A Night of Athletic Excellence: Mercyhurst and Gannon Induct Hall of Fame Classes on the Same Evening

By Allison Mosier

02/13/2025

Erie, Pa. – In a remarkable celebration of athletic history, both Mercyhurst University and Gannon University hosted their respective Athletic Hall of Fame inductions on the evening of February 8, 2025, honoring outstanding student-athletes, coaches and contributors who left lasting legacies on their programs.

Mercyhurst University Hall of Fame Induction

Mercyhurst recognized seven distinguished athletes and the 2010 Football Team for their outstanding contributions. The inductees included:

• Valerie Chouinard (Women’s Ice Hockey, ’09) – A leader on the ice, Chouinard helped guide the Lakers to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and remains one of only two players in program history to surpass 200 career points.
• Gaelin Carrig (Women’s Golf, ’15) – An accomplished golfer and scholar, Carrig earned multiple academic and athletic honors, including the PSAC Champion Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.
• Erin Stewart (Women’s Soccer, ’96) – A First Team All-American, Stewart was instrumental in the Lakers' NCAA Final Four runs in 1993 and 1994, finishing her career among the program's all-time statistical leaders.
• Mariano Fava (Men’s Tennis, ’08) – A dominant force in Laker tennis history, Fava was a two-time GLIAC Player of the Year and compiled an impressive 23-1 doubles record in his senior season.
• Dave Curtis (Football, ’82), Dave Scarsella (Football, ’84) and Jim Zank (Football, ’86) – Pioneers of the Lakers' football program, these athletes set records and laid the foundation for the program's success.
• The 2010 Mercyhurst Football Team – This historic squad became the first team in program history to win a PSAC Championship and advance to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals.

Director of Athletics Joe Spano praised the inductees: “This year's group is nothing short of spectacular. They have made incredible contributions to their respective programs and have left an enduring mark on Mercyhurst athletics.”

The induction ceremony was held at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, with celebrations continuing in Hammermill Library’s Catherine Walker Reading Room and Weber Hall Great Room.

Gannon University Hall of Fame Induction

Meanwhile, across town, Gannon University honored eight former standout student-athletes and a legendary coach in its 2025 Hall of Fame Class:

• Don Henry (Wrestling Coach) – A nationally respected leader, Henry built one of the most successful wrestling programs in NCAA Division II, mentoring 47 All-Americans, 35 regional champions and 115 national qualifiers over his nearly four-decade tenure.
• Larissa (Smith) Anderson ’98 (Softball) – A key figure in Gannon’s rise to a regional softball powerhouse, she was an NCAA Division II Great Lakes All-Region selection and led Gannon to 128 victories, finishing among the program’s all-time leaders in multiple offensive categories.
• Annie (Greenhill) Demaline ’10 (Water Polo) – A three-time first-team All-CWPA selection, she ranks fourth in career goals (209) and set the school record for earned kickouts (91) in a single season.
• Mary (Eshenour) Mitchell ’11 (Lacrosse) – The program’s all-time leading goal scorer (246), she was a PSAC Athlete of the Year and a first-team IWLCA All-American, leading Gannon to multiple postseason appearances.
• Marcus Jones ’20 (Football) – One of the most prolific running backs in school history, he holds the Gannon career rushing record (4,339 yards, 54 TDs) and was runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2017.
• Liam Nadler ’14 (Football) – Gannon’s all-time leading passer (11,160 yards, 82 TDs), he set multiple school records and led the Golden Knights to one of their most successful seasons in program history (9-2 in 2014).
• Amanda Teodorsson ’14 (Golf) – A cornerstone of Gannon’s PSAC Championship teams in 2011 and 2013, she was an All-PSAC honoree all four years and won the 2011 PSAC Individual Championship.
• Joseph Westrick ’20 (Cross Country) – Gannon’s first-ever PSAC cross country champion, he was a three-time All-Region performer and became the first Golden Knight to qualify for back-to-back NCAA Championships.

Additionally, the Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award was presented to Michael McCormick ’62, Phil McCormick ’66, Edward McCormick (posthumously) and Erie Beer Company, recognizing their contributions to Gannon athletics.

In a special moment, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Colin Petersen was named Gannon’s 2023-24 Coach of the Year, sponsored by U Pick 6.

The evening was a testament to the rich history of collegiate athletics in Erie, as both universities honored the achievements of their past student-athletes and coaches, celebrating the legacies they have built.

To view photos from Mercyhurst Prep’s ceremony, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15rojgzMxR/.

To view photos from Gannon’s ceremony, visit https://gannonuniversityalumni.smugmug.com/Centennial-Events-/Athletics-Hall-of-Fame.

Congratulations to all the 2025 inductees!

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