Bill DaCosta of Massapequa was recently inducted into New York Institute of Technology's (NYIT) Athletics Hall of Fame. The former baseball player was honored at the Eighth Annual Awards Banquet held at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place. DaCosta graduated from NYIT in 1990, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.

DaCosta, who established himself as one of the Bears top pitchers, threw a total of 217 innings during his NYIT career. He had 178 strikeouts and 16 wins. After playing with the Bears, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and pitched in the minor leagues.

Other inductees included the entire roster of NYIT's 1980 men's basketball team, Matthew Calamari (football) of Glen Head, Bill Easteadt (men's soccer coach) of Long Beach, Kevin O'Brien (lacrosse) (B.S. '95) of Babylon, and Theresa A. Kenney (women's softball and basketball) (B.S. '84) of Plainview.

NYIT also presented the inaugural Dr. William T. "Buck" Lai Wonderful Life Achievement Award to former New York Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons.

The award is given to individuals who have dedicated themselves to establishing high standards in the field of education, with an emphasis on athletic achievement to enhance the academic experience and overall quality of life for young adults. The award is named in honor of the late Buck Lai, who was NYIT's athletics director from 1984-88.

Established in 1998, NYIT's Athletics Hall of Fame honors outstanding performances by alumni athletes on the fields of play, as well as those who have distinguished themselves as model coaches and administrators. To date, 58 athletes and one athletic team have been inducted into NYIT's Athletics Hall of Fame, representing 13 intercollegiate sports.