Alumni Sports Hall of Fame

2023 Recipients Alumni Sports Hall of Fame

Six Lancers inducted into the 2023 Alumni Sports Hall of Fame 

The Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Awards Presentation and Induction Ceremony took place on October 29 in the Alumni Auditorium in the CAW Student Centre.

Athlete inductees from this year’s class include Robert Fallenbuchl (fencing), Austin Kennedy (football), Spencer Pommells (hockey), Stephanie Wenner (track & field), and Korissa Williams (basketball).Long time track & field assistant coach David McGuffin was inducted as a Builder/Coach and former Lancer Kurt Michael Downes was recognized as a Sport Achievement Honouree.Congratulations to all honourees. 

About the 2023 Recipients

Austin Kennedy (BComm ’15) is one of the most talented student-athletes in Lancer football history. The Windsor native led the team at quarterback from 2011-14 and continues to hold the OUA touchdown pass record eight years after his graduation with 79. Throughout his time with the blue and gold, Kennedy was named the team MVP three times, and captured the prestigious DeMarco award in his final year for his combined athletic and academic accomplishments. A three-time OUA all-star, Kennedy holds thirteen Lancer football records, including most completed passes in a career with 710 and most passing yards in a single game at 482. An academic all-Canadian for the duration of this career, Kennedy was named to the CIS Academic Top 8 for the 2014-15 season.  

Robert Fallenbuchl (BA ’90, LLB ’94, BEd ’95) was a member of the Lancer fencing team from 1987-93. He began his career with the blue and gold as a member of the track & field team in 1986, but an injury sent him into fencing. Fallenbuchl helped lead the Lancers to three OUAA championships in 1988-89, 1989-90, and 1992-93, while also claiming the OUAA George Tulley Award in 1993 as the league’s most proficient fencer. He won gold medals in various tournaments throughout his career including the OUAA Sabre and Ohio State’s Curn Memorial Sabre tournament and represented Windsor and Team Canada at the 1992 FISU games and helped the team place fourth overall in the world.

A forward with the Lancer hockey team from 2011-15, Spencer Pommells (BSW ’16) helped lead the Lancers to a Queen’s Cup championship in the 2013-14 season. Throughout his time with the blue and gold, Pommells led the team in scoring from 2012-15 and was the named the 2014-15 Olympic Shield winner as the Lancer male athlete of the year, and the 2012-13 Super Sophomore award winner. A two-time OUA all-star, Pommells was named the CIS player of the year in 2015 and a first-team all-Canadian after being named the OUA’s MVP and the CIS’ scoring leader.

Stephanie Wenner (BA ’06) competed as a Lancer track & field athlete from 2001-05 and helped lead the team to an OUA Championship title in 2002 and 2005. Wenner was a three-time OUA all-star and currently is the co-record Lancer holder in the women’s 60mH. She holds five OUA medals including gold in the 60mH in 2003 and 2004, silver in the 4x200m relay in 2004 and 2005, and a bronze in the 60m dash in 2004. Wenner also achieved many accomplishments on the national level including being a two-time CIS all-Canadian, a silver medalist in the 60mH in 2003 and 2004, and a bronze medalist in the 4x200m relay in 2004. She was also part of the 2002 Pan American Junior Team and competed in Florida with the team.  

Korissa Williams (BComm ’15) is only one of two student-athletes to win five CIS national championships. A guard with the women’ basketball team from 2011-15, Williams capped off her five-year career as the BLG Trophy recipient as the overall female Canadian university athlete of the year. In the same year, she was also awarded the Banner Shield as the Lancer top female athlete, a first-team CIS all-Canadian, team MVP, and the OUA women’s basketball defensive player of the year. Throughout her career, Williams was also a two-time CIS National player of the year, a two-time CIS Final 8 championship tournament MVP, Lancer female rookie of the year (2010-11), and Lancer female super sophomore award recipient (2011-12). On the Lancer all-time leader boards, Williams is ranked second overall in scoring (1268 points), and steals (300), third overall in assists (327), and eighth overall in rebounds (541). She was an OUA all-star from 2012-2015 and was named to the OUA all-rookie team in her first year. Williams also represented Canada in many international competitions such as the World U19 Championships in 2011, the 2013 World University Games in Russia, the 2015 World University Games in South Korea, and she was a member of the Canadian national women’s basketball program for four seasons.

