Hoboken, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology Department of Athletics is proud to welcome five new members to the 33rd Athletic Hall of Fame Class that will be enshrined on October 18.
Joining the 2024 class were Ed Briggs (Men's Lacrosse, Class of 1973), Joseph Favia (Wrestling, Class of 2013), Virgil Gray (Men's Basketball, Class of 2009), Marguerite (Chavez) Neugebauer (Field Hockey, Class of 2014), and Julia Wilhelmsen (Women's Swimming, Class of 2001).
"We take great pride in announcing our incoming athletic hall of fame class each year, and this group is very special," Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Russell Rogers stated. "The impact they left on their sports at Stevens is still being seen today in a variety of ways. The selection process is always quite challenging and I want to recognize and thank our hall of fame committee for putting together a class that truly features some of the top athletes ever to compete at Stevens."
Ed Briggs was a standout for the men's lacrosse team, gaining Honorable Mention All-Middle Atlantic States Conference during his sophomore and junior campaigns. He made history in 1973 as he was the first Stevens men's lacrosse student-athlete to grace the cover of the NCAA Lacrosse Guide and served as the captain of the team in his junior and senior years.
"The Stevens Athletic Department made a big difference in my life, giving me the confidence and self-esteem to be successful. To be nominated to the Hall of Fame by my classmates, fellow players and coach is a great honor. I see it as another gift from a wonderful school." – Ed Briggs
Briggs was named the one of the four top attack players for Stevens during the 1970's and was one of seven top attackers from 1951 to 1983. He closed out his career with 95 points, which was eighth at the time of nomination. When he was nominated, he was fifth in both single-season and career assists and eighth in single-season points. He ended his career by earning the John C. Sim Award, given to the men's lacrosse senior who has contributed most to the game of lacrosse during his four years at Stevens.
"The Stevens Athletic Department made a big difference in my life, giving me the confidence and self-esteem to be successful. To be nominated to the Hall of Fame by my classmates, fellow players and coach is a great honor. I see it as another gift from a wonderful school." – Ed Briggs.
"In 2005, John Lyon (former Sports Information Director) asked several coaches to write a sports history of the years they coached. One of the topics was ranking my top players, and I did so by position – four (4) players at each position: Attack, Midfield, and Defense and two (2) Goalies. Of all the players that I had the honor to coach in my 21 years, Ed Briggs was in my top four attackmen. He was a fun-loving guy who always kept the team (and me) "loose" at practice but worked hard to improve his skills. During games, he played with his head up, always looking for his teammates for a possible feed. His year-end totals always showed many more assists than goals. Ed's 2.36 career assists per game average placed him seventh all-time at Stevens through the 2004 season. Good dodging moves with excellent stick protection. Excellent team player and leader." - Frank Rotunda, Head Lacrosse Coach – 1970-1990.
A three-time NCAA qualifier and NCAA East Regional Champion, Joseph Favia established dominance on the wrestling mat. He racked up 119 career victories (good for seventh all-time in program history), including 19 pinfalls, eight technical falls, and 21 major decisions. At the time of his nomination, Favia ranked second in single-season win percentage and seventh in major decisions. Over his career, he was third in major decision, fifth in winning percentage, sixth in technical falls, and eighth in total pins.
He was a two-time All-American, collecting NCAA All-American laurels in 2012 and 2013 while also earning NWCA Scholar All-American honors the same two seasons. He also claimed Centennial Conference Outstanding Wrestler honors in 2013, winning a Centennial Conference crown. He served 10 years as head coach of the Ducks, collecting 116 wins, saw 29 All-Americans, and sent 45 wrestlers to NCAA's. He guided Brett Kaliner to a National Championship in 2022, the first in program history.
"It's a great honor to be entering the Hall of Fame. My goals as an athlete and coach were never to end up in the HOF, but to know that my efforts resulted in this outcome is a very humbling reality."- Joseph Favia.
"Joseph Favia is well deserving of this recognition. In my opinion he can go in as a student-athlete and coach. He had an amazing career as a wrestler at Stevens and exceeded that as the Head Coach of the Ducks from 2015-2024. Joe was a great mentor to me and many throughout his time at Stevens. He is passionate about Stevens and helped elevate the wrestling program to new heights during his time associated with the program. I know fellow teammates and student-athletes would echo the same feelings as myself." - Head Wrestling Coach Anthony Bonaventura.
Virgil Gray was a catalyst for the men's basketball from 2005 – 2009, tallying 1,747 points over his four seasons. His 1,747 points are still a school-record, even 15 years after graduating. He averaged 16 points per game and shot a 46.4% clip from the floor while snaring 3.71 rebounds per contest. Gray led the Ducks in scoring during three of his four seasons and finished his career by gaining First Team All-Met honors in 2009.
