Athletics Hall of Fame | April 17, 2015

DANBURY, Conn. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University athletics legends Charlie Brown and Larry Schiner will make history on April 17 when they are inducted as part of the charter class of the inaugural Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hall of Fame in Danbury. Brown, who coached the men's basketball program for 25 years from 1982-2007 after a distinguished playing career in the 1960s, and Schiner, who served the University for 40 years (1967-2007), first as men's basketball coach and the final 30 years as director of athletics, are the only representatives of the 10 schools in the New Jersey Athletic Conference who will be enshrined in the inaugural class.
 
The impressive 25-person class includes such famed legends as St. John's men's basketball coaching great Lou Carnesecca, Boston College star quarterback Doug Flutie, and UConn women's basketball icon Rebecca Lobo and spans the entire 75-year history of the ECAC.
 
Brown and Schiner are the only two-time members of the NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame. Brown was a charter class member of then-Jersey City State College's Hall of Fame in 1979 as a student-athlete in basketball, track and field and cross country and was inducted a second time in 2011 in recognition of his 25-year iconic basketball coaching career. Schiner, who founded the NJCU Hall of Fame, was inducted in the school's second class in 1980 as the then winningest basketball coach in school history. He was honored again as an administrator in 2008, following his retirement.
 
Schiner is being inducted into a Hall of Fame for the sixth time. In addition to two honors at NJCU, in June 2013 Schiner was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame and later that summer enshrined in the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. In October of 1995, Schiner was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame as a basketball player.
 
Brown is also a member of the New Jersey Sports Writers Hall of Fame (2004), the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame (1993) and center court in NJCU's John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center was dedicated in his honor as "Coach Charlie Brown Court" on November 15, 1998.
 
The ECAC charter class recognizes a diverse representation of former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, officials, support staff, and supporters from across the conference's nine decades of existence.
 
Honorees for the first-ever class were selected for outstanding achievements, service, dedication, commitment, and contributions to the ECAC, championships, sponsored sports, programs, and events.
 
Photo Galleries thru the years: Charlie Brown | Larry Schiner
 
The ECAC Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony will be held at the Matrix Conference & Banquet Center, which opened as the new headquarters of the ECAC in August, 2014, after being located in Centerville, Massachusetts for most of its history. The organization now boasts over 300 member institutions, ranging from Maine to North Carolina and as far west as Missouri, with 178 affiliated with Division III.
 
QUOTES:
 
Larry Schiner:
 
On his reaction when he was informed of his selection: "I was certainly surprised and very excited when I got the news, especially because being inducted into the inaugural class of such a highly respected organization that has been active for 75 years is a special honor. I was even more enthusiastic and ecstatic when I learned Charlie Brown would also be inducted, which speaks well for our institution."
 
On why being inducted into the ECAC Hall of Fame is special: "Being part of the ECAC for many years was a very enjoyable and educational experience. It enabled me to interact with numerous athletic administrators at all levels, which enhanced my growth and development as an athletic director. I also served on many different committees, some of which I believe may have had an impact on the philosophy and direction of the organization. The ECAC championships have enabled member institutions to participate in postseason tournaments which are one of the major functions of the organization."
 
On being inducted into his sixth Hall of Fame: "When I got inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame, I felt it didn't get much better than that professionally, but this special induction means it REALLY doesn't get any better than this professionally."
 
Charlie Brown:
 
On his reaction when he was informed of his selection: "I was surprised to be honest with you. When I saw some of the names involved, the first thing I said was 'how did I get to be a part of this.' I was very surprised and thankful that people thought enough of me to elect me to the ECAC Hall of Fame. It's a big honor especially to be inducted with Larry Schiner. To have two people from NJCU [be selected] is unbelievable to me. I'm in awe of it. I'm thankful and appreciative, and mostly humbled by it to be honest with you."
 
On what being another charter member of a Hall of Fame means: ""That's why I was surprised and humbled because of it. To be a member, period is wonderful. But to be a member and part of the first group means people thought a lot of me and it means I'm old. I feel blessed for the friendships I have made over the years in the NJAC and throughout college athletics and all over the country and it's because of basketball. When I look at some of the people being honored, I never thought I'd be in a Hall of Fame with people like that."
 
