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A baker’s dozen of Thoroughbred stars and advocates joined Skidmore’s Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall. The fifth annual induction ceremony and benefit dinner for the Friends of Skidmore Athletics, held during Celebration Weekend in October, featured guest speaker Amy Peterson Peck, a five-time Olympic speed skater. The gala also in­cluded a silent auction, ranging from sports souvenirs to a Hawaiian vacation. Drawing a crowd of more than 200, the event raised $18,000 in support of Skidmore’s athletics programs.

Here are the new Hall of Famers:

Administrative staff. Professor Emerita Beverly Becker is widely regarded as the quiet architect of Skidmore athletics. Arriving on campus in 1959 as an in­structor, she taught courses in everything from swimming to kinesiology and chaired the physical education and dance department for many years. She helped Skidmore develop a comprehensive varsity program and an interdisciplinary phys-ed curriculum. She has been a leader in national phys-ed and health associations. In 1983 she taught and conducted research at the US Military Academy at West Point and in 1985 earned the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Award. In 1996 she won an outstanding-service award from Skidmore’s alumni association as well.

Special recognition. Joyce Benedict Ricker ’69 and Jim Ricker were named MVPs (“most valuable parents”) in Skidmore athletics. Having supported sons Jason ’91, Justin ’96, and Evan ’97 in their varsity careers, the Rickers led the rescue of men’s varsity hockey from budget cuts in 2003. Their fundraising and rallying of other support not only saved hockey but also breathed new life into the Friends of Skidmore Athletics. As FOSA chairs from 2003 to 2007, they helped Skidmore construct the Hall of Fame (with funding from Lee Peyser ’81 and Cathy Peyser), establish the annual FOSA benefit and in­duction ceremony, and launch FOSA’s annual Thoroughbred Cup Golf and Tennis Tournament. Both are still ac­tive Skidmore advisors.

Team. Skidmore’s equestrian team of 1999 won the national Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championship. It was the fifth national title for Coach Cindy Ford’s equestrians in that decade. The Zone II high-point rider and winner of the Cacchione Cup was team captain Lindsey Phibbs ’02. Her teammates were Charlotte Harwood ’01, Caroline McKenzie ’02, Kelly Sullivan ’02, Catherine Tai ’01, and Jennifer Thomas ’01.

Student athletes. Brian McCawley ’02 led Skidmore lacrosse to its first Eastern College Athletic Conference playoff, its first national ranking in the top twenty-five, and its first wins over Union, Rensselaer, and Williams. He was also the first Skidmore lacrosse player to make All American; and the next year he made Scholar All American. He won Skidmore’s Goldman Memorial Award for excellence in business studies and graduated with honors.

Andrew Simon ’02 holds T’bred soccer’s all-time record for career scoring and best-season records for goals and points. He started as Rookie of the Year in 1998, was named team MVP the next three years, earned several regional All-America honors, and was named Skidmore soccer’s first Verizon Academic All-American in 2001.

Lacey French ’01 was a three-time All-American in field hockey. In 1998 and 1999 her teams played in the NCAA Division III national championships. The 1998 team finished 18-2 and ­ad­vanced to the NCAA’s Elite Eight. She later played for England’s Doncaster Field Hockey Club and was a successful coach for varsity teams at Middlebury and Union Colleges.

Carrie Bennett ’99, swim team MVP for three years, holds ten Skidmore records, including 50- and 100-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly, as well as pool records at SUNY-Oswego and SUNY-Plattsburgh. In 1997 her success in freestyle and butterfly earned her a spot at the NCAA Division III championships. She has coached youth swim clubs and the Niskayuna (N.Y.) High School girls’ and boys’ teams.