General | 10/7/2021 11:00:00 AM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Ten individuals have been selected for induction into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame. Included in the Class of 2021 are Andy Demetres '87 (men's lacrosse), Michael W. Dempsey '14 (men's track & field), Julie (Gibbs) Heuer '94 (women's volleyball), Sandy (Southworth) Jackson '85, '87 (women's soccer), Todd Paulauskas '94 (men's basketball), Isabelle Richard '09 (women's hockey), Ronald S. Ricotta '79 (distinguished service, wrestling), Justin D. Smith '11 (baseball), Mike Tarantino '04 (men's hockey), and Shelby Vakiener '14 (women's lacrosse, women's soccer, women's basketball).
 
Due to ongoing pandemic concerns, the class will be celebrated at a later date, anticipated in the Fall of 2022. 
 
"It is unfortunate that we must postpone our inductions," stated Jackie Nicholson, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "We want to honor our inductees appropriately and look forward to welcoming the Class of 2021 next year."
 
Andy Demetres BS '87 (Men's Lacrosse) 
A native of Bay Shore, N.Y., Andy Demetres was the mainstay goaltender for the RIT lacrosse team in the early to mid-1980s. He played three seasons under Bill Tierney and his final campaign for Bill Glennon. During his four years, the Tigers posted an impressive 48-9 record. Andy was named All-Independent College Athletic Conference three times while RIT collected championship honors in 1982, 1983 and 1985. RIT's combined ICAC record was 18-2.
 
The Computer Science major played in 55 games, recording 44 wins with a save percentage of .678. His goals-against average was 7.75. During the 1985 season he set the school mark with an 8.01 goals-against average. He also collected 251 career ground balls, ranking him 18th all-time. RIT made three appearances in the NCAA Division III Championships, including two semifinal losses. Andy played on the first RIT team to compete in the NCAAs (1983).
 
Andy and his wife Noreen and daughters Olivia, Hayley and Avery live in Valley Cottage, N.Y. Andy is a retired business management professional with 30 years of experience in the Information Systems Technology field.
 
Michael W. Dempsey BS '14 (Men's Track &Field) 
In two years with RIT track and field (2009-2011), Mike Dempsey was an impressive pole vaulter, capturing four All-American honors in indoor and outdoor competition. In 2010 he placed second in both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Division III Championships. In 2011 he captured fifth in the indoor, and seventh in the outdoor competition.
 
Along the way, the Gates, N.Y. native won numerous pole vault events, including two titles at the prestigious Penn Relays, four in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships, three in the New York State Collegiate Track Conference Championships (NYSCTC) and three at the Empire 8 Championships. Other stellar titles came at the New Balance Indoor Championships and Bucknell Bison Outdoor Classic. Additionally, Mike placed second in the 2011 NYSCTC Outdoor Decathlon Championships. While pole vault was his specialty, he also competed in the long jump, shot put, discus and javelin.
 
Mike holds the school pole vault record at 5.16 meters (16'11"). The indoor mark came in 2010 while his outdoor record was set in 2011.
 
An Electrical Mechanical Engineering Technology major, Mike and his wife Kelsey and their daughters Rylie and Kenzie reside in Fairport, N.Y. For the past six years Mike has been the RIT pole vault coach. In addition, Mike is Plant Manager at Arnold Magnetic Technologies.
 
Julie (Gibbs) Heuer BS '94 (Women's Volleyball) 
From 1990-1993, Julie (Gibbs) Heuer was a mainstay on the RIT volleyball team. A native of Elmira, N.Y., Julie set the school record for most games played in a season (158) and career (549) and most matches played in a career (199). During that time RIT won 175 and lost 26 matches. She was a member of four teams that competed in the NCAA Division III Championships, highlighted with third place in 1993. RIT also won four consecutive Empire Athletic Association titles and two New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association crowns.
 
The Hotel and Resort Management major was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Northeast Region Team in 1993. She was also a three-time All-Empire Athletic Association selection, earning second team honors in 1991 and first team plaudits in 1992 and 1993. The three-year captain was also RIT Athlete of the Week five times.
 
For her career, Julie has a 1.71 kill average, 204 service aces, 1,531 digs, 259 blocks and a .625 passing percentage.
 
Julie and her husband Justin have two boys (Landon, 13 and Logan, 11). They live in Lantana, TX.
 
