ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame will welcome eight former athletic greats as the Class of 2026 will be inducted on Saturday, February 21st.
The Class of 2026 includes eight former student-athletes. This year's inductee list includes: Kelsey Ansec '18, Volleyball (2014-17), Matt Barto '18, Men's Golf (2014-18), Brent Benedict '20, Men's Swimming (2018-20) , Pat Cain '04, Football (2000-03), Zack McKendree '11, Men's Wrestling (2006-11), Sean Morphy '04, Men's Water Polo (2001-04), Julie Catherine Stazer Pikiewicz '98, Women's Soccer (1994-97), and Dave Stoczynski '74, Men's Basketball (1971-73).
In addition, Scott Stano will be honored that evening as Gannon's 2024-25 Coach of the Year. The award is sponsored by U Pick 6.
The Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame and Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 21st at Gannon's Yehl Alumni Ballroom in the Waldron Campus Center. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner. Earlier in the day the inductees will be honored at Gannon's home basketball doubleheader against UPJ.
Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at https://eventtickets.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT. Children are welcome to attend at a cost of $25 for ages 6 to 12. Ages 5 and under are free. Individual tickets, along with tables, may be purchased. Only 200 seats are available, so it is highly encouraged to to purchase tickets as soon as possible.
For more information, contact Assistant Director of Athletics for External Relations Kerri Makay at 814-871-7817 or email her at makay004@gannon.edu.
Here's a closer look at the Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026:
Kelsey Ansec '18, Volleyball (2014-17)
Kelsey Ansec built a legacy defined by elite production, postseason excellence, and championship success. A four-year standout outside hitter from 2014–17, Ansec was a driving force behind one of the most successful eras the volleyball program.
Ansec appeared in 121 matches during her collegiate career and finished with 1,215 kills, averaging 2.95 kills per set while hitting .237. Her all-around presence was evident on both sides of the net, as she also totaled 225 digs, 223 blocks, and 1,343.5 career points (3.26 points per set). At the conclusion of her career, her kill and point totals ranked fourth all-time at Gannon since the introduction of rally scoring.
Her résumé is highlighted by an impressive collection of individual honors. Ansec was a two-time AVCA All-Atlantic Region First Team selection and a two-time All-PSAC First Team honoree, establishing herself among the premier outside hitters in the region and conference. She earned All-ECAC Second Team recognition as a senior and was named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. In 2017–18, she was honored as Gannon's Female Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.
Ansec consistently elevated her game on the sport's biggest stages. She was named to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team twice during her career and delivered one of the most memorable postseason performances in program history at the 2017 NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Competing against the nation's best, Ansec smashed 37 kills in two matches and earned a spot on the Elite Eight All-Tournament Team, helping propel Gannon to the national semifinals for the first time ever.
Team success followed Ansec throughout her career. She helped lead the Golden Knights to 111 victories, a PSAC Championship in 2016—when she was named PSAC Tournament MVP—and an NCAA Atlantic Region title. During her four seasons, Gannon appeared in two PSAC championship matches, two NCAA regional finals, and the historic national semifinal run in 2017, with Ansec serving as a cornerstone of each postseason push.
Matt Barto '18, Men's Golf (2014-18)
Matt Barto set the standard for excellence both on the course and in the classroom during his four-year career from 2014–18. A model of consistency, competitiveness, and academic achievement, Barto played a central role in elevating the Golden Knights into a perennial NCAA postseason contender while building one of the most decorated résumés the program has ever seen.
Barto competed in 92 rounds across 45 career events, producing a program-best scoring average in each of his four seasons. He finished his career with an impressive 76.5 stroke average and posted a low round of 67. His consistency was reflected in 15 top-five finishes, 22 top-10 results, and 34 top-20 finishes, along with a .733 career winning percentage (2303–839), marking him as one of the most reliable performers in program history.
Barto became just the second student-athlete in program history to earn PSAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2014–15, highlighted by winning the PSAC individual championship as a freshman. He went on to earn four All-PSAC selections, including first-team honors as both a freshman and senior, and second-team recognition as a sophomore and junior. As a senior, he was named to the NCAA Division II PING Men's Golf All-Atlantic Region First Team.
Equally remarkable was Barto's success in the classroom. He was named the ECAC NCAA Division II Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a junior and earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition and the NCAA Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award in every season of his career. A three-time Academic All-District First Team selection, Barto was also a three-time Academic All-American, earning third-team honors as a sophomore and second-team recognition as both a junior and senior. He further distinguished himself as a PSAC Champion Scholar as a junior and senior, an honor awarded to the student-athlete competing at PSAC championships with the highest grade point average.
