Middlesex College Athletics Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Inductees

The Middlesex College Athletics Hall of Fame inducted five new individual members this fall, along with the 1981 Softball Team. The distinguished Class of 2024 includes baseball coach Mike Lepore Sr., wrestling National Champion Steve Bonsall, soccer All-American Wooldy LaPointe, basketball star Angela Bradley, and three-sport standout Melissa Gromek. 

“This group of inductees has remarkable accomplishments,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “Their impact is felt not only at Middlesex College but also on the national level. We are proud to enshrine them in our Hall of Fame where their achievements will inspire future generations of Colts.” 

“When we inducted our first class into the Middlesex College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, we faced the challenge of selecting from a pool of outstanding athletes and coaches,” said Director of Athletics Rocco Constantino. “This second class continues that legacy. Despite the decades since their time at Middlesex College, these inductees are still frequently mentioned in our discussions about the College’s athletic history. Their impact remains evident throughout our Physical Education Center, and we are thrilled to honor their legacy.” 

Mike Lepore Sr. is the only person at Middlesex College to have his jersey officially retired. Starting as an assistant baseball coach in 1988 and becoming head coach in 1998, Lepore Sr. won 350 games in his career.  

“My dad was loyal to Middlesex,” said his son, Mike Lepore Jr., a Middlesex College alumnus. “He loved being there and put his heart and soul into that place.” Lepore Sr. passed away in 2017 at age 75, and his family is deeply touched by this honor. 

Wooldy LaPointe moved from Haiti to New Jersey at 9 years old and became a star midfielder. He led Middlesex to a 10-9 record in 1998, with 18 goals and 11 assists, becoming the first Middlesex College Men’s Soccer player named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) First-Team All-American. LaPointe later transferred to Montclair State University, earning Division III All-American honors. He now runs a transportation business in Princeton, New Jersey. 

Angela Bradley, an Edison, New Jersey, native and master lab technician, was a standout basketball player at JP Stevens High School before enrolling at Middlesex College. In 1997, she was named NJCAA Region 19 Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and led the Colts to their first NJCAA National Tournament.  

Steve Bonsall is one of Middlesex College’s top wrestlers and a 1972 NJCAA National Champion at 177 pounds. Bonsall had an impressive 68-1 record over two years at Middlesex College and went on to star for Rutgers University. He had a successful career in banking and corporate services and now enjoys retirement in Belmar, New Jersey. 

Melissa Gromek excelled in basketball, softball, and tennis at Middlesex College. She led the basketball team to a national ranking and the tennis team to Junior College Nationals. In softball, she set the Middlesex College single-season hit record in 1993. Gromek’s multifaceted athletic contributions significantly impacted Middlesex College sports. 

The 1981 Middlesex College Softball Team is the first team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Under the guidance of Head Coach Dale Dalrymple, the team achieved a remarkable 25-3 record and secured a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament. Their outstanding performance set a high standard for future Middlesex College teams. 

These inductees were honored at a joint celebration honoring outstanding athletes from this past school year on May 20 at Middlesex College.