Former Hofstra Men's Soccer players Gary Flood (2003-06) and Michael Todd (2003-06) will have their jersey numbers retired prior to Hofstra's home game against William & Mary on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
In an effort to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of numerous former student-athletes during the University's nearly 75 years of existence, Hofstra University has announced that a group of 20 past Pride athletes will have their jersey numbers retired this academic year. The list is highlighted by National Football League (NFL) star Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints and National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Craig "Speedy" Claxton of the Atlanta Hawks.
"The honoring of these 20 former student-athletes is a celebration of the outstanding history of Hofstra Athletics," commented Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes.
Flood (#5) and Todd (#9) were classmates who played four seasons together and became the defensive and offensive leaders, respectively, of a Hofstra Pride program that won three consecuive Colonial Athletic Association championships from 2004-06. Todd earned the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2004 and 2006, while Flood earned the honor in 2005 after helping Hofstra shut out #7 Old Dominion 1-0 in the championship game, the highest-ranked team that the Pride has ever beaten.
Todd ended his career ranked second on the Pride's all-time scoring list with 101 points (40 goals, 21 assists). He was named the CAA Player of the Year as a senior in 2006, when he became the first Division I All-American in program history, earning second-team honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). He was also a two-time Academic All-American and earned the CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor in 2004. Todd had the game-winning goals in NCAA Tournament wins over Seton Hall in 2004 and Providence in 2006.
Flood, meanwhile, earned first-team All-CAA and first-team NSCAA All-Region honors as a senior in 2006. He also helped Hofstra close out the 2005 regular season with five straight shutouts, the longest streak for the program in 35 years. His play at center back helped goalkeeper Matthias Gumbrecht shatter the school record for most career shutouts with 23, breaking the old record by 10. After graduating, Flood moved on to become the first Hofstra player to participate in Major League Soccer, as he is currently in his second season with the New England Revolution.
Earlier this year the athletics department began an online process that resulted in more than 150 nominations being submitted. From that list the group of 20 former student-athletes was selected by a committee of alumni, athletics department administrators and Hofstra Pride Club members. The group of 20 former Hofstra student-athletes encompasses a wide range of sports and accomplishments as 10 different teams are recognized and among the honorees are National Champions, National Players of the Year, All-Americans and World Champions.
Flood and Todd will join the current list of players with retired jerseys, a list that includes Wayne Chrebet (#3), Walter Kohanowich (#33), John Schmitt (#77) and Marques Colston (#89) of the football team, Crystal Boyd (#13) of the softball team and Sue Weber (#20) of the women's soccer team. The current men's soccer players wearing #5 (Kevin Mira) and #9 (Richard Martinez) will be permitted to wear those numbers until their careers end.
To purchase men's soccer tickets, visit our website at hofstra.edu/athletics or call 516-HOF-TIXX.
