Salem State College Athletics

Salem, MA -- Salem State honored six of its greatest athletes with a retirement jersey ceremony on Saturday afternoon. In an event that was well attended by alumni and fans, the pregame retirement ceremony saw the unveiling of each former player’s jersey before the start of the Salem State and Westfield State men's and women's basketball games and the ice hockey contest against UMass-Dartmouth.

Director of Athletics, Tim Shea used this opportunity to officially recognize previously retired numbers of former hockey players Michael Gilligan ’70 and Richard (Dick) Lamby, and basketball players John Galaris ’67, Robert Goodwill, and Susan (Rizzotti) Melanson ’80.

Three-time All-American Evelyn Oquendo '87, who led the Salem State program to its only national championship in 1986, and who is still the school's all-time leading scorer, had her jersey officially retired along with the others.

The event was hosted by Assistant Dean for Student Academic Support Services, Nate Bryant and Salem State President Patricia Maguire Meservey.

Prior to the jersey ceremony, Salem State unveiled a new trophy case that was dedicated in honor of former basketball player Robert H. Cooley '69. Through the generosity of Savings Bank Life Insurance Company (SBLI), which donated the new display case, President Robert Sheridan and Assistant Vice President Brian O'Connell, were on hand to remember their fellow co-worker and friend.

Mr. Lamby, who was on the 1976 United States hockey Olympic team, also donated his an Olympic jersey and hockey sticks to the college to be displayed permanently in the O'Keefe Center lobby.

Salem native Evelyn Oquendo '87 was once again the star of the show. Displaying her deep gratitude to the Salem State community, Oquendo was touched by being recognized along with all of the other recipients as one of the all-time greats in Salem State history.


The Six Honorees are:

John Galaris ’67 -The college’s all time leading scorer, with 2455 career points, Galaris participated in both varsity basketball (four seasons) and varsity tennis (two seasons) while at Salem State College. Named an All American Honorable Mention three times in basketball, he captained the basketball team in his senior year to a 24 and 0 regular season record, and overall record of 27 and 1. During his four years as a student at Salem, the squad amassed a record of 94 wins and 16 losses. He was also captain of the tennis team in his senior year. 

Robert Goodwill - A student-athlete from West Springfield, Massachusetts and member of the 1972-73 basketball team, Robert passed away on November 15,1972 after a brief illness.

Michael Gilligan ’70 - An outstanding defenseman on the Salem hockey team for four years, Gilligan was the first hockey player in the history of the College to win All American honors. In addition to being a first team All American, he was twice elected captain. He won the team M.V.P award and was named to the ECAC All-Team twice. After graduating, Gilligan played for a year with the Springfield Blades of the Eastern League, and, in 1972, was on the U.S team at the World University Games at Lake Placid, New York. From 1975 to 1981, he was the head hockey coach at Salem State College compiling a record of 128-48-2. 

Richard Lamby - As a two-year performer on defense for the hockey program, Lamby earned All-American, All-New England and All-MASCAC status his freshman and sophomore years. Lamby, who was honored as ECAC player of the year in 1975 and ECAC rookie of the year in 1974, was a member of the 1976 USA Olympic team that competed at Innsbrook, Austria. 

Susan (Rizzotti) Melanson ’80 -Melanson participated in three varsity sports at Salem: basketball (four years); field hockey and softball (three years), Captain of the basketball team in both her junior and senior years, she was the team’s M.V.P all four years and started every game. In addition to numerous other awards, she was twice named to the State College Athletic Conference All Conference squad. The first woman basketball player in Salem’s history to score 1,000 points, her jersey (#12) was retired her senior year. She was named M.V.P of the field hockey team and selected for the all Conference team in that sport in her senior year. She was named Female Athlete of the Year at Salem State College in 1978.

 
Evelyn Oquendo ’87 - The college’s all-time women’s leading scorer with 1,738 and a three-time National Women’s Basketball Association First Team All-American, Evelyn co-captained the Lady Vikings to the College’s first ever NCAA national title in 1986. A four-time All-New England and All-MASCAC performer, she was 1986 New England College Athlete of the Year and runner-up National Division III player of the year in 1984.