Dear Eagles, Welcome to the 2022 induction ceremony for the Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Hall of Fame. Tonight is a time to join together, honor our long history of excellence and celebrate this year’s inductees who epitomize the scholar-athlete ideal and whose athletic achievements make us all very proud. While at AU, Christine, Mark, and Meghan were champions in every aspect of the word. They impressed in their sport of choice and demonstrated a commitment to their academics, their teammates and overall excellence. Their well-deserved induction this evening cements their legacy among the all-time AU greats, and they will forever stand as role models for generations of future Eagles. As for today’s Eagles, we are forging ahead with the planning and fundraising for a new, state-of-the-art athletics and recreation building – The Center for Athletic Performance (The CAP). This new space will assist in the recruitment and retention of worldclass students, enhance our championship athletics programs and place AU Athletics at the hub of increased university pride for our students, alumni and fans throughout the Capital Region. This long-term effort is matched by the daily determination of our exceptional head coaches, staff and administrators to provide a first-class experience for every American student-athletes. So I thank you for your attendance this evening, your annual support of the Eagles Club and I urge you to join our campaign for the future. A future of excellence that is well represented by the accomplishments of tonight’s inducted into the Cassell Hall of Fame. Congratulations Christine, Mark and Meghan – well deserved. Go Eagles!
Program
Welcome
Dr. Billy Walker
Director of Athletics and Recreation
Invocation
Reverend Bryant Oskvig
Director of Athletics and Recreation
Dinner
Reverend Bryant Oskvig
Director of Athletics and Recreation
Opening Remarks Sylvia Burwell
President, American University
2022 Induction Ceremony
Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Video
CHRISTINE FINGERHUTH Field Hockey | 2007-2010
Two-time All-American Christine Fingerhuth helped lead the Eagles to four Patriot League Championships, four NCAA play-in games and three NCAA First-Round appearances. She was the Patriot League’s nominee for the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, and was named to the Patriot League’s 25th Anniversary Team. Fingerhuth was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and the Patriot League Tournament MVP in both 2009 and 2010, and was a three-time All-Region First Team selection. She was selected to the Chilean Junior National Team and then earned Player of the Tournament honors at the 2008 Junior Pan American Games after leading Chile to a silver medal. After graduating from the Kogod School of Business, she went on to play for the Chilean Senior National Team.
MARK LISCINSKY Swimming | 1999-2004
Standout swimmer Mark Liscinsky, who also coached for the Eagles for seven seasons, was the Patriot League Swimmer of the Year in both 2002 and 2003. Liscinsky set school records in five events, with four of those still standing today. He spent his first two seasons competing in the CAA, and was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2000. During those two seasons, Liscinsky totaled 10 CAA titles including five in individual events. After the transition to the Patriot League in 2001-02, he captured 12 more conference titles including six individual. Liscinsky proved his versatility with conference championships in backstroke, IM and freestyle events as well as freestyle and medley relays. He was a threetime NCAA “B” qualifier, and competed at the NCAA Championship as a senior, finishing 18th in the 200 IM and 32nd in the 200 free. Liscinsky was a finalist in multiple events at the U.S. Senior Nationals, qualified for three U.S. Olympic Team Trials and was a member of the U.S. team that took part in the 2003 World University Games. In 2015, Liscinsky, who was a 2004 graduate of the School of Communications, was named to the Patriot League 25th Anniversary Team. He coached for American from 2006-13 during which time his swimmers set seven school records and won four event titles at Patriot League Championships.
MEGHAN THIEL Swimming | 2004-2008
One of the most decorated swimmers in program history, two-time Patriot League Swimmer of the Year Meghan Thiel still holds all four school records she set during her time at American. Thiel was an eighttime Patriot League Champion, winning three titles in both the 500 free and 1650 free and two titles in the 200 free. She qualified for the NCAA Championships in both the 500 free and 1650 free in 2006, becoming the first female from AU to compete at the national meet since 1994. Thiel was a four-time All-Patriot League First Team selection, was the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year in 2005, and was named to the Patriot League’s 25th Anniversary Team in 2015. Once before and once during her career as an Eagle, Thiel qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials (2000 and 2004). Thiel was impressive out of the pool as well, earning Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in 2006, and she graduated from the School of International Studies in 2008. Thiel then coached for American for three seasons from 2009-12 while also serving as adjunct faculty in Health Studies.
February 26, 20222 Butler Boardroom • Bender Arena American University