Aug. 18, 2006

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Four distinguished individuals will be inducted to the Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2006. The banquet for the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2006, in the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center on the Stony Brook University Campus.

The Class of 2006 includes: Daniel Antonius '99 (Men's Tennis), Robert Burden '90 (Football and Baseball), Joe Nathan '97 (Baseball) and John DeMarie (Former head coach Men's Swimming, Chairman, Dept. of Physical Education).

The induction ceremony will commence at 10:30 a.m. followed immediately by Stony Brook University's Homecoming festivities. For ticket information on attending the ceremony, please contact Sam Kornhauser at 631-632-7196 or email him at samuel.kornhauser@stonybrook.edu.

With these additions, the Hall of Fame membership will climb to 46 individuals. The full list of the 2006 inductees is below, with brief accomplishments and biographical information following:

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2006

Joe Nathan, Baseball `97
One of the premier closers in all of Major League Baseball, Joe Nathan has emerged as one of Stony Brook's most decorated former athletes. After leading the Seawolves to a conference championship in 1995, Nathan was a sixth-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants. Following a trade to the Minnesota Twins in 2004, Nathan emerged as one of the most outstanding relievers in baseball, totaling 87 saves in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, he finished fourth in the Cy Young voting. The two-time All-Star was also one of only 30 players to represent the United States in the Inaugural World Baseball Championships in 2006.

Daniel Antonius, Tennis `99
A standout on the court and in the classroom, Daniel Antonius holds the all-time mark for the highest winning percentage in the history of the men's tennis program. A member of the Sigma Beta Academic Honor Society, Antonius captured the Rolex Regional Singles Championship and placed third in the doubles event in 1997. Antonius was recognized nationally as he was one of only eight players invited to the Rolex National Championships in 1997. He was tabbed the ECAC Robbins Scholar Athlete in 1999 and was a two-time team MVP for the Seawolves.

Robert Burden, Football and Baseball `90
A versatile two-sport standout at Stony Brook, Bob Burden holds four school records on the gridiron while ranking in the in the top 10 for his efforts on the baseball diamond. A Pizza Hut All-American third team selection in 1989, Burden holds the Stony Brook all-time mark for most field goals in a game, season, and career, along with most interception return yards in a season. He was also a Liberty Football Conference First-Team selection in 1989 as well as team MVP. He was also a standout for the baseball team as the two-sport star still ranks eighth all-time in stolen bases.

John DeMarie, Swimming
Former head men's swimming coach and Chairman of the Physical Education Department, John DeMarie left his stamp on Stony Brook Athletics. DeMarie was at the helm of the men's swimming program for 16 years and led Stony Brook to their first and only undefeated season in 1987-88 as the then Patriots went 10-0. During his tenure, he captured eight titles and was named Metropolitan Coach of the Year in 1988.