On Oct. 26, St. John’s University celebrated the 25th induction class to its Athletics Hall of Fame. These former student-athletes achieved excellence in their sports while representing the Red Storm in intercollegiate competition and after graduation. This year’s class included Marsha Henry-Seagrave, a standout in track and field; Michael Dzurilla, baseball’s all-time batting average leader; Marcus Hatten, men’s basketball standout; Danaejah Grant, a leader in women’s basketball; Pat Fogarty, Big East men’s golf individual champion; and Shalrie Joseph, two-time All-Big East Men’s Soccer First Team.
“It was surreal and an ‘ah hah moment,’” said Henry-Seagrave. “I asked myself, ‘Why am I even here? How did I deserve this honor?’ Then I realized I have accomplished a lot. I was just in awe, blessed and honored to be in the presence of the other inductees. I felt it was almost a sisterhood/brotherhood formed at that moment. … Listening to their stories was phenomenal. We all had praise for our moms.”
Henry-Seagrave walked over to the basketball arena with her college teammates and remembered when some of their practices were held in the hallway. She also recalled decisive team meetings with coach Jim Hurt, who spent 39 years with St. John’s track and field team before retiring in 2021.
“I think we paved the way for a lot [of] these young ones now as far as the facility, the practice,” said Henry-Seagrave, a long jumper that achieved ECAC and Metropolitan Championships while at St. John’s and a sprinter. “We had to run on concrete. It was a good reminiscing about…the early morning practices.”
Henry-Seagrave has remained connected to track and field in the three decades since she graduated, saying she loves the camaraderie of sport as well as being a mentor. She is a high school counselor and has worked with USA Track & Field, serving as a manager at the 2015 Pan Am Games, the 2016 Olympics and the 2020/21 Olympics. Currently, she is on the women’s executive committee and serves as the standards chairperson.
Being a student-athlete helped Henry-Seagrave develop as a person. “It puts in perspective the meaning of hard work, discipline and working for what you want,” she said. “That type of discipline enhanced my professional career as well as my athletic journey. In order to get where you want to be, you have to earn every bit of it.”