Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Welcomes Class of 2011 Gannon University celebrated the latest class of its Athletics Hall of Fame on Jan. 22, 2011 with the induction of eight new members and one team, increasing membership to 46 inductees.
Steve Moyer ’99 is Gannon’s all-time
Gary Smallshaw ’92 was a three-
Kathy Wotus Kuhns ’93 is one of
men’s basketball leader in three-point field goals. The former guard broke the NCAA record for career three-pointers and owns the top three single-season three-point totals in school history.
time All-America defender for the Gannon men’s soccer program, landing a spot on the all-region team every season during his collegiate career. In addition, he was named NCAA Division II Defender of the Year as a senior.
two Gannon volleyball student-athletes to have their jersey number retired. The former outside hitter became Gannon’s first American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American in 1991. She set a national record in 1991 with 47 kills during an NCAA Division II Tournament victory at New Haven.
Larry Potash ’70 produced Gannon’s lowest single-season baseball ERA and pitched Gannon’s first-ever no-hitter against Steubenville in 1968. He is the only pitcher in school history to throw three shutouts in a single season. Potash was drafted by the New York Mets in 1970 and played two seasons in the minor leagues before an injury cut his career short.
(first photo) Front row (L to R): Dick Dowling ’63, Norm Gaylord ’64, Joe Calamita ’62; Back row (L to R): Bob Nieratko, Rich Sambuchino, Coach Al Kendziora ’62, Tom Kujawinski ’62 (second photo) Al Kendziora ’62 (left), Rich Sambuchino (right)
The 1962 bowling team captured the only team national championship in school history when it won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national title. Coached by Al Kendziora ’62, the roster included
Joe Calamita ’62, Dick Dowling ’63, Norm Gaylord ’64, Tom Kirk ’62, Bob Nieratko and Rich Sambuchino. 24
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Gerry Burbules Vensel ’92M is Gannon’s all-time winningest volleyball coach, producing a 271-61 record during nine seasons (1986-94) as the program’s head coach. Gannon qualified for the postseason seven times, advanced to five NCAA Division II Tournaments, won three NCAA Division II East Regionals and made three NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances during her tenure.
Darmel Whitfield ’05 is the first football player inducted into Gannon’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The former quarterback is Gannon’s all-time leader in passing yards, pass completions, completion percentage, 300-yard games, 200-yard games, passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, total offensive plays, total touchdowns, total offense and points.
Joe Gaeta ’62 is the 2011 Distinguished Service Award recipient. Gaeta was one of the founding members of the Gannon Athletics Booster Club, serving as past president. He was a two-sport student-athlete during his collegiate career, serving as a team captain for both the baseball and basketball teams.
As head coach, Judy Saurer led the Gannon women’s basketball program to an 88-47 record during five seasons (1985-1990) and was Gannon’s all-time leader in winning percentage until the 2009-2010 season. Under her watch, the program made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1988.