DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle Athletics administration announced the inductees for the Daytona Beach Athletics program's fifth Hall of Fame class on Monday. The six honorees will be formally inducted at the Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. The Hall of Fame Ceremony will be held at Embry-Riddle's Henderson Welcome Center.
The Eagles' fifth Hall of Fame class includes Jason Cruse (men's basketball), Abby Hall (volleyball), Elina Johansson (women's soccer), Phillip Reamy (baseball), Russell Snyder (men's cross country/track & field) and Sam Vazquez (men's cross country/track & field.
Jason Cruse
Basketball
1998-00
Jason Cruse was part of the 1999-00 Embry-Riddle men's basketball team that was inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 2009. The mark he left on the program in just two seasons with the Eagles has afforded him individual recognition as part of the Eagles' 2017 Hall of Fame Class.
After leading the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) in scoring in his freshman and sophomore seasons, Chillicothe, Ohio native Jason Cruse transferred to Embry-Riddle in 1998. In his first season with the Blue and Gold, Cruse continued the form that earned him All-American Mideast honors, averaging team-highs in scoring (16.1) and rebounding (8.1) on the way to Sun Conference (formerly Florida Sun Conference) accolades. He led the Eagles to the conference regular season and tournament titles, as well as the second round of an NAIA National Tournament that saw Embry-Riddle set a tournament single-game record for rebounds with 61.
One of two seniors on the 1999-00 roster, Cruse took the second-round loss personally and set about working to improve on that finish in the off-season. He posted a double-double (17 pts, 13 reb) in the Eagles' season opener, but in their next game on Nov. 8, he suffered a setback in his quest to lead the Eagles back to the national stage. After playing just 14 minutes, he landed awkwardly while going up for a rebound and sustained a break in his arm that seemed to spell the end of his season. As he left the floor, he said to his teammates "I'll be back," and he made true on his promise, suiting up for the Eagles again on Dec. 31.
The Eagles appeared to be on the way to capturing their second straight conference regular season title, but dropped the last three games of the regular season and subsequently lost the right to host the conference tournament. After winning the first two games of the tournament, the Eagles faced host Palm Beach Atlantic for the championship, and Cruse tallied 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Eagles to a title victory over the Sailfish on their home court and secure a spot in the NAIA National Tournament field.
Cruse was a force to be reckoned with at the national tournament. He posted double-doubles twice and averaged in double figures (16.8 ppg) in the five-game trip. In the title game against host College of the Ozarks, Cruse was 9-for-14 from the field and finished the game with 23 points, seven boards, six assists and two blocks to lead ERAU to its first national title.
His performance at the 1999-00 NAIA National Tournament afforded Cruse tournament Most Valuable Player honors. He capped his collegiate career as a two-time NAIA All-American, earning second team recognition in 1998-99 and first team honors in 1999-00 and was an All-Conference performer for the Eagles in each of his two seasons.
"Jason Cruse, arguably, is the very best basketball player to ever play for the Eagles. He loved to win and thrived on pressure situations when the game was on the line. He possessed tremendous confidence and stable arrogance, regarding his ability to make plays that would get the needed result. Jason had a special 'feel' for the game and had an extremely high basketball IQ that allowed him to make everyone on the floor better.
"Jason was a special leader who led by example. He excelled in the classroom as well, earning the prestigious John P. Eberly Business Student of the Year Award. He also demonstrated his unique time management skills by balancing athletics and academics, while working on campus as a student staff member. Today, he enjoys a very successful career in the insurance business, while building a special family with his wife Kim, and their five children."
Steve Ridder
Head Men's Basketball Coach, Embry-Riddle University (1989-present)
"I would like to give you my perspective from coaching against Jason in that title game (2000 NAIA National Championship). Jason had an unbelievable tournament as evidenced by his being named the MVP. I knew going into the game that our key to beating Embry-Riddle was to stop him. He had basically been a 'man amongst boys' the whole tournament and that was definitely true against us. We could not find a way to stop him and he ended up with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in our 75-63 loss. Jason was not only a great basketball player, but he was also a class act on and off the court."
