WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven Department of Athletics is proud to announce its Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The class includes five individuals, representing five different sports. The group will be enshrined at the 36th annual Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. With the CoVID-19 Pandemic shutting down large events for the better part of two years, the 36th Hall of Fame Class is the first to be inducted since 2019.
The 36th induction class is comprised of Tom Bell (Football Head Coach, 1976-82), Niketa Harris (Women's Basketball, 1998-02), Evan Okon (Baseball, 2006-09), Brian Smith (Men's Basketball, 1987-91) and Ada Udaya (Women's Track & Field, 2010-15). Mrs. Harris will be inducted posthumously following her passing in 2021.
"Being inducted into the Charger Hall of Fame is the ultimate achievement for our student-athletes," said Interim Director of Athletics, Jon Mays. "This honor recognizes the impact each of them has made on Charger Athletics and the University of New Haven. We look forward to welcoming this class back to campus and celebrating their careers as Chargers."
The 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame induction will be held on Friday, October 7, 2022 at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, Conn. The induction ceremony will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by the enshrinement ceremony and buffet dinner. Guests are encouraged to spend the weekend and join the New Haven football team as it continues the defense of its 2021 Northeast-10 Conference Championship on Saturday, October 8 against Pace.
With the addition of five inductees this fall, the New Haven Athletics Hall of Fame will contain 191 individuals and one team. Registration for the 36th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is available using the link abover ot by visiting www.NewHavenChargers.com/HallofFame. Tickets are $100 each or $1,000 for a table of 10 and includes open bar and dinner.
Tom Bell | Football Head Coach (1976-82)
After leading the Blue and Gold to their first ever winning season, Tom Bell secured the Chargers only undefeated season and eight win campaign in 1979 before helping New Haven transition to Division II for the 1982 season. In seven seasons at the helm of the Charger Football program, Bell collected 32 victories and finished four seasons with a .500 record or better. Individually, Bell coached the Chargers first ever All-American and first ever player taken in the NFL amateur draft (10th round pick in 1982), Miles McPherson who went on to play four seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
Niketa Harris | Women's Basketball (1998-02)
One of 14 players in program history to secure 1,000+ points and 500+ rebounds for her career, Niketa Harris stands as the third best scorer in the 46-year history of women's basketball at New Haven. Harris closed out her collegiate career with 1,673 points for an average of 15.8 per game, while she stands 10th all-time with 785 rebounds. In addition, she ranks second in program history with 409 made free throws and fifth all-time with 632 career field goals, while helping lead the Chargers to the New England Collegiate Conference twice during her tenure.
Evan Okon | Baseball (2006-09)
A three-time All-Conference middle infielder for the Chargers, Evan Okon owns a number of career records in the Charger Baseball annals. Highlighting his statistical titles at New Haven a pair of key categories at the plate where he is first all-time in hits with 250 and doubles with 54. In addition, he owns the top spot in games played (185), games started (181) and at bats (740), while closing out his collegiate career with a .338 batting average and 118 RBI.
Brian Smith | Men's Basketball (1987-91)
Helping lead the New Haven Men's Basketball team to a pair of appearances in the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament, Brian Smith stands as the fifth-best scorer in program history with 1,936 career points, averaging 16.7 per game during his time with the Blue and Gold. A two-time New England Collegiate All-Conference selection, Smith graduated among the top-10 in program history in a number of categories, including field goals made, three-point field goals made, three-point field goal percentage, scoring average, blocked shots and steals. Overall, during his career, the Chargers combined for an 85-39 record.
Ada Udaya | Women's Track & Field (2010-15)
A three-time United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, Ada Udaya made her mark on the track during her time at New Haven. Overall for her career, Udaya is a 16-time All-American and a two-time Academic All-American. During her senior year alone, the sprinter won a pair of Northeast-10 Conference Outdoor titles, two New England titles and finished second overall in the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Allendale, Mich.
