Drexel University Athletics
Drexel Athletics Inducts 2023 Hall of Fame Class
1/21/2023 3:00:00 PM | Drexel Athletics
PHILADELPHIA – Drexel Athletics inducted five individuals into the Janet E. and Barry C. Burkholder Athletics Hall of Fame this January. The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is comprised of Bill Baer (football), Robert Battle (men's basketball), Christina Mastropaolo (field hockey), Rebecca Murphy (women's tennis) and Mike Pellegrini (men's soccer). In addition, Drexel recognized two individuals with the Athletic Director's Legacy Award. Former Faculty Athletic Representative Hazem Maragah and Drexel graduate Chuck Vincent ('57) received this year's award. The 2023 Hall of Fame is presented by Strive Physical Therapy.
This year's reception and induction ceremony was held The Study on 33rd Street.
Bill Baer – Football – Class of 1972
Baer was a quarterback during his playing days in University City. He threw for 1,192 yards during the 1969 season to set the school record. That season he had 257 yards passing in a game, which also broke the Drexel record. He holds the school marks for total offense in a game (251), a season (1,250) and in a career (2,073). Baer is also the all-time leader in completions in a game, a season and career at Drexel. A two-sport athlete, Baer also competed in men's basketball during his first two seasons with the Dragons.
Robert Battle – Men's Basketball – Class of 2003
Battle was one of the top big men in the Colonial Athletic Association in his final two seasons at Drexel. The Philadelphia native was a two-time All-CAA First Team selection. Battle was named the CAA's Defensive Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior. In his final season, he averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and was fifth in the nation with 3.7 blocks per game. His 116 blocks broke the school record set by Bob Stephens. Battle was named to the CAA All-Tournament team as the Dragons advanced to the title game and earned a bid to the NIT. He was also named the winner of the prestigious CAA Dean Ehlers Leadership Award. As a junior, Battle led the CAA in field-goal percentage, rebounding and blocks. He averaged 14.5 points, nine rebounds and was 10th nationally with 3.25 blocks per game. After graduation, Battle played professionally for almost 20 years.
Christina Mastropaolo – Field Hockey – Class of 2011
Mastropaolo was one of the most decorated field hockey players in school history. She set program career records by scoring 60 goals and recording 146 points and is second with 26 assists. Mastropaolo also set the single-season mark by scoring 29 goals and tallying 69 points during the 2009 season. She holds the Drexel record with 10 game-winning goals and for goals in a game with five, against conference-foe Hofstra. Mastropaolo was a two-time, Second Team All-American and was named the CAA Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior. She was an All-CAA performer in three of her four seasons. The Philadelphia Inquirer selected her as its Academic Performer of the Year in 2009 and she was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic team four times. Mastropaolo capped her outstanding career by being named the 2011 Mary Semanik Award Winner.
Rebecca Murphy – Women's Tennis – Class of 1997
Murphy is Drexel's all-time leader in singles winning percentage at .859. She recorded 61 wins, which stood as the program record for more than 20 years. Murphy is still ranked third all-time in singles victories and suffered only 10 losses in her four seasons. Murphy was Drexel's number-one singles player and played first doubles in all four years. At doubles, she finished her career with a 44-11 mark. Murphy was a First Team All-North Atlantic Conference singles selection in 1993 and followed that up with two appearances on the All-NAC Second Team in both 1994 and 1995. A two-time East Coast Conference Scholar Athlete selection, Murphy has the distinction of being the only two-time winner of the Mary Semanik Award in school history. She earned the award in both 1995 and 1996.
Mike Pellegrini – Men's Soccer – Class of 1993
Pellegrini played on two East Coast Conference championship teams during his outstanding career at Drexel. He led the Dragons in goals and points in three of his seasons in University City. Pellegrini finished his career fourth on Drexel's all-time lists with 44 goals and 99 points. He also set the school mark with seven game-winning goals in 1990. Pellegrini was a First Team All-North Atlantic Conference selection in 1991 and was a two-time All-East Coast Conference pick. He was also named an All-Middle Atlantic Region performer on two occasions. Pellegrini was named a Philadelphia Soccer Seven All-Star three times and was named Player of the Year in 1991. Off the field, Pellegrini was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, earing First Team honors in 1992 and Second Team in 1991. He was also the 1991 North Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete and was the school's John Semanik Award Winner in 1992.
Chuck Vincent and Hazem Maragah are this year's recipients of the Athletic Director's Legacy Award. Vincent wrestled and played lacrosse at Drexel. He has been an active alum both across campus and in the athletic department. He is a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Vincent graduated from the College of Engineering after a three-year hiatus. He received a Commission as a 2nd LT in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the ROTC. Maragah served as Drexel's Faculty Athletic Representative for more than a decade as Drexel transitioned into the Colonial Athletic Association. He has also served as president of the Drexel Athletic Club. Maragah joined the LeBow College of Business faculty in 1989 and served as department head of decision sciences in 2003–2004. He recently announced his retirement after serving as a professor for more than 30 years.