Al Waller
Head Men's Basketball Coach, College of the Ozarks (1977-02)
"Jason only played basketball at ERAU for two seasons. If he would have played for three or four I'm convinced he would have set multiple individual and team records. He single-handedly set the tone at the beginning of the national championship game on March 14, 2000. We went to him early and often and he delivered the entire game. When the buzzer sounded and we stood atop of the NAIA II basketball world, we smiled and laughed about how our prediction back in September had come true." Ryan Rothrock
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1999-02)
"I'll never forget looking down at my friend's broken arm during game two of the 1999-00 season thinking that our season was over. Not once would Cruse let us think that as his first words to us were 'I'm coming back.' Of course, he did come back after missing nearly half of the season to lead us to the 2000 National Championship, win National Tournament MVP, and become a first team All-American.
"A player of Jason's caliber doesn't have to buy into a program that we have a Riddle. They can go play anywhere and score 30 a night. But Jason did from day one. Student, person, player…leader. As good of a friend and teammate as he was a power forward."
Kyle Mas
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1997-01)
Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Fame Classes of 2009 and 2011
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Abby Hall
Volleyball
2008-11
Abby Hall is the first volleyball athlete to be inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame. Hall competed for the Eagles from 2008-11 and remains the most-decorated athlete in program history.
In her four years at ERAU, Hall helped put Embry-Riddle volleyball on the map. The Louisville, Ky. native was a two-time All-American, as well as an Honorable Mention All-American in 2009. She was the first-ever All-American in volleyball program history in 2010 and earned the program's first-ever first team All-American honor in 2011.
Hall was a four-time first team All-Sun Conference selection and a three-time Sun Conference Player of the Year, leading the Eagles to a 55-1 record in conference matches from 2008-11, including three consecutive undefeated conference seasons. The Blue and Gold won four regular season conference titles and two conference tournament championships during Hall's career, earning the program's first two trips to the NAIA National Championship Final Site in 2010 and 2011.
Hall remains the school's career leader in kills, points and attack attempts, while also ranking among the top 10 in attack percentage, digs and service aces. She was the leader of the 2011 team that achieved a national ranking of No. 2, the highest-ever in program history, and finished sixth at the national tournament, the best-ever finish in school history.
Off the court, Hall was an active member of the Air Force ROTC Detachment, holding various leadership positions within the wing, including Flight Commander and Inspector General Deputy. She also organized Lime Cup Day, which saw ERAU host eight university's AFROTC Detachments from the Southeast Region to compete in a Sports Day competition; she led her team to a second-place finish in the event. Her numerous successes and accomplishments are reflected in Hall's Commission to Second Lieutenant in 2012.
During her senior year, Hall was a founding member of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 157 Alumni and Cadet Association, which is a robust organization of over 1,800 alumni that works to develop an involved, supportive network of AFROTC Det. 157 alumni and cadets to share and preserve their heritage, foster lifelong unity among the membership, and support Det. 157 cadets and alumni in their careers. She has been on the Board of Directors for four years and is currently serving as President. As President, Hall has laid the groundwork and begun fundraising efforts for creating two new scholarships.
Hall has continued to play volleyball while on active duty, earning All-Air Force team selections each of the last two years. In 2014, as an outside hitter, Hall led the Air Force team to a second-place finish in the Armed Forces Championships and a 10th-place overall finish at the 2014 Adult Nationals in Detroit. In 2015, Hall was selected to represent the United States Air Force at the AIRCOM tournament at RAF Halton in the U.K. This time, Hall captained the team and played as a setter and an outside hitter, leading the team to a 6-0 record against four different NATO teams from across Europe.
Hall has also served as a coach at various levels of volleyball since her graduation. She spent time volunteering with Level Elite Sports' 16-and-under Mississippi Juniors volleyball program while serving at Columbus AFB in Mississippi. She then served as the Head JV Volleyball Coach at Carroll High School while serving at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Currently she serves as a volunteer assistant coach at Wright State University, a position she began in January 2015.
