SUNY New Paltz Athletics

The State University of New York at New Paltz Athletics Alumni Wall of Distinction recognizes alumni/ae who have made and continue to make significant contributions since their graduation from New Paltz. This small sample of alumni/ae represent the impressive array of talent, skill, and commitment of students who not only have attended the college, but have gone on to make a difference in their chosen fields. The Alumni Wall of Distinction highlights individuals who are worthy of our recognition as examples for others to emulate and the power of athletics in the pursuit of a New Paltz education and degree.

To view the 2019 Alumni Wall of Distinction, click here:

To view the 2018 Alumni Wall of Distinction, click here:

To view the 2017 Alumni Wall of Distinction, click here:

Chelsea Angulas (Women's Swimming '20)

Angulas swam for SUNY New Paltz from 2016 to 2020, winning SUNYAC titles in the 100 and 50-yard backstroke, including being a four-time champion in the 100 back. She was also most recently named to the SUNYAC All-Decade swim team as a four-time first-team all-conference selection during her time as a Hawk. Since graduating SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Angulas, an Owego, NY native, immediately found employment as a mechanical engineer at Raytheon Technologies. She continues to help in recruiting efforts with the Hawks swim program, speaking with potential student-athletes about the College's decorated engineering program.  

"Attending New Paltz as a student-athlete has defined me both personally and professionally," Angulas said. "As a member of the swim team, I learned leadership, discipline and the rewards of hard work. Being a Hawk has given me the self-confidence to push myself to achieve my goals. The value of establishing lifelong friendships and memories will be something I cherish forever. A little bit of loving goes a long, long way." 

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Shanay Bradley (Women's Basketball '12)

Bradley starred on the Hawks women's basketball program from 2010-2012 after transferring from SUNY Delhi. She helped build the foundation of what the perennial program is today, while also earning All-SUNYAC and All-Academic honors along the way. Since graduating from SUNY New Paltz in 2013, Bradley was inducted into the Broncos Hall of Fame in 2019, while also having coaching stints with the Hawks and Potsdam Bears before taking a position as a Director of Syracuse Metro Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 2016. Over the last four years with FCA, which combines faith and sports, Bradley, a Bronx, NY native, has worked with a multitude of middle and high-school aged students, becoming a mentor for them throughout their lives.  

"When I think about my time as an athlete at SUNY New Paltz, I take great pride in being a Hawk," Bradley said. "From the time that I stepped foot on the campus I was on a mission, and the cool thing about it I didn't have to do it by myself. Everyone wanted to see me win. Through the blood, sweat, tears, three jobs, playing basketball, and being a student, I had support the whole way. No one gave me a handout, but a hand up. Coach Jaime and many others never missed an opportunity to call me higher than myself. This type of family, community, and support has influenced how I see life, which is it is better together. You can take the help of others without being less than, you can stand up for and with people. You do not understand fully but love them fully, and most importantly you have everything you need to be successful right inside of you." 

Brittany Grandville (Women's Tennis '18)

Grandville starred on the Hawks women's tennis team from 2014 to 2018 and earned All-SUNYAC First Team honors every year she stepped on the court for the orange and blue. After graduating with a biochemistry degree from SUNY New Paltz in 2018, Grandville joined Regeneron Pharmaceuticals as a Sample Management Coordinator as her company added a focus toward finding an effective therapeutic for COVID-19 in mid-January of 2020. Grandville, a Tappan, NY native, worked endless hours analyzing samples and prepared for clinical trials, which began in June of 2020. The FDA granted emergency use authorization for Regeneron's antibody treatment earlier this year.  

"For all the matches that seemed endless, that tested my strength, my patience, and my endurance, I will forever be grateful," Grandville said. "The discipline I gained being a Hawk is truly invaluable. To this day I thank New Paltz for giving me the opportunity to be part of such an amazing team and giving me the drive that pushes me daily in my career." 

