Four Southern Connecticut State University alumni will be recognized when the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club holds its 18th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Oct. 22 at The Woodwinds in Branford.
Former Southern All-American Chris Borelli, ’00, M.S. ’14, is among the members of the Diamond Club Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Borelli, a former player and coach at Hamden High School, continued his baseball career at Southern, where he earned All-America honors. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Southern in 2000 and returned to earn a master’s degree in environmental education in 2014.
Andrew “Chip” Porto, ’92, will also be inducted. A former standout at Wilbur Cross High School and Southern, Porto has remained active in New Haven’s baseball community as president of Annex Little League and founder of the Elm City Eagles travel program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Southern in 1992.
Mike Madera, ’91, will receive the 2026 Tony & Rose Mentone Distinguished Service Award. A 1991 Southern graduate with a degree in business administration, Madera is president of the Walter Camp Football Foundation and founder of westieblue.com, which covers West Haven High School athletics. He previously served on the boards of West Haven Little League and West Haven Youth Hockey.
Daniel Gilhuly, ’91, will be inducted as a member of the 2026 Special Olympics Team Connecticut Unified Softball Team, which earned a silver medal at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.
The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Hall of Fame recognizes players, coaches, umpires, journalists, broadcasters and community volunteers who have made significant contributions to baseball and softball throughout the region. Click here to learn more.
