TOWSON, Md. –   Three-time All-Mason-Dixon Conference soccer selection Mike Bruno, '76, All-ECAC gymnast Carrie Leger, '96, All-American wide receiver Mark Orlando, '95 and record-setting swimmer Meilani Smith Snellenberger, '96 have been selected as this year's inductees into the Towson University Athletic Hall of Fame.   They will be inducted on Friday, October 16 at the annual Hall of Fame Dinner. In addition, the 1976 Tiger football team, which played for the NCAA Division III championship in the Stagg Bowl, will be honored as a Team of Distinction.

      This year's dinner will be held on campus in the Chesapeake Room of the University Union. The cocktail hour will start at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, call (410) 704-3284.

      MIKE BRUNO, '76 (Soccer): A Baltimore native, Bruno was a high-scoring forward for the Tigers from 1972 to 1975, earning All-Mason-Dixon Conference honors three times. After earning second team All-Mason-Dixon honors as a sophomore and junior, he was named first team All-Mason-Dixon Conference in 1975. Despite scoring just one goal as a freshman, he exploded for a team high 11 goals in 1973. In his junior season, he led the Tigers with 14 goals and five assists as Towson posted a record of 6-8-3.

       In his senior season, he was one of the leading scorers in the Mason-Dixon Conference with 18 goals and six assists as he led Towson to a 9-7-0 record and a third place finish in the conference. Making an appearance in the Mason-Dixon semi-finals, the Tigers' season ended with a loss to nationally-ranked Loyola.

      Named as the Tigers' Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior, he finished his career with 44 goals and 19 assists for 107 points. At the time of his graduation, he was the second-leading scorer in Towson men's soccer history. He is currently ranked fourth on the Tigers' all-time list with 44 goals behind Hall of Famer Wayne Harman, '57 (57 goals), Richie Moller, '99 (47 goals) and Alfonso DeMares, '02 (45 goals). His 107 points scored also place him fourth.

      Bruno, who earned his B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1976, has four younger brothers who are also Towson graduates. Jim Bruno, '80 and Tim Bruno, '81 were also four-year standouts for the Tiger soccer team. Tom Bruno, '83 played four years at midfield for the Tiger lacrosse team and earned honorable mention All-American notice as a senior. His youngest brother, Pat Bruno, '86 was the fifth Bruno to graduate from Towson.

      After graduation, Mike participated in a free agent tryout with the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League. Later on, he played Maryland Major League Division I soccer for ten years. He has coached girls' soccer for the Lutherville-Timonium Recreational Council for five years. Currently the vice-president of Finance for Foster Communities Home Builders, he and his wife, Beverly, reside in Cockeysville. Their oldest daughter, Ashley, is a recent graduate of James Madison University while their youngest daughter, Brittany, is a sophomore at Lynchburg College.

      CARRIE LEGER, '96 (Gymnastics): Although her career was hindered by a back injury that kept her from competing as a senior, Leger scored 1,187.795 points in only three seasons for the Tigers. A three-time All-ECAC selection, she led Towson to three straight NCAA Southeast regional appearances as well as ECAC championships in 1993 and 1995. As a freshman in 1993, she had a remarkable season in which she competed as an all-around in every meet while helping the Tigers post a 16-6 record. The Tigers' leading scorer with 489.725 points, she was named as the ECAC Gymnast of the Week after leading the Tigers to an upset win over Kentucky. In the victory over Kentucky, she finished second in the all-around while tying for second place on vault and bars. She capped off the regular season by leading the Tigers to their seventh consecutive ECAC title. At the ECAC Meet, she finished second in the all-around while placing fourth on bars and fifth on vault.

      At the NCAA Southeast regional meet at Georgia, she had her best meet of the year, earning a 38.575 all-around score to finish eighth in the meet. While helping Towson finish fifth at regionals, she qualified for the NCAA National Championship Meet as an individual all-around, becoming only the second Tiger gymnast to qualify for nationals. At Towson University's Sports Awards Banquet, she was named as the Female Rookie of the Year for women's sports.

      In her sophomore year, Carrie earned All-ECAC honors for the second time while competing as an all-around in 12 of 13 meets. She finished first in the all-around three times and was second twice. Highlighting her season was a first place finish in the all-around with a career high 38.725 score, an effort that helped the Tigers pull out a victory at Ohio State. Carrie also led the Tigers to a first place finish at the Towson Invitational when she was the Towson Invitational all-around champion.

      In 1995, her final season as a competitive gymnast, Carrie was one of the team captains. She helped the Tigers post an impressive 19-2 record and contributed to a record-setting showing at the ECAC Championship Meet at Pittsburgh. The Tigers captured their eighth ECAC title in nine years, setting a school record for a team score. She also helped the Tigers set school records for team scores on bars and floor during the 1995 season. At the end of her career, she had the fifth-highest vault score (9.80), the seventh-best bars score (9.75) and the seventh-best floor score (9.725) in school history. She also owned the fourth-highest all-around score (38.725) in program history of Tiger.

