The eight Eagles inducted are Asiya Dair ’17 (women’s tennis), Chris Hovan ’00 (football), Sarah Mannelly ’16 (women’s lacrosse), Jillian Mastroianni ’12 (women’s soccer), Tyler Pruett ’02 (sailing), Duane Woodward ’98 (men’s basketball), Randy Thomas (track and field head coach) and Fr. Anthony Penna (athletics chaplain).
The Varsity Club will recognize the eight honorees during the BC football game on Saturday, Oct. 17. Complete event details and ticket information will be available at a later date.
Inductee Biographies
Asiya Dair ’17, Women’s Tennis – Dair made an immediate impact on the Boston College women’s tennis program, earning ITA Northeast Region Rookie Player of the Year honors in 2014 before developing into one of the Eagles’ top singles players. A four-time All-ACC Third Team selection, Dair was also named to the 2016 ACC All-Academic Team. She opened the 2015-16 season ranked No. 96 nationally in singles and finished the year ranked No. 48. Dair was ranked No. 53 in the 2016 ITA National Preseason Rankings and entered the 2016 ITA Northeast Regional Championships as the tournament’s top-ranked player. During her career on the Heights, Dair won 22 ACC singles matches and finished with a 22-15 record in conference play. She also advanced to the second round of the 2017 ACC Championships.
Chris Hovan ’00, Football – A cornerstone of Boston College’s defense, Hovan anchored the Eagles’ defensive line, becoming the first player in program history to earn First Team All-Big East honors three times. A 1999 First Team All-American and Lombardi Award semifinalist, Hovan collected First Team All-Big East honors in 1997, 1998 and 1999. During his career on the Heights, he started 43 of 45 games, leading the Eagles’ defensive line while totaling 20.5 sacks and more than 170 tackles. As a senior in 1999, Hovan recorded 75 tackles and 11 sacks while helping lead Boston College to a top-25 finish and a bowl appearance. He was selected in the first round with the 25th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2000 NFL Draft. Hovan went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL with the Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams, totaling 408 tackles, 22 sacks, two forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2000 and earned Second Team All-Pro honors in 2002.
Sarah Mannelly ’16, Women’s Lacrosse – A two-time team captain, Mannelly helped set the standard for Boston College women’s lacrosse while becoming the first player in program history to be named a Tewaaraton Award finalist. She was named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award in 2015 and a Tewaaraton Award nominee in 2016. Mannelly earned IWLCA First Team All-America honors in 2015, was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2016 and collected IWLCA All-Northeast Region honors twice, earning first-team accolades in 2016 and third-team honors in 2014. Mannelly started 79 games over four seasons and finished her career ranked third in program history in points with 255 and goals with 173, while ranking fourth in assists with 82. She also recorded 117 career draw controls, good for seventh in program history. As a senior, Mannelly posted 74 points on 38 goals and 36 assists, the sixth-highest single-season point total at the time. She tallied her 200th career point against Navy and her 250th career point during the 2016 ACC Tournament. Mannelly also earned the Boston College Athletics Director’s Award for Academic Achievement in 2016.
Jillian Mastroianni ’12, Women’s Soccer – A team captain as a senior, Mastroianni left her mark as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in Boston College women’s soccer history. She remains the program record holder in minutes played with 8,338:30, wins with 61 and shutouts with 44. Mastroianni earned All-ACC First Team honors in 2009 after collecting All-ACC Second Team accolades in 2008. She was named the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and the New England Soccer News Player of the Year in 2008. As a freshman in 2008, Mastroianni recorded 97 saves and 10 shutouts while posting a .851 save percentage. In 2009, she set BC single-season records with 18 wins and 14 shutouts. She finished the 2010 season with nine shutouts, a 0.87 goals-against average and a .800 save percentage before posting seven consecutive shutouts during the 2011 season. Mastroianni was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List in 2010 and 2011, earned a spot on the 2011 Preseason Soccer America All-America list and was invited to the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team.
