On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Emmanuel College proudly welcomed back the Athletics Hall of Fame before an audience of nearly 300 guests. After an 11-year hiatus, the ceremony celebrated the induction of ten new members whose achievements and leadership have shaped the legacy of Saints athletics — including six former student-athletes, two coaches, one outstanding team, and one extraordinary supporter.
The evening opened with the induction of one of Emmanuel's most dedicated champions, Sister Anne Donovan, SNDdeN '62. Over her decades of service in key administrative roles, Sister Anne has played an instrumental part in building Emmanuel's athletics program — guiding its growth from five varsity teams in the 1980s to 18 NCAA Division III programs today. She also helped envision and plan the Jean Yawkey Center, whose gymnasium fittingly hosted Saturday's celebration.
"She is an Emmanuel Saint, who needs no introduction," said Emmanuel Vice President of Finance and Administration, Tricia Tower, who inducted Sr. Anne Donovan, SNDdeN, into the Hall of Fame. "For more than 30 years, of all the contributions she has made to Emmanuel, one of the things that stands out most is her love and support of Emmanuel Athletics."
Among the student-athletes welcomed into the Emmanuel Athletics Hall of Fame were a pair of Emmanuel's All-Americans, Curtis Abram '11 and Chris Curtis '16. Both earned their All-American status as seniors, with Abram earning his recognition through the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Curtis being recognized by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.
Within the walls of the Jean Yawkey Center and the lines of Yosinoff Court came two more Hall of Famers on Saturday. The all-time leading scorers for the men's and women's basketball programs in Saints history, Robert Williams-Hinton '09 and Iman Davis Barbosa '10, earned their rightful spots in Saints lore.
"Being inducted into the Emmanuel Athletics Hall of Fame is hard to describe what that means to me," said Williams-Hinton. "This college, this program, this gym has been such a huge part of my life. Emmanuel isn't just where I played basketball, it's where I grew up."
Another member of the Class of 2025 with a connection to Emmanuel's gymnasium; the 2006 Women's Volleyball Program became the department's second team ever elected to the Hall of Fame, joining the 2001 Women's Basketball program.
The Saints 2006 volleyball program capped of a run of three consecutive conference championships, making them only one of three programs in Emmanuel's history with three straight conference title victories. Their 17-match winning streak through the conference championship remains the longest unbeaten run in program history.
One of two coaches to be named to the Emmanuel Athletics Hall of Fame, Tony DaRocha is Emmanuel's longest-tenured cross country and track & field head coach. For 17 seasons, DaRocha coached the men's and women's programs to four total conference championships, while claiming the conference's coach of the year honors on seven occasions.
"My mission has always been to help my athletes and students grow into the best people they can be," said DaRocha. "I am deeply honored and truly humbled to be inducted into the Emmanuel College (Athletics) Hall of Fame."
The final two athletes enshrined in Saturday's ceremony both made their mark on Roberto Clemente Field, a short walk from Emmanuel's main campus.
Amber Di Nucci Slone '11 made history by becoming Emmanuel's first women's soccer player ever to be elected into the College's Hall of Fame. In her four years, Di Nucci Slone made a program record 87 starts. She is one of four players in team history to reach 100 career points and one of six players in conference history to receive the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards in a career.
Catherine (Cat) Davis '16 both played softball at Emmanuel and coached in the years following her graduation. The program's all-time leader in hits, doubles, triples, total bases, and RBI, Catherine Davis returned to campus after graduation and helped coach the Saints to their first conference championship in 2021.
"Emmanuel College shaped me into who I am today. It's where I first learned that Boston could be my extended classroom," said Catherine Davis, a teacher in the Boston school system. "The lessons I learned here — about perseverance, leadership, and education — guide me every day."
The night concluded with the Hall of Fame induction of one of Emmanuel's most recognizable personalities, the 48-year head coach of the women's basketball program, Andrew Yosinoff.
With student-athletes, coaches, and friends, past and present, all in the room that he himself made famous, Yosinoff closed the evening with a speech that captivated the entire audience.
"I interviewed here in 1977 for the open tennis coaching position, but because of conflicts, I wasn't able to take the job," said Yosinoff, commenting on the legendary story of how his journey at Emmanuel began. "I asked the then-AD if she had a basketball coach, and once I found out Emmanuel didn't, I said, 'Well, now you do.'"
The Hall of Fame head coach of Emmanuel women's basketball thanked his thousands of supporters throughout his closing remarks, commenting on how the love from his athletic directors, assistant coaches, student-athletes, and his strongest supporter, his father, Louis Yosinoff, led him through his legendary career.
"I never pictured myself coaching for 48 years and still going at one school," added Yosinoff. "This long journey has been unbelievably fun and rewarding. I thank everyone in this room for your great support."
The 10 members of the Class of 2025 join a Hall of Fame of 30 individuals and one other team, solidifying their stature in Emmanuel Athletics history.