Also being inducted into the hall of fame in the category of Builder/Coach is Dave McGuffin.

Dave McGuffin was an assistant track coach with the Lancers from 1990-2018 and is considered the most winningest coach in University of Windsor history. He helped coach the Lancers to 21 national championships, and 40 provincial championships. Over the years, his athletes captured 17 CIS medals, and countless medals at the OUA championships. He won the Gino Fracas Coach of the Year award in 2000 and received an “A Award” from the athletic department for distinguished longtime service in 2010. Of the Lancer all-time high jump leaders in track & field, McGuffin coached nine of the top ten male athletes and eight of the ten top female athletes.  

Kurt Michael Downes (BA ’03, BEd ’05) is being recognized this year as well as a Sport Achievement Honouree. Downes is a local teacher and coach of the Border City Athletics Club and has been a track & field coach in the area for many years. He has represented Canada as a staff coach at several international events including: the World Athletics Championships 2022, the Tokyo Olympics 2020, IAAF World Athletics Championship 2019, Pan American Senior Championships 2019, NACAC Senior Championships 2018, IAAF World Championship 2017, Pan-American Junior Championships 2015, IAAF World Youth Championships 2013, IAAF World Junior Championships 2012. In addition, Downes was named the Athletics Canada Dr. Doug Clement Coach of the Year (2019) for guiding Kelsey Balkwill to the OUA/U SPORTS track athlete of the year and Brandon McBride to a Canadian Record in the 800m and a 3rd Place finish in the Diamond League Final. 

Photo Album from the 2023 Alumn Sports Hall of Fame

View the photo album


The University of Windsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to honour alumni who have significantly contributed to University of Windsor athletics and/or who have exemplified the spirit and ideals of University of Windsor Sports in any other endeavours.

Categories for Induction:

  • Athlete
  • Administrator/Builder/Coach

The non-voting Executive Committee, oversees the nomination and selection process with the help of a 60 member Nomination and Selection Committee. Nominees named on the ballot are selected by the Executive Committee.

View Inductee Criteria and nomination form

Eligibility Criteria

Administrator/Builder/Coach
Please consider and include level of involvement, ie: Administrator, Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Trainer, Scorer, Statistician, other; duration; achievements; volunteer; non-volunteer; time demands. Those nominated are eligible after a five-year period following their last official involvement at the University of Windsor.

Athlete
Highest level of participation, ie. Conference, Provincial, National, International, Olympic; duration; achievements as Purple Raider or Lancer; awards, medals, records, M.V.P., All-Canadian, etc. Individuals that are eligible have normally completed an eight-year period from their last participation as an athlete at the University of Windsor.

View Inductee Award criteria and nomination form (contact alumni@uwindsor.ca for updated nomination form)

View Inductee Criteria and nomination form

For more information about the nomination process, contact Katherine Simon, or email alumni@uwindsor.ca for assistance.


Athlete Category

  • Austin Kennedy BComm ’15

  • Robert Fallenbuchl BA ’90, LLB ’94, BEd ’95

  • Spencer Pommells BSW ’16

  • Stephanie Wenner BA ’06

  • Korissa Williams BComm ’15

Builder Coach Category

  • Dave McGuffin

Sport Achievement Category

  • Kurt Michael Downes BA ’03, BEd ’05

2022 Inductees

  • Jessica Clemencon BA ’12, MHK ’14
  • Richard Holland BA ’86
  • Miah-Marie Langlois BComm ’14
  • Drew Macaulay BA '98 BEd '99
  • Meaghan (Pototschnik) Whattam BScN ’13

Watch the video of the 2022 ceremony.
To read more visit GoLancers.ca

2021 Inductees

  • Iva Peklova BSc '10, MSc '12
  • Kyle Robinson BSc '98
  • Tanya Sawyers BA '02
  • Richard Tremain BComm '98

Watch the 2021 Commemorative video on YouTube
To read more visit GoLancers.ca

2020 Inductees

  • Matt Butler, BA ’90
  • Scott Hillman BHK ’99
  • Noelle Montcalm BScN ’12
  • Ositadinma (Osi) Nriagu BComm ’05, BEd ’07

2019 Inductees

  • Jamie Adjetey-Nelson BA ’07, BEd ’09
  • Arjei Franklin BHK ’05, BEd ’06
  • Don Garrod BA ’96
  • Stephanie Gouin BHK ’99
  • Gary Malloy BA ’83, BEd ’84 (posthumously)
  • Steve Ray BAS ’96