"Off the court, while walking across campus you couldn't help but notice how many people she knew and would say hello and ask how they were doing. Abby was a friend you could count on. Whether it was assisting with engineering homework or helping you on your serve; she was there. She continuously exhibited qualities and characteristics that made her a great person, friend and teammate.
"On the court, Abby was a fierce competitor' her numerous records and accolades speak for themselves, but I wanted to highlight her character on the court. She was always challenging the team and herself to get better. Her enthusiasm and passion for the game were contagious from the first day I met her and continue to this day. Mentally she was strong and was one of our go-to-players to make the tough plays and execute for the point. I can't tell you how many times Abby single handedly swung the momentum around for us when our morale was low."
Julia Frasseto
Embry-Riddle Volleyball, 2008-11
"I heartily endorse Abby Hall's nomination to the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame due to her outstanding leadership. As an ERAU volleyball fan and Air Force ROTC faculty member for the last 40 years, I have had the opportunity to observe many cadets during their time at the university and in their Air Force careers. Abby is truly a great leader and athlete. She was humble yet still displayed outstanding leadership and athletic ability in ROTC as well as on the volleyball court."
Mari Rohlfs
Administrative Assistant, Embry-Riddle Air Force ROTC
"Abby has my highest recommendation for induction into the ERAU Athletic Hall of Fame. She not only was a tremendous volleyball player, student, cadet and leader while at ERAU, she continues to represent the university in a positive light, and as she progresses through her career, she will only bestow more with the achievements yet to come."
Colonel Stephen P. Luxion
"I was very impressed that Abby was able to successfully juggle the triad of being a full time Embry-Riddle engineering student, and ROTC member, and a student athlete (leading the volleyball team in career kills, points, and attempts). She now continues to excel as an active duty Air Force officer and brings to the Air Force the same determination and tenacity she developed and used at Embry-Riddle. She has set the bar high for future generations of Eagles."
Captain Carole J. Addona
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Elina Johansson
Women's Soccer
2007-10
Originally from Strangnas, Sweden, Elina Johansson graduated from the Embry-Riddle women's soccer program in 2010 as one of the most decorated players in program history. Described by ERAU Head Coach
Samantha Bohon as someone who "consistently demonstrated commitment and perseverance", Johansson immediately impacted the Eagle lineup as a freshman, setting an ERAU single-game scoring record with five goals against Lambuth (Sept. 1, 2007) on the way to Florida Sun Conference Newcomer of the Year, All-Region and honorable mention All-America recognition.
As a sophomore, Johansson sustained an injury that limited her to just 13 appearances, but she still finished the year as the team leader in points (29), goals scored (14) and game-winners (5), and that afforded her NAIA and NSCAA/NAIA Second Team All-America and first team All-Conference honors.
Johansson enjoyed a record-setting campaign in 2009, breaking 12 school records and earning NAIA National Player of the Week (Oct. 27) accolades. She was also named The Sun Conference Player of the Year and made her second appearance on the NAIA All-America roster, garnering second team honors.
Johansson's mark on the program can still be seen today as she still holds several school records and is listed among the program's best in almost every offensive category. She is the Eagles' career leader in points (170), points per game (2.50), shots (334), and holds single season records in points (66), assists (20) and points per game (3.30), as well as the single-game records for points (12), goals (5) and shots (19). She also ranks in ERAU's top 10 in career assists (2
nd, 42), goals (3
rd, 64), and game-winning goals (4
th, 14), along with appearances on the single-season list of goals (2
nd, 23) and game-winners (T3rd, 5).
After completing her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Embry-Riddle, Johansson went to Webber International to pursue her master's degree, where she spent two seasons as assistant coach to the women's soccer program.
Johansson then returned to Sweden where she was able to pursue a professional soccer career. She played for Hammarby and Eskitstuna United in the highest professional division in Sweden until an injury curtailed her playing career.
Johansson, who resides in Zurich, Switzerland, is a Shuttle Specialist for JetSmarter.
