R.I.T. Athletics

ROCHESTER, NY - Amie (Banis) Olson ’01 (basketball), Don Robbins ’91 (soccer), Andy Schild ’02 (baseball), Lou Spiotti, Director for the Center of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, and Melissa (Norris) Wilkins ’99 (hockey), were the 41st class to be inducted into the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the RITz Sports Zone.

Amie Olson, a native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., enjoyed a marvelous career on the hardrcourt. Olson competed in 98 games during her career and is RIT’s all-time leading scorer with 1,466 points. Olson tallied 14.9 points per game throughout her career. She also left RIT as the their career leader in field goals made with 452, free throws made with 550, and is fourth all-time with 672 rebounds. As a sophomore, she set three single season records; 16.8 points per game, 403 total points, and 154 made free throws. Olson won many awards during her playing time at RIT. As a freshman, she was RACA Rookie of the Year and All-Empire Athletic Association second team. In the years to follow, she was named to the All-Empire Athletic Association first team, NYSWCAA second team and ECAC third team.

A native of North Olmsted, Ohio, Melissa (Norris) Wilkins excelled in women’s hockey. Wilkins was a top-notch goaltender, and is currently RIT’s all-time leader in shutouts (18), lowest goals against average (1.56), save percentage (.941), saves (1,789), and minutes played (4,263). Wilkins is also second all-time with 44 career wins and 77 games played. Wilkins was a three-time captain, three-time All-ECAC second team member, and team MVP. In addition, she was a USCHO All-American in 1997 in 1998.

Don Robbins, a native of Vestal, N.Y., was a standout men’s soccer star. Robbins led RIT to four NCAA appearances, as well as, national runner-up in 1988. He helped RIT advance to the national semifinal in 1989 and quarterfinal in 1987. In 1990, Robbins, was team captain. During his four years, the Tigers recorded a 62-9-2 record. Robbins was second team All-New York State in 1989 and first team All-New York State in 1990. Also in 1990, he was a second team All-American, Empire Athletic Association Player of the Year, and All-EAA first team selection. Robbins led the Tigers to four straight EAA championships. His 29 assists in 1990 are tied for the ninth most in one season at RIT; was seventh most at that time. Lastly, his 60 career points are ninth most at RIT; was fifth highest total after 1990 season.

Andy Schild, a native of Fairport, N.Y., was one of the best baseball players to compete at RIT. He led the Tigers to two appearances in the ECAC Upstate Division III Tournament and led RIT to a 79-60 record throughout his four years in the program. In 2000 and 2002, he was an All-Empire 8 second team selection. Schild was an All-Empire 8 first team selection in 2001 as well as a NCAA Division III ABCA/Rawlings All-Star third team selection. When Schild graduated, he was the career record holder in at bats, hits, runs, runs batted in, and hit by pitch, as well as second in at bats in a season (141) and consecutive hits in a season with 14. Schild finished his career with a .316 batting average and finished eighth or better in almost all of the offensive categories during his career.

In the 30 years that Lou Spiotti has led RIT as Athletic Director, he has developed one of the finest and most extensive NCAA intercollegiate athletic and recreation programs envied by many universities. Spiotti has been a driving force and inspirational leader in all of these activities. During Spiotti’s reign, he developed a program of intercollegiate athletics that grew from 15 sports for men and women with approximately 275 student athletes to one that now supports 24 sports and 600+ student athletes. He was the driving force behind men’s hockey moving to Division I in 2005. In addition, Spiotti created an infrastructure of state-of-the-art facilities and support services that allowed for the university’s programs to achieve national caliber success levels.

Under his leadership, RIT student-athletes have consistently achieved 3.0 GPA and higher. This past year, his teams achieved a 3.16 GPA. This is significantly higher than the student population in general. Nationally, RIT is a leader in academic achievement and graduation rates. Spiotti led the athletics program through Title IX Compliance and helped women’s sports programs grow from six varsity sports to twelve. He has also served as President of the Empire 8 Conference, ICAC, New York Collegiate Hockey Association and United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association over his career.