Three to join Bears Hall of Fame in 2012

POTSDAM, NY (05/07/2012)(readMedia)-- Three former SUNY Potsdam student-athletes have been selected for induction into the Bears Hall of Fame. Kelly O'Donnell-Warren '93, Howie Vandermast '88 and Nate Sunday '98 will be inducted as the Hall of Fame's Class of 2012 on July 14.

The ceremony, which will be held at the Knowles Conference Center MPR, begins with a reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by a noon lunch and the presentations. The hall of fame inductions are part of SUNY Potsdam's annual Reunion Weekend from July 12-15.

Warren, a native of Hauppauge, N.Y., was one of the most decorated Potsdam swimmers during her career spanning 1988-1992. As freshman she was a member of the Bears' SUNYAC Championship 200 freestyle relay team with a then school record time of 1:43.6. In her sophomore season she was the SUNYAC Champion in the 500 freestyle. As a junior, she was a double SUNYAC Champ, capturing the 200 and 1650 freestyle events. To cap her career, she won the SUNYAC Championship in the 200 breaststroke with a then school, pool and SUNYAC record time of 2:33.24. Warren still holds the Potsdam records in the 1,000 (11:04.70) and 500 freestyle events. After graduating from Potsdam, she earned a master's degree in special education and spent eight years teaching in New York, Oklahoma and Texas. While in Oklahoma, Warren coached high school and club swimming teams. Currently, she resides in Gold Canyon, Ariz., where she and her husband Jerry own and operate four Waffle House franchises.

Vandermast amassed 51 goals and 72 assists for 123 points as a defenseman for the Bears' men's hockey team from 1984-1988. The Long Beach, N.Y. native ranks ninth on Potsdam's all-time scoring list. During the 1985-86 season, Vandermast was the SUNYAC Co-Player of the Year as well as a member of the All-SUNYAC first team and the SUNYAC All-Tournament team. The following year, he led the Bears in scoring, was again named first team all-conference and became the third of Potsdam's five hockey All-Americans. After graduating from SUNY Potsdam, Vandermast remained in the North Country. He spent several seasons as the assistant coach for the Potsdam High School boys hockey team. For the past 20 years, Vandermast has worked in food industry. He is currently the territorial sales manager for U.S. Foods in Northern New York. Vandermast has two daughters, Makaul (14) and Larsyn (11) and resides in Massena.

Sunday, from Hogansburg, N.Y., was another standout defenseman for the Bears' men's hockey team. He manned the blue line in 109 games from 1994 to 1998 and totaled 16 goals and 68 assists for 84 points. Sunday was a key component on Potsdam's 1995-96 SUNYAC Championship squad, the only conference champ in program history. He was a first team All-SUNYAC selection for the 1995-96 and 1997-98 seasons, as well as second team all-conference in 1996-97. Since graduating from Potsdam, Sunday has worked with young people as an academic advisor, counselor and coach. He has coached hockey at the minor, high school and junior levels. Currently, Sunday is a career development officer for the Akwesasne Area Management Board. He counsels high school students on educational and career goals as well as implements and coordinates youth programs. Sunday resides in Akwesasne, N.Y.