(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
A three-time National Golden Gloves medalist, a multi-champion professional wrestler, and an influential local sports broadcaster were some of the many names announced as this year’s inductees into the Greater Binghamton Sports Hall of Fame.
Two local high school athletes were also awarded scholarships on behalf of the Hall of Fame for their outstanding academic and athletic merit. Student-athletes Preston Ocker (Maine-Endwell High School) and Samantha Dalmolen (Binghamton High School) were the recipients of the $1,500 award.
The Greater Binghamton Hall of Fame induction dinner, hosted to honor the athletes and their families, will take place on Monday, May 4, at the Double Tree by Hilton in downtown Binghamton. Details on this year’s keynote speaker have yet to be announced.
Tickets for the dinner may be obtained at www.AJQSports.com.
Greater Binghamton Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2026
Tom “Burnin’ Ben” Bennett
A standout three-sport athlete at Union-Endicott High School and a four-year letterwinner as a running back from 1977–1980. A two-time All-American…set an NCAA record with a 99-yard touchdown reception in 1980… earned ECAC Offensive Player of the Week honors 12 times. Inducted into the Long Island University Hall of Fame.
Wendy Casey
A two-time national champion in girls wrestling at Binghamton High School (2001, 2002). Had a 38–15 record as a boxer…captured three New York State Golden Gloves titles (2006–2008), two Empire State Games championships (2007, 2008), and a Northeast Regional championship in 2008. Earned bronze (2008) and silver (2015) medals at the National Golden Gloves before winning the National Golden Gloves, Ringside World Championship, and U.S. National Championship in 2016. A member of Team USA (2017)… a two-time Ring 44 Amateur Boxer of the Year…earned a silver medal at the prestigious Feliks Stamm International Tournament.
Steven G. Deinhardt
Football player at Binghamton High School. Earned First-Team All-East honors as an NCAA Division III athlete at Ithaca College. Spent 16 seasons as head coach at Binghamton…had a record of 114–37–3… led team to a New York State championship and four Section IV titles. Named New York State Coach of the Year (1985). Served as president of both the New York State Athletic Administrators Association and the Southern Tier Athletic Conference. A member of the Section 4 Hall of Fame.
Richard C. Gulbin
(posthumously) A three-sport athlete at Johnson City High School (football, basketball, baseball). Played Division I basketball at Colgate University. Served as president of Section 4 athletics for more than ten years. Inducted into both the Section 4 Hall of Fame and the Johnson City Hall of Fame.
William J. Haskins
(Posthumously) A football and track athlete at Binghamton High School. Earned three varsity letters in football, track and field, and gymnastics at Syracuse University. A national champion in track & field.
Brian D. Jester
Baseball and football player at Union-Endicott High School…held the school’s single-season passing record for 29 years. All-American and member of the NCAA Division I College World Series championship team at the University of Georgia in 1990. Director of Baseball Operations at Georgia.
Kathy Staley Maguire
Three-sport athlete at Maine-Endwell High School (field hockey, basketball, softball). Earned high school All-American honors in field hockey…named All-STAC and All-Metro in basketball…scored over 1,000 career points…set school records in assists and steals. An All-STAC softball player. Field hockey athlete at the University of North Carolina…won a national championship in 1989…broke the UNC’s single-season goal-scoring record…earned First-Team Division I All-American honors.
Roger Neel
Dedicated more than four decades to sports broadcasting as the longtime sports director at WNBF Radio, covering countless Southern Tier athletes and teams. Former offensive lineman of the Westminster Titans football team that won the 1970 NAIA Division II national championship and earned all-district honors in 1971.
Mike “IRS” Rotunda
Standout three-sport athlete (wrestling, baseball, football) at Newark Valley and Owego. Rose to professional status in wrestling. Won Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association heavyweight championship…won five WWF World Championships and three NWA World Championships. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the U.S. Express tag team.
Jon R. Smith, ATC
Devoted over 50 years to athletic training, serving athletes at every level, including Olympic and international levels. Served as Assistant Athletic Director at SUNY Broome. Inducted into three separate Halls of Fame in recognition of his lifetime of service and excellence in sports medicine.
Pete Sylvester
Three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football) at Union-Endicott. U-E varsity baseball coach over five seasons… achieved record of 262–64…led UE Tigers to ten Division I championships, ten Section 4 titles, seven STAC championships, and one New York State Western Regional championship.
Michael Tidick
Three-sport athlete at Union-Endicott. Earned all-conference honors in baseball…named All-STAC…won two Section 4 championships. Awarded Male Athlete of the Year. Played Division I baseball at Western Carolina University…became a first-team all-conference selection and the 1994 Southern Conference batting champion. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox organization. Professional scout for the Texas Rangers.
1979 Union-Endicott High School Football Team
Held an undefeated 9–0 record…achieved a national ranking of No. 18. Coached by National High School Coach of the Year Fran Angeline. Team produced 17 collegiate athletes, including nine who went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Here are the 2026 inductees for the Greater Binghamton Sports Hall of Fame
Reporting by Aniya Sumner, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
