NJCAA Highlights

Honoring the JUCO Era of Farmingdale State Athletics

Before rising to prominence in NCAA Division III, Farmingdale State College built a powerhouse reputation in the NJCAA. From national championships to legendary coaches and unforgettable individual performances, our Rams laid a foundation of athletic excellence that still echoes through campus today.

1981 NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Champions - Farmingdale Aggies

Charlie Gadson in 1976

NJCAA Trophy Case in Nold Hall

National Championships

Men's Lacrosse

3-Time NJCAA National Champions: 1977, 1981, 1987
Legendary Coach: Fred Acee, who amassed over 300 wins in his 31-year career

Wrestling

NJCAA National Champions: 1972
Back-to-Back 177 lb National Champions:
- 1976: Charlie Gadson
- 1977: Noel Loban

Women's Outdoor Track

NJCAA National Champions: 1998
Led by Leslie Reina, who won five events including the Heptathlon and anchored the 4x400 relay

Men's Lacrosse National Championship Teams - 1977, 1981, 1987

Dominant Region XV Champions

Women’s Soccer

10 Consecutive Region XV Titles: 1988 – 1997
Coached by Bob Hess

Men’s Basketball

2000 Region XV Champions
Final NJCAA season before the transition to NCAA competition

Individual Legends

Leslie Reina (1996–1998)

1998 NJCAA MVP (Outdoor Track)
National Champion in: Heptathlon, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Anchor for Champion 4x400 Relay
10-time All-American & 12 School Records

Ken Widman

Set NJCAA Record with 32 strikeouts in an 18-inning game vs. NYC Tech (1963)
Named MVP of the National Tournament

Richard "Reed" Addison (1974–76)

Two-Time 1st Team All-American (Men’s Basketball)
School Records:
- Career Points: 1,335
- Career Rebounds: 860

Jim McKinstry (1960–1961)

Two-Time 1st Team All-American (Football - Tight End)
Played for the New York Titans (AFL) - WIKIPEDIA

Stefan Malliet

Scored 56 points in a single game vs. TCI in 1997 – a school record

Charlie Gadson

1976 NJCAA National Champion (177 lb, Wrestling)
Later became an NCAA All-American at Iowa State - WATCH
1984 USA Wrestling Grand Champion Belt winner
U.S. Olympic team alternate; renowned national and international competitor

Noel Loban

1977 NJCAA National Champion (177 lb, Wrestling)
1980 NCAA Champion at Clemson University (190 lb) - WATCH
1984 Olympic Bronze Medalist (Great Britain)
Final Olympic wrestling medalist in British history

Richard "Reed" Addison

Charlie Gadson

Noel Loban at Clemson

Jim McKinstry catching a pass versus Hofstra in 1961

Ken Widman being inducted into the East Rockaway High School Hall of Fame in 2017 - ARTICLE

Iconic Moments

"The Best Comeback I've Ever Had in My 30 years of Coaching" – Fred Acee
In the 1997 Region XV Men's Lacrosse Championship, Farmingdale State trailed Nassau CC, 12–6, entering the 4th quarter. The Rams tied the game with 6 seconds left and won in double overtime—capping Acee’s final season with a storybook finish.

Legendary Coaches

Coach	Sport	Years	Career Highlights
Gerald Allard	Men’s Basketball	1929–1966	Over 350 wins, Athletic Director
Fred Acee	Men’s Lacrosse	1966–1997	3 National Titles, 300+ wins, went on to coach at US Air Force Academy
Ken Rocco	Baseball	1972–2000	500+ wins, 5 Region XV Titles
Tom Galeazzi	Men’s Basketball	1970–1981	245–72 career record
Bob Hess	Women’s Soccer	1988–1997	10 consecutive Region XV titles

Coach Fred Acee

Athletic Directors Through the JUCO Era

Name	Years Served
Gerald Allard	1929 – 1964
Tom Watt	1964 – 1980
Bruce Robbins	1980 – 2000

From hard-earned titles to record-breaking performances, Farmingdale State’s NJCAA history is filled with passion, pride, and legacy. As we thrive in NCAA competition today, we never forget the JUCO roots that built us.

Were you part of a legendary team or moment?

If you have photos, memories, or stories from Farmingdale's JUCO era – whether it's a championship win, unforgettable play, or personal milestone – we'd love to hear from you. Please send submissions to: suhovsdc@farmingdale.edu