Western New England Announces 2019 Downes Athletic Hall of Fame Class

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 8, 2019) – Western New England University announced its 2019 Downes Athletic Hall of Fame class on Monday afternoon.

Jesse Morrison '96 (Wrestling), Alison (Reseigne) Robb '00 (Women's Soccer), Tara (Cushman) Amato '06/L'09 (Women's Lacrosse) and Lisa (Masella) Saunders '06 (Women's Basketball) will be honored for their contributions to Western New England athletics at an induction ceremony and dinner event on Friday, October 4 at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, Mass.

Morrison was a standout performer for the wrestling program from 1992-96. Competing primarily at 126 pounds, he posted a career record of 97-14 and graduated as the program's all-time leader in dual meet pins with 35. During Morrison's tenure as a Golden Bear, Western New England compiled a 67-21-1 record for a 75.8 winning percentage.

The New Braintree, Mass. native excelled both on the mat and in the classroom, as he earned three Academic All-America awards and was a four-time All-New England honoree. A two-year captain, Morrison capped his career by claiming All-America recognition at the 1996 NCAA Division III Championships with his fifth-place finish.

Reseigne was a defensive anchor for the women's soccer program in the late 1990's, helping the Golden Bears reach new heights under the direction of head coach Ron Dias. She was a four-year starter and two-time All-New England selection (1997 & '99), appearing in 79 matches over the course of her career.

Serving as team captain during her senior season in 1999, Reseigne was named to both the All-GNAC first team and GNAC All-Tournament team as the Golden Bears captured the GNAC title and made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Agawam, Mass. native was also a key member of Western New England's historic 1998 squad, which set a program record for wins (20-2 overall) and won the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament.

Cushman is among the top goalkeepers in the history of the women's lacrosse program. She posted a 38-19 record as starting goalie from 2003-06, serving as team captain her junior and senior seasons. Cushman ranks in the top-five in program history in saves (461), save percentage (.567), goals against average (7.96) and wins (38).

Cushman, a native of Scituate, Mass., was a two-time All-NEWLA honoree. She helped lead the Golden Bears to three consecutive NEWLA championships and NCAA Tournament appearances from 2004-06. Following her playing career, Cushman served as an assistant coach on Aimee Klepacki's staff for five seasons from 2007-11.

Masella was a dominant low-post presence for the women's basketball program from 2002-06. She started every contest over her four-year career and still ranks second all-time in rebounds (968), blocks (72) and games started (109), fifth in field goal percentage (.522) and eighth in points (1,289).

A native of Newtown, Conn., Masella was a two-year captain and four-time All-GNAC honoree, garnering first team honors as a junior in 2004-05. Masella was a member of Western New England teams that went 74-35 (.679), and she led the Golden Bears to a program record 21-win campaign as a senior in 2005-06.