"This is my 10
th season here and I unequivocally believe that our program would not be at the level we are today without EJ and her four years of investment. Her mark on the program goes far beyond her Embry-Riddle playing career. She opened doors for international players to follow in her footsteps and helped ERAU establish itself as one of the top programs in the NAIA, while also experiencing early success in NCAA Division II play."
Samantha Bohon
Head Coach, Embry-Riddle Women's Soccer (2007-Present)
"As her academic transcript, undergraduate activities listing and post-graduation professional resume reflects, Elina not only committed to high achievement but also to be disciplined in pursuit of worthy goals, both as a team player and effective leader. Elina is a successful graduate of the very challenging ERAU degree program in Business, where she earned an excellent cumulative grade point average, was selected for several term academic achievements while also being involved in prominent community service activities and earning university, conference and national athletic awards and recognition. In addition to a successful, extensive education and work background, she was also an active participant, contributor and leader in a variety of roles. The leadership skills and ability to manage an array of responsibilities made her an invaluable, exceptional member of our university."
John E. Rollins
Director, Academic Performances, Embry-Riddle University
"Elina was a spirited student who thrived on intellectual and leadership challenges—both academic and social. She managed to maintain a good balance between her academic classes, her passion for the sport of soccer, and her regular volunteerism. Elina was a student in my (Jim's) COM 219 course (Speech) during the fall 2008 term. In that course she demonstrated competence in public speaking and group problem analysis, always delivering her speeches with clarity and an engaging smile. Taking her Embry-Riddle academics seriously, Elina continuously looked for challenges and intellectual advancement."
James & Cheryl Cunningham
Professors, Humanities Embry-Riddle University
"While it is easy to admire EJ's plethora of academic and athletic achievements, it is perhaps more important to acknowledge her easygoing, unselfish, loving personality. From the day that I met her, she has always looked out for me, and that is no different now. I came to college as a 17-year-old kid, together with seven other freshmen soccer players. Whether we were on or off the field, EJ was always the first to offer her hand, and as a result, she quickly earned the nickname 'Mother Duck.' I spent the next two years under her wing, and she helped me grow tremendously both as a person and a player."
Kriszelda "Krizzy" Menez
Embry-Riddle Women's Soccer (2010-13)
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Phillip Reamy
Baseball
2008-11
Phillip Reamy becomes the third Eagle baseball player to be inducted into the Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Fame, joining Luke Martin (Class of 2009) and Jared Mathis (Class of 2011).
Reamy's story is one of perseverance and determination, as an un-recruited walk-ok became one of the greatest closers in NAIA baseball history. A native of Centreville, Virginia, Reamy was cut twice from his high school team before coming to Embry-Riddle in 2006. Reamy tried out for the Eagles that year, but was once again cut. While most would have given up on their dream to play collegiate baseball, Reamy tried out for
Randy Stegall in the fall of 2007 after Stegall took over the reigns of the program that previous summer. Reamy made the team that year and started at first base in Stegall's first-ever game at the helm of ERAU, a 2-0 win over Florida College where he went 0-for-3 at the plate.
After that first game, Reamy transitioned full-time to the Blue and Gold bullpen, posting a 2-1 record and a 5.55 ERA in 28 relief appearances over his first two seasons. The right-hander turned a corner prior to the 2010 season and quite simply put, had the single-greatest statistical pitching season in NAIA history.
Reamy posted incredible numbers in his junior season, allowing just one run over 37 innings with a 5-0 record and 10 saves. Reamy faced 144 batters in 2010, allowing just 24 hits while striking out 33.
Reamy's best performance came at the NAIA World Series, particularly in an elimination game against 16-time World Series champions and host, Lewis-Clark State. Reamy entered the game in the third inning with the Eagles trailing 6-1, tossing 6.2 dominant innings against that season's best offensive team in the nation. The Eagles mounted one of the biggest comebacks in program history to eliminate the Warriors, 10-7, sending the Eagles to the NAIA World Series semifinals.