Alice De Fazio, NJCU Director of Athletics (2007-present), who succeeded Schiner and coached alongside Brown:
 
"I am excited for both Charlie Brown and Larry Schiner on their induction, and NJCU is proud to have them represent our institution with this outstanding distinction."
 
CHARLIE BROWN'S CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Charlie Brown and New Jersey City University athletics have been synonymous for nearly 50 years and Brown will become only the second individual inducted into the NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame in two different categories when he is honored for a legendary 25-year coaching career.

Brown, who received the ultimate recognition in November, 2008, when the main arena floor at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center was dedicated in his honor as "Coach Charlie Brown Court", etched his name into record books as a player and coach, while carving a legacy of winning across the state and nation.

Brown retired after 25 seasons as head coach of his alma mater from 1982-2007 as the winningest men's or women's basketball coach in the history of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, both overall and in league play (300-118). His 483-218 ledger made him the second winningest men's college basketball coach in New Jersey history at the Division I, II, and III levels, just shy of the all-time record of 514.

Brown is the winningest coach in Gothic Knight history by more than 350 wins in a category that includes Hall of Fame coaches Larry Schiner (133), Ollie Gelston (126), and Paul Weinstein (115), and has more victories than all three combined (374).

His teams qualified for the post-season in each of his 25 years as head coach, including 12 NCAA Tournaments and 13 ECAC Tournaments and he never had a losing season.

Brown guided the Gothic Knights to the NCAA Division III Final Four in 1986 and 1992, twice losing to the eventual national champion in the national semifinal. He led NJCU to five NJAC Championships (1986, 1990, 1992, 1995, and 2004), adding to NJCU's conference record of 11 overall titles.

The 1986 Kodak Division III National Coach of the Year, Brown is a three-time National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Atlantic District Coach of the Year (1986, 2004, 2007), six-time New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Coach of the Year (1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 2004, 2007) and three-time Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year (1990, 1992 and 2004).

In 701 career games, Brown owned a .689 career winning percentage. He entered his final season in 2006-07 ranking 14^th among active coaches in career victories and 26^th in winning percentage in Division III. Overall in Division III history as of the 2010-11 season, Brown is 31^th in victories and 39th in percentage.

When Brown finished his 25^th and final season in 2006-07 with a 19-10 mark, the Gothic Knights secured their 37^th consecutive non-losing season since 1970-71, and 32nd straight winning seasons dating to 1975-76—the third longest ever streaks in Division III history.

In 25 seasons at his alma mater, Brown averaged more than 19 wins per season, winning 20 or more on eight occasions (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2001, 2004, 2006).
Brown guided 12 teams to the NCAA Division III Tournament (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2005). When not in the NCAA's, his clubs reached the ECAC Metro New York/New Jersey tournament on 13 occasions (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007), winning five championships (1983, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2006).

Brown recorded his 400th career victory on February 1, 2003 and on December 4, 2004, Brown passed his former college coach, Ollie Gelston to move into third place on New Jersey's all-time wins list. On December 29, 2004, he won career game 432, passing former New Jersey Institute of Technology coach James Catalano for second place in state history.

Brown's NJAC career record of 300-118 gives him a sizzling.718 winning percentage in among the most difficult basketball conferences in Division III. Despite the challenges of the NJAC, Brown guided his program to the NJAC tournament in 19 of 24 seasons (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 (play-in game in 2002), 2004, 2006, 2007). When hired in 1982-83, he became the first African-American head coach in NJAC history.
In 2004-05, NJCU played an independent schedule, and won another title, when the Knights captured the inaugural Association of Division III Independents Men's Basketball championship. He was a unanimous choice as the 2005 Independent Men's Coach of the Year.

In addition to his other coaching awards, the Star Ledger tabbed him as the All-State Coach of the Year in 1986. He was MBWA Division III Coach of the Year in 1990 and 2004, sharing the award in 1992.

