The Binghamton University Athletics Department hosted its 11th Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday at the West Gym Atrium. Elected to to the Hall were former men’s basketball coach Dick Baldwin (1991-96), baseball pitcher Jerry Gaube (1973-76), wrestler Keith Cavatero (1982-85) and men’s soccer forward Dave Pabon (1992-95).

The event was part of the University’s homecoming weekend and featured speeches by the inductees and from University members. Though the athletics landscape at BU has changed considerably since these athletes graced campus, their impact can still be felt.

Baldwin coached college basketball for 45 years, the final five of which were here at BU. His Colonial teams won an average of 16 games and captured three straight State University of New York Athletic Conference East Division titles. Baldwin took over a struggling Binghamton team and turned them around quickly, as they fired off back-to-back 19-win seasons in his first two years at the helm before winning a record breaking 23 games in 1993-94. After starting his career at nearby Broome Community College, Baldwin won his 900th career game while at BU, and was featured in Sports Illustrated and ABC News. The attendance and local support that is a staple of BU today started during Baldwin’s tenure.

Gaube was the first BU baseball player to sign a professional contract when he signed with the New York Yankees in 1976. He was an all-conference pitcher while at Binghamton and still holds the career strikeout record. Gaube’s legacy is still felt on campus; his wife Bette Anne has worked in the school’s marketing and promotions office since 2001, and two of his sons have played for the Bearcats: Tom, a baseball pitcher, graduated last year and Chris, a freshman runner, is currently a star on the men’s cross country team.

Cavatero was a two-time All-American and three-time SUNYAC individual champion while wrestling for the then nationally prominent BU wrestling team. He ranked among the nation’s top four in each of his four seasons with the school, and was named the school’s athlete of the year in 1982-83. He was the captain of the 1983-84 Binghamton wrestling team that was ranked No. 1 in the country, and finished No. 3 at the NCAA championships.

Pabon was a second team All-American and striker for the soccer team. He was also a two-time BU Athlete of the Year recipient. He was a four-time All-SUNYAC member, and also a four-time All State selection. Pabon is still the program’s all-time points and assists leader.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1996, and with the addition of this year’s inductees now includes 60 members.