Annual Hall of Fame

Brian Byrne ’78 remains a proud Saint Thomas Aquinas College alumnus whose journey reflects both the spirit and heart of the STAC community. Arriving on campus with optimism, curiosity, and a strong belief that sleep was optional, he graduated with a diploma, lifelong friendships, and an enduring appreciation for the education and experiences that shaped him.

Over the years, Brian has built a life grounded in creativity, resilience, and a remarkable ability to approach challenges with confidence and perspective. He credits Saint Thomas Aquinas College with nurturing his curiosity, strengthening his character, and preparing him to navigate life with both humor and humility.

Beyond his professional and personal achievements, Brian is widely admired for his commitment to community service through his involvement with the Orangeburg Fire Department and their extraordinary community support efforts. Starting in 2004 Brian, his wife Anne, daughters Carolyn and Christine and niece Meghan have supported the OVFD’s holiday efforts by being Santa and Mrs. Claus and the best-looking Elves you’ve ever seen.

In 2018, Brian lost his daughter, Carolyn, to leukemia at the age of 26 followed by the loss of his wife Anne in 2019. That year the OVFD chose to honor them by dedicating the holiday events in their memories. In an effort to continue supporting the OVFD, Brian and his family founded Carolyn’s Elves to continue Carolyn and Anne’s legacy through ongoing charitable work and fundraising. Carolyn’s Elves supports numerous annual initiatives, including diapers, food, coats, toys, backpacks and school supply drives that support local neighborhood families.

Among his most cherished efforts are the OVFD’s Letters to Santa Magic Mailboxes and the annual Great Holiday Parade, which brings joy to countless children and families each December. Known for fully embracing their roles as Santa and Elf, Brian and his daughter Christine ensure that every child’s letter is answered and every celebration is filled with warmth, wonder and a little magic.

These efforts reflect Brian’s deep belief in “Serving our friends and neighbors,” a motto that guides his life and service. Grateful for his time at STAC and proud of his alma mater, Brian remains a dedicated alumnus whose generosity, leadership, and compassion continue to inspire all who know him. His lasting impact on his community and his unwavering commitment to helping others embody the very best of the Saint Thomas Aquinas College spirit.

The Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary (known more commonly as the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill) was founded in 1876 to respond to the needs of destitute women and children in New York City by providing for them a home and opportunities for education. The foundress, Alice Mary Thorpe, along with pioneer Sisters, began a tradition of service to those in need, caring for abandoned and orphaned boys and girls at Holy Rosary Convent in Manhattan. In 1884, the Sisters moved to Rockland County to provide a safe and healthy environment for the children in their care. They established and ministered in St. Agnes Home and School for Children in Sparkill until its closing in 1977.

For decades, teaching and childcare were the Sisters’ primary ministries. The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill have been responsible for founding and staffing many elementary and secondary schools in New York, Missouri, and Maryland, as well as Pakistan. The Congregation also founded St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, which has grown from humble beginnings to serve tens of thousands of students and provide affordable, quality higher education in Rockland County, New York and beyond.

Following the call of the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s to respond to “the signs of the times,” the community, like all Catholic Sisters, began expanding their ministries in many new directions. They embraced roles in healthcare, pastoral care and preaching, senior housing and services, advocacy for the poor and marginalized, and protection of our planet Earth. These ministries represent some of the many ways in which the Sisters have given their lives in service to God. From their home base in Sparkill, they have spread out across the globe to continue the mission of their founding Sisters to serve those in need. Today the community numbers more than two hundred Sisters and lay Associates living throughout the United States and in Pakistan.

Jackie DiNuzzo ’00 was a standout two-sport student-athlete at Saint Thomas Aquinas College from 1996 to 2000, competing in both softball and basketball. On the softball field, she was coached by Barbara Vano, Kristen Sullivan, and Tom Slocum and was a four-year starter, beginning her career at third base before transitioning to catcher in her junior and senior seasons. A three-time Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) All-Conference selection, Jackie currently ranks second in the STAC record books with a .388 career batting average and ninth all-time with 144 career hits.

On the basketball court, Jackie played under head coach Mike McManus, alongside assistants Rosalyn Worsley, Sheila Goulding, and Kevin Jaxel. As a Lady Spartan, she helped lead the program to four consecutive CACC Championships and four national tournament appearances. Individually, she earned three All-CACC selections, was a two-time Bill Bradley Academic All-American, an NAIA Division II Second Team All-American, and a First Team NIT/MBWA All-Metropolitan honoree. She finished her collegiate career with more than 1,300 points and received the STAC Coaches Award during the 1998–1999 season. Her senior year marked the beginning of STAC’s NCAA era, and at the 2000 Commencement Ceremony, she was honored with the “Key to Saint Thomas Aquinas College” by Dr. Margaret Fitzpatrick.

