Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

WNEC inducts new members

SPRINGFIELD Western New England College will induct four new members into the school's Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 29 during Homecoming Weekend.

The Class of 2007 features Scott S. Aitken '90, lacrosse; David C. (Dave) Baumann '90, baseball; William J. (Bill) Simpson '96, wrestling, and Shannon C. Phillips '00, volleyball.

Aitken, a native of Cheshire, Conn., was a four-year performer for the Golden Bears and a member of the 1987 squad that captured the program first Pilgrim League Tournament title. An attack player, he was a three-time All-Pilgrim League selection and First Team honoree his junior and senior seasons. Aitken was a two-year captain who played in the 1989 New England Senior East-West All-Star Game. At the time of his graduation, Aitken held school records for points (193) and goals (140), and shared the school mark for assists (53). He now resides in Pittsfield.

Baumann, a right-handed pitcher, posted a 21-5 record in four seasons with 276 strikeouts in 206 innings. He compiled a 7-1 mark as a junior and senior, and received honorable mention on the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American Teams both seasons. A native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Baumann shares the NCAA Division III record for strikeouts in a game with 22 against Curry in 1988. He played professional baseball for two seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and served in the United States Air Force. Baumann resides in Southington, Conn..

Simpson, a native of Enfield, Connecticut, placed third in the 158-lb. weight class at the 1996 NCAA Division III Championship to receive All-America recognition. He was a two-time New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) champion after placing first in the 167-lb weight class in 1995 and first at 158 pounds as a senior when he was voted the meet's Outstanding Wrestler. A two-time team captain and MVP, Simpson was voted into the NECCWA Hall of Fame in 2005.

He now resides in Milford, Conn.

Phillips was a four-year performer for the Golden Bears who played a prominent role in the resurgence of the women's volleyball program that set a school record for wins (13) her senior year. She held the school career record for digs, kills, and service aces from her outside hitter position at the time of her graduation. Phillips served as a team captain as a junior and senior, and was the MVP both seasons. She also served as an assistant coach for the Golden Bears in 2000 and 2001. A native of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Phillips resides in Waterbury, Conn. Her husband Mike Roach '99 was a former football standout

at the College who was inducted into the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and present men's golf coach William Arthur (Red) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.