This year's reception and induction ceremony was held The Study on 33rd Street.
Bill Baer – Football – Class of 1972
Baer was a quarterback during his playing days in University City. He threw for 1,192 yards during the 1969 season to set the school record. That season he had 257 yards passing in a game, which also broke the Drexel record. He holds the school marks for total offense in a game (251), a season (1,250) and in a career (2,073). Baer is also the all-time leader in completions in a game, a season and career at Drexel. A two-sport athlete, Baer also competed in men's basketball during his first two seasons with the Dragons.
Robert Battle – Men's Basketball – Class of 2003
Battle was one of the top big men in the Colonial Athletic Association in his final two seasons at Drexel. The Philadelphia native was a two-time All-CAA First Team selection. Battle was named the CAA's Defensive Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior. In his final season, he averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and was fifth in the nation with 3.7 blocks per game. His 116 blocks broke the school record set by Bob Stephens. Battle was named to the CAA All-Tournament team as the Dragons advanced to the title game and earned a bid to the NIT. He was also named the winner of the prestigious CAA Dean Ehlers Leadership Award. As a junior, Battle led the CAA in field-goal percentage, rebounding and blocks. He averaged 14.5 points, nine rebounds and was 10th nationally with 3.25 blocks per game. After graduation, Battle played professionally for almost 20 years.
Christina Mastropaolo – Field Hockey – Class of 2011
Mastropaolo was one of the most decorated field hockey players in school history. She set program career records by scoring 60 goals and recording 146 points and is second with 26 assists. Mastropaolo also set the single-season mark by scoring 29 goals and tallying 69 points during the 2009 season. She holds the Drexel record with 10 game-winning goals and for goals in a game with five, against conference-foe Hofstra. Mastropaolo was a two-time, Second Team All-American and was named the CAA Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior. She was an All-CAA performer in three of her four seasons. The Philadelphia Inquirer selected her as its Academic Performer of the Year in 2009 and she was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic team four times. Mastropaolo capped her outstanding career by being named the 2011 Mary Semanik Award Winner.
Rebecca Murphy – Women's Tennis – Class of 1997
Murphy is Drexel's all-time leader in singles winning percentage at .859. She recorded 61 wins, which stood as the program record for more than 20 years. Murphy is still ranked third all-time in singles victories and suffered only 10 losses in her four seasons. Murphy was Drexel's number-one singles player and played first doubles in all four years. At doubles, she finished her career with a 44-11 mark. Murphy was a First Team All-North Atlantic Conference singles selection in 1993 and followed that up with two appearances on the All-NAC Second Team in both 1994 and 1995. A two-time East Coast Conference Scholar Athlete selection, Murphy has the distinction of being the only two-time winner of the Mary Semanik Award in school history. She earned the award in both 1995 and 1996.
Mike Pellegrini – Men's Soccer – Class of 1993
Pellegrini played on two East Coast Conference championship teams during his outstanding career at Drexel. He led the Dragons in goals and points in three of his seasons in University City. Pellegrini finished his career fourth on Drexel's all-time lists with 44 goals and 99 points. He also set the school mark with seven game-winning goals in 1990. Pellegrini was a First Team All-North Atlantic Conference selection in 1991 and was a two-time All-East Coast Conference pick. He was also named an All-Middle Atlantic Region performer on two occasions. Pellegrini was named a Philadelphia Soccer Seven All-Star three times and was named Player of the Year in 1991. Off the field, Pellegrini was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, earing First Team honors in 1992 and Second Team in 1991. He was also the 1991 North Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete and was the school's John Semanik Award Winner in 1992.
Chuck Vincent and Hazem Maragah are this year's recipients of the Athletic Director's Legacy Award. Vincent wrestled and played lacrosse at Drexel. He has been an active alum both across campus and in the athletic department. He is a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Vincent graduated from the College of Engineering after a three-year hiatus. He received a Commission as a 2nd LT in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the ROTC. Maragah served as Drexel's Faculty Athletic Representative for more than a decade as Drexel transitioned into the Colonial Athletic Association. He has also served as president of the Drexel Athletic Club. Maragah joined the LeBow College of Business faculty in 1989 and served as department head of decision sciences in 2003–2004. He recently announced his retirement after serving as a professor for more than 30 years.
CAA
Thursday, July 20
Maisha Kelly Interview on SportsNet Central
Tuesday, February 28
Drexel Strength & Conditioning Uses Technology to Improve Performance
Saturday, January 21
Drexel Top Plays - November 2022
Thursday, December 01