For his efforts in the World Series, Reamy was named to the World Series All-Tournament team, and was also named a second team NAIA All-American in addition to first team All-Sun Conference honors. Reamy's lone run allowed in 2010 still stands as a NAIA record, while his 0.24 ERA that season ranks second all-time.
Reamy followed his nearly perfect junior season with another outstanding year in 2011, setting the school record with 15 saves in 39.1 innings with a 2.97 ERA. Reamy earned Honorable Mention All-America accolades in his final campaign, and concluded his Eagle playing career with the program's saves record (25), ranking second in career appearances (82) in addition to his pair of single-season program records of ERA (0.24 – 2010) and saves (15 – 2011).
As a student, Reamy was also exceptional, earning NAIA Scholar-Athlete distinction and Academic All-Conference honors in 2011.
After serving as a graduate assistant coach for the Eagles in 2012, Phil played for the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League, posting a 5-2 record and 2.18 ERA in 45.1 innings.
Reamy graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Air Traffic Control (2010) and a Master's in Aeronautics (2013) from Embry-Riddle. He currently works for JMA Solutions as a Program Analyst in Washington, D.C.
"A lot of people would have given up on their dream of playing college baseball after being cut, but the word 'quit' is not in Phillip's vocabulary. The words, quit, cut, and below average were instead fuel to ignite a flame of motivation that I have never seen before as a coach. Where Phillip started and where he ended up during his time here at Embry-Riddle will never be duplicated. There are some ERAU pitchers that have better career numbers, some with much more ability, some with more professional experience, some that got drafted higher, but if the game was on the line and we needed to get three outs, Phillip would be the first pitcher I would go to. Even out of the 36 ERAU pitchers that have been named All-Americans, I would choose Phillip.
"Phillip was and still is the 'Total Package' we strive for here at Embry-Riddle. I once polled the team and asked them if you were stuck in Iraq, pinned down by terrorists, who would you want by your side, every member of the team wrote Phillip's name down."
Randy Stegall
Head Baseball Coach, Embry-Riddle University (2007-present)
"To tell Phillip's story in detail would take too long, but in all my years in baseball, Phillip's is one of the best. To have the honor to potentially be in an athletic Hall of Fame you have to be one of the all-time greats on and off of the playing field. Phillip is the very definition of this. He was a special player who overcame the odds as a walk-on that was cut his first year to become one of the greatest players in ERAU Baseball history and eventually a professional ballplayer. The motto of the ERAU Athletic Department is 'Student-Person-Player.' Phillip nailed all three. He not only was one of the best players but also a leader on the team the entire time he was here.
"He bought into everything we did and had EXTREME pride in being an Eagle. He was a coach's dream and the type of player that comes along once in a blue moon if you're lucky. He is a great kid, fantastic competitor, an extremely hard worker, and probably one of the best stories I have ever coached. He continues to represent Embry-Riddle at the highest level as well as its storied baseball program in his current professional life."
Dave Therneau
Pitching Coach, Embry-Riddle University (2007-15)
"There's a term that Coach
Steve Ridder, the school's previous athletic director and basketball coach, uses to describe the kind of athlete that Embry-Riddle looks for on their teams called the Total Package. It's an athlete that displays not only incredible athletic ability, but is a model student, and a person with incredible character and desire to be better. Phillip Reamy was, and still is the Total Package, and he exemplifies everything that the Hall of Fame and the university represents."
John P. Libretti IV
Embry-Riddle Baseball (2008-10)
"Phillip was not built to play collegiate baseball. At least that is what he was told when he tried out his freshman year, so he was cut after the tryout he attended. A man with a lesser strength of will would have quit, chalked it up to 'not being in the cards,' and focused on something else. However, that is not the man that Phillip is. Instead, seeing his desire and goals within reach, he set out to attain those goals through a year of commitment to training and bettering himself athletically. Phillip was rewarded when the new coaching staff recognized his ability the following year and offered him a position on the team."
Branden Roper-Hubbert
Embry-Riddle Baseball (2007-10)
"As a person, Phillip always challenges himself and others to not only be better, but to be great. Phillip brings passion and positivity to every day, instilling nothing but confidence in his friends, peers and colleagues. He has always understood the importance of teamwork and value of goal setting, but more importantly, is a prime example of how success can be obtained through hard work, dedication and resilience."