Sandy (Southworth) Jackson BFA '85, MBA '87 (Women's Soccer) 
As a sophomore in 1982, Sandy (Southworth) Jackson played on the initial RIT women's soccer team. In the first varsity game on Sept. 16, 1982 versus Houghton, Sandy scored RIT's first goal at the one-minute mark. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
 
When the native of Livonia, N.Y. ended her career, she had eight school records, including most goals, assists and points in a season and career. Now, 37 years later, Sandy is second in career points with 70, coming on 29 goals and 12 assists. Over three seasons, she played in 45 contests. Her best two games came in 1983. Facing Roberts Wesleyan, Sandy scored two goals and added four assists. In the next game Sandy did all the scoring with three goals as RIT defeated Canisius, 3-0. That same season Sandy put together a six-game scoring streak, totaling 10 goals and five assists for 25 points. In 1984 RIT competed in the New York State Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NYSAIAW) Tournament, beating Nazareth and losing to Buffalo State. Sandy was named to the All-Tournament Team. She was also named RIT Athlete of the Week four times during her playing career.
 
As an undergraduate, Sandy majored in Interior and Industrial Design (1985) and received her Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1987.
 
Sandy and her husband Joe have two children: daughter Erin and son Chase. They have one grandson, Brooks Wolfgong. She is the former proprietor of Toomey's Express Convenience Store and currently owns Shivers, Shakes and Cones. Joe is owner of Bristol Valley Hardwoods and Bristol Valley Mini Storage. They live in Bloomfield, N.Y.
 
Todd Paulauskas  BS '94 (Men's Basketball) 
Todd Paulauskas had a solid career with the RIT basketball team. He played forward from 1990-94 under Coach Bob McVean. He currently ranks 21st in career scoring with 990 points in 104 games. His best year was in 1993-94 when he tallied 419 points to lead the Tigers. That same year he was named to the Brodie All-Tournament Team. He also set the school mark for best field goal percentage in a game (11 of 12 = 91.7) vs. Hobart in 1994.
 
The native of Bedford, N.H. was a three-year captain and earned Empire Athletic Association Rookie of the Year honors in 1990-91. As a senior he was second team All-EAA. Additionally, he was MVP of the Chase Tournament, won by the Tigers in 1993-94. He also garnered several team awards, including Most Inspirational Player and the Stephen King Award for sportsmanship and enthusiasm.
 
An International Business major, Todd also has the third best free throw percent in a season (.857 in 1990-91). Todd also earned RIT Athlete of the Week honors in 1993-94.
 
He and his wife Nancy (Weaver, RIT '94) have two daughters (Taylor, 19 and Tori, 17). He is the Senior Financial Information Systems Manager at New Balance Athletics, Inc. in Boston, MA. They currently live in North Grafton, MA.
 
Isabelle Richard BS '09 (Women's Hockey) 
Isabelle Richard played four years of hockey (2004-2008) when the women competed at the Division III level. The forward appeared in 106 games with 58 goals and 72 assists for 130 points. She ranks sixth in career scoring. A native of Malarctic Quebec Canada, Isabelle garnered All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) honors three times. Her best season came in 2006-07 when she tallied 21 goals and added 31 assists for 52 points. She also led the team in scoring in 2005-06 and 2007-08.
 
Academically, she was named to the Empire 8 President's List in 2005-06. She was also a member of the American Women's College Hockey Association (AWCHA) All-Academic Team in 2006-07 and 2007-08. She majored in Environmental Sustainability and Health.
 
Isabelle and her husband Simon Lambert live in Rivere-heva, Quebec Canada. Simon, also a hockey player, was inducted into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. They have two sons (Benjamin and Theodore). Isabelle is a water treatment specialist in the mining industry.
 
Ronald S. Ricotta BS '79 (Distinguished Service, Wrestling) 
Ronald Ricotta, a member of the RIT Board of Trustees as well as an alumnus (1979) and former wrestler, made a generous donation to renovate and expand the wrestling locker room, including new lockers, lighting, furniture and sound system. This locker room was dedicated as the "Ronald S. Ricotta Wrestling Locker" on Feb. 6, 2017. An Accounting major, his continual support has helped propel RIT wrestling into a nationally-ranked power. In addition to wrestling, Ron continues to support RIT through his efforts as a Trustee and his contributions to the Saunders College of Business, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, College of Engineering Technology, as well as providing general scholarships, and contributing to other financial needs of RIT. He also believes athletics and wrestling were important to his success. He is the CEO and co-owner of Century Mold Company, a large North American manufacturer.
 
