Seton Hall Athletics Tabs Six for Induction into Hall of Fame in 2026
12/10/2025 12:41:00 PM | General, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Basketball, Women's Swimming and Diving, Pirate Blue
South Orange, N.J. - The Seton Hall University Department of Athletics is proud to announce that it has selected six individuals for induction into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame. The Pirates Class of 2026 includes Anthony Avent of the men's basketball team; Misty Beaver of the softball team; Gloria Bradley of the women's basketball team; James Fetten, former men's swimming & diving head coach (posthumous induction); Jason Hernandez of the men's soccer team; and Dorothy "Dot" Vilardo former women's swimming & diving head coach (posthumous induction).
The honorees will be inducted and celebrated at the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame Enshrinement Luncheon, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Seton Hall University Center Event Room at noon. Following the enshrinement, the inductees will then be honored at the 6 p.m., men's basketball game vs. Georgetown at Prudential Center.
Online registration for the Feb. 21 luncheon is forthcoming, and tickets to the 6 p.m., men's basketball game vs. Georgetown are available now.
INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES
Anthony Avent was a dominant post player for the men's basketball program during its renaissance. After contributing as a reserve during the team's run to the 1989 NCAA Final Four, he blossomed as a starter in 1989-90, leading the team in rebounds and blocks. Then in 1990-91, he was one of the best forwards in the BIG EAST, averaging 17.8 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field. He helped the Pirates win the 1991 BIG EAST Tournament championship, first in program history, and was named second-team All-BIG EAST and BIG EAST All-Tournament. He went on to become a first-round NBA Draft selection and played 352 career games in the league.
Misty Beaver was one of the best pitchers to enter the circle at Seton Hall, as she ranks near the top of the record book in almost every category while helping the Pirates earn their first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. At her career's end in 2001, she ranked first in strikeouts (624) and wins (54) and third in ERA (1.75) and still ranks in the top-five in all three categories today. In 1999, she became the first Seton Hall pitcher to win 20 games in a season, and in 2001, she was the first Pirates to toss a seven-inning perfect game. She was a three-time All-BIG EAST selections, and in 2001, helped the Pirates to an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, first in program history.
Gloria Bradley was one of the first dominant post players for the Seton Hall women's basketball program, setting records in the early 1980s. At the time of her graduation, she was sixth all-time in career points (1,165), second in rebounds (964) and first in blocks (189) while also setting the program high mark for field goal percentage (.572) that still remains the program record over 40 years later. Her senior season of 1983-84 was extraordinary, when she averaged a double-double, won the BIG EAST rebounding average title (11.7 rpg) and was named first-team All-BIG EAST, BIG EAST All-Tournament and the New Jersey Player of the Year.
James Fetten was the head coach of the men's swimming & diving team for 28 years from 1958-86, helping hundreds of student-athletes pursue development both in the pool and in the classroom. He was instrumental in the organization of the Metropolitan Conference and piloted the Pirates to success despite the program being non-scholarship at the time. Fetten, who served in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War, will be inducted posthumously after passing away in 2007.
Jason Hernandez was a key contributor to the men's soccer program reaching the NCAA Tournament in all four of his seasons at The Hall while developing into one of the premier defenders in the northeast region. He played in 82 career matches and was part of 26 shutouts. He was an All-BIG EAST selection in 2004, a two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region selection and a two-time Seton Hall Athletics Male Athlete of the Year. He helped the Pirates reach the NCAA Round of 16 in 2001, which included an upset win over No. 2 Virginia. He went to become an MLS draft pick, played pro soccer for 14 seasons and is now the general manager of Toronto FC.
Dorothy "Dot" Vilardo was the first head coach of the Seton Hall varsity women's swimming & diving program, bringing the team to life in Fall 1978 and helping usher the Pirates into the BIG EAST Conference, when the league began sponsoring the sport in 1982-83. She helped the Pirates find near immediate success with a winning record in dual meets and developing state champions in four events, four regional qualifiers and three national qualifiers. Even with limited resources, Vilardo was an innovator in helping her athletes find success, including developing the program's strength and conditioning regimen. Vilardo will be inducted posthumously after passing away in 2023.
The honorees will be inducted and celebrated at the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame Enshrinement Luncheon, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Seton Hall University Center Event Room at noon. Following the enshrinement, the inductees will then be honored at the 6 p.m., men's basketball game vs. Georgetown at Prudential Center.
Online registration for the Feb. 21 luncheon is forthcoming, and tickets to the 6 p.m., men's basketball game vs. Georgetown are available now.
INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIESAnthony Avent was a dominant post player for the men's basketball program during its renaissance. After contributing as a reserve during the team's run to the 1989 NCAA Final Four, he blossomed as a starter in 1989-90, leading the team in rebounds and blocks. Then in 1990-91, he was one of the best forwards in the BIG EAST, averaging 17.8 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field. He helped the Pirates win the 1991 BIG EAST Tournament championship, first in program history, and was named second-team All-BIG EAST and BIG EAST All-Tournament. He went on to become a first-round NBA Draft selection and played 352 career games in the league.
Misty Beaver was one of the best pitchers to enter the circle at Seton Hall, as she ranks near the top of the record book in almost every category while helping the Pirates earn their first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. At her career's end in 2001, she ranked first in strikeouts (624) and wins (54) and third in ERA (1.75) and still ranks in the top-five in all three categories today. In 1999, she became the first Seton Hall pitcher to win 20 games in a season, and in 2001, she was the first Pirates to toss a seven-inning perfect game. She was a three-time All-BIG EAST selections, and in 2001, helped the Pirates to an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, first in program history.
Gloria Bradley was one of the first dominant post players for the Seton Hall women's basketball program, setting records in the early 1980s. At the time of her graduation, she was sixth all-time in career points (1,165), second in rebounds (964) and first in blocks (189) while also setting the program high mark for field goal percentage (.572) that still remains the program record over 40 years later. Her senior season of 1983-84 was extraordinary, when she averaged a double-double, won the BIG EAST rebounding average title (11.7 rpg) and was named first-team All-BIG EAST, BIG EAST All-Tournament and the New Jersey Player of the Year.
James Fetten was the head coach of the men's swimming & diving team for 28 years from 1958-86, helping hundreds of student-athletes pursue development both in the pool and in the classroom. He was instrumental in the organization of the Metropolitan Conference and piloted the Pirates to success despite the program being non-scholarship at the time. Fetten, who served in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War, will be inducted posthumously after passing away in 2007.
Jason Hernandez was a key contributor to the men's soccer program reaching the NCAA Tournament in all four of his seasons at The Hall while developing into one of the premier defenders in the northeast region. He played in 82 career matches and was part of 26 shutouts. He was an All-BIG EAST selection in 2004, a two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region selection and a two-time Seton Hall Athletics Male Athlete of the Year. He helped the Pirates reach the NCAA Round of 16 in 2001, which included an upset win over No. 2 Virginia. He went to become an MLS draft pick, played pro soccer for 14 seasons and is now the general manager of Toronto FC.
Dorothy "Dot" Vilardo was the first head coach of the Seton Hall varsity women's swimming & diving program, bringing the team to life in Fall 1978 and helping usher the Pirates into the BIG EAST Conference, when the league began sponsoring the sport in 1982-83. She helped the Pirates find near immediate success with a winning record in dual meets and developing state champions in four events, four regional qualifiers and three national qualifiers. Even with limited resources, Vilardo was an innovator in helping her athletes find success, including developing the program's strength and conditioning regimen. Vilardo will be inducted posthumously after passing away in 2023.
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