April 13, 2008
NORFOLK, VA--The 2008 Old Dominion University sports Hall of Fame induction class features a Honda Award winner in field hockey, a women's basketball All-American, a three-time sailingAll-American, a men's basketball standout from the late 1960's and a four-time CAA Swimmer of the Year. The 2008 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and Athletic Honors Banquet will be held Tuesday, April 29th atthe Constant Convocation Center.
This year's class includes Mimi Smith (Field Hockey), Nyree Roberts (Women's .Basketball), Mary Kay Bolduc (Swimming and Diving), Heather Pescatello (Sailing) and Bob Pritchett (Men's Basketball).
Mimi Smith was named the 1999 Honda Award winner as the nation's top field hockey player, and the second African American to win the award. She helped lead the Lady Monarchs to the 1998 NCAA national title.The two-time All-American was a third team selection in 1997 and a first team selection in 1998.Smith was named to the NCAA All-Tournament squad in 1997. As a freshman, she was the 1995 CAA Rookie of the Year and as a senior, she was named CAA Defender of the Year. Smith ranks amongODU's top ten with 50 career assists, and earned a spot on theU.S. National team. She recently completed a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.. Mimi earned a BA of Science in psychology from ODU. Smith's high school coach Yogi Hightower-Boothe wasODU's first Honda Award winner and first African American to win the award. Smith currently works in the Philadelphia Family Courthouse helping delinquent and dependent youth in residential facilities.
Nyree Roberts was one of the major cogs in leading the Lady Monarch basketball program to the NCAA finals in 1997 and two NCAA "Sweet 16" appearances. Roberts finished her career as ODU'seighth all-time scorer with 1,854 career points and second on the same list in CAA history. She finished seventh all-time at ODU and fifth all-time in the CAA in career rebounds with 986. The 6-4 Roberts led theCAA in scoring (20.2), field goal percentage (.632), and rebounding (12.0) as a senior in 1998. That year, she was named CAA Player of the Year. As a junior, Roberts ranked third nationally in field goal percentageat .652 (257-394). Roberts earned CAA All-Tournament honors four straight years, she was named second team All-American by the Associated Press and Women's Basketball Journal in 1998, and honorable mention by AP in 1997.She was a second round selection of Houston in the 1998 WNBA draft. and is currently playing professionally in Greece for Paghiakos. Roberts graduated from ODU with a degree in elementary education.
Mary Kay Bolduc is the only four-time CAA Swimmer of the Year, and four-time CAA Most Outstanding Swimmer at the league championships and is the most decorated male or female swimmer in CAA history.The Bay City, Michigan native broke four of her own records as a senior in the 200 freestyle (1:50.38), 500 freestyle (4:45.05), 1000 freestyle (10:10.50) and 1650 (16:50.65). Bolduc completed her career at ODU asa record holder in five individual and three relay events. She also owns several CAA records. As a sophomore in 1996-97, she set five individual and four relay records along with three CAA conference marks.Bolduc was named the team MVP four-straight years. and she graduated with a degree in psychology. She currently resides with her husband,Matthew Krause with their two children in Breinigsville, PA.
Heather Pescatello was a three-time sailing All-American. She was named All-American Crew in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and helped lead ODU to the ICYRA Co-Ed Dinghy national title in 1998 in New Orleans.Pescatello also helped the Monarchs win A Division at the America Trophy and place fifth at the ICYRA Dinghy National Championships in 1999, as she teamed with Mark Zagol to place second in A Division. In 2000,Pescatello placed second at War Memorial regatta and took first in A Division at the America Trophy. She graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies at ODU. She currently lives in Pawcatuck, CT. and is marriedto another ODU sailing standout Mark Zagol who is the head coach for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Heather is currently teaching fifth grade students at Pawcatuck Middle School.
Bob Pritchett was the 1965-66 Junior College Player of the Year at Vincennes when head coach Sonny Allen recruited him to Old Dominion. He appeared in 50 games during his two seasons, averaging 22.2 points asa junior and 25.4 as a senior. His 25.4 points per game is second only to Leo Anthony's 31.0 points per game for a single season. Although he played in only 50 games, Pritchett scored 1,188 career points. He remains today as ODU's single game scoring leader having poured in 67 points against Richmond Professional Institute on Feb. 14, 1968. He also scored 47 points against Hampden-Sydney in the same season. Bob's 1967-68 Monarch squadis still the highest scoring single season team in ODU history. The team of Pritchett, Harry Lozon, Dick St. Clair, Buttons Speakes and Ron Drews averaged 98.2 points per game. He now joins all those teammates in the ODU Hall.Pritchett is currently a Superintendent with Ohio Youth services assigned to the Scioto Ohio Corrections Facilty. He has been with Ohio Youth services for 29 years.
The evening begins with a social at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Hall of Fame Ceremony at 6:15 and the banquet at 7:00 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center Arena floor.Tickets are $30.00 and can be purchased at the Constant Center ticket office, by calling683-4444.