Austin T. Quinn
Embry-Riddle Baseball (2009-10)
"One of the many things that sets Phil apart from other student-athletes I have had the pleasure to watch and cover in my sports information role was the way he treated the athletics staff, both at Embry-Riddle and opposing schools. Phil had a genuine interest in my job and in me as a person, going out of his way to make (at the time) an intern feel like part of the team, whether that was on bus rides, during pre-game batting practice, or hanging out in hotel rooms. Phil treated everyone he encountered with respect."
Ryan Mosher
Assistant Sports Information Director, Embry-Riddle (2009-Present)
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Russell Snyder
Cross Country/Track & Field
2007-11
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Russell Snyder was a member of the Embry-Riddle men's cross country and track and field teams from 2007-11.
Snyder garnered at least one academic or athletic honor in each of his four seasons with the Eagles. In cross country, he was named an All-Conference performer four times after finishing among the top seven overall in four consecutive conference championship meets.
In 2009, after helping the Eagles to their fourth straight conference title, Snyder was part of a Blue and Gold squad that recorded the program's best finish at an NAIA National Championship. He crossed the line in 22
nd place in a time of 25:43. That performance helped the Eagles to a fifth-place finish and secured All-America recognition for Snyder. ERAU also earned the NAIA Team of Character Award that season.
As of his induction, Snyder ranks as the fifth-fastest cross country runner in program history, and holds the program's 19
th fastest time (24:44.50).
Snyder also excelled on the track as a distance runner. He won multiple All-Conference honors in his four years of competition and was an All-American in the 3,000m at the NAIA Indoor National Track & Field Championships in 2010.
Snyder exemplified the Eagles' "Student-Person-Player" model. He was named to the Academic All-Conference teams three times each for cross country and track and was a three-time Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. In 2010-11, he was awarded the Steve & Vicky RIdder Scholarship, which recognizes individuals with a commitment to academic achievement, campus and community involvement, personal holistic growth and a drive to excel in sport.
While at Embry-Riddle, Snyder worked as a tutor for the Software Engineering and Academic Enhancement programs, and was a grader in the Software Engineering department.
After graduation he was selected for USA Triathlon's post-collegiate training program and helped organize races and events with the Olathe Running Club in Olathe, Kansas. He also helped his brother recover from a war injury that left him blind, and his brother has since become a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in swimming and was selected as the 2016 U.S. Paralympian of the Year.
Snyder earned his bachelor's degree in Software Engineering from Embry-Riddle in 2011 and is currently the Principal Software Engineering for Red Owl Analytics in San Francisco, California.
"What impressed me the most though about Russell as a student is how often I saw him tutoring, helping others and leading group projects. He not only cared about his own success, but also cared about his classmates and teammates being successful. He lifted them up as well and made them better through his help and instruction. He found the time to not help himself succeed but to help others."
Mike Rosolino
Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (2001-present)
"Russell is one of those rare individuals that can make a team reach for greatness. His insightful ability to read his teammates and get them to rise to a challenge has been demonstrated numerous times at critical moments. The first time I saw this was at the 2008 NAIA Cross Country National Championship. Russell was running the race of his life. He was passing teammates that he had never beaten and instead of continuing on with his individual quest he decided to motivate his teammates. If you can picture a racer offering encouraging words to his teammates at five-minute mile pace (8k), that would be Russell. For our team that meant we had three runners finish in a great position instead of just Russell. I believe Russell's actions cost him an All-American slot, but our team ended up finishing seventh, which was far greater that what was expected of us."
Peter Hopfe
Assistant Cross Country/Track & Field Coach, Embry-Riddle (2005-present)
"In my mind, the purpose of a hall of fame should be to inspire future generations to greatness. Incoming freshman should be able to look at its members and think to themselves 'Wow, if I can be anything like that person I won't be doing half bad'. At Embry-Riddle, greatness in athletes has always been defined by the student, person, player philosophy. If you're looking for a role model to inspire more people to embrace this philosophy, Russell is hands-down your guy."
