oversaw a highly successful intramural athletics program at Bryant for more than 20 years and served as interim director of athletics at the college. Reall is a 1956 graduate of Providence College, where he was a standout member of the Friars’ ice hockey team.

A resident of Lincoln, R.I., Reall still remains a true supporter and fan of Bryant University and its students. There aren’t many games on campus you won’t find him stopping by to say hello and cheer on the Bulldogs. After all, Bob Reall is still considered the face of Bryant Athletics.

Scott Trethewey - Golf

Men’s golf has always been one of the most successful programs at Bryant. After all, it’s almost impossible to pass through the Chace Athletic Center and not see the numerous all-American and New England Championship plaques displayed in the trophy case. All representing the many greats who have been a member of the most successful program at Bryant.

This year, one of its best will become the eighth golfer to be inducted into the hall of fame. Scott Trethewey ’91, a native of Walpole, Mass. was a two-time all-American as a player at Bryant from 1988 to 1991.

The medalist at the 1989 and 1990 Northeast-10 Conference championships, Trethewey still holds the conference record for highest win-margin at the Northeast-10 championship.

In 1990, he was a medalist at the New England Championships with a score of 151 at a time when Division I, Division II, and Division III all competed at the same championship.

He earned similar honors at the ECAC regional championship, leading Bryant to its first ECAC title at the University of Maryland. A three-time all-New England selection and four-time all-conference selection, Trethewey was a Third Team All-American in 1990 and First Team All-American honoree in 1991.

In 1997, Trethewey won the Rhode Island Open Championship. Today, Trethewey is a PGA Professional at Milton Hoosic Country Club.