On January 25, 2004, Brown was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame and presented with the "Coaching Legends Award" at its annual banquet.

On December 5, 2004, Brown was bestowed the first-ever "Jackie Robinson Role Model Award" by the Jersey City branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was honored as part of the organization's 85^th annual Freedom Fund Banquet.

In 2002, the Metropolitan New Jersey Collegiate Basketball Officials Association presented the Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award upon Brown's program, an honor presented annually to the school that demonstrates the highest degree of sportsmanship, character, and ethics among their players, coaches, administration, and spectators.
He was inducted into the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame on January 21, 1993. Among other honors Brown has received include the Jersey City Education Association Division III Coach of the Year, and 1989 and 1990 NJCBCA College Division Coach of the Year. He accepted the L. Harvey Smith Spirit Civic Association Community Service Award on September 16, 1994. Under his tutelage, the 1994-95 team led the nation in field goal percentage defense (. 370).

He coached the North-South All-Star game featuring players in Division I thru III in 1987, and led the NJAC in the inaugural NJAC/CUNYAC Senior Challenge in 2001-02 in Jersey City, before again coaching the squad in its third year in 2003-04. In 2007, in what became his final career coaching duty, he guided the NJAC Seniors to a victory over the Skyline Conference Seniors.

Brown was a charter member of the NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame as a student-athlete on October 13, 1979 in men's basketball, cross-country, and outdoor track & field. He received the school's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992. The NJCU Board of Trustees issued a Resolution honoring his 400^th win on February 24, 2003. Prior to his tenure at NJCU, Brown served as head coach at Lincoln High School for 16 years between 1966-1981, securing a career record of 231-150 in 381 games at that level (.606 winning percentage).
 
LARRY SCHINER'S CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
The ECAC honor is the fourth major career accolade Schiner has received since retiring on July 1, 2007. In 2008, Schiner was bestowed the prestigious James Lynah Distinguished Achievement Award from the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)—an honor that only retired ECAC athletic administrators who have achieved outstanding success in their career and have made an unusual contribution in the interest of intercollegiate athletics, the NCAA and the ECAC, are eligible to receive.
 
On June 14, 2013, in Orlando, Fla., Schiner was one of seven collegiate administrative legends inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame at the national convention. Later that summer, he was honored again as part of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

On February 1, 2008, Schiner became the first individual inducted into the NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame twice when he was honored for his 30 years of contributions as an athletics administrator. He was initially inducted into the then-Jersey City State College Hall of Fame as a coach in 1980.

In 40 years at New Jersey City University and 30 years as Director of Athletics, Schiner was the chief architect of unprecedented growth and improvement in Gothic Knight intercollegiate sports.

During his tenure, Schiner spearheaded development of the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center, supervised the development of the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, initiated the athletic department's extensive community outreach projects and services program, and served with distinction on New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), ECAC and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) committees.

The NACDA award marks the second time he will be honored by the organization during his career. During the 2003-04 academic year, he was selected as the 2003-04 Division III Southeast Region NACDA AD of the Year at the 39^th Annual Convention in Dallas.

In 2003, he was selected as the Jostens-ECAC Male Administrator of the Year. On November 30, 2000, Schiner was honored with the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director/All-American Football Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award at the All-American Football Foundation's Banquet of Champions for decades of contributions to the sport.

In October of 1995, Schiner had the double honor of being inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame as a basketball player and being bestowed the Garden State Award by the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey (CAANJ) for his substantial and enduring contributions to intercollegiate athletics in the state.
Schiner was instrumental in the formation of the New Jersey Athletic Conference and served as its first president from 1985 through 1987.  He served as president of the NJSCAC (New Jersey State College Athletic Conference), the precursor of the NJAC from 1982 until the inception of the NJAC in 1985.

He was co-founder and past president of both the CAANJ and the New Jersey Collegiate Basketball Coaches Association (NJCBCA), performing a term as president of the NJCBCA in 1976-77 and of the CAANJ in 1986-87.