 
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Rob Jones (Men's Basketball '01)

Jones was one of the most decorated players in Hawks men's basketball history, starring for the program from 1997 to 2001. Jones was a three-time All-SUNYAC selection and an honorable mention DIII All-American in 2000. The Jamaica, NY native ranks ninth all-time in school history with 1,321 points, first in blocks with 140 and second in rebounds with 875. After graduating from SUNY New Paltz in 2002 with a degree in Business Management, Jones worked his way through the coaching ranks to become the head men's basketball coach at Norfolk State University after serving as an interim in 2014. During his tenure at the helm for the Spartans, he guided the program to an NCAA Tournament appearance and earned 2019 MEAC Coach of the Year, the NAVC District 15 Coach of the Year, along with the Skip Prosser Award and was a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award and Joe B. Hall Award with the latter presented to the most outstanding first-year DI head coach. In his seven seasons at Norfolk State Jones has garnered a record of 125-111 with two 20-plus win seasons.  

"Being a student-athlete at SUNY New Paltz was the best time of my life. In addition to competing every day on the court, the life lessons and time management off the court has paid dividends in my adult life and career thus far. The lifetime memories and life-long friends are irreplaceable. Once a Hawk, always a Hawk." 

Evan Martel (Men's Soccer '12)

Martel starred on the SUNY New Paltz men's soccer team from 2008 to 2011, solidifying the Hawks' backline before graduating with a degree in Finance and Marketing from SUNY New Paltz in 2012. Martel was a mainstay in the Hawks lineup since his freshman season and went on to become a SUNYAC Commissioner's List and All-Academic team recipient during his career in the orange and blue. Since graduating, Martel, a West Islip, NY native, established a successful career in medical sales and currently works as a Senior Account Manager at Smith and Nephew. Along with balancing a successful career, Martel continued to help his alma mater and current head coach Kyle Clancy in speaking with potential student-athletes through the recruiting process, while also aiding with job opportunities for current and former Hawks in the business field. Martel has come back to the College to speak on panels for the School of Business and continues to be an avid supporter of the men's soccer program.  

"A piece of my heart will always be at SUNY New Paltz," Martel said. "It allowed me to be exactly who I was and gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions. My teammates who I played soccer and attended the School of Business with are still my closest and most treasured friends. My time spent at New Paltz led me to profound success in Business and life. However, we all know it is not where you start, it is where you finish. I look forward to continually pursuing my dreams with cherished memories of New Paltz always in my back pocket. After all, there's only one SUNY New Paltz." 

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Billy Papetti (Men's Swimming '11)

Papetti swam for the Hawks for four seasons from 2007 to 2011 and was a part of the 200-freestyle relay team that took third in SUNYAC's in 2008, along with being a member of the program-setting 200 freestyle relay team in 2009 and record-setting relays in the 400 medley and 200-medley in 2010. Papetti, a Long Beach, NY native, graduated SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor's degree in Adolescent Math Education and immediately began teaching back home at Long Beach Middle School in Long Island where he works today. Papetti has stayed busy upon graduating from SUNY New Paltz. He created a 501© (3) nonprofit organization hosting annual charity events, which also gives scholarship awards to students at Long Beach Middle School. Papetti also authored and published his own Algebra I Workbook that has been used in schools across New York State, and has created a satirical TikTok account, posting videos related to being a math teacher that has garnered close to one million followers. As recently as this past spring, Papetti is organizing a world record attempt for most cereal boxes toppled in domino fashion at his middle school – they currently have a record amount of 6,000 boxes that will be donated following the attempt.  

"As a member of the swim team at SUNY New Paltz, I developed an unmatched work ethic that has helped me become a successful middle school math teacher," Papetti said. "The mentality of giving 100 percent every time I stepped onto the blocks has translated to giving 100 percent to my students every time I step into the classroom. I would not have the same motivation, discipline or confidence I do today if I didn't have the privilege of being a Hawk at SUNY New Paltz." 

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Ben Wood (Men's Basketball '99)

Wood starred on the SUNY New Paltz men's basketball program from 1997 to 1999, captaining the Hawks to its winningest season to-date in 1999 where the team earned ECAC Tournament honors and finished as a semifinalist in the SUNYAC Tournament. Wood, an Alpine, NY native graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and later earned a master's in global management. He has spent the last two decades at Infineon Technologies, working his way through the company to get to his current role as the Vice President IT, Americas Region. 

"During my time at SUNY New Paltz I had the opportunity play the sport I love, learn life lessons and meet amazing people that I have built life lasting relationships with," Wood said. "I would not be who I am or where I am today without SUNY New Paltz. It truly is an honor to be a part of the SUNY New Paltz family."

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