MANSFIELD, Mass. – Assumption University legend Rita Castagna has been announced as a part of the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2024 on Wednesday afternoon. Castagna was among 11 inductees for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the NE10.
Rita Castagna was an influential figure in the NE10 from the early days of the league's founding – as she served as Assistant Director of Athletics and head coach for women's basketball and softball at Assumption from 1974-85. From 1986 to 2003, she was Director of Athletics at Assumption, the first woman to hold that position. She was a member of the NCAA Division II Basketball Committee and the NCAA Selection Study Committee and served as President of the MAIAW – the Massachusetts Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Over her tenure with Assumption, she also served as head coach of field hockey and volleyball. Castagna was the first head coach of field hockey and softball in school history. Outside of the NE10's founding fathers, Castagna becomes the fifth administrator inducted into the league's Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2024 consists of 10 different NE10 institutions, including five former conference members and nine different sports. It consists of nine individuals and two teams, with one institution represented by multiple inductees. It is tied for the fifth-largest class ever inducted into the NE10 Hall of Fame, trailing only the classes of 2006 (25), 2007 (17), 2021 (14), and 2022 (12).
Started in 2006, the NE10 Hall of Fame honors those who have made significant contributions to the Conference while preserving and promoting the league's history since its inception in 1980. As of 2024, the Hall has inducted 145 individuals and 27 teams.
For a complete list of inductees in this year's class, please see below.
- Jeff Veiga, UMass Lowell
- James Foster, Saint Anselm
- Leakey Kipkosgei, American International
- Ali Maloof, Southern New Hampshire
- Alie (Fitzsimmons) Phillipston, American International
- Sacha Solomon, Bryant
- Rita Castagna, Assumption
- Bryan Collins, LIU Post
- James Barber, Southern Connecticut State
- 2018 Merrimack Men's Lacrosse Team
- 2018 Le Moyne Women's Lacrosse Team
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