BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The 2021 Bridgewater State University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction and Banquet ceremony was held Friday evening, October 22nd, in the Student Union Ballroom and an audience of over 150 was on hand as eight former student-athletes and the 1996 baseball team were inducted into the hall.
The eight members of the 24th induction class honored on Friday night were Rick Battistini '77, Frank Cammisa '11, Adam Camobreco '05, Barry Gorman '08, Laurie O'Connell '88, Molly Rouillard '13, Amber White '14 and Jenna Williamson '14.
President Frederick W. Clark Jr., Esq., '83, was on hand to offer welcoming remarks from the university during this Homecoming Weekend and to congradulate the new members. AssociateDirector of Athletics, Michael Storey, who also serves as the chairperson of the Hall of Fame committee, emceed the evening's proceedings and introduced each of the new members. Director of Athletics, Dr. Marybeth Lamb, made note of the athletics highlights and the successes of the current student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
To conclude the ceremony, returning members of the 1996 baseball team and head coach Rick Smith made a special presentation of a framed #9 jersey to the family of the late Jim Martorana. Jim, who was a captain and second baseman on the '96 squad, passed away in 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.
2021 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class
Rick Battistini, ‘77 (Swimming) – A three-year member of the Bridgewater State men’s swimming and diving team, Rick Battistini competed for the Bears from 1974 to 1977 and captained the squad during his junior and senior seasons. Rick qualified for back-to-back NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships as part of the 800-yard freestyle relay (1975) and 400-yard freestyle relay (1976) including the inaugural meet in 1975. At the time of his graduation, Battistini held seven individual school records (500 Free, 1000 Free, 1650 Free, 100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM) and was part of three record-setting relays (400 Free, 800 Free, 400 Medley). He was named the recipient of the Bill Taft Joy of Effort Award in 1975 and again in 1977, and was a two-time team MVP (1976, 1977). Rick, who also competed on the Bears' track and field team for two seasons as a javelin thrower, graduated from Bridgewater State in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a concentration in aquatics and a minor in English. Following graduation, Rick coached high school swimming for 42 years from 1978 to 2020 at Haverhill (1978-2019), Lowell (1994-2020) and Andover (1989-1992). He compiled an impressive dual meet record of 511-129 (.798), guided his teams to 11 Merrimack Valley Conference championships and coached 49 MIAA individual state champions as well as seven All-America student-athletes. Battistini was a ten-time Merrimack Valley Conference Coach of the Year, ten-time Eagle Tribune Coach of the Year, three-time Boston Globe Coach of the Year and five-time Lowell Sun Coach of the Year. He was also named the Greater Boston League Coach of the Year in 1980 and was also selected as the New England Sons of Italy Coach of the Year in 1992. Rick was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Swim Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Haverhill High School Hall of Fame in 2012. Battistini was also named the U.S. Swimming New England Coach of the Year in 1992 and was honored with the YMCA National Coaches Excellence Award (1986), the Bay State Games Outstanding Service Award (2002), the MIAA Award of Appreciation (2002), and the Massachusetts Coaches Meritorious Service Award (2012). A long-time resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts, Rick presently resides in South Freeport, Maine with his wife, Michele. He was a third generation owner and operator of Haverhill TV & Appliance for 32 years until he retired in 2020.
Frank Cammisa, ‘11 (Wrestling) – Frank Cammisa is the only four-time NCAA Division III Championships qualifier in the history of the Bridgewater State wrestling program. Frank came to Bridgewater in 2006 and immediately made an impact on the Bears' wrestling team. In his freshman season he set school rookie marks for wins with 35 and pins with 21 on his way to capturing the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) 149-pound title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Cammisa repeated as the 149-pound champion and made a return trip to the NCAAs in 2008. In 2009, he placed second at the NEWA Championships but was awarded a wild card to the NCAA Tournament. In his senior season, Frank moved up a weight class and captured the 157-pound NEWA title as he made his fourth straight appearance in the NCAAs. All told, Cammisa is tied for third all-time at BSU in career wins with 110, and ranks second in pins with 46. He captured seven tournament championships during the course of his career including the three New England titles. Cammisa became the head coach of the Bridgewater State wrestling program in September of 2014 after serving as an assistant coach for the previous four seasons. Since taking over the reins of the wrestling program, Cammisa has coached one All-American, one Scholar All-American and four different All-Northeast Region wrestlers. A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Cammisa is a 2011 graduate of Bridgewater State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Recreation. Frank presently resides in Braintree, Massachusetts with his wife, Katelyn, and son, Vinny. He currently works at South Shore Educational Collaborative in Hingham as a milieu coordinator.
