Jill Reimer Halpin, Class of 1997, of Batavia, joined the ranks of 126 other accomplished individuals who have been voted into SUNY Oswego’s Athletic Hall of Fame, forever solidifying themselves in the college’s athletic history.
A two-time State University of New York Athletic Conference Diver of the Year, Halpin was recognized as a member of the 2020 Hall of Fame inductee class in April during a virtual induction ceremony.
Oswego State’s Interim Athletics Director Dan Kane welcomed guests, which included family and friends of the inductees, current student-athletes, past Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, members of the selection committee and most importantly, this year’s current honorees.
“Lou Holtz said, ‘Show me someone that has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity,’ ” Kane said. “We are so fortunate to have the example of our inductees, for we know that their journey was not without setbacks and sacrifices.
"Through their perseverance, they were able to achieve amazing things on the field and court. We celebrate your achievements. Your example of greatness provides the hope and inspiration to our coaches and student-athletes … our sacrifices are worthwhile and greatness is achievable.”
Event emcee and former member of the Oswego State men’s baseball team Roger Hancock, Class of 1974, read the official citation for each inductee, including Halpin.
In the citation, former coach for the Oswego State swimming and diving program John Moore described Halpin’s contributions.
“She supported her teammates at both ends of the pool and was instrumental in our recruiting efforts of some of the future top divers in our conference,” Moore said. “Jill was a great competitor and a joy to coach, and she and her teammates would also be the foundation on which SUNY Oswego would become a powerhouse in diving in our conference for 20-plus years.”
Halpin was a two-time SUNYAC Diver of the Year, winning the award in both 1996 and 1997. Overall, she won three individual diving SUNYAC Championships, winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter titles in 1996 and repeating on the 3-meter board in 1997. At the time of graduation, she held the diving records for both boards at Oswego. In 1997, her score on the 3-meter board was an NCAA qualifier.
During her acceptance remarks, Halpin acknowledged her teammates and coaches from her time at Oswego.
“This is an amazing honor,” Halpin said. “I couldn’t have asked for better teammates and coaches. We worked hard and we had fun … When I look back on those years, I look back with a big smile.”
“This year’s honorees represent some of the best athletes in Oswego State’s long athletic history,” said event organizer Stephanie Lamb, Class of 2007, senior associate director of Alumni Engagement. “We are honored to recognize them.”
About SUNY Oswego
Oswego, one of 13 university colleges in the 64-campus SUNY System, enrolls around 8,000 students, some 7,000 of them full-time undergraduates. About 4,400 students live on campus among the college’s 13 residence halls. Oswego’s lakeside campus stretches for almost 700 acres and includes 76 buildings. As a comprehensive college, Oswego offers more than 110 majors, minors, cooperative and graduate programs. In all, students receive more than $84 million in annual need-based grants, loans and work-study awards, including $6.5 million in merit-based scholarships, to support their success at Oswego.
