WORCESTER --- The WPI Athletic Department, Poly Club, and Hall of Fame Selection Committee are proud to announce its 41th Class, the Class of 2024. The six newest members were inducted on Friday, September 27th as part of Homecoming Weekend.
The inductees include (left to right in attached photo):
Emily (Doherty) Hard '16 (Women's Soccer),
Joe Phelan '83 (Football),
Peter Krzyzewski '05 (Wrestling),
Ryan Flynn '06 (Men's Basketball),
Leo Kaabi '80 (Men's Soccer) and
Laura (Pumphrey) Kane '15 (Women's Track & Field).
Ceremony Video -
Photos
Emily Doherty Hard '16 - Women's Soccer
Emily is one of the WPI Women's Soccer program's greats. The combination of her athleticism, her soccer ability, and her competitiveness on the field made her unstoppable. In the classroom and in the WPI community she was equally successful. She helped to bring the WPI Women's soccer program to new heights.
"On the field, Emily Doherty was a triple threat," recalls head women's soccer coach Steph Riley-Schafer. "She was fast, smart, and composed around the goal. As our first-ever All-America honoree, she set the standard and raised the bar for our program."
She was a dynamic scorer for the Engineers, particularly in the 2015 season, when she set the program's single-season records with 18 goals and 41 points. For her efforts, she was named the first United Soccer Coaches Division III All-American in WPI history. That year she was also a first team USC All-New England and earned her second straight NEWMAC First Team All-Conference nod.
"When watching Emily on the field, it was always easy to note her exceptional natural talent," says teammate Julia MacLeod '16. "More important, she also had an unparalleled ability to read the game as a whole. Her vision of the field allowed her to anticipate plays and create opportunities to capitalize off of."
For her work in the classroom and community, Doherty was honored with selections to the 2015 United Soccer Coaches Scholar Academic All-America 2nd Team and CoSIDA Academic All-America 3rd team. She won the 2014-15 WPI Poly Club Award.
A soccer legend in her own right, she was equally talented and driven in the classroom and impacted the WPI community," continued Riley-Schafer. "I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to coach a player of her caliber."
"Playing with Em not only benefited the team as a whole, but her work ethic served as a constant motivator for the team, pushing each of us to elevate our performance and become better soccer players overall. Her commitment to continuous improvement and her willingness to lead by example helped foster a culture of excellence within the team."
After graduation, Emily continued her education by completing her Masters in Operations and Analytics Management at WPI. She worked at Dell EMC as a program manager until 2019 when she moved to Iron Mountain, where she currently works as a Manager of Digital Program Management.
In April 2019, Emily married Brien Hard, whom she met through the soccer program at WPI. They live in Northborough, Massachusetts, with their daughters, Bridie and Baillie, and their dogs, Captain and Prancer.
Ryan Flynn '06 - Men's Basketball
A member of Coach
Chris Bartley's first recruiting class at WPI, Ryan Flynn was instrumental in helping turn the program from seven wins as a first-year to 20+ win seasons his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was seen as the team's "go-to-guy" and beyond his offensive heroics, "Flynny" was also the team's best defensive player.
He might best be remembered for his four-point play in the final minute of the 2005 NEWMAC championship game to lead the Engineers to a 64-60 victory and the team's first conference tournament title. He also had game winning shots on the road at Williams, Endicott, and Wheaton.
"Ryan is perhaps the most clutch player in WPI men's basketball history," remembered Hall of Fame head coach
Chris Bartley. "His multiple game-winning shots are incredible memories and moments for our program. As a member of our first recruiting class, 'The Founding Fathers', he developed into one of the best and most feared guards in the region. Flynny and his teammates put our program on the map, and his unique personality and aggressive style of play have made a lasting impact on WPI men's basketball."
A First-Team All-New England and All-NEWMAC selection, Flynn was part of a WPI team that won three NEWMAC league titles and two NEWMAC playoff championships. They made three NCAA tournament appearances and reached the Sweet 16 in 2005.
"Ryan Flynn was an exceptional talent who could impact the game on both offense and defense, quipped classmate Brett Dickson. "He was a smothering on-ball defender and could always be counted on to take, and make, our biggest shots. I am grateful to have had the chance to play alongside Ryan and congratulate him on this outstanding achievement."
"Ryan's offensive scoring numbers do not jump off the page, but his value to our team's success was beyond statistics," added Bartley. "We had a very balanced team with a number of WPI's all-time great players. The fact that Ryan was our go to guy in the group says it all."
Originally from Boston's North Shore, Flynn earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Spanish. He began his career at Fidelity Investments before working as an engineer in Boston for four years, followed by another three years in Texas. In 2013, he joined Coach Bartley's staff as an assistant coach while pursuing a Master's in Mathematics for Educators. After four years of coaching with Coach Bartley, he transitioned to a tech startup specializing in Smart City Solutions.
He is currently based in New Jersey, working as a Sales Engineer for ICE. In his free time, he plays in basketball leagues, enjoys golfing, and makes weekend trips to Boston to visit friends and family.
Leo Kaabi '80 - Men's Soccer
Leo Kaabi was at the head of one of the most dramatic turnarounds of a program in WPI history. The four-year starter for the Engineers men's soccer program captained the 1979 team in his final season, a squad that was voted the best New England team in Division III after a 9-3-1 record.
It was an emphatic statement for a team that had gone 4-7-1 the previous year, and in addition to his leadership, Kaabi produced on the field. He scored 17 goals, still the fourth-most in a single season in WPI history, and added six assists for 40 total points, earning his second All-New England selection.
"He's one of the best captains I've had in my memory of coaching," said his coach, Alan King. "Our turnaround is largely due to Kaabi."
A native of Tehran, Iran, Kaabi came to WPI in 1976 and scored 10 goals as a freshman. In the postseason, the Engineers advanced past Westfield State to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals before falling in double overtime to eventual champions Brandeis.
Hampered by a collarbone injury that limited him to just two goals and two assists as a sophomore, he returned in 1978 to record 13 points on five goals and three assists.
"Leo always exemplified true teamwork and dedication, consistently giving 100% without seeking any spotlight," says teammate and WPI Hall of Famer John Pavlos. "On the field, he was a serious and quiet player but off the field he was a different character—always full of fun!"
"He was immensely talented, lightning quick, and full of exuberance and joy on the pitch," recalls teammate Brian Clang. Leo was a critical component teaming with John Pavlos up front. The two-pronged attack was one of the best in D3, very hard to defend! He was also a big contributor off the field, in the locker room, and on campus. He was such an outgoing and friendly person."
After graduating with high distinction with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Leo spent over 35 years in the Life Sciences Tools and Medical Device industry with Baxter Healthcare and with Bio-Rad Labs (where he was a senior vice president), and most recently with The LGC Group as Executive Vice President and Managing Director.
Leo and Simin, his wife of 32 years, reside in the Southern California area with their sons, Ryan and Cameron. The family enjoys hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Peter Krzyzewski '05 - Wrestling
Even though he only competed with WPI for three years after transferring in his sophomore year, Peter Krzyzewski's name appears in multiple categories in the WPI Wrestling records.
In his first year with the Engineers, Krzyzewski was honored as the 2003 New England Champion, the first of his three straight All-New England selections. He is one of only two WPI wrestlers to have two seasons in which he was undefeated and untied in dual meets.
"When Peter K contacted me about transferring from Division I Sacred Heart," recalled Hall of Fame head wrestling coach Phil Grebinar, "I immediately spoke with WPI assistant coach Rob Polin, who was from the same area as Peter. Rob's immediate answer was "Greb, he will win the NECCWA tournament" and Rob's prediction was correct!"
Peter's 49 career dual meet wins placed him in the top 10 in program history prior to 2018, and his career win percentage of .961 (49-2) is the highest of any wrestler to wear the WPI uniform.
"I followed Peter K from his wrestling days in high school," expanded Pollen. "Peter had a unique wrestling style that really caught my eye, where he utilized his incredible balance. I told Greb we needed to get him, he will win it all, and of course he did!"
Among his individual season accolades include second in season winning percentage, fifth in team points in a season, and tied for first in pins in a season with 11 falls in 2003-04.
"Peter became an immediate leader because of his wrestling talent, hard work ethic, and personality in bonding with new team members," continued Grebinar. ""He was a fun person to be around and made coaching a very easy thing. Peter He was also a very good student who had high career goals."
Krzyzewski currently resides in his hometown of Kingston, Massachusetts. From his childhood and throughout college, he worked on his father's commercial fishing boat, which was a foundation for his work ethic. He graduated with distinction with a degree in biotechnology. After WPI, he attended MCPHS in Worcester and earned a PharmD. During those years he would come back and work with the WPI wrestling team.
He is currently a pharmacy manager at Stop & Shop, where he has been the past 15 years. Peter and his wife, Alyssa, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Claire. When you can't find him at work or with his family, Peter's out fishing.
Joe Phelan '83 - Football
Joe Phelan was a key member and leader of a class that started the resurgence of WPI's football program, arriving in 1979, two years after the school seriously considered completely dropping the sport. At that point, WPI had the lowest win-loss percentage of any Division Ill team in New England. During his four years on the gridiron, the program launched a trajectory of success that carried it forward by establishing a winning culture and foundation for future teams.
The linebacker was at the heart of the historic 1980 season, the first winning campaign for the Engineers in 12 years. As a sophomore, Phelan was second on the team in tackles with 63 stops.
During his junior year, he had a team-high 94 tackles and was an All New-England Honorable Mention as WPI went 6-2 and earned its first win against Norwich in 18 years. The 1981 team was ranked #1 in scoring defense and #2 in scoring and rushing offense in New England.
"Joe was one of the greatest linebackers that WPI has ever had the privilege of having, stated former head football coach Bob Weiss. "He was relied on game in and game out and you could be certain that he would have more than his share of tackles each game."
He was named a team co-captain as a senior and again led the Engineers with 110 tackles. He finished his career with an ECAC All-New England selection, an AP All-American Honorable Mention, and runner-up for the NE Football Newsletter 1982 Defensive Player of the Year.
Joe was a year older than me and I always looked up to him as a leader," quipped Hall of Fame teammate Rob Henderson. "Not because he was older, but because he lead by example. His work ethic was foremost in the weight room, the library and the practice field. His senior year he fought off sickness quietly, yet performed at a high level. Joe is not only a champion of the gridiron but even more so as a person and a friend."
Originally from Queens, New York, Joe went to high school in Vermont where he was a National Honor Society student and was named all-state in football as a member of the VT Shrine team. At WPI he was active in Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, played club lacrosse, and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was the recipient of the Central Mass College Scholar Athlete Award.
After graduation, Joe's career at GE began with a focus on manufacturing operations. He had roles in several businesses and rose to the level of Plant Manager with GE Healthcare, and to General Manager with GE Superabrasives and GE Aviation. Today, Joe is an investor and VP of Operations at technology start-up Arduro Sustainable Rubber, whose operation is currently located in Nova Scotia.
Joe is very proud of his two children and five grandchildren! His son, Joe, is an educator in Dublin, Ohio. His daughter, Jess, is a Human Resources senior manager for Parker Hannafin in Cleveland. In his free time Joe enjoys family time, staying fit, and traveling with his partner, Gia Singh.
Laura (Pumphrey) Kane - Women's Track & Field
Laura will go down as one of the greatest track and field athletes in program history. At the time of her graduation, she had the most All-American honors in WPI Women's Track & Field history. She was a four-time NCAA All-American in high jump, including finishing tied for second during the outdoor season as a sophomore and in the spring of 2015 as a senior.
"She was one of the hardest workers we've ever had, while being a tremendous teammate and mentor," remembers Brian Chabot, director of Cross Country and Track & Field. "Her attention to detail in a highly technical event like the high jump shined through when the lights were brightest. She remains one of our best championship performers, coming through in the clutch time and time again. She helped put our women's program on the map nationally with her four All-America performances, two as runner-up. She left an enduring legacy that has been carried forward by those who have followed in her footsteps."
A three-time All-Conference, five-time All-New England, and four-time All-ECAC honoree, she was a 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. She won two New England championships, as well as NEWMAC and ECAC titles in high jump—she holds the WPI indoor record (5', 7.75") in the event.
"Laura's combined grace and talent allowed her to achieve new heights—literally—as our team's most decorated high jumper," recalls classmate Maya Rhinehart. "Her dedication to the sport both on and off the mat inspired us all, but her kindness and silly demeanor made her really stand out. For example, after the 4x100m team failed to medal at nationals, she put aside her own All-America win to comfort and joke around with us, brightening our spirits and making the 7-hour drive back much less melancholy. Thank you, Laura, for setting the bar so high on how to be the best athlete, co-captain, and friend. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement… no one deserves it more than you."
While at WPI, Laura was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Engineers Without Borders. She was often found volunteering at Gateway Park labs. She was a finalist for the President IQP Awards.
After graduating with high distinction in Biomedical Engineering, Laura began her career with AstraZeneca in its Global Operations Graduate Rotational program, moving around the country and then to Sweden. She returned to Massachusetts to work at Moderna in 2019, and is now an Associate Director, External Quality Assurance.
Laura lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Patrick Kane, WPI '15; they enjoy trail running, cycling, and spending time with their dog, Otto.
WPI Homecoming Weekend continues on Saturday as the inductees are to be announced at halftime of the football contest vs Norwich at H. Carr Field at Alumni Stadium.