Barto's excellence translated directly to team success. He produced Gannon's lowest scoring average in each of his four seasons and helped guide the Golden Knights to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2015, 2016, and 2018). He competed at the NCAA Atlantic/East Super Regional in all four seasons and qualified individually for the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championships following a fifth-place finish at the regional. His steady leadership and elite performance were instrumental in sustaining Gannon's presence on the national stage.
Brent Benedict '20, Men's Swimming (2018-20)
Brent Benedict's two year Gannon career can be summed up in one word: dominance. A transfer from Virginia Tech, Benedict made an immediate and historic impact upon his arrival, leaving behind a résumé that stands among the most accomplished in Gannon Athletics.
Benedict was named the PSAC Men's Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year in both 2018–19 and 2019–20. Across those two seasons, he emerged as the conference's premier swimmer while establishing himself as one of the elite performers in NCAA Division II.
By the conclusion of his career, Benedict held Gannon records in six individual events—the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle; the 100 and 200 backstroke; and the 100 butterfly—along with four relay records. His impact extended beyond the program record book, as he set PSAC conference records in four events: the 100 backstroke (48.01, also a PSAC Championships meet record), 200 backstroke (1:46.83), 100 butterfly (47.31, also a PSAC meet record), and 50 freestyle (19.73).
Benedict's senior season in 2019–20 was nothing short of remarkable. At the PSAC Championships, he captured four individual conference titles in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and 100 backstroke, while also helping Gannon claim gold in the 400 freestyle relay and 800 freestyle relay. His six gold medals earned him the meet's Most Outstanding Swimmer honors.
On the national stage, Benedict closed his career with his third All-America finish after placing 10th in the 100 butterfly preliminaries at the 2020 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at SPIRE Institute. The remainder of the meet was canceled between sessions on the second day, but his performance still earned All-America recognition and capped an extraordinary collegiate career. He was also named to the PSAC Winter Top 10 in 2020.
As a junior in 2018–19, Benedict was a two-time All-American at the NCAA Division II Championships in Indianapolis, finishing ninth in the 100-yard butterfly and 16th in the 50 freestyle, while narrowly missing the finals in the 200 backstroke with a 17th-place finish. That season alone, he set five individual school records and swam on four school-record relay teams. His program-best times in the 50 freestyle (20.27), 100 freestyle (45.68), 100 butterfly (47.48), 100 backstroke (49.39), and 200 backstroke (1:46.83) established new benchmarks, with his marks in the 100 butterfly and 200 backstroke also standing as PSAC records.
Benedict's dominance extended throughout the regular season, where he went undefeated in individual events, winning all 19 races he swam. At the PSAC Championships that year, he recorded multiple top finishes and played a key role on Gannon relay teams that placed second in the 800 freestyle relay and third in both the 400 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay.
Pat Cain '04, Football (2000-03)
A standard-bearer for excellence on and off the field, Pat Cain distinguished himself as one of the most accomplished tight ends the program has ever produced. Competing from 2000–03, Cain's career coincided with the early years of Gannon's scholarship football era, where his consistency, production, and leadership helped shape the foundation of the modern program.
Cain appeared in all 39 games of his Gannon career and emerged as one of the most reliable and productive offensive weapons in program history. He finished with 101 career receptions for 1,263 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches. Upon graduation, Cain stood as Gannon's all-time leader in touchdown receptions, ranked second in career catches, and third in receiving yards. While those totals have since been surpassed, he still remains among the program's all-time leaders in that category.
His on-field performance earned widespread recognition at the conference, regional, and national levels. Cain was a two-time All-American, receiving honors in 2002 (Football Gazette Honorable Mention) and 2003 (Don Hansen Football Gazette Third Team and D2Football.com Honorable Mention). He was also a two-time All-Region selection, highlighted by a unanimous First Team nod in 2003 from Daktronics, Football Gazette, and D2Football.com, following a Second Team selection by Football Gazette in 2002. Additionally, Cain was a two-time First-Team All-IFL selection in both 2002 and 2003 and earned Honorable Mention All-ECAC recognition as a senior.
Cain's legacy is further cemented by a historic distinction: he became the first All-American in Gannon football history during the scholarship era.
Beyond the statistics and accolades, Cain exemplified what it meant to be a Golden Knight. A four-year starting tight end, he combined toughness and reliability with strong academic performance, graduating with a GPA above 3.0.
