1984 Hall of Fame Inductees

Michael D. Branch '66, men's basketball: Fairfield's successful leap into the major college ranks was made possible, in large measure, because of Mike Branch. Inch for inch, he was the finest rebounder of his era, and ranked among the nation's top ten rebounders as a junior and senior. Indeed, most of Fairfield's rebounding records belong to this man, including rebounds in a season (404, 1963-64), career (978, 1963-66) and per-game average career (16.3). A mixture of jump shots and rebounding stuffs made the 6-foot-3 Branch a prolific scorer as well. His 21.2 scoring average, achieved as a sophomore, remains a school record (tied for highest) and he averaged 18.6 points for his career, scoring a total of 1,113 career points. Mike served as co-captain of the 1965-66 Stags, who won 13 straight games, compiled a 19-5 record and - according to most observers - were eminently deserving of a NIT bid they did not receive.  Basketball remained an important part of his life following graduation,  as he starred in the semi-pro Eastern Basketball Association and played with the Harlem Wizards.

C. Donald Cook '63, MA'67, MA'77, athletic director, baseball:  Don served the university as director of athletics, developing a program which fields teams in 12 varsity sports while offering club sports and intramurals to other undergraduates. In addition, he oversaw the enlargement and enhancement of the university's athletic facilities, including the building of the multipurpose recreational complex and the expansion of the basketball gymnasium. He is known as the "Father of Fairfield's Athletic Program." As the Stags' baseball coach of 18 seasons, the Mount Vernon, New York, native built a Division I program of regional reputation. Four of his teams earned ECAC post-season tournament bids; a dozen of his players have signed professional contracts. Don is a co-founder of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, of which Fairfield is a member, and served as the group's first president.

Arthur (Art) E. Crawford '61, men's basketball: The dominant player during Fairfield's rise as a college division power. At 6-foot-4, Crawford was an outstanding rebounder and a first-rate scorer. He reached his zenith as a junior in the 1959-60 season, averaging a remarkable 18.2 rebounds - still a school record - and a team high 17.9 points as he led the Stags to a 17-9 record and the first of three successive Tri-State league titles. In a two-game span, Art soared for a Fairfield single-game record 28 rebounds against AIC and scored a personal best of 34 points against Upsala. Unfortunately, a broken ankle, incurred during the season's final week, prevented the New York City native from competing in the NCAA Tournament. As a senior, Crawford captained a team which assembled a 17-7 record and won another league championship. He concluded his three-year career with 913 rebounds, third on the all-time Fairfield list, and 892 points.

Raymond (Ray) J. Kelly '75, men's basketball: An indefatigable hustler throughout his basketball career, Ray Kelly played a leading role on Fairfield's back-to-back NIT teams of 1973 and 1974. His all-around skills, as outside shooter, penetrator, defender, dribbler, made him invaluable as a guard and forward. A consistent double-figure scorer, Ray reached that plateau in 65 of 80 varsity games and averaged 14.6 points in the process of accumulating 1,167 career points. As a senior, the 6-foot-3 Kelly captained the 1974-75 Stags, topped the team in scoring (433 points) and reached a personal peak with 31 points against Seton Hall in the Madison Square Garden Classic. He was also the 1973 and 1974 Pat Burke Award Recipient.

Lawrence S. Puzzo '73, men's lacrosse: Lawrence was a member of the men's lacrosse team from 1971-73, serving as both captain and goalie during those years. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Player in 1972 with averages of 19.5 saves per game and 9.1 goals allowed per game. He was also awarded the Defensive Most Valuable Player Award in 1973 for his averages of 17.5 saves per game and 5.1 goals allowed per game.