PSAC Keystones W/O STEVE

General Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Gannon Has Three Named to PSAC’s 75th Anniversary 75 Distinguished Keystones

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, celebrating its 75th anniversary season in 2025-26, continued its process of honoring 300 of its most prominent contributors throughout the month of September on Wednesday.

After previously recognizing "Made in the PSAC", a group that recognized former student-athletes that have gone on to influential careers after graduation, along with the conference's 75 Greatest Female Athletes and 75 Greatest Male Athletes, today the PSAC honored its fourth and final grouping -- the PSAC's 75 Distinguished Keystones. The Distinguished Keystones recognizes individuals that have been historically influential in the PSAC, whether it be staff, coaches, or administrators.

Gannon is honored to have three individuals selected to the PSAC's 75 Distinguished Keystones since joining the conference in 2008-09. In addition, two Gannon graduates are among the 75 honorees. Gannon's honorees are former Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk, current Director of Athletics Meghan Morphy, and women's soccer coach Colin Petersen.

"Every great structure relies on keystones, which are essential elements that hold everything together," said Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner. "The individuals we recognize as our Distinguished Keystones have been just that: the steady hands, bold voices, and visionary leaders who helped shape the foundation of our conference. They may or may not have worn a uniform, but their fingerprints are all over our history. Their legacy reminds us that success isn't only measured in points or trophies but in leadership, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to something greater than oneself."

Goddard McGuirk served as Gannon's Director of Athletics from 2014 until her departure in June 2025. She helped vault Gannon athletics to the top program in the PSAC, with the Golden Knights winning the conference's Dixon Trophy three of the last four years (2022, 2023, 2025) and finishing as the runner-up in 2024. Gannon was 19th in the Learfield Director's Cup standings in 2024 and came in 30th among all Division II schools this past year.

Goddard McGuirk's reign produced plenty of success on the playing fields but that was exceeded by the academic success enjoyed in the classroom.

In addition, she oversaw the renovation of the Highmark Events Center while helping to solicit a large donation by Highmark to fund the product. Her time at Gannon culminated with her being named the 2023-24 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year.

Morphy served as Goddard McGuirk's right hand and was the natural choice to assume the duties of Director of Athletics. She previously served as Gannon's Associate Director of Athletics for Budget and Planning in addition to serving as the Senior Woman's Administrator.

The native of Syracuse, N.Y. helped create the Competitive Cheer & Dance program at Gannon in 2013, serving as the head coach from 2013-19 before transitioning into administrative roles. She took over as Gannon's Director of Athletics this June. 

Petersen was inducted into the Gannon Hall of Fame in 2017 for his exploits on the soccer pitch. He has also built a Hall of Fame coaching resume while building the Gannon women's soccer program into one of the dominant programs in the PSAC.

Petersen is currently in his 26th season with the Gannon soccer program and 24th at the helm of the Golden Knights. He is the winningest and longest-tenured coach in the 38-year history of the Gannon women's soccer program. Petersen has a school-record 226 career coaching victories, holding more than 100 wins more than the closest coach. He owns an overall record of 226-164-43. That includes this year's 5-0-0 start as the Golden Knights have climbed to seventh in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division II Top 25.

Gannon has produced a .500 record or better during 16 of the past 17 seasons under Petersen. The Golden Knights have qualified for the PSAC Tournament 13 times in Petersen's tenure, with eight NCAA Tournament appearances. They had a string of seven straight years in the PSAC Tournament and nine in ten years before failing to qualify in 2018 and '19. The 2020 campaign was abbreviated and played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19.

Like a fine wine his teams have gotten better as the years go on. The last four years have produced a 60-15-14 record with a trip to the NCAA Div. II Elite Eight in 2023 plus advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2024. Petersen has been named the PSAC West Coach of the Year four times.

In addition to the three current or former staff members named to the PSAC's Distinguished Keystones Gannon is proud to have two former graduates receive the honor. Steve Murray, the Commissioner of the PSAC, is a 1985 graduate of Gannon. He has worked at the conference since 1997 first as sports information director before becoming commissioner.

Karen Hjerpe is a 1991 graduate of Gannon and a former standout in volleyball for the Golden Knights. She has since gone on to a stellar career at California (Pa.), first as volleyball coach and later as the school's Director of Athletics. 

ABOUT THE PSAC: The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and comprised 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.

The first 75 honorees were designated "Made in the PSAC", a group that recognizes former student-athletes that have gone on to influential careers after graduation (which could be in the sports industry, but not necessarily as a professional athlete.) The next groups of honorees were the conference's 75 Greatest Female Athletes and 75 Greatest Male Athletes.

All 300 honorees were selected through a process that included nominations from institutions and selections by committee. The committee was comprised of institutional and PSAC staff.
 
 
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