2018 Athletics Hall of Fame Class Honored at Ceremony
The St. John Fisher College Department of Athletics inducted seven new members into its Hall of Fame during a special ceremony on Friday, Nov. 9, in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center.
Founded in 1992 with four charter members in the inaugural class, the Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the College’s athletic programs and reputation. With Friday’s inductions, the Hall of Fame now includes 120 members, all of whom helped grow the tradition of athletic excellence and pride at the College.
“With tonight’s inductions, we add new success stories to the historic library of Fisher Athletics,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the College, during the ceremony. “Athletics is a big part of the Fisher fabric and our student-athletes contribute in the classroom, on the field, and in the community in so many enriching ways.”
This year’s inductees include:
Jenna Waldron ’10, a four-year member of the women’s volleyball team who was the best defensive specialist the program has ever seen. During her time in a Cardinals’ uniform, Waldron accounted for nearly 2,000 digs (1,979), the most in program history. The 2007 Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year, Waldron’s name still appears throughout the single season list as she ranks first all-time in digs (699). Waldron earned her fair share of accolades during her career, including being named a Second-Team All-Conference selection in 2009 and an NCAA Statistical champion with 21.77 digs per set in 2008.
Dave Wood ’09 is arguably the best face-off man in Fisher lacrosse history. During his four-year career, he won 739 face-offs, the most in program history, and ranks second all-time in winning percentage at .659 (739-for-1122). Wood still holds the all-time program mark for ground balls (513), 208 more than second place. He also ranks first (152), third, fifth, and eighth on the single season list for groundballs. A three-time Empire 8 All-Conference honoree, he became Fisher’s first men’s lacrosse All-American in 2009, after being named Second-Team by the USILA. In addition, he was named a Scholar All-American. He still holds several single-game records including ground balls (16), which he accomplished four times, and 24 face-offs won.
One of the most prolific pitchers in Fisher baseball’s storied history, Dan Jurik ’10 was the program’s first-ever MLB draft pick after being selected in the 25th round by the Atlanta Braves. A three-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection, Jurik was named the conference’s Pitcher of the Year in 2010 after going 7-3 with a 1.99 earned run average and 85 strikeouts in 77.0 innings. To date, he ranks second all-time in innings pitched (226.1), strikeouts (202), and wins (22). At the time of his graduation, he held all of those records. His name still appears on several single season lists as well. His 85 strikeouts in 2010 is the third most all-time in a single season while his 13 games started in 2010 is tied for the most all-time in a one-year stretch. During his four years at Fisher, the team went 106-58-1 (.645) and made two NCAA Championship appearances, including the College's first-ever trip in 2007.
Rev. Al Gallmon ’74 may have only played two years for the Cardinals (he enrolled after two years at a community college in Florida), but he left his mark on the men’s basketball program. He was a forward who scored and rebounded at a very high level, and is listed as tied for second in career points per game at 18.3. During his two years, the Cardinals had a 31-16 record and in his senior year, they won the Lincoln First Tournament for the first time. In the opener, they defeated Brockport State, 83-65, with Gallmon scored 29 points. In the championship game, they defeated RIT 73-64 and he scored 19 points. Over the two games, he snatched 24 rebounds and was named the tournament MVP. In each of his years, Gallmon established new single season scoring records for the Cardinals, finishing up with 860 career points. He was also named to the all-tournament team at the New Haven Tournament and was selected to the All-ECAC Team of the Week on several occasions.
Brennan Fortune ’08 could be considered not only one of the greatest offensive lineman to have played at Fisher, but one of the best in Division III history. A three-time All-American (one preseason), Fortune was named to the All-Decade Team by D3football.com. During his four seasons, Fisher amassed 41 wins including three berths in the NCAA Division III Championship. In 2006, the Cardinals vied for a national championship and reached the semifinals for the first time in team history. With Fortune on the line, the running game exploded for the Cardinals’ offense as he helped block for fellow Athletics Hall-of-Famer Mark Robinson. He is a three-time All-Conference selection by the Empire 8.
Nicole Lanieu ’02 was a four-year member of the softball team that accounted for 128 wins and three 30-win campaigns, including what was at the time a program record 39-win season in 1999. With Lanieu in the lineup, Fisher reached the NCAA Division III Championship in 2001. To date, Lanieu’s name still appears throughout the program record book as she ranks fifth all-time in batting average (.374), eighth in hits (166), seventh in doubles (33), fifth in triples (nine), eighth in home runs (14), and fourth in RBI (125). On the single season list, her 47 RBIs in 2001 is tied for the most in program history while her 66 hits that season are the fourth-most in a single season in team history. Lanieu’s 105 total bases in 2001 is second all-time.
Patrick Tobin ’62 competed in basketball and cross country while enrolled at Fisher and served as the athletic board’s director as a senior. He was instrumental in the hiring of Hall-of-Famer Bobby Wanzer as Fisher’s first men’s basketball coach before being commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp upon graduation.