Following graduation, Jackie returned to STAC as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program under Coach McManus, serving for four years while earning her Master of Science in Teaching in Secondary Education. During this time, she was part of the coaching staff that led the Lady Spartans to their first NCAA and ECC Conference Championship in 2003 and an appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament. In recognition of her leadership and service, she received the inaugural “Doc Schelin Leadership Award” in February.

Jackie is currently in her 21st year teaching eighth-grade U.S. History at Fieldstone Middle School in the North Rockland Central School District, where she grew up and attended high school. She is in her 22nd year coaching basketball and softball for the Red Raiders and is entering her 16th season as head coach of the North Rockland Varsity Softball program, a role she deeply treasures.

She resides in Nyack, New York, with her wife, Rachel.

David Possinger is one of the most accomplished and influential coaches in the history of Saint Thomas Aquinas College athletics. Arriving in Sparkill in 1979, he quickly transformed the men’s basketball program into a national powerhouse and established STAC as one of the premier small-college programs in the country.

During his nine seasons at STAC, Possinger led the Spartans to unprecedented success, compiling a remarkable 295–49 overall record. Under his leadership, the program achieved seven consecutive 30-win seasons, eight straight Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championships, and multiple NAIA District titles. His teams earned berths in the NAIA National Championship Tournament each year, highlighted by a Final Four appearance in 1986 and a memorable 39–2 campaign in 1987–88. In recognition of this era of excellence, the 1985–86 Spartans were inducted into STAC’s inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class in 2025.

Possinger’s teams were nationally recognized throughout the 1980s, earning the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA poll in multiple seasons and remaining ranked in the Top 20 consistently for more than a decade. He coached 15 NAIA All-Americans and guided some of the most prolific scorers in program history, including five 1,000-point career players on the 1982–83 squad. His fast-paced, defense-first philosophy and emphasis on balanced scoring became hallmarks of Spartan basketball. In recognition of the program’s historic success, the 1985–86 team was inducted into STAC’s inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class in 2025.

In recognition of his excellence, Possinger was named NAIA District Coach of the Year multiple times, Area Eight Coach of the Year, and Metropolitan Sports Writers Division II Coach of the Year. He also served in several regional and national leadership roles, including on the NAIA All-American Selection Committee and National Team Ranking Committee.

Following his historic tenure at STAC, Possinger went on to coach at Western Carolina University, Rhode Island College, Northern Montana College, and Sullivan County Community College. At Sullivan, he compiled an extraordinary 133–5 record and led the Generals to national championships and extended undefeated streaks, earning induction into their Hall of Fame. Across all levels, his career record exceeded 500 wins.

Beyond championships and accolades, Possinger is most proud of the impact he has had on the lives of his student-athletes. Known for his demanding yet supportive coaching style, he emphasized discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility, preparing his players for success both on and off the court. Many of his former players have gone on to distinguished athletic, professional, and civic careers.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day was born in 1951 to Edwin and Jane Day and raised in a Brooklyn housing project as the eldest of three children. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School before earning an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Kingsborough Community College in 1971. He later continued his studies at Pace University while working full-time in sales.

In 1979, Ed joined the New York City Police Department, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander of Detectives before retiring in 2000. He later served as Baltimore’s Chief of Detectives, overseeing a 3,200-member force and a $7 million budget. During his tenure, he strengthened investigative operations, improved case success rates by 50 percent, and reduced overtime spending.

After years of volunteer service on town committees, Ed entered public office in 2005, winning election to the Rockland County Legislature. Concerned by growing fiscal challenges, he ran for County Executive and was elected in 2013. Upon taking office, he immediately confronted a $138 million deficit.

Through disciplined budgeting and responsible financial management, County Executive Day eliminated the deficit, built a strong surplus, and transformed Rockland into one of New York State’s seven strongest counties fiscally. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and rising pension and insurance costs, the County has maintained strong AA+ bond ratings.

Now serving his fourth term, County Executive Day continues to focus on fiscal responsibility while providing relief to taxpayers. His administration eliminated the Auto Registration Tax and the Energy Tax, saving residents $12 million annually. He implemented a 2 percent County Property Tax cut in 2024 and 2025, in addition to no increases to County Property Taxes in 2022, 2023, and 2026.

His leadership has also prioritized infrastructure and quality of life. He reopened the Office for People with Disabilities, expanded the Open Space Acquisition Program, preserved more than 330 acres of land, and oversaw the construction of a new County Highway Facility and a state-of-the-art Fire Operations Building.

Beyond government, Ed has been deeply involved in his community for decades. He has volunteered as a youth sports coach since the early 1990s, led the Little Tor Neighborhood Association, and helped establish the PTA Child Personal Safety Course. His service has earned numerous honors, including the Rockland County Distinguished Service Award.

Ed resides in Rockland County with his wife, Donna, and remains actively engaged in community life.