      Since graduating from Towson with a B.A. degree in Psychology in 1996, the Vernon, Connecticut native has remained very active in intercollegiate athletics. From 1997 to 2001, she served as the Director of Academic Progress and Life Skills Development at Elon University. During her years at Elon, Carrie earned her Master's degree in Business Administration. In 2001, she joined the Department of Athletics at North Carolina State University where she accepted a position in the Office of Academic Support Program for Student Athletes (ASPSA). A member of the NC State staff from 2001 to 2007, she held several positions, including the Associate Director of ASPSA.

      From 2007 to 2008, she served as Associate Director for Membership Services at the NCAA, focusing primarily on implementation of Division I academic reform efforts, academic outreach, and the management of partnerships to various academic associations, including the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletes (N4A). In August of 2008, she returned to NC State as the Director of the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes. She resides in Raleigh, N.C.

      MARK ORLANDO, '95 (Football): A game-breaking performer as a wide receiver and punt return specialist, Orlando finished his career as Towson's leader in pass receiving and punt returns. In his four-year career, he caught 178 passes for 3,460 yards and 31 touchdowns. Currently the fourth-leading receiver in school history, he still holds the school record for career receiving yards and pass receptions for touchdowns. During his career, he averaged 19.4 yards per reception, a school record that still stands.

      He is also Towson's all-time punt return leader. From 1991 to 1994, he picked up 644 yards on 41 punt returns, a 15.7 average. As a senior, he was the NCAA Division I-AA leader, averaging 19.8 yards per punt return. He returned 19 punts for 377 yards and one touchdown in 1994.

      In 1994, Orlando led the Tigers with 55 receptions for a school record 1,223 yards, a record 22.2 average. His 12 TD receptions tied the school record although he missed the final game of the season with an injury. As a senior, he had four 200-yard receiving games as he helped Towson post an 8-2 record. In a 48-6 win over American International, he caught 11 passes for a school record 266 yards and a record-tying three touchdowns. In a 36-31 win over Kutztown, he had ten receptions for 244 yards and one TD. Mark also led the Tigers to a 32-16 win over Buffalo by catching nine passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. In a loss at Bucknell, he caught ten passes for 200 yards and two TD's.

      Honored as a first team All-American wide receiver in 1994, Orlando helped the Tigers post back-to-back 8-2 records in 1993 and 1994. As a junior, he led the Tigers with 44 receptions for 821 and eight touchdowns. As a sophomore in 1992, he caught 35 passes for 730 yards and eight TD's, including a game-winning 10-yard touchdown pass from Dan Crowley on the final play of Towson's 33-32 win over Northeastern. In his freshman season, he had 44 receptions for 686 yards and three touchdowns.

      After graduating from Towson with his B.S. degree in Biology, the Eldersburg, Maryland native earned a free agent tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. Although he didn't make the team, he joined the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League in time for the 1995 season. As a wide receiver, he caught six passes for 125 yards and one touchdown and was part of the Stallions' Grey Cup championship team. When the Stallions beat Calgary to win the Grey Cup, they became the only American team to win the CFL championship. Mark has worked for CGI Technologies as a senior consultant for the last 12 years. He resides in Manassas, Va. with his wife, Julie, and their three young children.

      MEILANI SMITH SNELLENBERGER, '96 (Swimming): One of the finest all-around swimmers ever to compete at Towson, Smith Snellenberger was a very versatile swimmer for the Tigers from 1993 to 1996. Named as the Tigers' Most Valuable Performer for four consecutive seasons, the Kent, Ohio native led Towson to four straight winning seasons and a 31-20 record in her career.

      Named as an All-Academic selection three times, Meilani graduated with a B.A. degree in Education. A three-year team captain, she owned school records in the 200 I.M. (2:14.44), the 400 I.M. (4:45.10) and the 200-butterfly (2:08.39). A member of the Tigers' record-setting 800-free relay team (8:06.37), she also ranked among the Tigers' top performers in the 50-free and the 100-free. When she graduated, she also owned the Tigers' second-best time in the 200-free, the 500-free and the 1000-free. As a relay team member, she was a member of some of the top relay teams in school history, including the 200-free relay, the 400-free relay, the 200-medley relay and the 400-medley relay.

      In her senior season, the Tigers made their debut in the North Atlantic Conference (which later became America East). Meilani enjoyed a terrific senior season by going undefeated in the 100-fly and the 200-fly in the Tigers' dual meets. In fact, she was a triple winner in 12 of Towson's 14 meets, leading the Tigers to an 8-6 record. At the North Atlantic Conference championship meet, she was the Tigers' top performer, leading Towson to a seventh place finish in its first NAC Championship. Smith Snellenberger was the NAC runner-up in the 200-butterfly and finished third in the 100-fly.

