UB to Induct Newest Hall of Fame Class on Feb. 24
2/10/2023 9:55:00 AM | Football, General, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, Swimming and Diving
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo Athletics Department will induct its newest class into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb. 24 in a ceremony at Alumni Arena. The class of 2023 consists of Meili Carpenter (women's swimming & diving), John Eschenfelder (wrestling), Lindsay Matikosh (volleyball), Naaman Roosevelt (football) and James Starks (football).
A reception will begin at 5:30 pm followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:45 pm. Tickets are selling fast but are still available by clicking here.
Carpenter is arguably the best diver in UB history. Competing for the Bulls from 2006-10, she is the program record holder in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Carpenter became the first UB diver to win a Mid-American Conference title, winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter events at the 2010 MAC Championships. A four-time All-MAC honoree and three-time Academic All-MAC selection, she was the silver medalist at the 2009 MAC Championships. In 2012, Carpenter was a US Olympic Trials finalist on the 3-meter. She currently travels the world as a professional cliff diver.
Eschenfelder has the distinction of being the first Buffalo wrestler to win a MAC championship. A member of the UB wrestling team from 1996-2001, Eschenfelder was the conference's heavyweight champion in 1999 and 2001. A two-time national qualifier, he ranks 15th in program history in career overall wins with 83 as well as 13th in program history in career dual wins with 38.
Matikosh was a standout on the UB volleyball team from 2000-03. After being named the team's top newcomer in 2000, Matikosh went on to be named the team's most valuable player each of her final three seasons. She ranks second in school history in career kills with 1,450 and fourth in career digs with 1,414, making her the only UB player to rank in the top five in both categories. In addition, her 4.12 points per game average is still tops all time in program history. A native of North Tonawanda, NY, Matikosh is currently in her eighth season as the head coach of the women's volleyball team at Niagara County Community College.
Roosevelt was not only one of the best wide receivers in UB history, but one of the best the Mid-American Conference has ever seen. He holds the school record for career receptions (268), career receiving yards (3,551) and ranks second in career receiving touchdowns (28). A three-time All-MAC selection and 2008 honorable mention All-American, Roosevelt ranks 10th in MAC history in career receptions. His school-record 104 receptions in 2008 were the second most ever by a MAC player at the time. He had three touchdown catches in the 2008 MAC Championship game, helping lift the Bulls to their first MAC title and bowl appearance. Roosevelt went on to have a successful career in both the NFL and the CFL, including a CFL West All-Star selection while with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017.
Starks was an electric running back for the Bulls from 2005-09. His 3,140 rushing yards over only three seasons rank third in program history. He ranks second in school history in career rushing touchdowns with 34. An equal threat catching the ball, he holds the school record for receptions in a game with 13 against Akron in 2008. He was a three-time All-MAC selection and in 2008 he was an honorable mention All-American. After helping lead the Bulls to the 2008 MAC Championship and first bowl game appearance, Starks was drafted by the Green Bay Packers where he played seven seasons and was the team's starting running back on its Super Bowl XLV winning squad.
Click here for more information on the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame.
A reception will begin at 5:30 pm followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:45 pm. Tickets are selling fast but are still available by clicking here.
Carpenter is arguably the best diver in UB history. Competing for the Bulls from 2006-10, she is the program record holder in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Carpenter became the first UB diver to win a Mid-American Conference title, winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter events at the 2010 MAC Championships. A four-time All-MAC honoree and three-time Academic All-MAC selection, she was the silver medalist at the 2009 MAC Championships. In 2012, Carpenter was a US Olympic Trials finalist on the 3-meter. She currently travels the world as a professional cliff diver.
Eschenfelder has the distinction of being the first Buffalo wrestler to win a MAC championship. A member of the UB wrestling team from 1996-2001, Eschenfelder was the conference's heavyweight champion in 1999 and 2001. A two-time national qualifier, he ranks 15th in program history in career overall wins with 83 as well as 13th in program history in career dual wins with 38.
Matikosh was a standout on the UB volleyball team from 2000-03. After being named the team's top newcomer in 2000, Matikosh went on to be named the team's most valuable player each of her final three seasons. She ranks second in school history in career kills with 1,450 and fourth in career digs with 1,414, making her the only UB player to rank in the top five in both categories. In addition, her 4.12 points per game average is still tops all time in program history. A native of North Tonawanda, NY, Matikosh is currently in her eighth season as the head coach of the women's volleyball team at Niagara County Community College.
Roosevelt was not only one of the best wide receivers in UB history, but one of the best the Mid-American Conference has ever seen. He holds the school record for career receptions (268), career receiving yards (3,551) and ranks second in career receiving touchdowns (28). A three-time All-MAC selection and 2008 honorable mention All-American, Roosevelt ranks 10th in MAC history in career receptions. His school-record 104 receptions in 2008 were the second most ever by a MAC player at the time. He had three touchdown catches in the 2008 MAC Championship game, helping lift the Bulls to their first MAC title and bowl appearance. Roosevelt went on to have a successful career in both the NFL and the CFL, including a CFL West All-Star selection while with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017.
Starks was an electric running back for the Bulls from 2005-09. His 3,140 rushing yards over only three seasons rank third in program history. He ranks second in school history in career rushing touchdowns with 34. An equal threat catching the ball, he holds the school record for receptions in a game with 13 against Akron in 2008. He was a three-time All-MAC selection and in 2008 he was an honorable mention All-American. After helping lead the Bulls to the 2008 MAC Championship and first bowl game appearance, Starks was drafted by the Green Bay Packers where he played seven seasons and was the team's starting running back on its Super Bowl XLV winning squad.
Click here for more information on the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame.
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