Adelphi’s Many Olympians

As attention turns to the Olympics, it’s inspiring to consider the many Olympians among Adelphi’s alumni and the alumni with strong ties to the Olympics.

Two alumni, in fact, have been involved in the Rio games. Al Trautwig ’78, sports commentator for the MSG Network, NBC, NBC Sports Network and USA Network, is giving us the play-by-play action of the games. Just before the games, Eric Shibata ’02 carried the Olympic torch for 200 meters.

Eleven more alumni have qualified for or competed at the games and four have won gold medals.

June Griffith Collison ’81, M.B.A. ’84	Chris Armas ’94
Al Trautwig ’78	Dorothy (Dot) Richardson, M.A. ’88

Here’s a rundown:

Track and Field

Bob Beamon ’72, who still holds the Olympic long-jump record, took home gold in the 1968 Summer Olympics.

June Griffith Collison ’81, M.B.A. ’84, competed in the Pan American Games and qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games for the Women’s 400 but did not compete.

Mel Pender ’76 competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics and took home gold in the 1968 Summer Olympics for the Men’s 4×100.

Richard Hardware ’73 competed in the Mens 200 at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Trustee Curtis O. Minnis, Sr. ’77 notes, “Given the technology, etc. of the modern era, Hardware’s best of 20.5 over 200m stacks up exceeding well some 49 years later.”

Softball

Dorothy (Dot) Richardson, M.A. ’88, won gold in both the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.

Regina Dooley ’85 took home gold in the 1984 Olympics Exhibition Game.

Soccer

Chris Armas ’94 helped Team USA finish 4th in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Michael Windischmann ’86 competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Handball

Portia Lack ’83 placed 7^th and 6^th in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.

Kevin Serrapede placed 14^th and 10^th in the 1972 and 1978 Summer Olympics.

Fencing

Philip Reilly ’77, M.B.A., placed 6^th in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Wrestling

Michael Porcelli ’98, M.A., was set to compete in the 1998 Olympics, but was sidelined by an injury.