Salem State University Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Friday, April 11
6 pm Reception
7 pm Induction Ceremony
8 pm Dessert and Coffee

Recital Hall, Harrington Campus
Salem State University
71 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970

On behalf of the Salem State University Athletic Department and Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc., current and former student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, and community members are cordially invited to celebrate the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 at this special occasion.

Men’s lacrosse player Ian Abrahamson ’15, golf coach Steve Campbell ’72, gymnast Kelly (Dixon) Knight ’82, women’s basketball player Kara Smolinsky ’04, men’s ice hockey goaltender Marcus Zelzer ’17, and the 2000 men’s basketball team will be honored at this year’s enshrinement.

The evening reception begins promptly at 6 pm with heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, followed by the Class of 2024 presentation, concluding with a dessert and coffee reception.

The Salem State Athletic Hall of Fame honors and perpetuates the memory of athletes, friends and coaches, who performed and contributed at the highest level of intercollegiate athletic competition while at Salem State University. Selection is based primarily on athletic accomplishments, integrity, sportsmanship, and character. Individuals other than athletes may be named to the Hall of Fame in recognition of their services and dedication to the Salem State University athletic program.

Tickets in advance are $25 per person for all guests 12 and over. Tickets at the door are $35 per person for all guests 12 and over. Children under 12 are complimentary.

About the 2024 Class:

Ian Abrahamson '15 – Men’s Lacrosse (2011-2015)

Ian Abrahamson was a four-year starter and two-time captain for the Salem State men’s lacrosse team. A three-time All-Little East First Team selection, he earned LEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015, becoming just the second Viking to receive the award. Abrahamson is considered Salem State’s best defensive player of all-time and is the all-time leader in caused turnovers and ground balls. As a senior, he was named Little East Player of the Week four times, including three consecutive weeks and became the first Salem State player to earn ECAC Player of the Week. A four-time MVP selection, Abrahamson received the Salem State President’s Cup his senior year and was named to the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Academic All-New England Team.

Steve Campbell ’72 – Men's Golf Coach (2002-2017)

Steve Campbell coached the Salem State men’s golf team for 16 seasons from 2002 until his retirement in 2017. The former Gordon McCullough Award winner led the program to 34 team tournament titles and produced 35 individual champions and four All-Americans. Campbell was named the NCAA Northeast District 1 Coach of the Year in 2006 and again in 2007. He led Salem State to two NCAA Tournament appearances and seven Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championships, including six individual titles and one North Atlantic Conference Championship with one individual champion. As a three-year player, the two-time captain and 1971 MASCAC medalist competed in three NCAA Championships: 1970,1971,1972 and played in the International Tournament at the famed St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland where he earned the low round trophy, finishing sixth overall.

Kelly Dixon-Knight ‘82 – Women’s Gymnastics (1978-1981)

Considered one of Salem State’s best all-around gymnasts, Dixon was a three-year member of the Salem State women’s gymnastics team 1978-1981. A three-time MVP selection, Dixon led the Vikings to a 15-0 record her freshman year, helping the team finish in third place at the Massachusetts Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (M.A.I.A.W.), while claiming the individual vault title and earning third place finishes on both the balance beam and floor exercise. As a sophomore, Dixon qualified for the all-around at the inaugural Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (E.A.I.A.W.) Championships, placing in the top ten in vault, balance beam and floor exercise and qualified for the NCAA Northeast Regional in vault.

Kara Smolinsky '04 – Women’s Basketball (1999-2003)

Smolinsky was a four-year starter at Salem State, helping lead the Vikings to four straight Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances. During her career, Salem State went 47-1 (.979) in conference play and won at least 20 games in a season all four years. One of the top guards in the history of the program, Smolinsky was named MASCAC Rookie of the Year her freshman season and earned all-conference first-team honors three times, which included three ECAC All-New England selections and MASCAC Player of the Year honors in 2003. Smolinsky currently sits seventh all-time in career points at Salem State with 1,465 and in field goals made (536) and is currently third all-time in three-point percentage (.423) and fifth in three-point field goals (116).

Marcus Zelzer ‘17 – Men’s Ice Hockey (2014-2017)

Marcus Zelzer played three seasons in goal for the Vikings, culminating with CCM DII-DIII Men's Hockey All-American honors in 2016. The 2015-16 MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year had the nation's longest winning streak at 17 games, finishing with an 18-2 record, tying for second most wins in DIII during the season. He also ended the 2016 regular season first in the MASCAC in both goals against average (1.76), save percentage (.932) and shutouts (four).

Zelzer was a finalist for the 2016 Sid Watson Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey player and the Joe Concannon Award, which recognizes New England's best American-born hockey player in Divisions II and III. The 2016 Salem State President’s Cup recipient and the 2017 John D. Galaris Scholar Athlete award winner also received MASCAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors his senior year.

2000 Men’s Basketball “Final Four” Team – John Bennett, Edwige Bourgogne-Odney (deceased), captain Dorian Bryant, Danny Bunker, captain Tishaun Jenkins, Jeremy Jones, Eric McCoy, Steve O’Connell, Peter Szklarz, Danny White, Gus White, head coach Brian Meehan, assistant coach Titus Manderson, assistant coach Jeff Scott, student-assistant Tom Shamgochian and trainer Nick Melo.

Led by All-American guard and NABC Player of the Year Tishaun Jenkins and future All-American center Edwige Bourgogne-Odney, Salem State earned its highest ranking in school history after reaching the NCAA “Final Four” in 2000. Head coach Brian Meehan, the NABC Division III Northeast Region Coach of the Year, tied the school record for most wins, as the Vikings posted a 27-5 record in 1999-2000, earning the Vikings their first and only men’s basketball “Final Four” appearance. Ranked as high as No.3 in the nation, Salem State opened the year 19-1, before finishing the regular season 24-4. Salem State then beat Worcester State, 83-69 to claim the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championship.

The Vikings received a first-round bye in the NCAA Northeast Regional and proceeded to knockoff Amherst, 81-75 before defeating Springfield College, 70-69 in the “Sweet 16”, thanks to a game-winning basket by Bourgogne-Odney in the final seconds. Salem State then won by six, (75-69) against Penn State-Behrend in the “Elite Eight” to secure a trip to the “Final Four”. Despite losing to Wisconsin Eau-Claire in the national semifinals, the Vikings came back to defeat Franklin & Marshall, 79-75 in the consolation game, finishing the NCAA Tournament in third place.