Northeastern University Athletics

David J. Coleman has been elected to the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the sports of baseball and ice hockey.

Coleman earned three letters in baseball and one in hockey. As a catcher, Coleman was renowned throughout New England for his defensive prowess especially his high-caliber throwing arm. A respected hitter as well, Coleman consistently approached the .300 mark and was selected to the Greater Boston League All-Star team in 1964 and 1965. In hockey, a promising career as a left winger was cut short, when Coleman fractured his ankle in the opening round of the 1963 Beanpot versus Harvard.

Coleman continued to excel behind the plate, however, and led Northeastern into the NCAA District I playoffs against Maine at Fenway Park in 1964. The defensive specialist batted .310 that season. The Baltimore Orioles recognized his talents and drafted Coleman in major league baseball's initial college draft in 1965. Coleman progressed to the Triple A level at Rochester, where he played under Darrell Johnson, former Red Sox manager, and with Paul Blair and Andy Etchebarren, both of whom went on to star for the parent club.

But Coleman distinguished himself even more as a coach. He coached for over 15 years at Boston Latin, coaching both baseball and hockey. He also assumed the titles of Assistant Headmaster and Director of Physical Education.