Providence College Athletics

College to Induct 7 to Athletic Hall of Fame

College to Induct 7 to Athletic Hall of Fame

Ceremonies to take place during College's Hall of Fame Weekend, June 13-14.

May 20, 1999

(Providence, R.I.)...The Providence College Athletics Department will induct into its Hall of Fame two hockey standouts, a men's basketball star, two All-America runners and two of the top women's basketball players in the school's history as part of the College's Hall of Fame Weekend. The induction ceremonies will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 13th at the Warwick Country Club in Warwick, Rhode Island. Tickets are available through the Providence College Alumni Office at (401) 865-2407.

Leading the induction class are hockey standouts, Peter Taglianetti '85 and Chris Terreri '86 who were members of PC's teams that advanced to the 1983 and 1985 NCAA Hockey Finals. Another Final Four alumnus to be inducted is basketball star Billy Donovan '87 who was the star of the Friars' 1987 magical basketball run. The two All-America runners to join the 1999 inductees are Richard O'Flynn '85 and Andy Ronan '86. Two-sport standout Mary Ann (McCoy) O'Leary '80, who played basketball and tennis, is joined by women's basketball star Doris (Sable) Burke '87 to round out this impressive group of inductees.

Taglianetti was a two-time Second Team All-America selection (1984 and 1985) who anchored a rock solid defense that helped Providence finish third in the nation in 1983 and second in 1985. A member of the first HOCKEY EAST Championship team (1985), Taglianetti scored 16 goals with 63 assists for 79 points in 109 games. A two-time All-New England selection, the Friar defenseman was named All-ECAC in 1984 and All-HOCKEY EAST in 1985. He was also a member of the Class of 1985 that won a school record 97 games. Taglianetti went on to play for two Stanley Cup Championship teams with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Terreri enters the Hall of Fame recognized as the greatest goaltender ever to wear the Black and White uniform. Terreri backstopped the Friars to the first-ever HOCKEY EAST Championship in 1985 and set NCAA records while leading that team to the NCAA Championship game. He was named Most Valuable Player in both tournaments recording records for saves in both tourneys. A two-time All-American, Terreri had a 3.18 career goals against average in 88 games with a record of 42-36-5 and played in two NCAA Tournaments. Currently a member of the New Jersey Devils, Terreri owns a Stanley Cup Championship ring with the Devils. The Warwick, Rhode Island native was also a member of the 1988 United States Olympic Hockey Team.

Donovan will long be remembered as the captain of the 1987 basketball team who helped the Cinderella Friars advance to the 1987 Final Four. A two-time team MVP, Donovan was the Southeast Regional MVP that season and an Honorable Mention All-American. An All-BIG EAST selection that season, Donovan averaged 20.6 points per game that season and scored 1,328 points in his career. He is currently the head basketball coach at the University of Florida.

O'Flynn was one of the top runners in cross country and track for the Friars. A three-time Cross Country All-American from 1983-85, O'Flynn helped the Friars to three BIG EAST cross country championships while taking individual honors in 1984. He was the IC4A Cross Country Champion in 1983 and 1984 and was second at the NCAA Championships in 1984. O'Flynn also had an outstanding career on the indoor and outdoor tracks, winning back-to-back BIG EAST Indoor Championships at 3,000 meters in 1984 and 1985. He was also the IC4A Indoor champion at 5,000 meters in 1985.

Ronan was also a two-time All-American in cross country in 1984 and 1985 while teaming with O'Flynn to give the Friars an outstanding one-two punch. Ronan won four BIG EAST titles: the 5,000 meters indoors in 1984 and 1986 and the 10,000 meters outdoors in 1984 and 1986. He finished third in the 1991 Boston Marathon and represented his native country of Ireland in the Marathon in the Barcelona Olympics. He is currently an assistant coach for the PC cross country and track teams and helped the 1995 women's cross country team win Providence College's only team NCAA Championship.

O'Leary was one of the true pioneers of the Providence College women's athletic program. A two-sport standout in women's basketball and tennis, O'Leary led the Friars to an 82-27 record in her four seasons. She was the first player in Providence College history to score 1,000 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds in her career. She graduated from PC as the leading scorer and rebounder in school history. Her 1,056 career rebounds still rank her third on the Friars' all-time list.

Burke is recognized as one of the top playmakers in Providence College basketball history as she currently ranks second on the school's all-time assist list with 602. As a freshman, she was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie team and followed that by being named Second-Team All-BIG EAST as a junior and First Team All-BIG EAST as a senior. In 1987, Burke was a Kodak District I All-American and PC's Co-Female Athlete of the Year. That year, she was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team and the Women's NIT All-Tournament Team. For her career, Burke scored 1,344 points. She is currently working as a television basketball analyst for Madison Square Garden Sports, ESPN and CBS.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Dinner are $27.00 and can be purchased through the PC Alumni Office at (401) 865-2407. In conjunction with the Hall of Fame Weekend, the Friars' Legends Golf Tournament will be played at the Warwick Country Club on Monday, June 14th. For information on the golf tournament, contact Paul Deutsch in the PC Athletic Department at (401) 865-1967.

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