Photo Gallery | Full Ceremony Video
HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College Department of Athletics kicked off the 2022 Alumni Weekend by celebrating its proud history on Friday night, inducting four new members into the Thomas Glasser '82 Hall of Achievement. Andrew Lucine '50, Robert "Bob" Swift '68, Mike Racke '81, and Meredith Unger '97 all entered the department's hall of fame during a ceremony at Founders Great Hall on campus.
Attendees enjoyed a reception and dinner that honored the ninth induction class in the history of the Hall of Achievement. Postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hall of Achievement typically recognizes selected alumni who have made significant contributions to the success of Haverford College athletics every two years. Through their outstanding achievements, these individuals helped to define excellence for and bring great distinction to Haverford and its athletic program.
Kevin Foley '83, a 2008 inductee, kicked off the night with a video tribute, sharing some stories about Glasser and how it is fitting that the College's Hall of Achievement is dedicated in his close friend's memory. Glasser was Haverford's Varsity Cup winner as the outstanding athlete in the Class of 1982 and a gold medal winner in the 4x400-meter relay at the 1981 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Andrew Lucine '50, was inducted posthumously with remarks prepared by Jim Wood '50, a classmate and soccer teammate of Andy's. Playing for the nation's oldest collegiate soccer program, Lucine was referenced as Haverford's claim to soccer fame throughout his playing career. Playing at center-fullback, Lucine was a four-year starter and three-time All-American. The kingpin of Haverford's vaunted defense, Lucine helped the Fords earn a reputation as one of the toughest teams to score on in the nation. Prior to the formation of Division III, Lucine and the Fords defeated a high-powered University of Pennsylvania squad while also picking up victories against Lafayette and Drexel during his senior season. Lucine was the captain of legendary head coach Jimmy Mills' first team and fittingly honored as the first-ever men's soccer HC Alumni Trophy recipient which is presented to "the player who has contributed most in skill and sportsmanship to the success of the season." Additionally, Lucine was a member of the Fords' baseball team where he was known for his ability to always come up with the timely base hit as a pinch hitter.
Robert "Bob" Swift '68, presented by long-time former men's tennis head coach Sean Sloane, was one of the best to play men's tennis at Haverford, doing so under legendary head coach Norman Bramall. Swift played No. 1 singles and doubles for the Fords during each of his four seasons. Those who saw Swift grace the Haverford courts were instantly impressed with the natural talent of his game. However, Swift also possessed one of the best mental games in the sport which helped him become one of the top players in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Swift won nearly 70 percent of his matches at the top of Haverford's lineup, totaling 25 wins in both singles and doubles. Serving as the team captain during Bramall's final season, Swift was honored as the team's Virginia Cup recipient that year, an honor bestowed upon the team's MVP. Swift went on to become well-renowned professionally as one of the finest trial lawyers of his generation. In 2010, Swift was honored with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Lifetime Achievement Award which pays tribute to past participants in the world of varsity tennis who have achieved excellence in their chosen careers.
Mike Racke '81, presented by long-time former men's basketball head coach Tony Zanin, was an instant star for the men's basketball team. He was named to the All-Middle Atlantic Conference team during each of his four seasons, garnering first-team accolades over his final three years while also serving as team captain. Racke averaged a double-double throughout his career with 16.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest. An intimidating presence on the court, his school records for both rebounds (918) and field goal percentage (.620) have not been challenged in the nearly 40 years since his graduation. Racke's 1,519 career points are second only to Class of 2008 Hall of Achievement inductee Dick Voith '77. Racke poured in a career-high 21.3 points per game on his way to All-ECAC honors as a senior, shooting 64.2 percent from the field. Highlighting that effort was a 43-point outing against Eckerd (Fla.) where Racke broke Haverford's single-game field goal percentage record as he took 21 shots and missed just twice. Racke was named the program's Bennett S. Copper Award (Team MVP) in three separate seasons.
Meredith Unger '97, presented by teammate and 2008 Hall of Achievement Inductee Jen Maranzano '94 , finished her cross country and track & field careers at Haverford with seven school records and five All-American certificates. Also excelling in the classroom as an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, Unger was the first-ever junior recipient of the Stephen G. Cary '37 Award and finished her collegiate career as a two-time selection for that honor which was formerly presented for "outstanding dedication and achievement in women's athletics." On the cross country course, Unger twice won the conference's individual championship. She led the Fords to three Centennial Conference Championships (1993, 95, 96) and the team's first-ever appearances at the NCAA Division III Championships. Unger earned cross country All-American status with a seventh-place finish at the national meet as a senior, following a 19th-place performance during the previous year. On the track, Unger was the national runner-up in the 3,000 meter championship during her final indoor campaign. She was also a two-time All-American on the outdoor surface in the 1,500 meter race with third (1997) and fourth (1996) place finishes. Unger still holds the Haverford record in the indoor 1,500 meter and outdoor mile races.