Cain's impact has extended well beyond his playing days. Following his collegiate career, he returned to his hometown of New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he devoted himself to education and service. For 15 years, he worked as an emotional support teacher for students with special needs, a role he has often described as the most rewarding work of his life. He currently serves as the Dean of Students at George Washington Middle School in New Castle, continuing his commitment to leadership and mentorship. In addition, Cain has coached high school football for 13 years and eighth-grade basketball for nine, influencing countless young athletes through sport and example.
Zack McKendree '11, Men's Wrestling (2006-11)
Competing from 2006–11, Zack McKendree emerged as a cornerstone of the Golden Knights' wrestling program and remains one of its most decorated student-athletes.
Over the course of his career, McKendree compiled a remarkable 111–45 overall record, finishing as Gannon's all-time leader in victories. His .712 career winning percentage reflects both consistency and durability across five seasons, while his 30 career pins rank among the program's all-time leaders. In dual-meet competition, he posted a 32–7 record with an .821 winning percentage, further highlighting his reliability in head-to-head team competition.
McKendree's senior season in 2010–11 stands among the finest individual campaigns in program history. He recorded 34 wins, the fourth-highest single-season total ever by a Golden Knight, and went a perfect 12–0 in dual meets. That unblemished dual record marked just the seventh undefeated dual season with at least ten wins in school history. His dominant performance throughout the year earned him 2010–11 Gannon Co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors and recognition as the NCAA Division II Super Region One Wrestler of the Year.
A two-time All-American, McKendree earned national honors during the 2007–08 and 2010–11 seasons, capping a career that featured one of the most impressive postseason runs Gannon has ever seen. At the NCAA Division II National Championships, the 165-pounder defeated three opponents who combined for 91 wins during the season to advance to the national championship match. He became just the third wrestler in program history to reach an NCAA Division II national title bout.
McKendree's national tournament performance was highlighted by a signature moment in the quarterfinals, where he faced the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the country and secured a stunning pin in just 33 seconds—widely regarded as one of the best performances of the championship weekend. He followed with a composed 5–2 victory in the semifinals before narrowly falling in sudden death in the national finals, concluding an extraordinary postseason run.
Beyond his athletic achievements, McKendree excelled academically, earning two Academic All-America honors (2007–08 and 2009–10) and recognition as a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. His commitment to excellence in the classroom mirrored his discipline and work ethic on the mat.
By the end of his career, McKendree ranked sixth all-time at Gannon in pins (30), eighth in dual meet winning percentage (.821), ninth in dual meet victories (32), and ninth in overall winning percentage (.712), cementing his place among the program's all-time greats.
Sean Morphy '04, Men's Water Polo (2001-04)
Few individuals in Gannon Athletics history have made as profound and lasting an impact on a single program as Sean Morphy. As both a student-athlete and later as head coach for the men's and women's water polo programs, Morphy helped build, elevate, and sustain Gannon water polo into a nationally respected program at the Division II level.
Morphy was a member of Gannon's very first varsity water polo team and competed as a goalkeeper from 2001–04. A four-year letterwinner and team captain, he established himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history. He concluded his playing career as Gannon's all-time leader in steals with 228 and ranked second all-time in saves with 993, a record he held until 2018. He also placed among the program's top performers in assists, ranking ninth all-time with 85, and recorded four top-10 single-season save totals, finishing second, third, eighth, and ninth on Gannon's single-season charts.
Beyond the statistics, Morphy was a leader in every sense of the word. As team captain, he set the standard for accountability, competitiveness, and academic excellence, helping establish the culture that would define Gannon water polo for years to come. His individual success was complemented by academic recognition, as he earned CWPA Scholar-Athlete honors during his collegiate career.
After his playing days, Morphy returned to Gannon as a coach, continuing his deep connection to the program. Serving as head coach for both the men's and women's teams from 2015–18, he compiled an impressive 57–28 overall record, including a dominant 24–3 mark in conference play. His tenure was highlighted by steady and dramatic program growth, improving a 6–10 record early in his coaching career to a 20–1 campaign in his final season.
Under Morphy's leadership, Gannon water polo reached new heights. In 2018, his team entered the conference championships undefeated and nationally ranked, solidifying the program's place on the national stage. His success earned him three MAWPC Coach of the Year honors from 2016–18, recognition that reflected both competitive excellence and sustained program development.
