WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Consisting of former student-athletes, a coach and a national championship team, the 2012 class includes members from four different sports.
The 29th induction class includes Pierre Fils (football), Shirley Hoyte-Boyce (volleyball), Kevin Kerkes (baseball), Ken Suhl (football), Mark Whipple (football coach) and the 1986-87 women's basketball national championship team. The Class of 2012 will be enshrined on Saturday, March 31 at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, Conn.
Make your reservation for the 29th Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony online at
www.NewHavenChargers.com/HallofFame. Tickets are $100 or $1,000 for a table of 10 and include open bar and choice of dinner. Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. Also visit
www.NewHavenChargers.com/HallofFame for a complete list of previous inductees and biographies. For further information, please call (203) 932-7016.
Below find biographies in each of the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees.
Pierre Fils, Football, 1987-90
Pierre Fils was a four-year member of the UNH football team from 1987-90. An All-American selection as a senior, he was one of the most feared receiving and returning threats to ever wear a Charger uniform. Fils ranks fourth in career receiving yards, fifth in career receiving touchdowns and sixth in career receptions at New Haven. He enjoyed a record-setting year in 1990 when he amassed a UNH record 1,121 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns off 63 receptions. That season Fils earned All-American, All-ECAC and his second All-New England First Team honors. The Monsey, N.Y. native also served as a kickoff return specialist during his four years and averaged over 25 yards per return. During his four seasons, the Chargers enjoyed a 30-10 record, while setting the foundation for a pair of NCAA postseason runs in the early 90’s.
Shirley Hoyte-Boyce, Women’s Volleyball, 1993-96
A four-year member of the Chargers’ volleyball program, Shirley Hoyte-Boyce ranks as one of the greatest all-around players in program history. During her four year career from 1993-96, Hoyte-Boyce helped lead the Chargers to four-straight NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances and was a four-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region honoree. She was also a three-time All-Conference First Team honoree during her collegiate career. Along with her many individual accolades, Hoyte-Boyce’s name is etched all over the UNH women’s volleyball records book. She ranks among the top 10 in kills, aces, digs and blocks, while also earning Dean’s List distinction. In total, the Barbados native posted 1,654 kills, 1,387 digs, 575 total blocks and 185 service aces.
Kevin Kerkes, Baseball, 1985-88
Kevin Kerkes helped lead the New Haven baseball program to four-straight NCAA College World Series appearances from 1985-88. The outfielder from Stratford, Conn. ranks atop three records at UNH. He holds the career record for walks and triples, while also holding a single-season high seven triples. He ranks sixth in single-season walks and 11th in single-season runs scored. During his four years, Kerkes was named to the NCAA Regionals All-Tournament Team and was an All-Northeast Region selection. He helped lead the Chargers to a four-year combined record of 119-24 - an .831 winning percentage. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Kerkes went to the professional ranks and signed a contract with Seattle in 1988.
Ken Suhl, Football, 1989-92
Ken Suhl helped lead the UNH football team from 1989-92 and passed for over 4,000 yards in his final two seasons as a quarterback. He finished fourth in voting for the 1992 Harlon Hill Trophy after leading New Haven on a NCAA Division II postseason run to the national semifinals. Not only did Suhl earn All-New England Player of the Year and All-ECAC Player of the Year honors as a senior, but he threw for over 2,300 yards and ran for another 400 yards. He single-handedly scored nearly 30 touchdowns and led the NCAA’s highest scoring offense with 50.5 points per game. The Greenfield, Mass. native ranks eighth in career passing yards, fourth in career passing touchdowns and eighth in career completions in the UNH record books. Along with his individual accolades, Suhl anchored a team which posted a four-year record of 30-13.
Mark Whipple, Football Coach, 1988-93
The winningest coach in Charger football history, Mark Whipple posted a 48-17 record as he guided the New Haven football program from 1988 to 1993. In 1992, Whipple directed the Chargers to the program’s first ever NCAA postseason appearance and took the team to the national semifinals. He was recognized as the Coach of the Year by three different organizations, while guiding the most productive offense in NCAA Division II with 587.7 yards per game. One year later, Whipple took the Chargers to the NCAA quarterfinals behind the rushing attack of Harlon Hill Trophy winner, Roger Graham. In 1993, he was recognized as the All-New England Division II-III Coach of the Year. In his six seasons with the Chargers, Whipple coached nine All-Americans and nearly 75 All-England honorees.
1986-87 Women’s Basketball Team, National Champions
In the rich 50-year history of Charger Athletics, the 1986-87 women’s basketball team will always be remembered for bringing home the first national championship. With five individuals already in the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame, the team set nearly every single-season record. The Chargers recorded a program-best 28 consecutive wins on their way to a 29-2 overall record. The team was led by head coach Jan Rossman and All-Americans Joy Jeter and Charlene Taylor. After claiming the New England Collegiate Conference Championship, the Chargers opened the NCAA tournament with a 72-64 victory over Stonehill. New Haven would then run off a 65-63 victory over Hampton and a 77-74 victory over Northern Kentucky in the final four. Facing Cal-Poly Pomona in the championship game, the Chargers came away with a two-point, 77-75, victory to secure the Chargers’ first-ever national championship.