      The mother of three children, she resides in Kent, Ohio with her husband, Emmett Snellenberger. Although she gave up competitive swimming when she graduated from Towson, she is still very active as a swimming coach. In addition to spending two years as an assistant swimming coach at Roosevelt High School, she was an assistant coach for the Seariders Swim Team. After taking some time off when her children were young, she has returned to coaching at LifeCenter Plus. Very active in her community, she served on the Kent City Schools Health and Wellness Committee which wrote and implemented a wellness policy in the Kent City Schools. She has also served as the Secretary of Stewart Lake Association and has been very involved in the PTA program at her local school.  

      1976 TIGER FOOTBALL TEAM:  The 1976 Tiger football team, which finished as runner-up in NCAA Division III with a 10-3 record, will be honored as a “Team of Distinction” at the Hall of Fame Dinner. Coached by Phil Albert, the 1976 Tigers earned the first NCAA post-season bid in the history of the program. In only the eighth season of Tiger football, the team posted an 8-2 record in the regular season to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

      In the quarter-finals of the NCAA Playoffs, Towson stunned heavily-favored C.W. Post, 14-10. With Towson trailing by 10-7 in the fourth quarter, defensive back Randy Bielski recovered a fumble at the Post 23-yard line. That set up the game-winning touchdown by senior Mike Maloney with 4:01 left. An interception by safety Paul White with ten seconds left sealed the Tigers' upset win. In the semi-finals, senior quarterback Dan Dullea threw four touchdown passes as Towson jumped out to an early 17-0 lead, handing St. Lawrence a 38-36 loss.

      The victory over St. Lawrence enabled Towson to advance to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Division III championship game. Played in Phenix City, Alabama, the game was televised to a national audience by ABC-Sports. Matched against St. John's of Minnesota, the Tigers were a decisive underdog once again. With St. John's owning a 28-0 lead after three quarters, many of those viewers had turned off the game. The ones that remained loyal to the broadcast were treated to a wild fourth quarter. Led by Dullea, the Tigers scored 28 consecutive points, tying the game in the final minutes. However, St. John's pulled out a 31-28 victory when Jeff Norman kicked a 19-yard field goal as time expired.

      The 1976 Tigers were led by Dullea, an All-American quarterback who passed for 682 yards and seven touchdowns in the three NCAA Playoff Games. During the regular season, he threw for 1,443 yards and ten touchdowns. Senior tight end Skip Chase, another All-America selection, led the Tigers by catching 43 passes for 628 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. Senior Mike Bennett emerged as Towson's top receiver in the post-season as he caught 15 passes for 249 yards and three TD's in the three NCAA Playoff Games. He also had 31 receptions for 460 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season.

      Maloney was Towson's leading ball carrier as he rushed for 728 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

      Defense carried the Tigers through the regular season as they allowed only 77 points in ten games. Towson surrendered only 10 touchdowns in 10 games and forced 24 turnovers. White led the defense from his safety position as he made 91 tackles and recovered four fumbles. Linebacker Don Gibson made 87 tackles while defensive lineman Joe Waggoner had 59 tackles and tied for the team lead with six quarterback sacks.

      Randy Bielski, an All-American in 1979, contributed to the Tigers on defense and special teams. In addition to leading the team in scoring with 57 points on 21 conversions and 12 field goals, he was a reserve defensive back on the team. His older brother, Rick Bielski, was a fullback on the Stagg Bowl team.

      Another senior, Jeff Herrick, was the Tigers' punter on the Stagg Bowl team and he also saw action at tailback. Herrick tied Maloney for the team lead with eight touchdowns.

      Senior tackles Greg Hendren and Dean Prudhoe led an experienced offensive line, along with senior center Jim Holdridge and senior guard Mark Averi.  

      In his fifth season as the Tigers' head coach, Phil Albert was assisted by Defensive Coordinator Terry Wanless. Offensive Line Coach Rich Bader, Defensive Line Coach Gordy Combs, Quarterbacks Coach Paul Buckmaster and Linebackers Coach Carl Perkins were also part of the staff, along with Gary Kimmel, Pat Barrett and Terry O'Brien.

      The Towson University Athletic Hall of Fame was conceived in 1963 and developed by Dr. Donald “Doc” Minnegan and alumnus George Henderson to provide recognition for outstanding alumni athletes who excelled in sports while at Towson and are successful in their life. It was also their purpose to cite those members of the athletic and sports staff at Towson who had materially and significantly contributed to the total development of successful alumni athletes. In 1974, the Athletic Hall of Fame was incorporated into the Alumni Association Awards program.

  To be nominated, an individual must be a Towson alumna/us or an athletics staff member for at least 10 years. For selection, an alumna/us must have made a significant contribution to the college community through excellence in athletics, achieved marked success in life after leaving Towson, and be an active supporting member of the community. An athletics staff member must have clearly demonstrated athletic proficiency, and a high personal regard and respect for alumni and students.