The native of East Rochester, N.Y. is also a current member of the RIT President's Roundtable. Ricotta established his own endowed scholarship for the Saunders College of Business students in 2004. Ricotta has received multiple honors in recent years, including RIT's Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award in 2014 and induction into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame in 2015. That success, combined with his support of RIT as a volunteer and donor, also earned him the Saunders College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005.
 
Ron and his wife Kelly live in Pittsford, N.Y. They have four children (Matthew, Jeffrey, Katie and Steven), and five grandchildren.
 
Justin D. Smith BS '11 (Baseball) 
A native of Livonia, N.Y., Justin Smith was a versatile member of the RIT baseball team. He started his career as an infielder and eventually moved to the outfield. In his four campaigns he had an impressive .346 batting average with 115 runs scored, 160 hits, 73 RBIs and 200 total bases. His best year was in 2011 when the captain carded a .393 batting average to pace the team. In 2009 against Cazenovia, Justin tied the school mark with four stolen bases. He also holds the career record with 63 swipes. As a sophomore he was successful in 23 of 24 attempts.
 
He was a three-time All-Empire 8 selection with two honors at second base and one as an outfielder. He was also named Empire 8 Sportsperson of the Year in 2011. In 2010 he received the Doolittle Award, and in 2011 he was a second team ABCA/Rawlings New York Region selection. Academically, he was a two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Regional Academic All-American (2010, 2011), carding a 3.90 grade point average. He was named to the national team in 2011. Justin was co-recipient of the Mark Ellingson Award in 2011. The RIT award combines strong academic and athletic success. In addition, he was named one of RIT's Outstanding Undergraduate Scholars in 2011. Justin majored in Biomedical Sciences.
 
After graduating from RIT, he attended Michigan State Medical School, completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Rochester/Golisano Children's Hospital and fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Michigan/C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Today Justin is completing Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care training at the University of Michigan.
 
He and his wife Whitney and their two children (Stella, age 3 and Kendrick, age six months) reside in Saline, MI.
 
Mike Tarantino BS '04 (Men's Hockey) 
A native of Oakville Ontario Canada, Mike Tarantino was a mainstay during RIT's final Division III years. The center played in 105 games, tallying 68 goals and 103 assists for 171 points, ranking him 15^th all-time at the university. As a senior, Mike served as team captain and was named second team All-American. He also garnered four All-ECAC honors, including Rookie of the Year in 2000-01. A model of consistency, Mike had at least 40 points all four seasons.
 
From 2000-04 RIT was 83-15-9 with two ECAC West titles, while playing in two NCAA Division III Tournaments. During Tarantino's freshman year, RIT started the season 27-0-1, advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship game. In 2001, Tarantino received RIT's Craig Lauzon Award as Rookie of the Year. In his senior campaign he won the Corner Crew Fan's Choice (now Dan Barrows) Award and the Art Thomas Award.
 
Mike teaches Business Studies at Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario. He is also General Manager of the Collingwood Blues in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He previously was named Executive of the Year in 2014 with the Toronto Patriots, and Coach of the Year in 2019 with the Oakville Blades. Both teams won the league and provincial championships and advanced to the nationals. He also coached current RIT player Ryan Nicholson in the 2018-19 championship season with Oakville.
 
Mike and his wife Melinda have two daughters (Zoey and Maizie). They live in Burlington, Ontario Canada.
 
Shelby Vakiener BS '14 (Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Women's Basketball) 
A native of Fairport, N.Y., Shelby Vakiener played three sports at RIT from 2009-2013. She excelled in lacrosse and soccer and played one season of basketball.
 
A lacrosse midfielder, Shelby earned Rookie of the Year and first team All-Conference honors her freshman season. The next three years, she exploded to earn three All-American honors, three Conference Player of the Year awards, and led the league in scoring each season. Named team captain twice, she ended her career being named RIT Senior Female Athlete of the Year. Shelby scored a phenomenal 351 career points. She is the current all-time leader in goals (248), assists (103), points (351) and draw controls (248). She also finished second in career ground balls with 210.
 
The Civil Engineering Technology major was a four-year starter on the RIT soccer team on defense (2010-2013). She shares the school record for game appearances, playing in 75 games, starting in 74. She scored four goals, five assists for 13 total points. She was named Liberty League honorable mention in 2013 and helped RIT earn its first two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013.
 
Shelby is a Civil Engineer at LaBella Associates. She lives in Rochester, N.Y.