Active on the national and regional levels, Schiner served on the NCAA Council/Division III Steering Committee from 1993-97 and was a member of the Division III Task Force that reviewed the NCAA membership structure and Division III philosophy statement. He also served on the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Committee (1991-97), the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, and both the NCAA Nominating and Interpretations Committees.  From 1991-97, he was chair of the Mid-Atlantic Division III Men's Basketball Committee. Additionally, he was a member of the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame Committee.

Schiner was named director of athletics in 1977 after serving as head men's basketball coach and assistant athletic director under Gerrity. During his nine seasons as head basketball coach, he became at the time the winningest coach in the program's history with 133 wins.  Two of his teams were selected to participate in the NCAA College Division Championship Tournament.  Five of his Gothic Knight teams reached post-season play and the 1973 and 1974 squads claimed back-to-back New Jersey State College Athletic Conference (NJSCAC) titles.  He earned NJSCAC Coach of the Year honors in 1968 and 1973. In 1982, he was presented with the Jersey City State College Honorary Alumni Award. He also served as NJCU's men's tennis coach for three seasons (1968-70), after being hired at the college in September 1967.

Schiner graduated from UMaine in 1961, later earning a master's degree in education from the institution in 1962. He is a native of Scituate, Massachusetts.  

Since retiring, he lives near Hilton Head with his wife, Barbara, an NJCU Women's Fencing Hall-of-Famer, where he has enjoyed golf and warmer weather.

The ECAC Hall of Fame Class of 2015:
Eve Atkinson – Athlete/Coach/Administrator (Women's Swimming & Diving, Lacrosse, Field Hockey)

• West Chester University
• Yale University
• Temple University
• Lafayette College
• Cheyney University

Mary Barrett – Administrator

• Boston State College
• UMass Boston

Charles Brown – Coach/Athlete (Basketball, Cross Country, Track & Field)

• New Jersey City University

Asa S. Bushnell, ECAC Commissioner
Lou Carnesecca – Coach (Men's Basketball)

• St. John's University

Clayton Chapman – ECAC Commissioner/Athlete (Rowing)

• Cornell University

Bill Cleary – Athlete/Coach/Administrator (Ice Hockey, Baseball)

• Harvard University

Don Cook – Athlete/Coach/Administrator (Baseball)

• Fairfield University
• University of Hartford
• Sacred Heart University

Joe Dudek - Athlete (Football)

• Plymouth State University

Tom Ehrhardt – Athlete (Football)

• LIU Post
• University of Rhode Island

Jayne Finst – Athlete (Gymnastics)

• Brown University

Doug Flutie – Athlete (Football)

• Boston College

Bill Flynn – Athlete/Coach/Administrator (Ice Hockey)

• Boston College

Dave Gavitt – Coach/Administrator (Men's Basketball)

• Dartmouth College
• Providence College
• BIG EAST

Amber James – Athlete (Track and Field)

• Wheaton College

Jack Kaiser – Coach/Administrator (Men's Basketball)

• BIG EAST
• St. John's University

Rebecca Lobo – Athlete (Women's Basketball)

• University of Connecticut

Bill Moore - Coach/Administrator (Men's Basketball, Football)

• Shepherd College
• Central Connecticut State University
• University at Albany
• Little East Conference

Ron Perry, Sr. – Athlete/Administrator (Men's Basketball, Baseball)

• College of the Holy Cross

Sue Peterson Lubo w – Athlete/Coach/Administrator (Swimming & Diving)

• Springfield College
• United States Merchant Marine Academy

Larry Schiner – Coach/Administrator (Men's Basketball)

• University of Maine
• New Jersey City University

Elaine Sortino – Coach/Administrator (Softball)

• SUNY Oneonta
• Yale University
• UMass Amherst

Sharon Taylor – Coach/Administrator (Field Hockey)

• Lock Haven University

John Toner – Coach/Administrator (Football)

• University of Connecticut

Scottie Whitelaw – ECAC Commissioner/Coach/Administrator/Athlete (Baseball, Football, Track & Field)

• Springfield College
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology