Buffalo State to Induct Four Into Athletics Hall of Fame
Nicole M. Broad (Cefaratti) (’99, Softball), a two-time First Team Softball All-American, and three others will be inducted into the Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday. Joining Broad in the Hall will be Roy Macaluso (’67, Baseball), Jessica R. Wellings (’95, Basketball/Softball), and Joe Harrington (Assistant Football Coach/Booster – Honorary).
Broad was a four-time All-SUNYAC selection from 1996 to 1999, and was a three-time All-American, earning First Team status as a junior and senior and Third Team merits as a sophomore. An excellent defensive centerfielder, she was also dominant at the plate, as she still ranks in the top-three in Buffalo State history in 12 offensive categories, including holding the school records for batting average in a season (.594) and hits in a career (274). She also ranks second in school history with a .476 career batting average. Her 95 hits during the 1998 season put her second in that category in NCAA Division III history. Nicole helped lead the Bengals to a SUNYAC Championship as a freshman in 1996, and to the NCAA Playoffs in 1996 and 1998. She was a two-time Buffalo State Female Athlete of the Year, and won the Ruth Houston Award for outstanding career accomplishments.
Macaluso played three seasons of baseball at Buffalo State from 1965 until 1967. He was a pure hitter, evident by his career .350 batting average. His finest season came in 1966, when he hit .440 and ranked 15th in the nation in the small college division. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State in Secondary Social Studies Education in 1967, Roy completed his Master’s Degree from SUNY at Albany in 1969. His baseball career continued, as he played 21 years in the Buffalo News Suburban League. Roy was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wellings competed for four seasons in basketball at Buffalo State, and also played two seasons for the school’s softball program. During her time with the basketball program, she helped lead the team to an 83-26 record, a SUNYAC Championship, and three NCAA Playoff appearances. Jessica ranks third on the Bengals’ all-time scoring list with 1,356 career points, an average of 13.0 points-per-game. She is also sixth in school history for points in a season with 490 (18.1 points-per-game) during the 1993-94 campaign. She was a three-time All-SUNYAC selection in basketball. At the conclusion of her career, Jessica was honored with the Ruth Houston Award for outstanding career accomplishments.
As a student at Buffalo State, Harrington competed with the soccer team, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and English Education in 1962.His loyalty to Buffalo State did not end at graduation. Joe went on to help form the Bengal Booster Club, served as its president and has been a member of its board of directors for nearly 20 years. Joe also served as an assistant coach with the Bengals’ football team for 20 years, helping the team to 10-consecutive post-season appearances from 1991 through 2000. Joe also served as the English Deparment Chairman for 20 years at Sweet Home Junior High/Middle School, and coached football at Sweet Home for 18 years. He was inducted into the Sweet Home Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994. In addition, Joe has worked as a baseball umpire for 45 years, and also has officiated football, track, volleyball and basketball. He was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire in 2001.
Broad was a four-time All-SUNYAC selection from 1996 to 1999, and was a three-time All-American, earning First Team status as a junior and senior and Third Team merits as a sophomore. An excellent defensive centerfielder, she was also dominant at the plate, as she still ranks in the top-three in Buffalo State history in 12 offensive categories, including holding the school records for batting average in a season (.594) and hits in a career (274). She also ranks second in school history with a .476 career batting average. Her 95 hits during the 1998 season put her second in that category in NCAA Division III history. Nicole helped lead the Bengals to a SUNYAC Championship as a freshman in 1996, and to the NCAA Playoffs in 1996 and 1998. She was a two-time Buffalo State Female Athlete of the Year, and won the Ruth Houston Award for outstanding career accomplishments.
Macaluso played three seasons of baseball at Buffalo State from 1965 until 1967. He was a pure hitter, evident by his career .350 batting average. His finest season came in 1966, when he hit .440 and ranked 15th in the nation in the small college division. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State in Secondary Social Studies Education in 1967, Roy completed his Master’s Degree from SUNY at Albany in 1969. His baseball career continued, as he played 21 years in the Buffalo News Suburban League. Roy was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wellings competed for four seasons in basketball at Buffalo State, and also played two seasons for the school’s softball program. During her time with the basketball program, she helped lead the team to an 83-26 record, a SUNYAC Championship, and three NCAA Playoff appearances. Jessica ranks third on the Bengals’ all-time scoring list with 1,356 career points, an average of 13.0 points-per-game. She is also sixth in school history for points in a season with 490 (18.1 points-per-game) during the 1993-94 campaign. She was a three-time All-SUNYAC selection in basketball. At the conclusion of her career, Jessica was honored with the Ruth Houston Award for outstanding career accomplishments.
As a student at Buffalo State, Harrington competed with the soccer team, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and English Education in 1962.His loyalty to Buffalo State did not end at graduation. Joe went on to help form the Bengal Booster Club, served as its president and has been a member of its board of directors for nearly 20 years. Joe also served as an assistant coach with the Bengals’ football team for 20 years, helping the team to 10-consecutive post-season appearances from 1991 through 2000. Joe also served as the English Deparment Chairman for 20 years at Sweet Home Junior High/Middle School, and coached football at Sweet Home for 18 years. He was inducted into the Sweet Home Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994. In addition, Joe has worked as a baseball umpire for 45 years, and also has officiated football, track, volleyball and basketball. He was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire in 2001.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu