Buffalo State College

The seventh president in the history of the college Dr. Muriel A. Howard will lead a class of five into the Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 26 as an honorary member.

Mike Grabowski (Swimming, ’76), Cheryl Isbrandt (Softball, ’95), Valerie Krell-Capriotti (Soccer, ’88) and Dan Lauta (Football, ’99) will join Howard in the class of 2009 in the regular membership category.

Howard served as the president of Buffalo State College for 13 years and during her tenure was the guiding force for significant growth within the department of Intercollegiate Athletics, including the renovation of Coyer Field from a natural grass surface to an artificial turf surface, increasing funding through her unwavering support of the Student Activity fee, renovation of the softball field, creation of the Buffalo State Fitness Center in 2002 and increasing funding and support of full-time head coaches among others. Howard began her new post as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), effective August 1.

Grabowski was a four time All-American as a swimmer at Buffalo State, earning the distinction in the 100 back and the 400 medley relay in 1975 and the 100 and 200 back in 1976. He swam a leg in the 400 medley relay that captured a SUNYAC Championship in 1975 and set a school record with a time of 3:39.50, a mark that still stands 24 years later. Grabowski also helped the Bengals capture a SUNYAC team championship in 1975.

Isbrandt played shortstop for the Bengals’ softball team from 1992 to 1995, accumulating a .400 career batting average, the third-best in the program’s history. A third team All-American as a senior, she helped the Bengals to three NCAA Regional berths and two New York State Women’s Championships. The school’s all-time leader in stolen bases with 84, she also ranks third in school history in runs (143), triples (17) and home runs (18). Isbrandt was recognized as the school’s female athlete of the year as a senior.

Krell-Capriotti becomes the first-ever women’s soccer player to gain induction into the Hall. A four-year standout from 1983 to 1986, she was recognized as All-SUNYAC in 1984. Krell-Capriotti led the team in scoring three times and still ranks second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 85 points on 34 goals and 17 assists. Buffalo State won 40 games in her four seasons, the best four-year run in the history of the program.

Lauta anchored the Bengals’ offensive line in the late 1990s and helped lead the team to four appearances in the NCAA playoffs. Following graduation, Lauta became the only Bengal to sign with an NFL team, inking a free agent contract with the New York Giants. He went on to play in the Arena Football League with the Buffalo Destroyers.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will culminate the Homecoming/Family Weekend Festivities. For ticket information, contact Associate Athletics Director Tom Koller at (716) 878-6514.