Milton, MA -
On Friday, November 3, 2006, Curry College inducted four alumni into its Athletic Hall of Fame: Jo Anne Shea, class of 1991; Gerald Sudati, class of 1969; Andrew J. Vieira, class of 1997; and Brian E. Williams, class of 2001. Each inductee showed excellence in athletics while attending Curry College.
Jo Anne Shea, of Pembroke, MA, was nominated for her contributions on the softball field. Jo Anne was a four-year letter winner and double threat as a pitcher and hitter. Seldom receiving much run support, Jo Anne recorded 27 of Curry’s 29 wins during her career. She often helped her own cause finishing with a career .407 batting average. Jo Anne was the team captain her junior and senior seasons and won four team MVP awards. To those honors, she added two gold glove awards and a first team CCC All Conference selection.
Gerald Sudati, of Peabody, MA, was nominated for his contributions to the football, basketball and baseball teams. As a football player, Gerry was a leader and crisp passer often called on to throw 40+ attempts a game. He helped keep Curry competitive against opposing teams that were generally much stronger. Gerry’s teammates (and Hall of Fame members) recall his strong arm and leadership on the field. As a forward for the basketball team, Gerry averaged 25 points a game his junior season. He was a fierce competitor who could score off the dribble or the jump shot. After graduation, Gerry traveled to California to play in the Oakland A’s farm system, getting a brief call up to the big league team. Hall of Famer Charles Nolan ’70 recalls, “Gerry was a fiery leader and could motivate and rally his teammates.”
Andrew J. Vieira was nominated for his contributions to the football and baseball teams. As a running back, Andrew was a four-year letter winner in both football and baseball. During his senior season in football, he served as team captain and was named the O’Connor Award recipient while rushing 440 yards and four touchdowns.
A career .464 hitter in baseball, A.J. accumulated over 100 RBI’s, stole over 25 bases and hit eight home runs. He was named Rookie of the Year his first season and followed that up with back-to-back “Team Slugger” awards, two All Conference selections and the team MVP award his senior season, in which he was also team captain. A.J. epitomized the term student athlete by being named SIDA Academic All American in 1995 and the Commonwealth Coast Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1997. A.J. capped his career by hitting a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the 8th inning of the 1997 CCC Championship game vs. Eastern Nazarene College.
Brian E. Williams was nominated for his contributions to the basketball team. During 2000-2001, the senior forward played in 21 games, starting in all 21. He averaged a team-leading 17.7 points per game, and a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game. Brian paced the squad in points scored (371), field goals made (159), field goals attempted (288), field-goal percentage (55.2), free throws made (53), free throws attempted (92) and total rebounds (136).
Brian was named Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) “Player of the Week” on December 11 and February 5. Over four seasons at Curry, he scored 1,680 points, placing him second on the school’s all-time scoring list. He also posted the fifth-highest career rebound total in Curry’s history with 737. Brian was a three-time CCC All-Star (1st team after sophomore and junior years and 2nd team after senior year); three-year team captain and three-time team Most Valuable Player.
The Curry College Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the College's greatest athletes and those who have given extraordinary support to Curry's athletic program, bringing honor and distinction to the College. Hall of Fame members include individuals who have demonstrated exceptional athletic ability, personal integrity, high standards of sportsmanship and good character; have participated in varsity intercollegiate athletics at Curry for at least two years; or those who have made a significant contribution to the Curry athletic program.