LIU Athletics Hall of Fame

Mickey Kydes, a two-time All-American, was an integral member of the men’s soccer program during the early 1980’s. One of the most gifted midfielders in the nation, Kydes helped the Blackbirds in 1982 reach a number five national ranking en route to a 20-1-2 campaign, the most wins in program history. Kydes tallied 34 goals in his career, which ranks 13th on the program’s all-time list. A part of two NCAA Tournament teams (1982, 1985); he was one of six former LIU players selected in the inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) draft in 1996.

Roger Chavez was a talented striker who averaged 20 goals per season for the Blackbirds from 1984-86. During his stay at center forward, LIU lost just six games in three seasons posting a 46-6-5 mark and won three consecutive conference championships. An All-American selection and Hermann Award candidate in 1986, Chavez was also named the ’86 Northeast Conference Player of the Year. In 2001, he was named to the NEC 20th Anniversary All-Sport team. Chavez tallied 60 career goals, second all-time in LIU annals.

Jim Apicella, the third inductee, was a member of the Blackbirds baseball team from 1961-63. In an era dominated by pitchers, Apicella is the only player in program history to bat over .500 in consecutive seasons. He batted .507 in 1962 and .500 in 1963. An outstanding second baseman, Apicella slugged over 1.000 in his final two seasons as a Blackbird and was an All-NCAA Section II pick. Apicella also played basketball for the Blackbirds.

Lesley Renninger was one of the most feared softball pitchers in the Northeast Conference. The right-hander posted a 55-16 ledger and a 1.02 ERA for the Blackbirds from 1990-93. Renninger allowed only 314 hits in 479.2 innings of work. Her achievements were not limited to the field, Renninger was a 1993 GTE Academic All-American and the NEC’s softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year two consecutive seasons (1992, 1993). Along with inductee Chavez, Renninger is a member of the NEC 20th Anniversary All-Sport team.

Riley Clarida graduated as the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer (1,313) and seventh all-time rebounder (654). The 6-7 forward helped lead the Blackbirds to their first ever NCAA Tournament in 1981. Clarida paced the team in scoring his first season (1979-80), averaging 14.1 points. Leading the team in rebounding his final two seasons, his 12.3 rebounds a game in the 1981-82 campaign were ranked fifth nationally. In addition, he shot 63 percent from the field, eighth-best in the NCAA. An Associated Press honorable mention All-American two straight seasons, Clarida was the ECAC Metro South Player of the Year in 1982. He was a ninth-round draft pick of the Utah Jazz in 1982.

Ben “Red” Kramer, the final inductee, was a member of the men’s basketball team from 1933-37. The team captain of the undefeated (25-0) 1935-36 squad, Kramer and his peers helped turn the school into a basketball powerhouse in the 1930’s. The school’s first All-America player, Kramer helped LIU record an amazing four-year mark of 103-6, losing no more than three contests in any season. In 1937, the forward was awarded the Haggerty Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in the Metropolitan New York area. Kramer is inducted posthumously, having passed away in February 1999.

This year’s class was chosen from a committee comprised of current and former administrators.