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Salamone Family Athletics Hall of Fame
Spurred by a legacy gift commitment from former men's basketball student-athlete Chris M. Salamone, J.D., Class of 1984, Saint Anselm College started construction on a physical Hall of Fame space during the summer of 2019. The Salamone Family Athletics Hall of Fame was dedicated on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 prior to the College's Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
The new Athletics Hall of Fame space was designed to be a powerful motivational tool, one that reflects and sustains not only the rich tradition of Hawks Athletics, but also the core values upon which Saint Anselm College was founded.Â
The role of the student-athlete is uniquely connected to the Hilltop experience and thus is recognized within a creative, customized tribute area.Â
Salamone, a 1984 graduate of Saint Anselm with a degree in Business and Economics, came to the Hilltop after a distinguished career at De Paul High School. During his time in Manchester, he competed in both basketball and baseball for the Hawks and finished with over 100 career games played on the hardwood.Â
He was named captain of the basketball team as a senior after claiming the Al Grenert Proficiency Award as a junior, issued to a student-athlete whose values extend beyond the basketball court. He led the Hawks in scoring in 1982-83, averaging 12.2 points per game and picked up several Northeast-8 Conference Weekly Honor Roll selections.Â
With the project in motion thanks to Salamone’s generosity, plans and renderings for the space were unveiled on Jan. 26, 2019 to those gathered for the induction of the 2019 Saint Anselm Athletics Hall of Fame class.Â
The Hall of Fame construction project included a complete facility upgrade of the west lobby of Stoutenburgh Gymnasium, with the scope of work including modern flooring, lighting, painting, glass, and custom display areas. Recent Hall of Fame inductees are prominently featured as a focal point of the gallery within modules flanking an interactive, touchscreen tower that contains photos of all-time Hall of Fame members, the College's All-America selections and a historical timeline.
Other elements of the space include two dynamic Hawks Highlights trophy galleries as well as a back wall which features 24 former student-athletes and a historical timeline.Â
The completion of the Hall of Fame project coincided with several other College-funded improvements to Stoutenburgh Gymnasium, which was originally constructed in the late 1950's. New bleachers (upper and lower level), railings, accessible seating and new lights were installed in 2019.
The physical Hall of Fame exhibit connects to the Roger and Francine Jean Student Center Complex, which opened in 2018. This custom-designed space recognizes more than 150 current Hall of Fame members and also pay tribute to decades of athletic success on the Hilltop.
