General | 2/13/2024 12:51:00 PM
UTICA, NY - The Utica University athletic department has announced its 2024 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 8, 2024.
The Hall of Fame's induction classes highlight the prominent achievements of players who have helped define the successes of Utica University Athletics.
The 2024 class includes field hockey All-American & women's hockey standout Louise Steele-Norton '15, men's track & field All-American & football standout Nicodemus Gambill '18, men's track and field All-American & men's basketball standout Robert Tutein '16, and four-time All-Empire 8 selection Meghan Fiore '13 of the women's basketball program.
A registration link for the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction/Senior Student-Athlete Recognition will be released at a later date.
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 2024
Meghan Fiore '13 - Women's Basketball - 2009-13
Fiore was a four-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection, including three straight seasons as a first-team pick. She was a two-time ECAC Upstate All-Star and a member of the Empire 8 President's list for her efforts in the classroom. She graduated ranked fourth on the team's all-time scoring list and she was just the fifth player in program-history to join the 1,000 point/500 rebound club. In her freshman campaign she helped to lead the Pioneers to an Empire 8 Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Fiore was also an active member of the Utica Student Newspaper, as the Sports Editor of the Tangerine. Originally from Epping, New Hampshire, Fiore graduated with a degree in Journalism.
Nicodemus Gambill '18 - Men's Track & Field/Football - 2014-18
One of the most accomplished runners in men's track & field program history, Gambill ran a personal record time in the 60m at the 2016 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships with a time of 6.90 which is still the best in school history. He finished in first place at the Empire 8 Indoor Track & Field Championships in both the 60m and 200m with times of 6.91 and 22.22. His 200m still stands as a school record. He recorded his fastest career 100m time at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a time of 10.51. He finished the season coming in third place at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the 100m which is the best finish at nationals by any Pioneer in the program's history. He also was honored with his first career All-American recognition for his successful season. Originally from Rochester, NY, Gambill is currently serving as a U.S. Army Sergeant in the State of Washington.
Louise Steele-Norton '15 - Field Hockey/Women's Ice Hockey - 2011-15
Steele-Norton was a staple throughout Utica's three-year run as Empire 8 champions. She was a four-year Empire 8 All-Conference First Team selection and 2012 Empire 8 Player of the Year including 2014 All-Region First team selection. Prior to the first-team All-Region selection she was a three-time All-Region third-team selection. In her second season in 2012 she was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-American First Team. Steele-Norton still ranks second in career points with 165, game winning goals (16), goals (76), and third in points per game (2.06). She helped lead the Pioneers to four Empire 8 Conference Tournaments, including three Empire 8 Championship wins in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2012 she scored a pair of goals in the Pioneers' NCAA first round win against Endicott and added one goal in the NCAA round of 16. Originally from Avondale, PA, Steele-Norton serves in the U.S. Navy and is based in California.
Robert Tutein '16 - Men's Track & Field/Men's Basketball - 2012-16
Tutein specialized in the high jump during his four years competing on the outdoor track & field team. A two-time All-American, Tutein was a three-time All-Empire 8 First Team member in the high jump as the Empire 8 Conference Champion, as well as an All-Empire 8 Second Teamer in 2014. He was also a two-time NYS Conference Champion and a one-time ECAC Champion in the high jump. In the 2016 season he had three first place finishes coming at the St. John Fisher College Cardinal Classic, Empire 8 Track & Field Championships, and at the NYSCTC Outdoor Track & Field Championships (5/6/16). He set his personal record and school record at the Empire 8 Track & Field Championships with a height of 2.08m. That season he finished in fifth place at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship with a high jump mark of 2.07m. Over his four seasons as a member of the men's basketball team, Tutein accumulated 785 points in 84 career games. His final season saw career highs in minutes per game (31.6), rebounds per game (3.6), total assists (15), total blocks (22) and points per game (17.6). His 17.6 points per game in the 2015-16 season still ranks 15th on the program's single season scoring list. Notably in 2016, Tutein was featured on Sports Center Top 10 Plays for his game-winning buzzer-beater at Elmira College. A native of Nanuet, NY, Tutein graduated from Utica with a degree in criminal justice.
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
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