Adam Camobreco, ‘05 (Football) – The all-time highest rated quarterback in Bridgewater State football history, Adam Camobreco competed on the gridiron for the Bears from 2002 to 2005. Adam threw for 4,407 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career and posted a program-best 145.53 passer rating. He ranks third all-time at BSU in touchdown passes, fourth in completion percentage (.516), fifth in pass completions (263) and sixth in passing yards. Camobeco took over as the starting quarterback his junior season and guided the Bears to a 15-4 record over his final two seasons including a 9-1 mark in 2005. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2005 ECAC Northeast Bowl as he led the Bears to a 34-17 victory over Fitchburg State. Camobreco became the first quarterback in BSU football history to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season when he passed for 2,119 yards in 2005. He was also the first Bears’ QB to throw for over 300 yards in a game with 303 against UMass Dartmouth in 2005, and is one of just three quarterbacks in program history to connect for 50 touchdown passes. Camobreco threw for a school record-tying five touchdowns in a game twice in 2004 including a 37-34 season-opening win against Nichols College on September 11th. For his performance in that game, Adam was named the Division II/III recipient of the prestigious New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award and was selected as both the New England Football Conference (NEFC) and ECAC Division III Northeast Offensive Player of the Week. He also earned NEFC and ECAC Offensive Player of the Week honors and was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for a 286-yard, five-touchdown performance against Salve Regina University on October 23rd. Following his impressive senior campaign of 2005, Camobreco was selected to the NEFC All-Conference First Team and the New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England Team, and was named an ECAC Division III Northeast All-Star. Adam graduated from Bridgewater State in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management with a marketing concentration. He lives in Duxbury with his wife, Megan, and three children, Ray, Levi and Colton. Adam is the regional vice president of sales for SOC Telemed.
Barry Gorman, ‘08 (Tennis) – Barry Gorman was an outstanding student-athlete on the Bridgewater State men's tennis team from 2005 to 2008. He capped off his illustrious career by capturing the second flight singles title at the 2008 Little East Men's Tennis Tournament. Gorman completed the 2008 campaign with a perfect 14-0 mark in singles play. In his four seasons at Bridgewater State, Gorman posted an impressive 41-10 singles mark as he recorded an .803 winning percentage. His career doubles record stands at 30-17 (.638) which includes a 10-5 mark in 2008 and a 9-1 mark in 2007. Along with capturing the second flight singles championship in 2008, Gorman also teamed with Brendon Barbo to win the third flight Little East Conference doubles championship in 2007. Gorman, who hails from Hopedale, Massachusetts, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Bridgewater State in May of 2008. In 2011, Barry completed his Masters of Arts degree in Physical Education with a specialization in coaching from Ball State University. Following his graduation from Bridgewater State, Gorman served five years as the head coach for both the Bears’ men’s and women’s tennis programs from 2008 to 2013. He guided the men’s team to an overall record of 46-35 (.568) and the women’s squad to an impressive 63-15 (.808) mark as he is the all-time winningest coach for both programs. Under his guidance, the Bridgewater State women’s tennis team captured three Little East regular season titles, a pair of LEC Tournament championships, and made two NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. Barry was named the Little East Conference Women's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2012 and LEC Men's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2012. Gorman went on to become the head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Roger Williams University in 2013 and is now in his ninth season with the Hawks. He is the all-time winningest coach for both RWU programs and is a six-time winner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Coach of the Year award. The Roger Williams men’s tennis team captured the CCC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament this past spring. Through the 2020-2021 academic year, Barry is currently ranked 14th among active Division III women’s tennis coaches for career winning percentage.
Laurie O'Connell, ‘88 (Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Softball) – Laurie O’Connell was a four-year member of both the field hockey and women’s basketball teams from 1982 to 1986 and also played three seasons of women’s lacrosse and one season of softball. A determined and tenacious defender, Laurie played midfield on the Bears’ field hockey squad and helped the team make four straight trips to the postseason including NCAA Tournament appearances in 1982 and 1985. She tallied seven goals and three assists for 17 points including a career-best five goals as a senior in 1985. O’Connell was selected as a Collegiate Field Hockey Coaches Association (CFHCA) Division III All-American Honorable Mention and named to the All-MASCAC Team for her outstanding performance during her senior campaign. During Laurie’s field hockey career, the Bears posted a record of 47-15-11 (.719) and went 15-1-2 (.889) against MASCAC teams. On the hardwood, Laurie averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals over 99 career games as the women’s basketball team made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Bears went 86-21 (.804) during her career including an impressive 37-3 (.925) regular season mark against MASCAC teams. O’Connell also tallied 80 goals and 15 assists for 95 points in 35 games for the women’s lacrosse team. She notched a career-high 42 goals and 15 assists as a senior in 1986 as she led the Bears’ to a 10-4-1 record and their first postseason appearance. Laurie demonstrated her versatility during her junior year of 1985 as she laced up her cleats for the softball team. She helped the Bears post a 21-11 record (8-4 MASCAC) and earn a spot in the ECAC Tournament. O’Connell appeared in 22 games as a utility player, scored 11 runs, stole eight bases and notched 14 hits to go along with six walks and three sacrifice bunts. Laurie graduated cum laude from Bridgewater State in 1988 with a double major in psychology and physical education with a concentration in adapted/motor development therapy. After spending two years in Linfen, China as part of an exchange program, Laurie attended Johns Hopkins University where she earned a Masters (summa cum laude) in biochemistry and medical psychology in 1994. Laurie worked at DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical as a clinical research scientist before forming her own company, O’Connell Research Consulting, LLC in 1998. Following her retirement, Laurie worked at the YMCA of Delaware as a certified personal trainer and a youth/family fitness instructor.
