The Massachusetts Maritime Academy Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed five new members this past weekend, as standouts in the sports of football, baseball and wrestling, along with a long-time member of the Buccaneer athletic staff, were enshrined during ceremonies on campus on Saturday, June 6th.

The Massachusetts Maritime Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2009 is as follows:

Skip Thompson played an invaluable role in the growth and development of Buccaneer Athletics over a storied 35 year career that began in 1973 and ended with his retirement last September. As the Academy's Assistant Director of Athletics and longtime Sports Information Director, Skip provided both leadership and visibility to the Academy in many facets, including those of Compliance Officer and Intercollegiate Scheduling Coordinator, but those duties were not solely confined to that of an administrator. As Massachusetts Maritime's Head Men's Basketball Coach, Skip guided the Buccaneers to the 1981 MASCAC championship and also served as an Assistant Football Coach on fellow Hall of Famer Don Ruggeri's staff for over two decades.

Tom Latronica was a two-sport standout for the Buccaneers in the mid-1970's, as he helped lead Massachusetts Maritime to the 1977 New England Football Conference championship while serving as captain of the Bucs' wrestling squad during his senior campaign of 1977-78. Tom posted a second place finish in the 150 pound weight class at the New England Championships during his freshman season, and he moved up to the 158 pound weight class for his final two years on the mat, posting fifth and sixth place performances at the New England Championships in 1977 and 1978. On the gridiron, Tom helped the Buccaneers posted 13 victories in 17 contests over his last two seasons of action, and the New York native was also an accomplished lacrosse player.

Chris Scyocurka showed great versatility as a football and wrestling standout during his career for the Buccaneers. A four-year starter and two-time team captain on the gridiron, Chris earned all-New England Football Conference honors and a spot on the ECAC New England all-star squad in 1982. He was also selected as Massachusetts Maritime's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman as a junior and displayed that versatility in earning Most Valuable Defensive Player honors as a linebacker as a senior. On the mat, Chris placed third in the New England Division III Wrestling Championships and capped his career by receiving the Academy's Male Athlete of the Year Award as well as the prestigious MASCAC Howard C. Smith Award.

Another standout on the gridiron at the Academy, Deron Jozokos ranks fifth on Massachusetts Maritime's football career lists for pass completions (254), yards (3,456) and touchdowns (25) and was named as the New England Football Conference's Offensive Player of the Year in 1995. Deron was selected as a national Division III all-star and earned a spot on the roster for the prestigious Aztec Bowl contest, and he also holds the school single-game record for completion percentage (80 percent). Deron served as a team captain and was also named as an ECAC all-star for his efforts on the gridiron, as he still holds three single-season marks, including for total offense and completion percentage.

A captain in both football and baseball during his playing days, Mike Kelley was an all-conference performer in both sports for the Buccaneers. Mike still holds the career football record for receptions with 121 for 1,634 yards and was tabbed as an ECAC all-star on the gridiron following his sophomore campaign. On the diamond, Mike was a two-time all-MASCAC pick who led the conference in triples as a junior, and he was named as the Buccaneer Male Athlete of the Year as a senior. Mike's standout work on behalf of the Academy is not limited to his accomplishments as a student, as he serves as Second Company Officer and Assistant Director of COMCAD as well as an assistant coach in both football and baseball.

The purpose of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Hall of Fame is to honor former athletes, Academy staff, alumni and individuals that have made a significant contribution to Academy athletics. Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the oldest continuously operating maritime academy in the nation, has maintained a reputation of excellence for over 115 years. Student-athletes shall be eligible for consideration and induction into the Hall of Fame beginning no less than five years after graduation from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

"The contributions that these five individuals have made to the tradition of Massachusetts Maritime Athletics is something that the entire Academy takes great pride in," Massachusetts Maritime Director of Athletics Bob Corradi says of the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2009. "Their legacy of excellence has made them an integral party of our athletic family, and I congratulate them all on this great honor."

With the addition of the Class of 2009, the Massachusetts Maritime Athletic Hall of Fame now boasts of 50 inductees after this year's 10th annual ceremony.