Former St. John’s University standout Chris Wingert was chosen for induction into the St. John’s Athletics Hall of Fame, the university announced Tuesday.
Wingert was one of eight individuals who will be inducted into the Hall during the weekend of Jan. 18-19. The Athletics Hall of Fame committee unanimously recommended the eight inductees for the first enshrinement ceremony since 2015.
A native of Babylon, N.Y. and a graduate of St. John the Baptist High School, Wingert starred for head coach Dr. David Masur from 2000-03. As a senior, Wingert earned the MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation’s top men’s college player player.
A two-time Big East defensive player of the Year and two-time first team All-American, Wingert was honored by the Big East in all four of his seasons at St. John’s. He earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team in 2000 before finding a place on the All-Big East second team in 2001. He was named to the All-Big East first team in 2002 and 2003.
During Wingert’s tenure, the Red Storm recorded a cumulative mark of 61-17-13 (.742). The Red Storm recorded four NCAA Division I Tournament berths with Wingert on the back line, advancing to at least the round of 16 on each occasion with two College Cup appearances. The Johnnies reached the national semifinals in Wingert’s sophomore season in 2001 and fell one win shy of a second national title in 2003.
Wingert was selected 12th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft and embarked on a 14-year career in Major League Soccer. He spent a majority of his tenure with Real Salt Lake, where he won the 2009 MLS Cup. He also played for with New York City FC and Colorado Rapids and the Cosmos in the National Premier Soccer League.
Headlined by three-time PGA Tour winner and 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley along with five-year NBA veteran and fourth leading scoring program history Felipe Lopez, the list of honorees includes women’s volleyball standout Jackie Ahlers, national championship and Olympic fencing coach Yury Gelman, track & field All-American Roman Linscheid, and legendary baseball coach Joe Russo, women’s basketball All-American Da’Shena Stevens.
“We are thrilled to welcome back these distinguished individuals to our campus and greatly look forward to celebrating their achievements,” St. John’s director of athletics Mike Cragg said. “These honorees are exceptional representatives of St. John’s Athletics and well-deserving of this prestigious honor. It will be a very special weekend for all involved to pay tribute to the foundation these individuals have laid for their respective programs here at St. John’s.”