Fitchburg State welcomed a remarkable cohort of student-athletes into the Athletics Hall of Fame at a ceremony Sunday, Oct. 20, capping a celebratory Homecoming Weekend by saluting graduates who embody the highest ideals of college sports.
President Donna Hodge, who joined the Fitchburg State community in July, welcomed the inductees and their guests for the ceremony.
“What I have felt these past few months echoes what I have known since my first visit to campus last Spring: Falcon Pride is strong,” she said. “I experience it in every interaction with our students, who do great things to realize their ambitions. I feel it when I am collaborating with the hard-working faculty, librarians, and staff who embrace this university’s mission and commit themselves to doing the best for our students. And I see it at every athletic competition as we cheer on the Falcons, clad in the green and gold.”
Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Matthew J. Burke celebrated the rich history and traditions of Fitchburg State athletics in his welcoming remarks. “With 17 sports and 350 student-athletes, our teams embody the true spirit of NCAA Division III athletics,” he said. “Here, our focus extends beyond just winning; it emphasizes the holistic development of our student-athletes, where academic success, character development, and athletic participation are all prioritized.
“One of the most significant aspects of being an athlete at Fitchburg State is the bond formed among teammates,” Burke continued. “The friendships built on practice fields, in locker rooms, and during competition create lifelong connections. These shared experiences foster a sense of community and belonging that extends well beyond graduation. Through these relationships, our student-athletes learn the true meaning of teamwork, support, and resilience—lessons that will serve them throughout their lives.
He also encouraged the graduates not to be strangers to campus. “If this is your first visit back to campus in a while, please don’t let it be your last,” Burke said. “There are countless ways for our inductees to continue giving back to Fitchburg State University, whether through mentoring current student-athletes, sharing experiences with future generations, or supporting our athletic programs and initiatives. Your involvement helps nurture the next generation of talent and leadership, ensuring that the legacy of Fitchburg State athletics thrives.”
The 2024 inductees were introduced by teammates and coaches include:
Megan M. Jacobs ‘11
Outstanding Student Athlete, Field Hockey and Women’s Basketball
Vanessa Truax ‘10 recalled first meeting Megan M. Jacobs ‘11 at Fitchburg State; Truax was a junior and Jacobs was a freshman. She convinced the younger student to give the field hockey team a look, and a legend was born.
“I’m still not sure how she managed the find the back of the net every time she touched the ball,” Truax recalled. “She genuinely enjoyed playing the game, but she cared more about her teammates than her stats.”
Jacobs recounted her initial intention was just to play basketball during her time at Fitchburg State, but was glad she added field hockey.
“Playing in two sports was the highlight of my college experience,” she said. Through the two sports, she added, she created two extended families.
Jacobs played field hockey for four years, collecting many accolades. In 2010, she was chosen for the Second Team All-Conference and in 2011, she was selected to the First Team All-Conference. She also holds a number of records at Fitchburg State, including first place among all-time goals at 55 and first in career points at 135. She also ranks third among all-time assists with 25.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she worked in childcare at Bright Horizons for many years, where she became an assistant director. Upon realizing her heart was in the classroom, she moved to Connecticut where she attended graduate school at Southern Connecticut State University where she received her master’s degree in Elementary Education. In 2019, where she received her master’s degree, got married, and started her first teaching job in Connecticut. In 2023 she was hired as a third grade teacher in New Britain and welcomed the birth of her son, Greyson.
Cyril A. Jaundoo, III ‘83
Outstanding Student Athlete, Men’s Basketball
Cyril A. Jaundoo, III ‘83 was recognized as a distinguished community leader, educator, probation officer, and basketball coach whose multifaceted contributions have profoundly impacted his community. With a career spanning over four decades, Jaundoo has become a cornerstone in fostering positive change and empowerment among youth and families.
Rich Melillo ‘77 introduced Jaundoo, recounting his own 50-year association with Fitchburg State’s basketball program. “Cyril is one of the best players who ever donned the green and gold,” Melillo said, citing the player’s impressive statistics, as well as his lifelong contributions to his community as a professional and civic leader.
Jaundoo worked for 36 years as a probation officer and was involved in a host of projects that promoted access to education, fostered parenting education, and drug treatment. Jaundoo’s leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to social justice and community uplifting.
Jaundoo said his experiences at Fitchburg State placed him on that path. “I’m very grateful for my time here at Fitchburg State,” he said. “If you want to have an impact, and you want to make change, you need an education. It all started here. The foundation I received here made my journey come to fruition, and I’m very grateful for that.”
His work as a probation officer further underscores his commitment to rehabilitation and second chances. He approaches his role with empathy and a focus on positive outcomes, working diligently to support individuals in their reintegration into society. His efforts help bridge the gap between correctional systems and community support, facilitating a path toward a more hopeful future for many.
As a basketball coach, Jaundoo’s leadership extends to the sports arena, where he mentors young athletes both on and off the court. His coaching philosophy emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and personal development, helping players to not only excel in the sport but also grow as individuals.
As a player at Fitchburg State, he ranks sixth all-time in scored points, totaling 1,400 points, he was also fourth in field goal percentage and first in field goals made (all prior to the 3-point field goals being instituted into the NCAA college basketball rules). He was recognized as one of the top players in the MASCAC and one the top leading scorers in the league, averaging over 20 points per game during his final two years at Fitchburg State.
Bill Mastrangelo ‘98
Outstanding Student Athlete, Men’s Ice Hockey
Steve Lowney ‘95 recognized his former teammate Bill Mastrangelo ‘98 for the caliber of his playing and how he inspired his fellow players. “Billy certainly helped me become the best I could possibly be,” Lowney said. “He was the most unselfish player I’ve ever played with.”