Gray helped lead the Ducks to two of their best seasons in school history. In 2007, the Ducks advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, downing Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Ramapo College. They ended that season with a 23-7 mark, and Stevens matched the 23 victories in 2008. They claimed the first ECAC Championship in program history in 2008, downing York College 82-54 in the Championship Game. His accolades include First Team All-Skyline Conference in 2007, Second Team All-Met in 2007 and 2008, and Second Team All-Empire 8 in 2008 and 2009. On a regional level, Gray earned Second Team All-Atlantic Region by NABC in 2007.
"Virgil was a gifted athlete that led the Ducks in scoring in three of his four seasons. He helped the Ducks to two of their best seasons in team history. His sophomore campaign ended in the NCAA Sweet 16 after the NCAA Tournament wins over WPI and Ramapo, finishing the season with a 23-7 record. In his junior season, the Ducks won 23 while capturing the ECAC Metro Championship. Virgil earned All-Conference nods in three of his four seasons, and he finished his career as the All-Time Leader in Points Scored with 1,747 points. He still holds that record 15 years later." – Head Men's Basketball Coach Bobby Hurley.
Marguerite (Chavez) Neugebauer was one of the most prolific scorers for the Stevens Field Hockey program from 2009 – 2013. She was an All-American in 2012 and 2013 while also gaining First Team All-Region from the NFHCA in 2012 and 2013. Chavez capped off her career with 55 points in 2013, earning Empire 8 Player of the Year honors. During her final two campaigns, the Oceanport, N.J. native registered 95 points on 33 goals and 29 assists. Chavez also currently holds the Stevens single-game record for assists.
At the time of her nomination, she held the top spot in points, goals, and assists in a single season while ranking second in goals per game, game-winning goals, and assists per game. Additionally, Chavez posted the fourth and sixth-best assists in a single season. She also ended her career as the career leader in points and assists while sitting second in game-winning goals and third in goals.
"It's a huge honor to be inducted into the Stevens Athletics Hall of Fame. It represents not only my hard work and dedication, but also the support of my amazing teammates, my coaches, and my family who attended every single game. It's allowed me the opportunity to think back on some incredible memories with my team during my career. I'm truly grateful for this recognition and proud to be a part of the Ducks legacy." – Marguerite (Chavez) Neugebauer.
"Marguerite is the epitome of a Hall of Fame inductee and I am thrilled that she received this honor in her first year of eligibility! Marguerite's mark on Stevens field hockey is unmatched, and she was a big part of the group of players who put our program on the map. In addition to her on-field prowess, Marguerite has continued to be a strong supporter of Stevens field hockey by volunteering her time as a coach and providing internship opportunities for our current players. As a friend of Marguerite, I am personally looking forward to celebrating her achievements and the lasting impact she has had as a Duck!" – Head Field Hockey Coach Meredith Spencer-Blaetz.
Julia Wilhelmsen was a member of the first women's swimming team at Stevens, competing in the pool from 1998 – 2001. She served as a team captain, mentoring other teammates and guiding them after they had bad races. As a part of the inaugural team, Wilhelmsen helped establish a team culture and built a foundation that still holds true to Stevens today. During the first year in 1997-98, the Ducks went undefeated.
At graduation, she held three individual and five relay school records, and during her sophomore season, she established five individual records. A force in the classroom, she and her teammates had the second-highest GPA in the country. Over her four years as a Duck, the team posted an outstanding mark of 38-5, winning the Skyline Conference Championship and placing 10th at Eastern's in 2000-01.
"I am honored to be inducted into the Stevens Athletic Hall of Fame. Being a member of the swim team was a defining part of my time at Stevens. For me, this celebrates the persistence, fun, and success of the first four years of Stevens Swimming. I am deeply grateful to my teammates, coaching staff, and some truly dedicated fans that made my time in the pool so memorable." – Julia Wilhelmsen.
"Julia was not just fast, but consistently fast. When a specific result was needed to secure the meet, she was one of Coach Galluzi's go-to swimmers. Julia's contributions to the team were not only measured by the record board. Her contributions extended to the locker rooms and the hallways, where she supported and pushed her fellow swimmers. Julia led the team whether or not she had the title of captain. Julia continued to compete at the highest levels for the team, even when suffering from crippling carpal tunnel injuries in both wrists. It was this spirit of struggling through adversity that she shared with her teammates that allowed them to push through their own injuries or troubles. Some of those swimmers are now Hall of Fame members themselves." – Julia Wilhelmsen's husband David Evans.