Molly Rouillard, ‘13 (Cross Country, Track & Field) – A three-sport athlete in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field, Molly Rouillard graduated from Bridgewater State in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science and Health Fitness. She posted an impressive 3.70 grade point average, was named to the Dean's List in each of her ten semesters at BSU and was a nine-time MASCAC All-Academic Team selection. Molly was also chosen as both the Bridgewater State and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2013 and was selected to the 2013 Capital One NCAA Division III Academic All-District One Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. In the sport of cross country, Molly won the MASCAC individual title and captured MASCAC Runner of the Year honors in each of her three seasons (2010, 2011, 2012). She also earned All-New England accolades and qualified for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in 2012 where she finished 50th at the national meet. In track & field, Molly earned All-American honors on two separate occasions. She placed seventh in the mile at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships in 2013, and finished seventh in the 1,500-meter run at the 2013 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Rouillard also qualified in the 5,000-meter run and the 10,000-meter run at the 2013 outdoor national championship meet, and placed 12th in the 10,000-meter run at the 2012 NCAA DIII outdoor championships. For her performance on the track in 2013, Molly was selected as the United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III New England Track Athlete of the Year. During the 2012-2013 track season, Rouillard set BSU indoor records in the 3,000 (10:19.00), mile (4:53.49) and 5,000 (17:22.23) as well as outdoor marks in the 1,500 (4:27.18), 5,000 (16:55.72) and 10,000 (35:49.99). The indoor mile mark and the outdoor 1,500 record were both eclipsed at their respective national championship meets. All told, Molly left Bridgewater as the school record holder in seven indoor (four individual, three relay) and five outdoor (three individual, two relay) events. Since graduation, Molly has competed in a number of marathons and half-marathons including the California International Marathon in December 2019 where she qualified for the Olympic Trials (2:44.50). Molly currently works for Dartmouth Public Schools in an inclusion preschool classroom.
Amber White, ‘14 (Softball) – In 88 appearances including 74 starts over three seasons with the Bridgewater State softball team from 2012 to 2014, Amber White went 56-18 (.757) in the circle with a 0.98 earned run average, 64 complete games and 29 shutouts as well as six saves. She also fanned 427 batters in 527 innings of work. White is BSU's all-time leader in shutouts and earned run average. She is also tied for second all-time with three no-hitters and ranks third in program history in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched. Arguably the top pitcher in BSU softball history, White hurled the Bears to back-to-back MASCAC regular season and tournament championships in 2013 and 2014 as well as consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. The 2014 squad captured the NCAA Division III Wellesley Regional title and competed in an NCAA Division III Super Regional against eventual National Champion Tufts University. As a senior in 2014, White was nothing but spectacular. In 32 appearances including 28 starts, she posted a record of 25-5 (.833) with 25 complete games and a school single-season record 15 shutouts. White also recorded an impressive 0.73 earned run average with 158 strikeouts in 202 2/3 innings of work and opponents batted just .168 against her. On a national level, White ranked second in all of Division III in ERA and shutouts, and eighth in both wins and fewest hits allowed per seven innings (4.11). White accumulated numerous honors both on the field and in the classroom. She was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III First Team All-American as well as a CoSIDA Division III First Team Academic All-American in 2014, and was a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District One selection in both 2013 and 2014. White was also a three-time MASCAC Pitcher of the Year, three-time All-MASCAC First Team selection, 12-time MASCAC Pitcher of the Week, four-time MASCAC Player of the Week, five-time ECAC Division III New England Pitcher of the Week, two-time ECAC Division III New England All-Star (2013, 2014), and two-time MASCAC Tournament MVP (2013, 2014). She was also selected as the MVP of the Wellesley Regional in 2014 and was named the MASCAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and BSU Dr. Adrian Tinsley Scholar-Athlete of the Year also in 2014. White graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecological Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She wrapped up a brilliant academic career with a 3.63 grade point average. White was named to the Dean's List in each of her six semesters at Bridgewater State and was a member of the both the National Biological Honor Society (Beta Beta Beta) and the National College Athlete Honor Society (Chi Alpha Sigma). She also graduated from Northeastern University with a Masters in sports leadership in 2018. Amber presently resides in Middleboro with her fiancé, Adam. She currently works for the Town of Wareham as an assistant to the municipal maintenance director and is entering her sixth season as a pitching coach for the Babson College softball team. Amber also previously coached at Brandeis University for one season.
