The Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 (L to R): Chris Smith ’13, Robert Crain ’84, Casey Balzer ’09, Caitlin Cooper ’13 and Hillary Faas-Li ’10 (Not Pictured – Gabrielle Childrose ’15).
Five former student athletes and one coach were inducted into the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday. The Class of 2024 includes Casey Balzer ’09, Hillary Faas-Li ’10, Caitlin Cooper ’13, Chris Smith ’13 and Gabrielle Childrose ’15 and Robert Crain ’84 from the Coach/Staff/Community Category.
The event began with a dedication in the Athletic Hall of Fame Walkway at Columbia where each of the inductees was presented with a plaque for them to place in the display cases that line the hallway. The dedication was immediately followed by a reception at Franklin Terrace in Troy.
“We had a great evening celebrating our newest members of the Columbia Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Columbia Director of Athletics Ryan Jones. “The Class of 2024 includes several multi-sport athletes, but also had a prominent sport of focus; two specializing in softball, two specializing in lacrosse, one specializing in football and a wrestling coach who has dedicated over 25 years to our program. The night was spent looking back on the many memories made during their years as members of the Columbia Athletics family; thanking those who helped them reach their successes including coaches, teammates, family members and mentors.
“Thank you to the Columbia All-Sports Club for their support in making this a fantastic night, as well as our sponsors and donors for their contributions,” Mr. Jones said. “Lastly, I would like to thank Marc Dickie for emceeing the event, as he did an excellent job presenting our inductees.”
Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame – Class of 2024
- Caitlin Cooper – Class of 2013
- Casey Balzer – Class of 2009
- Hillary Faas-Li – Class of 2010
- Christopher Smith – Class of 2013
- Gabrielle Childrose – Class of 2015
- Robert Crain – Coach – Class of 1984