GU Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts New Members Five individuals and one team were inducted into the Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame during a special event held Jan. 9. The latest class increased the Gannon Hall of Fame membership to 37 inductees. The 2010 inductees included: former men’s soccer star and current men’s soccer head coach Rob van Rheenen ’86; former men’s soccer standout Gerry Vandemerwe ’88, ’01M; former men’s soccer coaching great Rob Russo; former women’s basketball standout Mary Kay Lynch Poppe ’85; former men’s basketball record-breaker Harold “Butch” Warner ’85; and the 1986-87 men’s basketball team.
Harold “Butch” Warner ’85 reminisces about his basketball days with Mark J. Richard, director of athletics. Warner is the only Gannon men’s basketball player to top 2,000 career points and helped lead the Golden Knights to NCAA Division II tournament appearances in 1983-84 and 1984-85.
Rob Russo is honored at halftime by Mark J. Richard, director of athletics, and President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. Russo is Gannon’s all-time men’s soccer leader in coaching victories (133) and winning percentage (.772).
▲ The 1986-87 men’s basketball team was inducted into the GU Athletics Hall of Fame. They are the only basketball team in school history to play in the NCAA D-II National Championship game.
Five individuals and one team were inducted into the Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame on Jan. 9.
▲ Mary Kay Lynch Poppe ’85 gives her induction speech. Poppe is Gannon’s all-time women’s basketball rebounding leader and ranks fourth all-time in scoring. Rob van Rheenen, current head coach of the Gannon soccer team, arrives for induction festivities with his wife, Judy van Rheenen ’85, associate director of Gannon's International Student Office. Van Rheenen is Gannon’s all-time soccer leader in career assists (50) and ranks third all-time in career points (166).
▲ Thomas R. Chapman, head coach of the 1986-87 men’s basketball team, autographs one of two commemorative basketballs in honor of the team. The squad finished 28-6 overall, setting the school record for victories in a season at that time.
▲ Gerry Vandemerwe ’88, ’01M accepts his plaque from Mark J. Richard, director of athletics, and President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. Vandemerwe is Gannon’s all-time men’s soccer leader in career points (186) and career goals (76). His 27 goals in 1985 represent the best single-season total in school history. 27