Zachary Kraus
Embry-Riddle Cross Country/Track & Field (2010-13)
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Sam Vazquez
Cross Country and Track & Field
2008-11
Sam Vazquez was a member of the Embry-Riddle cross country and track and field teams from 2008-11. Vazquez earned All-Sun Conference honors in each of his three seasons running cross country and was one of the league meet's top two finishers in each season, including a victory that afforded him Sun Conference Runner of the Year accolades in 2008.
In addition to leading the Eagles to three consecutive Sun Conference cross country titles, Vazquez was also instrumental in the Blue and Gold's best finish on the national stage in 2009, as well as the team's NAIA National Team of Character award. He placed 14
th overall at the NAIA National Championship to help the Eagles to a fifth-place team finish and became one of only three student-athletes in ERAU men's cross country history to earn All-America recognition.
Vazquez also excelled on the track where he competed for the Eagles in the middle distance races. He earned All-Conference recognition seven times and was a six-time All-American.
His final season with the Eagles proved to be his best. After being named the NAIA National Track Athlete of the Week in March 2011, Vazquez entered the field in the 1,000m at the indoor national championships as the top seed. After setting a school record (2:27.35) in the preliminary round of the event, Vazquez eclipsed that mark in the final, winning the race in 2:24.61 to become the Eagles' first men's track & field national champion.
Vazquez went on to win three events at the conference championship later on in the spring to take home league Track Athlete of the Year honors.
After graduating from Embry-Riddle with a degree in Business Administration, Vazquez set his sights on the Olympics and in 2012, that dream became a reality. In June 2012, he posted a 3:37.60 at the American Miler's Series in Indianapolis, Indiana and that time qualified him to represent Puerto Rico at the 2012 London Olympics.
As of his induction into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame, Vazquez still stands as one of the benchmarks in Embry-Riddle Cross Country and Track & Field. He holds four of the 20 fastest times ever posted by an Embry-Riddle cross country competitor and is the second-fastest runner in program history. He also holds eight school records in track and field, including the indoor 1,000m (2:24.61), mile (4:08.82), 4x400m relay (3:16.15), 4x800m relay (7:40.38), as well as the outdoor 800m (1:49.91), 1,500m (3:47.14), 4x400m relay (3:13.56) and the 4x800m relay (7:28.33).
"When we first started recruiting Sam, he was not ready for college. After a couple of years, he realized that if he wanted to be successful, he needed to get his education. When he came to Embry-Riddle, he was a focused student. He worked hard in the classroom as well as on the track to be successful in both areas. This experience really taught him the value of hard work and an education. He has used this experience to help motivate others to work hard in both areas in his coaching at Roosevelt University, working at our high school cross country camp, or just mentoring others in person or on his website. He is inspirational to others who want to achieve greatness."
Mike Rosolino
Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (2001-present)
"I first met Sam when I was a freshman at Embry-Riddle. In the beginning of my first year, I did not think I had what it took to be part of such a prestigious school while participating on one of the best teams in the nation. However, Sam had expressed to me his enthusiasm and importance of academics. He helped push me past limits I did not know I was capable of reaching. Sam was not only a friend, but a virtuous mentor. He helped me excel as an athlete."
Joshua Guerrero
Embry-Riddle Cross Country/Track & Field (2011-14)
"In finding where he belonged, Sam grew as a person and has contributed to the communities in which he has lived far more than he was given. While in college, he would help coach the annual high-school cross country camp—which if you have ever attended, you must understand that what matters is inspiring high school students to embrace challenges and push through their self-perceived limits using running as the common medium. Sam has taken this one step further as he has worked as a collegiate coach in Chicago, Illinois. Through his actions it is clear that he has been a significant contributor to the "yes you can!" spirit he imbues in those people he meets, and his contribution to inspiring those around him cannot be denied."
Jacob Dordick
Embry-Riddle Cross Country/Track & Field (2012-15)