Mastrangelo was quick to credit his parents, Coach Dean Fuller, and his teammates as he accepted his award.
As a freshman year, Mastrangelo won Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All MASCAC 2nd Team. His successes continued his sophomore year when he was selected to the All ECAC North All Star Team and the All MASCAC 2nd Team. In his senior year, he was chosen to be one of the three team captains. His accolades during his final year at Fitchburg State include being selected as the ECAC North Player of the Year and MASCAC Player of the Year. He was also chosen for the All MASCAC 1st Team, the All ECAC North Team and the North All-Star Team. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and was voted as a N.E. Writers All-Star.
During his time at Fitchburg State, the team went to the playoffs four times, the finals three times and won two championships, which in Mastrangelo’s words “trumps all individual awards.” He now works as an Equipment Specialist with the United States Army.
Emily J. (Swan) Rejniak ‘10, ‘15
Outstanding Student Athlete, Women’s Soccer and Lacrosse
Emily J. (Swan) Rejniak ‘10, ‘15 boasts several impressive records from her time as a two-sport athlete, including the fastest-ever goal in NCAA history, according to Coach Rick Terrio. Six seconds from the start of one lacrosse game, she found the net.
Rejniak said she was at first reluctant to follow in her parents’ footsteps by attending Fitchburg State, but when she decided to study education she saw the value of the university’s programs. “My family have always been my biggest supporters,” she said.
When she first came to campus in August 2006, she said, it was the start of a very meaningful chapter of her life, including lifelong friendships and meeting her future husband.
Throughout her soccer career, she ranked first in wins (27) and third in games played (52). In addition to soccer, she played an instrumental role in creating the women’s lacrosse program. She was captain for all four years and on the interview committee that hired Coach Terrio. She ranks first in program assists (95), third in points (200) and seventh in goals (105), all accomplished with just three years of NCAA eligibility.
After her playing career, she served as an assistant coach for the lacrosse program helping the team win a program best 14 games and four losses in the 2014-2015 season.
After graduating in 2010, she went on to receive her MAT in English from Fitchburg State as well. She currently teaches English at Wachusett Regional High School. She coached varsity lacrosse and junior varsity soccer at Wachusett for many years before taking some time off to raise and coach her three young children. She currently resides in Holden with her husband and children.
Cameron Stalters ‘19
Outstanding Student Athlete, Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track
Cameron Stalters ‘19 was a standout member of the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, excelling in both the javelin and hurdle events throughout his collegiate career.
Stalters thanked Coach Jim Jellison for introducing him at the Hall of Fame ceremony, and recounted the enduring connections he made competing at Fitchburg State. “I met some of my best friends doing track,” he said. “Friends for life, from coming to this school.”
As a freshman in 2016, he was named Rookie of the Year, setting the stage for an impressive athletic journey. He holds personal records in the javelin with a remarkable throw of 69.90 meters, as well as in the 60m hurdles (7.59 seconds) and the 110 high hurdles (15.5 seconds). He holds the javelin stadium records at MIT, Bridgewater State, and Wesleyan, further establishing himself as one of the premier throwers in the region.
Stalters qualified for Nationals in the javelin during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years, earning All-American honors in both his sophomore (2017) and junior (2018) seasons. His junior year was highlighted by a second place finish at Nationals. He was also named to the All-New England Team in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
In addition, he excelled in indoor track, becoming the MASCAC champion in the 60m hurdles (2018). He also claimed MASCAC titles in the javelin during both his sophomore and junior seasons.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in construction management. He is currently an assistant superintendent at a construction management firm and greatly enjoying his life after college.
1993–1994 Men’s Ice Hockey Team
Outstanding Team
“This team was special in many ways,” Coach Dean Fuller said as he inducted the championship-winning 1993-94 men’s ice hockey team. “They practiced hard, they played hard. They also had a swagger.”
Team member Steve Lowney ‘95 spoke on behalf of the team, recounting the tradition of success that his teammates were embracing by joining the Falcons. “You understood that at Fitchburg State you had the opportunity to compete for championships,” he said. “Coach Fuller is the man responsible for creating that culture. He amazingly continues to cultivate that today.”
Lowney said the team was like a family. “We evolved into that team that possessed the intangibles it took to win that championship,” he said.
The 1993–1994 Fitchburg State Ice Hockey Team concluded the season with an overall record of 18-5-2. The team captured their fourth ECAC title in five years, winning the ECAC North-Central-South Championship against the Assumption Greyhounds 6-4. The stars of the game were freshman goalie Aaron Abitz with 32 saves, freshman Dan Genatossio (goal), sophomore Steve Baldassare (2 goals, and the star of stars, junior Matt Park with a hat trick. That season senior forward Steve Lowney led the team in scoring for the third straight season (27 goals and 24 assists for a total of 51 points). He was also named ECAC North MVP. Senior defenseman Scott Livingston made the ECAC All-Star team and sophomore Bill Mastrangelo was also recognized by the ECAC.
Members of the 1993–1994 Fitchburg State College Ice Hockey Team include: Aaron Abitz ’98, Greg Afarian ’95, Ken Averill, Chris Bachman ’98, Steve Baldassare ’96, Andy Beard ’96, Paul Connor, DJ Conte ’98, ’05, Ken Erickson ‘00, Brian Fagan ’96, Dave Gatti, Dan Genatossio ’98, Erik Hansen, Alan Hartshorn ’99, Rob Horn ’96, Dale Kimball ’97, Scott Livingston ’95, Steve Lowney ’95, Steve Lyden, Bill Mastrangelo ’98, Mick McCarthy ’97, Casey Nelson, Matt Park ’95, Mark Pillsbury ’96, Scott Reilly, Pat Turner ’96.
Find additional photos from the ceremony in the university's photo archive.