1986 Hall of Fame Inductees
Steve J. Balkun '78, men's basketball: A quiet manner belied an intense competitive nature which made Steve Balkun one of Fairfield's finest basketball forwards and captains. For four varsity seasons, Steve provided the Stags with consistent rebounding, frequent scoring, and outstanding leadership. He captained the 1976-77 and 1977-78 squads, both of which advanced into post-season competition. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-8 Balkun enjoyed his best all-round season, averaging 13.1 points and 9.5 rebounds. However, he derived greater satisfaction from a senior year in which he led Fairfield to a 22-5 record and berths in the 1978 ECAC New England Tournament and NIT. Steve topped the region's major college rebounders that season with a 10.2 per-game average (while shooting .575 from the field and averaging 9.7 points). Balkun, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA draft, ranks fourth on Fairfield's career rebounding list (842) and fifth in field goal percentage (.520).
Brian Burke '68, football: Brian Burke holds dual distinction at Fairfield. Not only was the Bayonne, New Jersey native a co-founder of the University's club football program, but he was the team's Most Valuable Player in the 1967 season. Brian's senior year as a multi-talented quarterback was remarkable. He ran or passed for approximately 60 percent of the Stags' touchdowns and enjoyed no fewer than three 300-yard rushing games. His exploits in a game against Marist College boggle the mind: touchdown passes of 63 and 91 yards and touchdown runs of 50 and 55 yards. From a personal standpoint, a victory over St. Peter's achieved in his hometown of Bayonne - in which he was voted MVP - was a memorable moment. After receiving a BS in Financial Management in 1968, Brian served as a captain in the U.S. Army airborne infantry. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for valor in Vietnam.
Patrick (Pat) J. Burke '61, men's basketball: The late Pat Burke deserves considerable credit for Fairfield's successful entry into major college basketball. Burke and Mike Branch were the Stags' dominant players when the University made the quantum leap from College Division power to major college aspirant. The won-loss records for those first major college seasons (14-7 in 1964-65, 19-5 in 1965-66) attest to the Stags' competitiveness on the higher level. A husky 6-foot-4 forward with an irrepressible manner, Pat Burke was a prolific scorer and indefatigable hustler. A mix of long-range jump shots and strong inside moves enabled the Hartford native to compile 1,140 points and a 18.4 career scoring average per game. The latter tied for fourth (with Joe DeSantis) on the school's all-time list. He was also 10th in rebounds (571) and field goals (454). Pat led the team in scoring as a junior with a 20.3 average. Pat often rose to the heights when the opposition was the toughest. Two prime examples: As a junior, he erupted for a career-high 34 points (14-20 from the field) to lead a 88-84 upset over Georgetown. As a senior, there was a hard-earned 68-65 triumph over Duquesne in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena in which he scored four points in the final five seconds of overtime. In February of his senior year, Pat Burke died in an off-campus accident. His name is perpetuated in an annual award presented to the basketball player who exhibits the greatest hustle.
Robert B. Ciccone '77, baseball: One of "Fairfield's best centerfielders" who could hit, run, and throw. That was Bob Ciccone. As a precocious freshman, the Mount Vernon, New York native stepped swiftly into the limelight by batting a .329 and leading the nation's major college players in triples on a per-game basis. He still shares Fairfield's record for triples in a season (7), as well as game (2), and career (10). However, it was as a senior co-captain in 1975, that Bob produced one of the greatest seasons in Fairfield annals. The compact right-handed hitter established a still-standing Stag record with a lustrous .407 batting average. He also hit safely in 14 straight games and struck out just THREE times in 91 at-bats. Following graduation, Bob starred in the Italian Baseball Federation for several seasons, earning "Best American Player" accolades from many observers.
Jean-Guy Laflamme '72, men's ice hockey: The hockey skills of Jean-Guy (John) Laflamme were so well-rounded that he was able to play as a goaltender and right wing in the same season. That achievement becomes magnified when you discover that he recorded a shutout and three hat tricks. The line of Laflamme, Jim Monahan, and Ted Sybertz catapulted Fairfield's club hockey team into prominence in the newly formed Metropolitan Intercollegiate Hockey League, winning two Western Division titles and finishing second and third in the division. Laflamme accumulated 144 points during his four seasons (1968-72) with the Stags placing him seventh on the leading scorers' list (a total that would have been higher had he not been the goalie for much of his freshman year). The Berlin, New Hampshire native shares with Sybertz the records for most points (11) and assists (7) in a single game. He was named Most Valuable Player as a senior. When John was a sophomore, he had the distinction of scoring a goal in the first club hockey game played in the new Madison Square Garden. Fairfield defeated Iona, 6-4, before a crowd of 4,627. John also holds the distinction of being the only hockey player in Fairfield history to have both a shut out and a hat trick in a single season career. | 
