WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the 2015 inductees to the Joseph M. Linsey Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame.
Click here for a photo gallery of the inductees.
Israel “Ace” Weinstein is being inducted in the contributor category. Weinstein was one of the major supporters of Brandeis athletics in the early days of the program in the 1950s, often working behind the scenes and with little outward recognition. He was known as a recruiter of talent for the University and helped fund the school’s uniforms and equipment. Weinstein also helped provide summer employment for Brandeis student-athletes through his Camp Echo Lark in northeastern Pennsylvania.
The 1957-58 men’s basketball team was the first-ever Brandeis squad to participate in the NCAA Tournament. With two Hall of Fame contributors (head coach Harry Stein and then-player and future assistant coach Hubie LeBlanc) and one inducted player (Rudy Finderson ’58), the Judges posted a record of 17-3 in the regular season. They earned the ECAC Cup as the top small college team in New England and defeated the likes of UMass, Providence – featuring future NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens – and Boston University. The Judges were upset by Adelphi College in the first round of the 32-team NCAA Small College Tournament, but bounced back to defeat RPI in the regional consolation game.
Brenda Schafer '77 is one of the top women’s tennis players in school history. She was a New England champion who played Number One singles for the Judges for four years under Judy Houde. Playing against Greater Boston League competition that included players from Division I, II and III institutions, she earned Greater Boston League and New England singles title as a senior. She is still active in tennis, playing in senior-level tournaments and recently serving as an assistant coach at Tufts University.
Nelson Figueroa ’98 is one of the most recognizable names in Brandeis Athletics history, having played professional baseball since being drafted by the New York Mets after his junior season. He retired from pitching this year after 20 years as a professional. At Brandeis, Figueroa posted a 13-10 record with a 3.68 ERA for his career, but still ranks in the top 10 in career strikeouts (10th, 168) and complete games (9th, 12) despite playing just three years under head coach Pete Varney. Figueroa reached the majors in 2000 and spent parts of nine seasons in the big leagues. He earned numerous accolades while pitching around the world, highlighted by a silver medal pitching for Puerto Rico at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
The Brandeis Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on October 17, 2015, on campus as part of the department’s Athletics Homecoming.
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