Sept. 8, 2005

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook University Athletics Hall of Fame will open its doors to four new members at an induction ceremony on Saturday, September 24, 2005. The Class of 2005 includes Teri Tiso (former head coach, volleyball), Stuart Sharoff `81 (Football), John Brisson, Jr. `76 (Swimming/Rowing), and the president of the university, Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny. The ceremony will take place at the Meadow Club in Port Jefferson, N.Y. at 9:30 a.m.

The Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame was initiated in 1991 to honor Stony Brook's finest athletes and administrators and since then 38 people have been inducted. The criteria for selection into the Hall of Fame is outstanding athletic achievement while at Stony Brook, but other factors are also considered. They include character, leadership and integrity, as well as non-athletic service to the University community and achievement later in life.

For the past 10 years, Kenny's staunch support of Stony Brook athletics has led the university from Division III status to the NCAA Division I level. Committed to the advancement of undergraduate education at Stony Brook, Kenny's development of the athletic program has been at the center of her vision for Stony Brook. In May 1997, she declared Stony Brook's intention to compete at the Division I level by the 1999-00 academic year and led the university through the two-year transition to realize that dream. Only two years later, she took a lead role in helping Stony Brook gain membership into the America East Conference where 19 of Stony Brook's 20 intercollegiate sports began competition in the fall of 2001. Dr. Kenny was also instrumental in bringing the 8,100-seat Kenneth P. LaValle stadium to campus, the largest outdoor facility in Suffolk County.

Sharoff was one of the standout members of the Stony Brook football club program that eventually achieved varsity status in 1984. A long-time supporter of the program, he is the former chair of the Seawolves Club board and currently is the chair of the Athletic Director Advisory Council. He currently owns a LaValle Stadium suite and recently pledged the most significant gift in the history of the Stony Brook athletic program. He is now a Director at Merrill Lynch where he is a sales trader.

Teri Tiso, a veteran of 19 years on the Stony Brook bench, compiled the most wins in volleyball history during an illustrious stretch which saw her guide Stony Brook from the Division III ranks to the Division I level. The university's all-time winningest coach, she posted a remarkable record of 537-225 (.701) while at Stony Brook and an outstanding overall career record of 677-275 (.711). Under her tutelage, Stony Brook qualified for postseason play in 14 of her last 16 years at the helm, including three ECAC Division II championship appearances. Prior to the move to Division I, Tiso led her Division III teams to five consecutive NCAA tournament berths from 1990-94, including a final four appearance in 1992 and three NCAA regional titles. Stony Brook also won the New York State Championship in 1981, 1990, 1992 and notched runner-up finishes in 1987 and 1991. Tiso is currently an Associate Professor in the Stony Brook University School of Health, Technology and Management.

Brisson was a two-sport standout at Stony Brook during the 1970's. As a swimmer, he captured the Metropolitan Division III backstroke title in the 100 meters and also helped lead his team to a Division III team championship in 1973 and 1974. He capped off his 1976 season with record setting performances in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay, 4 x 100 medley relay and the 4 x 200 freestyle relay. As a rower, he captained a squad that took home the Metropolitan Championship in 1975 & 1976 and led Stony Brook crews to more wins than any other stroke in the program's 19-year history including undefeated regular season campaigns in 1976 in the Varsity Four and Varsity Eight. After graduation, he went on to capture 12 medals from top three finishes in the US Rowing Championships from 1979-88, winning four national titles. He is currently a partner with his father in the law firm of Brisson and Brisson.

Stony Brook currently has 38 former athletes and coaches in the Hall of Fame. The Hall was started in 1991 with the first group of inductees, Stuart Goldstein `74 and Rollie Massimino.

Tickets for the 2005 Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be purchased by calling Greg Monfiletto at 631-632-7196.