Western New England University Inducts 6 Into Hall of Fame

Nicole Poli

Lacrosse and Soccer Star

Western New England University inducted 6 new members into the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame class, the 18^th in school history.

Mike Flynn '82 (contributor), Laurie Matochik Devaney '86 (softball/volleyball), Scott Thornton '05 (men's soccer), Mark Bergey '06 (men's lacrosse), Jennifer Dabrowski Hover '08 (women's basketball), and Nicole Poli '11 (women's lacrosse/women's soccer), were honored for their contributions to Western New England athletics at an induction ceremony and dinner event during homecoming weekend on Friday, September 23^rd.

The WNEU Athletic Hall of Fame was named in honor of Arthur William "Red" Downes, a member of the Western New England coaching staff and faculty for 45 years who was inducted in the inaugural 1999 class.

The 2016 Class:

Mark Bergey

Mark Bergey, a defenseman for the men's lacrosse program from 2003-06, was an integral member of Western New England teams that captured consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Championships and emerged as a national contender in Division III.

Jennifer Dabrowski Hover

Jennifer Dabrowski Hover, a guard for the women's basketball team from 2004-08, was one of the most prolific scorers and top overall players in program history. A two-time Western New England Coca-Cola Female Athlete of the Year award winner, Dabrowski was a three-time All-Conference performer, collecting Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Year accolades as a senior in 2007-08. The Plainville, Conn. native currently ranks fourth on Western New England's all-time scoring list with 1,545 points.

Mike Flynn

Mike Flynn, who earned both his undergraduate (1982) and graduate ('83) degrees from Western New England, is being inducted into the Downes Hall of Fame as a contributor.

The Wilbraham, Mass. native and owner/CEO of Hampden Engineering Corporation in nearby East Longmeadow has been a longtime supporter of Western New England athletics and is a member of the University's Board of Trustees. Flynn's support has been essential in the development of both the outdoor athletic facilities and the Alumni Healthful Living Center. Most recently, his contributions were instrumental in the opening of the Flynn Family Golden Bear Pavilion last fall, which is named in his honor.

Laurie Matochik Devaney

Laurie Matochik Devaney, a centerfielder with the softball program from 1983-86, was a three-time All-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 5 selection. She graduated as the program's single-season record holder for triples (ten), home runs (four) and runs batted in (32). The Port Chester, N.Y. native was a member of Western New England teams that posted a combined 82-36 (.695) record over her four-year career.

Nicole Poli

Nicole Poli, a two-sport standout with the women's lacrosse and women's soccer teams from 2007-11, was an All-Region and All-Conference performer for both programs and a two-time Western New England Coca-Cola Female Athlete of the Year (2008-09, 2009-10).

Also a defender for the women's soccer team, Poli was a three-time All-CCC second team selection, garnering New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) All-New England third team honors as a junior in 2009 and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-New England second team recognition as a senior in 2010. She started all 85 games that she appeared in over the course of her career, compiling eight points on three goals and two assists.

Scott Thornton

Scott Thornton, a midfielder with the men's soccer team from 2001-04, is the only three-year captain in the 50-year history of the program. The two-time All-GNAC first team selection, who was elected as the program's youngest captain in history as a sophomore in 2002, finished his career with 51 points on 18 goals and 15 assists.

Thornton's sister, Kristin Thornton Hensinger '07, a former women's soccer standout and current assistant coach at Western New England, was inducted into the Downes Hall of Fame last fall, making the duo just the second pair of siblings to be enshrined.

Congratulations to the 6 new members of the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame at Western New England University, one of our fine colleges in the Western Mass area.

For more complete information: Western New England Announces 2016 Hall of Fame Class - Western New England University

* (Information above from the WNEU Website)

Alfredo DiLascia

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