WEST HAVEN-The University of New Haven Department of Athletics inductee Frank “Porky” Vieira, Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr., Rob Thompson, Christopher Kuruc and Jennifer Davis into the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night.

The night was full of great laughs, memories and stories from each of the inductees. The ceremony, which was held at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, Connecticut, was capped with the retiring of Coach Vieira’s #20 jersey. Each inductee was recognized for the outstanding achievements and dedication.

Here’s a quick biography on each inductee:

Jennifer M. Davis (1992-96)
A three-time All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team honoree, Davis led the Chargers to two NECC tournament appearances (1995, 1996) during her career. She averaged 19.3 points per game and scored 540 points her senior year, ranking her sixth in the New Haven single-season record book. One of only seven women’s basketball players to score 1,500 points, Davis ranks sixth in program history with 1,622 career points.

Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr. (Alumni Award of Excellence)
Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr. is being inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame with the “Alumni Award of Excellence,” in recognition of his years of service, philanthropy and leadership to UNH and Charger Athletics. The new Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium on New Haven’s North Campus now sports a state-of-the-art synthetic blue and yellow turf field, Sprinturf, thanks to his generosity. A 1975 graduate of UNH, DellaCamera is the CIO and managing member of DellaCamera Capital Management LLC in Manhattan. He’s also a member of the University’s Board of Governors and a Distinguished UNH Alumnus.

Christopher M. Kuruc (1995-98)
The New England Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1998, Kuruc tallied 12 wins and only one loss in his senior season with the Chargers. He pitched nine complete games in 12 starts that season and boasted a 3.85 earned run average. In the UNH single-season record book Kuruc ranks seventh in wins (12) and ninth in innings pitched (114.2). Kuruc’s 27 career wins rank him ninth all-time at New Haven, while ranking fifth in career saves with six. He helped lead the Chargers to two NCAA College World Series (1998, 1995), a NCAA Regional (1996) and an overall record of 106-32-1 in his four seasons.

Rob Thompson (1985-88)
An All-American offensive lineman in 1988, Thompson helped guide New Haven to a 29-11 record during his four seasons. In 1987 Thompson’s offensive line, including Hall of Fame member Harry Boatswain, allowed only 16 sacks, while UNH threw for nearly 2,000 yards. In 1987, Thompson was named to the All-Eastern College Athletic Conference team and a year later received All-New England Collegiate Conference and All-American honors. Thompson went on to play professional football for two years after graduating from New Haven in 1989.

Frank “Porky” Vieira (1962-2006)
Following the 2006 season, Frank “Porky” Vieira retired as the all-time winningest coach by percentage in NCAA history. Over the course of his 45-year career, the University of New Haven was 1,134-329-6 (.776). Vieira amassed 43 consecutive winning seasons, taking UNH to the postseason 31 times and to the College World Series on 17 occasions. Over 70 Charger student-athletes signed contracts to play professionally during those years. Vieira has also served in numerous other roles during his tenure at UNH, including an assistant basketball coach and a sports information director. This year, Coach Vieira joins 46 of his former student-athletes who have already been inducted into the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame.
For a previous list of inductees and full biographies visit www.newhaven.edu/athletics and click on Hall of Fame.