General | 3/9/2023 2:49:00 PM
UTICA, NY - The Utica University athletic department has announced its 2023 induction class for the Pioneer Hall of Fame. This year's induction class will be honored alongside the Senior Student-Athlete Recognition event to take place on Wednesday May 10, 2023.
The Hall of Fame's induction classes highlight the prominent achievements of players who have helped define the successes of Utica University Athletics.
The 2023 class includes women's track & field All-American Sarah Wiatr '16, Ashley Granger '09 of the Utica women's soccer program, Shane Ruffing '16 of the Utica men's soccer and track & field programs and Anthony Venturino '05 of the Utica football program.
Tickets for the event can be purchased
here.
The Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to celebrate the dedicated student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and benefactors whose extraordinary achievements express the values of Utica University in the spirit of competition within a lifelong learning environment.
Class of 2023
Ashley Granger '09 – Women's Soccer – 2005-2008
A four-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection (one first team, two second team, one honorable mention), Ashley remains the program's all-time leader with 78 career points on 37 goals, also an all-time program best, and four assists. She led the Pioneers to two straight Empire 8 Conference Tournament appearances (2006 & 2007) including the program's first-ever conference championship game appearance in 2006. In 2006, she helped Utica earn a second place finish in the ECAC Upstate Championships. Granger also helped Utica to double-digit victories in two straight seasons (2005 & 2006).
Shane Ruffing '16 - Men's Soccer/Track & Field
A two-time Empire 8 First Team All-Conference selection in soccer, Ruffing also earned NCAA Division III Men's All-East Region Second Team honors in his time with the Pioneers while also being named to the 2014 ECAC Division III Upstate Men's Soccer All-Star Team. Ruffing's 78 points (34 goals, 10 assists) are the most in program history and his 34 goals are eight more than any other player. He posted consecutive 26 point seasons in 2014 and 2015. In track, Ruffing was an Empire 8 Champion in the 110m hurdles (2014), 400m hurdles (2014), triple jump (2016 Indoors), and NYSCTC Champion in 110m hurdles in 2014. Ruffing is the school record holder in the 400m hurdles and is third all-time in 60m hurdles, second in 110m hurdles, third in the 4x400m relay, fifth in the indoor triple jump, and seventh in the javelin throw.
Anthony Venturino '05 – Football – 2000-2004
A four-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection and ECAC All-Star First Team selection, the three-year captain of the football team is the program's all-time leader in tackles with 455, which is over 100 more than second place. Venturino also finds himself at the top of the career record books in total tackles (347), unassisted tackles (239), assisted tackles (216), tackles for loss (47.5), yards from tackles for loss (171), forced fumbles (9), and fumbles recovered (9). Venturino, who was a member of the inaugural Utica football team, also finds himself in the top-two spots with single-season records in total tackles (92.5 in 2003 and 98 in 2004) and unassisted tackles (65 in 2003 and 73 in 2004). The defensive powerhouse also holds the single season records in tackles for loss (20 in 2002) and yards from tackles for loss (70 in 2002). Venturino is second all-time in single season forced fumbles, and fumbles recovered with four apiece in 2003.
Sarah (Wiatr) Davis '16 - Track & Field
Wiatr had nothing short of a decorated career as a two-time All-American, a 2016 Empire 8 Woman of the Year, a 10-time All-Conference selection, and a 10-time Empire 8 Athlete of the Week in track & field. She holds the Empire 8 Meet Record in the outdoor triple jump and the Empire 8 Conference record in the outdoor long jump and outdoor triple jump. She also is eighth all-time in the NCAA DIII long jump (6.10m) and holds the school record in the indoor and outdoor triple jump, outdoor long jump, indoor 4x200m relay and was a six-time NCAA Qualifier. Wiatr's illustrious career also includes being a two-time DIII ECAC Champion, a four-time NYSCTC Champion, and a four-time Empire 8 Champion.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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