Jenna Williamson, ‘14 (Basketball, Tennis) – An outstanding two-sport athlete, Jenna Williamson excelled on the basketball and tennis courts from 2010 to 2014. The Bears’ all-time leading scorer in the sport of women’s basketball, Jenna notched 1,365 career points and holds the program’s all-time records for made three-pointers (210) and career free throw percentage (.790). She also ranks second all-time in games played (109) and three-point shooting percentage (.376), and is fourth in assists (323). Jenna never missed a game throughout her entire four-year career and set the Bears’ single-season record with a .398 three-point shooting percentage in 2010-2011. A two-time MASCAC Tournament MVP, Jenna helped the Bears capture the MASCAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament in each of her four seasons. Jenna scored 34 points in the Bears’ MASCAC championship game victory over Westfield State in 2013 and tallied a school-record (since broken) 36 points in the Bears’ MASCAC Tournament semifinal round win over Salem State in 2014. As a team, the Bears posted a win-loss record of 77-32 (.706) during her career. Jenna was a two-time All-MASCAC selection including first team honors in 2013-2014. She was also a six-time MASCAC Player of the Week and was named to the D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region Fourth Team and selected to play in the NEWBA Senior All-Star Classic in 2013-2014. Jenna dominated on the tennis courts for the Bears as she was a three-time Little East Conference Player of the Year, four-time All-Little East selection for singles play, three-time All-Little East honoree for doubles play and two-time Little East Tournament MVP. She was named the Little East Player of the Week six times throughout the course of her career and led the Bears to three Little East Tournament titles and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. As a team, the Bears posted a record of 55-9 (.859) over her four seasons including a 38-2 (.950) record against Little East teams. Jenna never missed a match throughout her entire four-year career and recorded a career singles mark of 52-7 (.881) including a perfect 38-0 record versus LEC opponents. She also went 48-25 (.658) in career doubles play with a 32-7 (.821) record against LEC foes. Jenna is a 2014 graduate of Bridgewater State where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. A native of Ludlow, Massachusetts, Jenna presently resides in Boston and is a freelance personal trainer.
1996 Baseball Team - The greatest team in the history of the Bridgewater State baseball program, the 1996 squad put together an unforgettable NCAA Tournament run as the Bears captured the NCAA Division III New England Regional title and finished third at the Division III College World Series. The Bears defeated six nationally ranked teams during the impressive postseason run including the top two teams in the country (Marietta, Methodist). After sweeping their way through the New England Regional with wins over Brandeis, Southern Maine, and Eastern Connecticut, the Bears went 3-2 at the World Series in Salem, Virginia. The Bears dropped the CWS opener to eventual national champion William Paterson before bouncing back with three straight victories over Marietta, Methodist and Wisconsin-Oshkosh. With just three teams remaining at the World Series, the unforgettable season would come to close with a heart-breaking 3-1 setback to California Lutheran. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Bears were ranked 27th in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III Poll. Following NCAA Tournament play, the Bears were the third best team in all of Division III. Under the guidance of BSU Hall of Fame head coach Rick Smith, the Bears posted an overall record of 31-10 and won the MASCAC championship with a 12-2 conference mark. Jason Newhall (P), Matt Ardolino (DH), Kevin O’Leary (P/1B), Mike Armold (OF), Chris Quirk (C) and Jim Martorana (2B) each garnered All-MASCAC honors, while Newhall, O’Leary and Armold were named to the Division III All-New England Team. O’Leary, who would represent the Bears at the New England All-Star Game held that season at Fenway Park, would also capture ABCA Division III Second Team All-American accolades as both a first baseman and pitcher. As a team, the Bears batted .342 with 28 home runs, 89 doubles, ten trips, 40 stolen bases and 314 runs scored in 41 games. O’Leary paced the squad with a team-leading .430 batting average to go along with five home runs, 15 doubles, 34 runs and 38 RBI. Four different pitchers won at least five games, led by Newhall’s eight victories, while O’Leary and BSU Hall of Famer Fred Martin combined for ten saves. For his teams outstanding performance in 1996, Smith was selected as the ABCA Division III New England Coach of the Year.
The induction of Battistini, Cammisa, Camobreco, Gorman, O'Connell, Rouillard, White and Williamson brings the BSU Athletics Hall of Fame's total membership to 155. The 1996 baseball team joins the 1994 softball squad as the only two teams in the Hall.