MADISON, N.J. – Drew University has selected four highly-distinguished inductees to be added to its Athletics Hall of Fame.
The University's 32nd Hall of Fame class will consist of
Michael Bodden C'13 (baseball),
Daniel Bonder C'09 (men's soccer),
George Discher C'87 (men's cross country), and
Alex Previdi C'94 (men's lacrosse).
In addition to the Hall of Fame induction,
Cris and
Doug C'58 Lonnstrom will receive the Golden "D" Award, presented to individuals who, through their support, actions, and loyalty to the Drew University Athletic Department, show a deep respect and dedication for the University and its athletic program.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for the evening of Friday, Oct. 13 at Drew University's Dorothy Young Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Opening remarks will begin at 7:15 p.m. and will be followed by award inductions at approximately 7:40 p.m. A reception will follow in Mead Hall.
Bodden was a four-year starter and two-time All-Landmark Conference selection who helped lead the Rangers to their first Landmark Conference baseball title in program history in 2012. He played in 150 games as a shortstop and outfielder for his career in which he batted .321 and broke school records for runs scored (146) and at-bats (542) while finishing second in hits (174), doubles (41), and stolen bases (87). He batted a career-high .374 as a freshman, earning a spot on the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association All-Rookie Team, and hit .322 during his senior campaign in 2013, when he captured a spot on the All-Landmark Conference First Team. He played a major role in the team's championship run in 2012, batting .571 with a .647 on-base percentage in the team's three Landmark Conference Championship games (all victories). He was named the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week following the tournament and earned second-team all-conference honors for the season.
Bonder was a four-year starting defender for the Rangers and capped his career by earning Third Team National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-America honors. Splitting his career in two different conferences, he helped lead Drew to a tremendous four-year record of 50-25-6 (.654) and a 23-4-1 mark in conference play (11-3 MAC-Freedom, 12-1-1 Landmark). He helped guide the Rangers to four consecutive conference playoff appearances and four straight ECAC or NCAA tournament berths. Bonder was named the Freedom Conference Rookie of the Year in 2005 before capturing Second-Team All-Freedom Conference honors in Drew's final season in the MAC in 2006. Over his final two years, he earned back-to-back First-Team All-Landmark Conference selections, NSCAA Third-Team All-Region accolades in 2017 and First-Team NSCAA All-Region plaudits as a senior, when he became the sixth All-American in program history. Bonder was also recognized for his performance off the field when he was voted onto the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team as a senior.
Discher helped lead the Rangers to a highly-successful era in the mid-1980s. He was the team's No. 1 runner throughout his brilliant career at the Forest and was the team MVP each season. He competed during a time when teams frequently competed in dual meets and helped the Rangers to a stellar 22-5 mark over his first two seasons, including the best record in team history (11-2) in 1984. He won 10 races over his first two years in which he also helped lead the Rangers to consecutive Independent Athletic Conference (IAC) Championships. As a freshman in 1983, Discher won the IAC title with a meet-record time of 25:59 and his collegiate-best times of 24:49 and 25:07, both run on the Drew's 5-mile home course, remain the fastest in team history.
Previdi made his mark as a record-setting attackman/midfielder who helped the Rangers to an ECAC title in 1993 and the team's first-ever conference title in 1994, when they claimed the MAC crown. He did not miss a game throughout his career, playing in 57 straight contests while accumulating 127 goals, 25 assists, and 152 points to go with 112 ground balls. He earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team and was selected to the USILA North-South Senior All-Star Game in 1994, when he scored 51 goals – a school record that stood for seven years and still ranks fourth all-time at Drew. He also broke the Drew record for goals in a game when he scored eight times versus Widener in 1992 – a mark that he held or shared for 30 years. Previdi, who helped lead the Rangers to a four-year record of 36-21 (12-4 MAC), recently finished his second year as an assistant men's lacrosse coach at Drew.
The Lonnstroms have been recognized by the Hall of Fame Committee for their enthusiasm, commitment, and support for Drew Athletics.
Cris and Doug believe deeply in the gift of education and have spent their careers pursuing their passions. Cris served as a special education elementary school teacher for 40 years. Doug is an accomplished author, pilot, golf historian, and earned both his PhD and MBA. He recently retired after serving at Siena College for 50 years as a professor, Department Chair, and Dean of the Business School.
While at Drew, Doug was a two-way star on the baseball diamond and served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He was dominant at the plate and on the mound, highlighted by a .348 career batting average. He also played one year of varsity basketball.
