Binghamton University celebrated the addition of seven new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame at the 17th Annual Induction Ceremony on Saturday. Five former athletes, a former head coach and a team physician make up BU’s 2012 Hall of Fame class — the largest in over a decade, and drew a crowd of more than 250 people to the Events Center on Homecoming Weekend to watch the Induction. The BU Athletic Hall of Fame now boasts 85 members.

Making up the five former athletes enshrined on Saturday were Gina Bonante (swimming, 1995-99), Charlene Cook (softball, 1995-98), Jason Goldman (wrestling, 1995-97), Andrew Magidoff (tennis, 1991-95) and Dave Schneider (soccer, 1989-92). Former men’s tennis head coach Michael Starke and 27-year team physician Douglas Kerr rounded out the list of inductees.

University President Harvey Stenger and Athletic Director Patrick Elliott were among the event’s speakers.

According to a press release from www.bubearcats.com, Stenger told the inductees, “You have helped make Binghamton a ‘Home of Champions.’ All seven inductees have created distinction for themselves and the University.”

A three-time All-American in the butterfly, Gina Bonante captured seven conference titles and six school records during her time at BU. The two-time MVP helped lead Binghamton into its first season as a Division II program during her senior year, earning All-America honors twice and propelling the program to its first-ever conference title. Bonante graduated Binghamton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, eventually obtaining her master’s in sports management from West Virginia University and her doctorate in higher education from Ball State University in 2006.

The Binghamton University program leader in career wins, Charlene Cook led the BU softball team to its first-ever SUNYAC title in 1995. She received all-region selection three times and currently ranks second in strikeouts and earned run average. The softball team was nationally ranked during all four of Cook’s years of the squad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Jason Goldman received All-America honors each of his two years at Binghamton after transferring from St. Lawrence University for his junior year. The Endicott native went undefeated in duals during his senior campaign en route to capturing a conference title and was named BU Athlete of the Year and team MVP twice. Goldman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Two-time All-American Andrew Magidoff led the men’s tennis team to its first-ever team berth in the NCAA Division III tournament and a No. 10 team ranking during his senior year. Ranked as high as No. 20 in the nation individually, Magidoff qualified for the NCAAs three times. He graduated from Binghamton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Dave Schneider was voted one of the top six midfielders in the nation after tallying 12 goals and a program-best 11 assists in his senior season. Schneider led the Bearcats to three postseason appearances and an average of nearly 12 wins per season during his time at BU. The All-American was named to the All-State team three times. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology and has since earned a master’s in education and special education from Touro College. Schneider, who also holds an advanced certificate in school administration from C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, plans to receive his doctorate in teaching and learning from Hofstra University in 2013.

In his 19 full seasons as head coach of the men’s tennis team, Michael Starke led the Bearcats to unprecedented success on both the regional and national levels. The Binghamton native coached the program to NCAA championship berths at all three divisional levels, earning conference coach of the year honors six times and ITA East Region Coach of the Year twice. Starke produced 10 All-Americans and five conference titles, and his teams posted a winning percentage of 67 percent over seven NCAA championships.

Vestal native Douglas Kerr has served more than 8,000 Binghamton student-athletes during his 28-year tenure as volunteer team physician. The orthopedic surgeon and former college athlete has taken part in weekly consults with the University’s sports medicine staff and performed surgeries on a number of BU student-athletes. He has been present on the sidelines of home basketball and lacrosse games, among others and has mentored student athletic trainers from BU.