Morphy's influence extended well beyond wins and losses. He consistently emphasized the importance of being a student-athlete, and his teams were regularly ranked among the top 20 programs nationally for team grade point average.
Perhaps the most telling measure of Morphy's character came during his coaching tenure, when he guided Brett Rehrer—who would eventually surpass Morphy's career saves record—over four seasons.
Julie Catherine Stazer Pikiewicz '98, Women's Soccer (1994-97)
An outstanding student-athlete on the women's soccer team from 1996–98, Julie Stazer Pikiewicz left a lasting mark on the program and has continued to reflect Gannon's highest ideals through her professional career and community involvement.
During her time at Gannon, Pikiewicz distinguished herself as one of the premier players in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). In 1996, she earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors, was named to the GLIAC First Team All-Conference, and received the Erie County Farms Woman in Sports Award. That season also brought national recognition, as she was selected to the NSCAA All–Great Lakes Region Team. Her impact on the program extended beyond individual accolades, as she received the Senior Recognition Award for being instrumental in Gannon's winning 1996 season.
Pikiewicz continued her exceptional play in 1997, once again earning NSCAA All–Great Lakes Region honors and GLIAC First Team All-Conference recognition. She served as team captain and was named the team's Most Valuable Player, while also receiving a second Senior Recognition Award for her key role in another successful season. Her excellence on and off the field led to her nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year, one of the highest honors recognizing the totality of a student-athlete's impact.
Academically, Pikiewicz set a standard of achievement that matched her athletic success. She was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 1996 and was the recipient of Gannon University academic, leadership, and soccer scholarships from 1996–98. In 1998, she earned the Gannon Academic Award for Excellence in Elementary Education and the President's List Award for achieving Dean's List recognition every semester. She graduated magna cum laude with a 3.85 GPA, was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, and received the prestigious Doc Beyer Award for Excellence in Athletics and Academics. She later continued her academic journey by earning a master's degree in Education in August of 2025.
Following graduation, Pikiewicz dedicated her life to education, coaching, and community service. She has served as an elementary teacher in the Harborcreek School District since 1998, impacting generations of students through her commitment to learning and leadership. She also led the Harborcreek Girls Varsity Soccer Program as head coach from 1998–2003. Currently, she serves as a third grade teacher at Clark Elementary School.
Perhaps most notably, Pikiewicz has played a transformative role in youth soccer development in the region. She was instrumental in initiating soccer programs at Seneca High School and in securing fields and facilities to support the sport's growth. In 2011, she founded the Seneca Soccer Club for children in grades K–6, an organization that has benefited hundreds of young athletes. Serving as vice president from 2011–14 and president from 2014–18, she continues to support and guide the club's mission. Her coaching résumé includes years of service with EYSA summer soccer, YMCA indoor and outdoor leagues, free soccer skills clinics, and Seneca Soccer Club teams at multiple levels.
Dave Stoczynski '74, Men's Basketball (1971-73)
Competing for the Golden Knights from 1971–73, Dave Stoczynski emerged as one of the program's most efficient and productive scorers of his era.
Stoczynski joined the Gannon basketball program as a junior after earning his associate degree from NCC, where he gained national recognition while playing for the "Frontiersmen." Despite entering the program later than many of his peers and overcoming a season hiatus due to a back injury, he continued to improve throughout his two seasons with the Golden Knights. He finished his Gannon career with 853 points and a 16.4 scoring average, numbers that placed him among the program's elite scorers at the time, specifically 13th at the time of his graduation.
At the conclusion of his career, Stoczynski ranked 13th all-time at Gannon in career points and second all-time in scoring average. While the passage of time has since shifted those standings, he remains ranked 43rd all-time in career points and 10th in career scoring average.
Stoczynski's excellence on the court carried him to the professional ranks. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1974 NBA Draft and went on to play two professional seasons in Europe.
Beyond the statistics, Stoczynski was a respected leader within the program. He served as a co-captain alongside Gerald Walker, earning recognition for his genuine, serious, and steady leadership. Those same leadership qualities became hallmarks of his life after basketball, shaping a career dedicated to education, mentorship, and service. Stoczynski went on to teach, coach, officiate, and serve as both an athletic administrator and an elementary and high school principal, impacting countless students and athletes along the way.
Known for bringing his strong Catholic faith and deep love for the game of basketball to Gannon College, Stoczynski's strength, determination, and integrity continued to guide him throughout his personal and professional life. Those values were reflected in his nearly 46-year marriage, his relationship with his accomplished daughter, and his enduring friendships.
