A former student-athlete from the Class of 1999 and two members of the Class of 2009 are the newest members of SJC Long Island’s Golden Eagles Athletics Hall of Fame, the College has announced.
Joseph King ’99, a psychology major and the first-baseman on SJC Long Island’s 1997 ECAC championship team, was elated by the news of his induction.
“I feel honored and excited to be a part of the Gold Eagles Hall of Fame,” said King, 42, who owns Pottery King, Inc., a wholesale distributor of pottery and glass vases with an outlet store in New York City. “Baseball is a game that I have always been passionate about, and I have lasting memories of my four years at St. Joe’s.
Golden Eagles Hall of Fame inductee Joseph King ‘99 at bat while playing for SJC Long Island at Yankee Stadium.
“My fondest memory is playing in an all-star game at Yankee Stadium,” the Dix Hills resident continued. “I am a big Yankee fan, so being on that field was a special moment for me.”
Inductee Meghan Brady ’09 was a midfielder who led women’s soccer to three regular season Skyline Conference championships. Fifth all-time in team history in career points (46) and goals (18), Brady was the conference’s player of the year in 2008.
“Playing soccer has been something I’ve loved doing since kindergarten, and the opportunity to play in college meant I got to keep doing what I enjoyed most,” said Brady, 30, a strategic account executive at Hub International. “Being recognized for my time on the field is just icing on the cake — it’s humbling and super exciting.”
Hall of Fame inductee Meghan Brady ’09 helped lead the Golden Eagles to three regular season Skyline Conference championships.
Brady said she remains very close with her teammates from St. Joseph’s.
“I’d challenge anyone to find friends better than the ones I made playing soccer at SJC,” said Brady of Farmingdale. “The bus trips to away games created a ton of memories for me. They were a great excuse for all of us to be together — we are still constantly laughing and reminiscing about the things that happened while we were traveling.”
Inductee Tyler Eckhoff was a three-time Skyline All-Conference selection who in 2008 led the men’s cross country team to its first-ever Skyline title. He still holds two SJC Long Island course records.
“It is an honor to be recognized by SJC,” said Eckhoff, 31, a middle school social studies teacher and high school cross country and track coach in Alexandria, Virginia. “St. Joseph’s enabled me to continue my running career, accomplish my dream of becoming a teacher, make lifelong friends and still have money to fund my graduate school after graduating.”
Tyler Eckhoff ’09, at right at the front of the pack, in 2008 helped lead the Golden Eagles cross country team to its first Skyline Conference title.
Hall of Fame Established 10 Years Ago
The Golden Eagles Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to honor former athletes, coaches and friends of St. Joseph’s College. Those honored have contributed significantly to the athletics program and continue to exemplify the principles of sportsmanship and integrity through their contributions and achievements in their respective communities and professions.
“It’s with great pleasure that we welcome Meghan, Tyler, and Joe to this year’s class of the Golden Eagle Hall of Famers,” said Shantey Hill-Hanna, “All three were outstanding student-athletes and have had long-lasting impacts on their respective sport programs. Each have gone on to lead successful careers after graduation and are model examples of St. Joseph’s College alumni.”
Individuals and entire teams are eligible for induction in the Golden Eagles Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held bi-annually in the fall. Inductees have their name and photo displayed on a plaque at SJC Long Island.
