TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee has chosen five individuals for induction into Rensselaer’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009 is made up of
Joe Battaglia ‘00 (lacrosse),
Josh Black ’00 (track & field),
Paola Martinez ’00 (basketball),
Mike Pestilli ’00 (track & field) and
Carol Pillsworth ’76 (coach/administrator).
A midfielder from Chester, N.J., Battaglia scored 118 points, including 91 goals and 29 assists, in 54 career games over four years. A captain, he led the team in ground balls during his final two seasons and was a three-time All-League First Team selection. Battaglia garnered Street & Smith’s College Lacrosse All-America Honorable Mention honors as a senior and was also selected to play in the prestigious North-South All-Star Game. A former standout at Mendham High School, he was a multiple All-Academic honoree and was selected by the USILA as a National Scholar All-American in 2000. Battaglia graduated with a management degree.
Black was a two-time NCAA National All-American in the hammer throw. The Boise, Idaho native qualified for Nationals in each of the four seasons he competed, finishing fifth as a senior and seventh during his freshman year. Black claimed multiple conference titles throughout his career, including the weight throw in 1997 & 1998; the discus in 2000 and the hammer throw in 2001. An inductee into Rensselaer’s student-athlete honor society, Olympia, and a National Academic All-American First Team selection, Black was also the co-recipient of the Institute’s Leopold L. Balleisen Prize, which honors a senior student-athlete who has won a varsity letter in at least one sport during two undergraduate years and who stands highest academically in the senior class. Black, who graduated from Capital High School, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering.
A guard out of Cromwell, Conn., Martinez played in 101 career games, averaging 10.7 points (1,085). She was also in the top three in scoring, three-point percentage, assists and steals during her tenure. An All-League selection during each of her four seasons, including First Team honors in her final three years, she was a captain in her senior season leading the program to an ECAC Tournament appearance. She ended her basketball career ranked first in school history in steals in a season (75) and remains the leader in three-point percentage in a season (44.0) and three-pointers made (48). Martinez, a former standout at Cromwell High School, earned a degree in science & technology studies.
Pestilli, who hails from Brownfield, Maine, was a three-time NCAA National All-American in a number of field events. Among his top seasons was in 1998, when he finished fourth nationally in the discus and sixth in the hammer throw. He was also the New York State Champion in both events, setting a meet record in the discus. For his efforts he was named the Outdoor Field Event Athlete of the Meet. Pestilli also excelled at the conference championship that season, claiming victory in the same two events. He won seven titles during his career, including three in league and four at states. A National Academic All-American First Team selection, Pestilli earned his bachelor’s degree in management information systems. The Fryeburg Academy graduate was co-winner of the 2000 Ballesien Prize, along with Black.
A member of the Rensselaer athletic department for over 30 years, Pillsworth served as a head coach for four different sports, including a 29-year span with the women’s tennis team. She was also the assistant for two others during her time at RPI. A native of Latham, N.Y., she graduated from Rensselaer in 1976, earning her bachelor and master’s degrees in biology. As a student-athlete, she played five sports, including softball, basketball and ice hockey, while also working for the athletic department in a number of capacities. She was scheduler of non-varsity athletic teams and a physical education instructor. Upon her graduation, she took on a number of roles within the department, including Senior Women’s Administrator and Director of Women’s Athletics. She also assisted in the transition from one varsity women’s sport to 11. Pillsworth retired in the spring of 2009, having been a student-athlete, coach or administrator at Rensselaer for 35 years.
Battaglia, Black, Martinez, Pestilli and Pillsworth will be inducted at Rensselaer’s Annual Hall of Fame Banquet, which will be held during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend on October 2-4. Anyone interested in attending the ceremonies, including former teammates, should contact Carole Romano in Rensselaer’s main athletic office by calling (518) 276-6685 or via e-mail at
romanc4@rpi.edu.