STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Stony Brook Athletics is excited to welcome seven new members to its Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame committee has selected Tommy Brenton, Michael Crooks, Bryan Dougher, Paul Dudzick, Kathy Koshansky, Jenny Payne (Simkins) and Aden Smith for enshrinement in the 2020 class.

The enshrinement ceremony is planned for next spring.
 
"The contributions to the growth of Stony Brook Athletics from our seven new Hall of Famers are immeasurable," director of intercollegiate athletics Shawn Heilbron said. "Each has played a significant role in our department's emergence and is extremely deserving of this honor."

Here's a closer look at the new inductees:

Tommy Brenton '12, '13, Men's Basketball: Brenton graduated as the program's all-time leader in rebounds and steals and the program's Division I leader in assists. He earned the Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior in 2013, becoming the first Seawolves basketball player to win a national award. He also was the America East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for the 2012-13 season — only the conference's second player ever to win both awards in the same season. Brenton played professionally in the Japan Basketball League from his graduation through 2017.

Michael Crooks '06, Men's Tennis: Crooks is the singles, doubles and total wins leader in the history of Stony Brook men's tennis. He was a four-time All-America East selection. He never lost a conference tournament singles match during his four-year collegiate career. Crooks currently works in the architecture field in London.

Bryan Dougher '12, Men's Basketball: A four-year starter at point guard, Dougher graduated as the all-time leading scorer in the program's Division I era. He also owns a school-record 337 three-pointers. He earned a spot on the America East All-Rookie team in 2009 and was a three-time All-America East selection. Dougher led the Seawolves to consecutive America East regular-season championships. He went on to play professionally in Australia. Dougher went on to work on the basketball staffs at Stony Brook and Rutgers, and currently is an assistant coach at Fairfield.

Paul Dudzick '72, Coach/Administrator, 1968-2003: Dudzick founded and coached the Stony Brook crew, women's cross country and women's tennis teams and launched the department's Hall of Fame. His roles also included serving as men's athletic director from 1983 through 1991, NCAA compliance coordinator and associate professor of physical education. He coordinated the elevation of the program from Division III to Division I.

Kathy Koshansky, Head Athletic Trainer, 1983-2011: The first full-time athletic trainer in program history, Koshansky also was a pioneer. She also became the first woman to be a head certified athletic trainer in Stony Brook football history. She also served as a tenured associate professor and received the prestigious President's and Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching in 1989. Koshansky was inducted into the New York State Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 2011 for her commitment to the athletic training profession. 

Jenny Payne (Simpkins) '03, '07, Women's Track & Field/Cross Country: Payne was the first NCAA Division I qualifier in the cross country program's history. She also became the program's first D-I All-American and first America East champion, winning the indoor 5000 meters in Boston in 2002. She was a recipient of the NCAA's postgraduate scholarship the following year. Payne last year joined the government in Lilburn, Ga., as assistant city manager.

Aden Smith '03, Football: A two-year captain and linebacker, Smith owns the top two single-season tackle totals in program history — 140 in 2002 and 112 in 2001. His 323 career tackles are the most in school history. His accolades include second-team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American honors as a senior. Smith is the varsity football coach at Shoreham-Wading River High School.