Hamden Native To Be Inducted Into GNAC Hall Of Fame

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden native Stephen Zapata will be inducted into the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Hall of Fame in August, the conference announced this week.

Zapata, a Hamden High School graduate, joins the 203 induction class of eight people, including seven former student athletes and one coach/administrator. Zapata graduated from Albertus Magnus College in 2013.

He becomes the first men's soccer player inducted into the GNAC Hall of Fame as well as the second Albertus male student-athlete to earn the honor. Former Albertus Magnus men's basketball player Ray Askew was inducted into the GNAC Hall of Fame in 2019.

Zapata was inducted into the Albertus Magnus Athletics Hall of Fame back in 2018 after registering 31 goals and 52 assists for 114 career points from 2009-12. A three-time All-GNAC First Team selection, Zapata led all of Division III in assists (23) as a junior in 2011.

As a senior, Zapata led Albertus to its second-ever GNAC men's soccer championship en route to the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.

As a senior, Zapata ranked fifth in the NCAA in total assists with 12 while also tallying a career-high in goals with 13 and points with 38. Following his senior season, Zapata received year-end honors such as NEISL All-Star, ECAC Division III New England All-Star, All-New England Second Team, and All-American Second Team.

As a junior, Zapata became the second men's soccer player to earn All-New England honors after finishing first in the nation with a career-best 23 assists and 1.15 assists per game. After a stellar season, he was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-New England, and an ECAC Second Team All-Star.

As a sophomore, Zapata was named First Team All-Conference along with being named to the GNAC All-Tournament Team. He recorded 11 multi-point games and four multi-assist outings.

Zapata helped lead the Falcons to a program-best 13 wins and finished first on the team with 29 points and 13 assists.

The 2023 induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Logan Airport in Boston, Mass.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 inductees include:

ALBERTUS MAGNUS: Stephen Zapata, Men's Soccer '13

EMMANUEL: Chris Curtis, Men's Lacrosse '16

JOHNSON & WALES: Quarry Greenaway, Men's Basketball '16

LASELL: Bridget Lynch, Women's Soccer '14

RIVIER: Craig Kolek, Men's/Women's Volleyball head coach

SAINT JOSEPH (CT): Stacy Manfredi, Women's Basketball '98

SAINT JOSEPH'S (MAINE): Emily Leverone, Softball '12

SUFFOLK: Jess Ferreira, Softball '09