HALL OF FAME MAIN PAGE | HALL OF FAME DINNER PHOTO GALLERY
Around the turn of the century, Bryant University added four new varsity sports. The addition of football and field hockey in 1999, followed by men's lacrosse in 2000 and women's lacrosse in the spring of 2002, were all part of the New Century Plan for Excellence put forth by President Ronald K. Machtley.
Now, nearly two decades later, five former student-athletes representing each of those new sports programs, were among the ten individuals inducted into the Bryant University's Athletic Hall of Fame in October.
The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner served as a beautiful kickoff to the Homecoming & Reunion Weekend as alumni, current members of the Hall of Fame, several Bryant trustees and family, plus coaches and friends filled the Heidi and Walter Stepan Grand Hall in the George E. Bello Center.
Honorees included: Bill Conaty'67 (baseball), Nick Allegretti '04 (men's lacrosse), Mary McConnell '04 (women's basketball), Michelle Lewis '05 (field hockey & women's lacrosse), Maureen Burns '06 (field hockey & women's lacrosse), Michelle Muniz '06 (women's volleyball), Casey Grange '06 (women's soccer), Sacha Solomon '07 (women's tennis), Lorenzo Perry '07 (football), and Charlie Granatell '08 (football).
An effective leader conveys a strong vision, builds trust and loyalty, and displays outstanding character. Bill Conaty was the ultimate teammate from the minute he arrived on the Bryant campus back on the East Side of Providence and joined the baseball team for the late legendary coach Wally Camper. He was a leader not only in his time in the dugout, but throughout his collegiate career on campus.
Considered one of the best defensive players on the 1967 baseball team, Conaty was also solid at the plate, hitting over .300 during three of his four years on the diamond. His outstanding character and vision for the future would follow Conaty into the business world after graduation, where he served as a long-time employee of General Electric, escalating as high as Senior Vice President under Jack Welch.
In 1999, Conaty was awarded with the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 2012, he and his wife Sue -- through their generous gifts -- gave the Bryant baseball and softball programs Conaty Park, arguably the best facility in the region, in which to compete.
Teammate and Bryant Hall of Famer Tony DeQuattro '67 officially inducted Conaty into the Hall of Fame.