Tyler Pruett ’02, Sailing – A three-year starter for Boston College Sailing, Pruett became one of the most decorated sailors in Boston College history after being named the 2001 College Sailor of the Year, the highest individual honor in collegiate sailing. He was a two-time first-team All-American and a two-time first-team All-New England selection. Pruett also received the Boston College Outstanding Achievement Award in 2001. During his career on the Heights, Pruett won his division 23 times, including 13 A-division victories and 10 B-division wins. His career was highlighted by a second-place finish in A-Division at the 2001 College Sailing National Championship, helping lead the Eagles to a fourth-place team finish overall. As a junior, Pruett won A-division six times, including at the New England Coed Conference Championship, before adding five A-division victories during his senior season. Behind Pruett’s success, Boston College captured 15 overall team victories, including titles at the New England Conference Freshman Championship, Hatch Brown Trophy, Hood Trophy, Nevins Trophy, Thompson Trophy, Danmark Trophy and McIntyre Team Race.
Duane Woodward ’98, Men’s Basketball – A four-year starter, Woodward helped guide Boston College men’s basketball to Big East regular-season and tournament championships while establishing himself as one of the program’s top guards. A Third Team All-Big East selection in 1998 and Big East All-Tournament Team honoree in 1997, Woodward was a key contributor on Boston College teams that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1996 and 1997. As a senior, Woodward averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game while showcasing his all-around ability as a scorer, passer and defender. Following his time on the Heights, Woodward continued his playing career professionally, helping lead AEL Limassol in Cyprus to back-to-back league championships in 2003 and 2004. He was named the All-FIBA Europe League Player of the Year in 2004 and earned All-Cyprus League Player of the Year honors in 2003 and 2004. Woodward later transitioned into coaching and has been on the sidelines since the 2012-13 season. He currently serves on the staff at the University of Rhode Island.
Randy Thomas, Cross Country/Track and Field Head Coach – Over 35 years on the Heights, Thomas built one of the most successful coaching careers in Boston College history while leading the Eagles’ cross country and track and field programs. He served as head cross country coach from 1987-93 before being named director of cross country and track and field from 1993-2008. Thomas then served as director of women’s cross country and track and field from 2008-22. During his tenure on the Heights, Thomas led 17 teams to the NCAA Women’s Cross Country Championships and guided the Eagles to the 2000 Big East women’s cross country championship, four NCAA regional women’s cross country titles and eight New England women’s cross country championships. He was named the NCAA Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2001, earned NCAA Northeast Coach of the Year honors four times and was named Big East Coach of the Year in 2000. Under Thomas’ guidance, Boston College produced 54 All-Americans, including 2001 NCAA 3,000m champion Shannon Smith, along with 12 Eagles of the Year, one NCAA Woman of the Year and one NCAA Woman of the Year finalist. His student-athletes also captured Big East and ACC individual cross country championships, five New England women’s cross country individual titles and earned spots at the World Cross Country Championships, World Track and Field Championships and Pan American Championships.
Fr. Anthony Penna, Athletics Chaplain – Fr. Anthony Penna has served as a trusted and steady presence for Boston College student-athletes, coaches and staff through his work as athletics chaplain for the Eagles’ football and men’s hockey programs. During his time with the football program, Boston College produced 29 NFL Draft picks, including 10 first-round selections and four second-round picks, along with seven Super Bowl champions, one NFL MVP, 41 team captains and 17 Varsity Club Hall of Famers. Penna has also been part of one of the most decorated eras in Boston College men’s hockey history. During his time with the program, the Eagles have captured four national championships in 2001, 2008, 2010 and 2012, made eight national championship game appearances and reached 12 Frozen Fours. The program also produced two Hobey Baker Award winners, two Mike Richter Award winners, 31 First Team All-Americans, 19 Second Team All-Americans and 10 Hockey East Player of the Year recipients, while claiming 10 Beanpot titles.
