MCC Announces 2022 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

Rochester, NY. – Three former star athletes and an award-winning coach will be inducted into the MCC Sports Hall of Fame this fall.

Chris Brownsten (2001-2003), Shawn Austin (1998-1999), Hadji Barry (2011-2013) and Jerry Burns will be honored at MCC's Hall of Fame banquet on September 30th.

Shawn Austin was an athlete that changed the face of the Diving Program at Monroe Community College. Austin obliterated previous school records on 1M and 3M boards, both 11 and 6 dive formats. He capped off his MCC Diving career by earning NJCAA All-American on both 1M and 3M boards while competing at the National Tournament. Shawn has significantly shaped the diving community in the Finger Lakes Region over the last 20 years as the Head Diving Coach for Blue Wave Diving and SUNY Geneseo. He has been named NCAA DIII "Coach of the Year" two times and has mentored hundreds of divers in his tenure.

A Guinea native moved to Rochester to pursue his dream of playing professional soccer, Hadji Barry is arguably one of the most decorated athletes from the MCC Athletics Department and the Rochester area. For the Tribunes, Barry earned Region III Player of the Year honors both years. He moved on to the University of Central Florida on a Soccer Scholarship. Orlando City SC drafted Barry 13th overall in the 2016 Major League Soccer Draft. Barry's success grew even more when he was named the 2021 MVP of the USL Championship League for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, USL Golden Boot, and All USL First-Team.

Chris Brownsten was one of the most dominant pitchers in Monroe Community College and NJCAA Region III baseball history. He led the team in strikeouts and ERA in both seasons while never losing a game. He earned 2003 ABCA/ Rawlings NJCAA Division II All- American honors. Additionally, Chris was the 2003 MCC Scholar Athlete of the year. He moved on to Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he was ranked 20th nationally in NAIA wins for the 2004 season.  He continued to play baseball professionally for the Alexandria Aces of the Independent United League in 2006. Currently, he is giving back to his community coaching youth baseball players in the Boise, Idaho area.

Going into his 30th year as head coach, Gerald "Jerry" Burns has built a tradition and legacy in the sport of Men's Basketball and the Department of Athletics at Monroe Community and the National Junior College level since 1992. He has led his teams' to 11-Region III Titles, 5-District Championships, and the 2006-2007 National Title Game. He was named Region III Coach of the Year nine times (1993, '94, '97, '04, '06, '07, '09, '15, and '16), WNYAC Coach of Year in 1997 and 2004, and NYS Junior College Coach of the Year in 1994 and 2004. His career record of 667-181 puts him ahead of many legendary college coaches. On top of his contribution to Athletics, he has played vital roles in working with MCC's Advisement Office and supporting thousands of students as a Success Coach and Academic Advisor. His impact on MCC and the Rochester Basketball Community is unparalleled.

If you're interested in attending, contact Kaci Chiappone, Athletic Communications & Operations Assistant.

kchiappone2@monroecc.edu

(585) 292-2834