Athletics | 9/28/2016 1:06:00 PM
Moon Township, Pa. – The 26th annual class of inductees into the
Robert Morris University Athletic Hall of Fame is comprised of six former student-athletes, each of whom left an indelible mark on their respective programs.
The six new members to join the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame as the Class of 2016 include
Jason Hempstead (football and track & field; 1999-2003),
Maria Kirkland (volleyball; 1982-85),
Tyjuan Massey (football; 2002-05),
C.G. Mercatoris (men's golf; 2007-11),
Myles Russ (football; 2007-10) and
Jill Spargo (softball; 2004-07).
Each of the six inductees will be inducted at the fourth annual RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, which will take place Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport.
The RMU Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution to Robert Morris University athletics. Nominations are solicited and individuals selected by the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame committee. Players, coaches and administrators are eligible five years after they have concluded their career at Robert Morris.
The Class of 2016 brings membership in the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame to 117 individuals and two teams. A closer look at each of the six new members of the Robert Morris Athletic Hall of Fame:
Jason Hempstead
Football / Track & Field
1999-2003
A two-sport athlete, Hempstead was a four-year letterwinner in both football and track & field and during his career at Robert Morris and was a member of five Northeast Conference championship squads. Hempstead compiled career totals of 168 tackles and four interceptions as a defensive back for the Colonials and was part of a pair of teams (1999, 2000) that claimed both NEC championships and mid-major national titles according to
Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette. In track & field, Hempstead helped RMU claim NEC indoor championships in both 1999 and 2000 as well as the 2000 NEC outdoor title. Hempstead garnered All-NEC Second Team accolades in the triple jump six times over his career, including four consecutive indoor honors and two during the outdoor season. Hempstead is a native of Richmond, Va.
Maria Kirkland
Volleyball
1982-85
One of the first dominant student-athletes in program history, Kirkland is the Class of 2016 veteran's choice to be inducted into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame. During her four seasons at Robert Morris, Kirkland earned all-conference accolades each year. She was also selected as team captain of the Colonials as a senior in 1985 and that same year earned team MVP honors. Kirkland also competed in the Western Pennsylvania Keystone State Games in 1985. She is a native of Adamsburg, Pa.
Tyjuan Massey
Football
2002-05
Arguably the most exciting player in school history to don a Robert Morris uniform, Massey owns Robert Morris career records for receiving yards (2,119) and touchdown catches (21) while ranking third in receptions (112). His best season came as a senior in 2005, the first year the Colonials played in Joe Walton Stadium, as Massey established RMU single-season marks for receiving yards (899), touchdown receptions (10), 100-yard receiving games (4) and average yards per catch (23.1). A dual threat, Massey was also a force on special teams, compiling 1,221 yards on 46 kickoff returns, an average of 26.5 yards per return. Included in those totals was a 94-yard return for a touchdown against Stony Brook in 2003, which stood as the longest kickoff return in program history until being broken in RMU's 2016 season opener. Massey ranks third all-time at Robert Morris for career all-purpose yards (3,748) and was the first student-athlete to earn All-Northeast Conference honors at two different positions. He was named to the All-NEC First Team at return specialist and the All-NEC Second Team at wide receiver in 2005. Massey is a native of Orlando, Fla.
C.G. Mercatoris
Men's Golf
2007-11
One of two former RMU student-athletes to be enshrined in the Class of 2016 on the first ballot, Mercatoris was the first golfer in program history to receive an invitation to play in the NCAA Championships. As a senior, Mercatoris posted a two-stroke victory at the 2011 Northeast Conference Championships to earn the NCAA invite. He won four tournaments throughout the 2010-11 season and owns Robert Morris career records for top 10 finishes (20) and rounds par and under (20). Mercatoris also owns the program's single-season mark for scoring average (72.9 in 2010-11) while ranking second all-time in career scoring average (73.9). A three-time All-NEC selection (2009, 2010, 2011), Mercatoris was selected as the 2011 NEC Golfer of the Year. He is a native of Brookville, Pa.
Myles Russ
Football
2007-10
One of two former RMU student-athletes to be enshrined in the Class of 2016 on the first ballot, Russ is RMU's all-time leading rusher. He accumulated 4,271 yards and 21 touchdowns on 818 carries, an average of 5.2 yards per rush. Russ started 40 career games, a record for a Robert Morris running back, and also owns the program record for all-purpose yards (4,651). As a senior in 2010, Russ helped lead the Colonials to an overall record of 8-3 (.727), including a mark of 7-1 (.875) in the Northeast Conference. He rushed for 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to being named the 2010 NEC Offensive Player of the Year. Robert Morris also became the first NEC team to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs. Russ is a native of Boca Raton, Fla.
Jill Spargo
Softball
2004-07
A four-year starter at shortstop, Spargo helped lead Robert Morris to the 2005 Northeast Conference Tournament championship and the program's first berth in the NCAA Tournament. She is the program's all-time leader in hits (219) and at bats (644) while ranking second in stolen bases (48) and third in runs (109). Spargo is one of two just student-athletes in program history to eclipse 200 career hits, and her career batting average of .340 ranks sixth in the school annals. During RMU's run to the 2005 NCAA Tournament, Spargo established a Robert Morris single-season record for hits (72), hitting .387 while scoring 43 runs and stealing 17 bases. She was named to the All-NEC First Team in both 2005 and 2006. Spargo is a native of Warren, Pa.
