Springfield College To Induct Six Members Into Its Athletics Hall of Fame

In the world of squash, there is no one who is more highly regarded or who has reaped such an unparalleled amount of success than Paul Assaiante. In his time at Springfield, Assaiante was a two-time captain for the men’s gymnastics team in 1973 and 1974. In 1974, Assaiante was tabbed an All-American and was named to compete for the United States in the Pan American Games. But it is in another sport where Assaiante has clearly left his mark. On the squash courts, Assaiante had a very impressive professional career as an athlete as he won the World Hardball Doubles Championship in 1988 and captured the US Squash Doubles Hardball Championship in 1994. He was also crowned the US Singles Champion in the United States Squash Racquets Association 50+ age group in 2004. But it is his work as head coach of the Trinity College squash team that has been nothing short of phenomenal. This past spring, Assaiante led the Bantams to its 11th consecutive College Squash Association (CSA) National Championship. His teams have won 202 straight matches, the longest active winning streak in intercollegiate varsity athletics in any sport. From 1999-2003, Assaiante coached both the United States Squash Team, which competed in the Pan American Games, and the USA Men's Team, which played in the World Championships.

Nan Duga will ultimately be remembered as one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of the Springfield College softball program. In fact, one can make a solid case that she was and still is the most dominant. Duga, who still holds the school records for wins in a season (35), strikeouts in a season (330), all-time wins (82), and career strikeouts (85), had one of the most dominating seasons in the history of NCAA Division III softball in 2001. That season, Duga led the nation in innings pitched (295.1), strikeouts (33), and wins (35). She is still ranked in the top six in Division III single-season history in each of those categories. In her career, Duga was a two-time Louisville Slugger Division III All-America selection, including a first-team honoree in 2000 and a third-team selection in 2001. Duga’s overall body of work ranks as one of the best in the history of Division III softball. To date, she ranks fifth in career shutouts (20), fifth in career strikeouts (850), sixth in career innings pitched (818.2), and eighth in career victories (82). In fact, she still holds the NCAA Division III record for most games pitched in a season (48) and in a career (150).

Since his time at Springfield College, Alton Doyle had become a major figure in New York high school athletics for over five decades. A onetime member of the junior varsity football team at Springfield College, Doyle went on to serve in various capacities at Oxford Academy and Central School in New York. Acting as District Athletics Director from 1957 through 1971, Dalton also coached baseball (20 years), football (16 years), basketball (8 years), track and field (8 years), and wrestling (3 years). Doyle went on to serve in various capacities within the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) starting in 1956, and was tabbed the Executive Director in 1975, serving in that post until 1990. He also served on the NYSPHSAA football committee from 1956 to 1971, the last four years as the State Chairman. Serving as the Executive Director until 1990, Doyle did tremendous work in making strides towards equality in scholastic athletics. During his tenure, Doyle expanded the governing board to include a representative of girls’ athletics from each of the 11 sections and resurrected or established 27 high school championships for girls and boys in New York. It was under Doyle’s direction that the New York State boys’ basketball tournament was reborn in 1978.

During his time on campus, George Robert Hamilton made an impact on the playing fields and in the classroom. Since then, Hamilton has continued to make an impact in New England as an educator, coach, and administrator. Hamilton graduated from Springfield in 1958 with his bachelor’s degree in physical education (magna cum laude) and then earned his Master’s degree in the same concentration in 1963. During his time at Springfield, Hamilton played football, basketball, baseball, track & field, and golf. Upon leaving campus, Hamilton initially received professional baseball tryouts with the Boston Braves and the New York Giants. He went on, however, to teach physical education at three high schools in New Hampshire from 1958-1964. During that time, Hamilton also served as a high school coach in football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. In 1964, Hamilton moved into higher education as he joined the faculty at New England College in Henniker, N.H. as the Coordinator of the Physical Education Program. Along with being a professor for the next nine years, Hamilton coached cross country, basketball, and baseball. He also coached golf for 25 years and helped guide his squad to a winning season every year. Hamilton then made the transition to be the Director of Athletics at NEC in 1974 and helped create the New England College Hall of Fame, which he was inducted into in 1998 as a coach, professor, and administrator.

During her time at Springfield, Belinda Perry established herself as not only one of the top swimmers in New England, but in the entire country. A four-year gold medal winner in the New England Swimming and Diving Championships and a three-time winner of Springfield’s Female Athlete of the Year Award as a sophomore, junior, and senior, Perry achieved a tremendous amount of success on the national level beginning in her second year on campus. In 1992, Perry earned All-American honors in three events as she set school records in the 200 IM, the 400 IM, and the 200 fly. The following year, Perry continued to excel as she was named an All-American in four events, this time in the 400 IM, the 200 IM, the 200 fly, and the 200 back. Her collegiate career was capped off during her tremendous senior campaign in 1994. Perry was named the Most Outstanding Swimmer at the New England’s as she captured gold in the 200 IM and 200 fly. She also swam the opening leg of the 400 medley relay in which Springfield touched first. She then went on to place second in the 400 IM, third in the 200 IM, and fourth in the 200 back in the NCAA Division II Championships. Her excellence is still clear to anyone who looks up at the Springfield College Varsity Records board in the Art Linkletter Natatorium. Her times in the 200 IM (2:07.55) and 400 IM (4:30.03) have not been touched since she set them in 1994.

Robert Piehler is being inducted into the Springfield College Athletics Hall of Fame for his tremendous gymnastics abilities. He was a nine-time NCAA Division II/III All-America gymnast while at Springfield. A dynamic athlete who is still regarded as one of the best in the program’s illustrious history, Piehler was the first Springfield College gymnast to earn All-American honors in five different events in a single year, a truly incredible feat. In 1984, Piehler took home All-American accolades in the all-around, floor exercise, high bar, parallel bars, and still rings. In 1983, Piehler was crowned National Champion on the floor exercise, becoming the first national champion in that event in Springfield College men’s gymnastics history. Piehler also earned All-American status in 1981 and 1983, and qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships during his time at Springfield. A 1984 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health and fitness, Piehler earned the Skip Daley Award in 1983. He is now co-owner (along with wife, Jo Ann Piehler G’84) and head coach of the World Class Gymnastics Academy in Albany, N.Y. He has been a National Gymnastics Professional member for the past 25 years, and has produced several Men’s Junior Olympic Team members. He is also a former New York State Coach of the Year in both men’s and women’s gymnastics.

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