2018 Inductees

  • Melissa Bishop '10, '11
  • Charles Pearsall, '78 (posthumously)
  • Ryan Steer, '07, '08
  • Daryl Stephenson, '08, '11

2017 Inductees

  • Gino Castellan, '87, '89
  • Ritch Coughlin, '86
  • Stephen Gibb, '85
  • Dranadia Roc, '09

2016 Inductees 

  • Jacqueline (Malette) Biswas,  '07
  • Dennis Fairall, '93
  • James (JK) Kennedy, '85
  • Greg Wood, '76, '77

2015 Inductees

  • Kelley (Park) Cavanaugh, '05, '06
  • Chris Church, '98, '08
  • Ryan McKenzie, '04
  • Sean Moriarty, '82, '97, '01

2014 Inductees

  • Helen Vasilic, '75, '76
  • Jim Weese, '80, '83
  • Dan Brannagan, '81, '82, '86

2013 Inductees

  • Andy Auch ’69, ’74, ’77
  • Valérie Hamel ’04
  • Gerald Hlady ’91, ’92
  • Ed Petryshyn ’64

2012 Inductees

  • Dan Devin ’76, ’77
  • Don Hollerhead ’75, ’76
  • Georgia Risnita ’98
  • Beth (Stroud) MacIntosh ’00, ’02          

2011 Inductees

  • Richard Peddie, ’70, ’01
  • Jodi Beaugrand, ’93
  • Andy Buckstein, ’83
  • Jennifer (Graham) Schutz, ’95, ’97, ’98

2010 Inductees

  • Gary Howell, ’76, ’77, ’79
  • Marty Kaye, ’68
  • Bob Navetta, ’68

2009 Inductees 

  • Maj. Albert Linnell (posthumously)
  • William Miles, (posthumously)
  • Allison Duke, ’89, ’91
  • Phil Hermanutz, ’81, ’82, ’85
  • Douglas Tilson, ’91

2008 Inductees

  • Don Brown, ’69
  • Missy (McCleary) Fiorino, ’97, ’98
  • Jim Lynn, ’78
  • Rick Pickersgill, ’88
  • Tim Ryan, ’87 

2007 Inductees    

  • John Purcell, ’70, ’74
  • Pete Mudry, ’46
  • Van Niforos, ’79, ’80
  • Chris Wydrzynski, ’70, ’73

2006 Inductees 

  • Rick Cranker, ’75, ’76
  • Jerry Slavik, ’06
  • Kathy Adkin, ’87, ’88
  • Colleen Hogan, ’87, ’90
  • Peter Ott, ’82

2005 Inductees

  • Morgan Clark, ’69, ’75
  • O’Brian Gibbons, ’95
  • Bill Seagris, ’92, ’96, ’97
  • Kelly (Dinsmore) Soulliere, ’94, ’95

2004 Inductees

  • Bill L’Heureux ’37
  • Ado Rorai ’47
  • Howie Triano ’57
  • Chuck Brimmer ’87
  • Elaine Weeks 

2003 Inductees

  • George McMahon, ’56
  • Joseph Mencel ’34, (posthumously)
  • Irma (Grant) Isaac, ’92, ’93
  • Matt St. Louis, ’89, ’90

2002 Inductees 

  • Dr. Bob Boucher (former Dean of Human Kinetics)
  • Ken Fathers (posthumously)
  • Don Bruner, ’70
  • Carmen Eaton, '63
  • Bob Temmerman, '49
  • Lori Scott-Pinter, '82, '84

2001 Inductees

  • Bill Kohlman, '49
  • Tony Techko (posthumously)
  • Paul Valentine, ’60             
  • Maxine Walkes-Thompson, ’87, ’89
  • Kelly-Ann Way, '88

2000 Inductees 

  • George Bodnar
  • Leo Innocente, '60
  • Ken Minello, '88, '89

1999 Inductees

  • Ronald Nicodemo
  • Irving “Toots” Meretsky
  • David Pickett

1998 Inductees 

  • Nick Grabowski,’70
  • Dick Mackenzie, ’57
  • Joanne Lazarus, ’72
  • Mary O’Brien, ’68, (posthumously)
  • Jerry Sovran, ’74

1997 Inductees

  • Ray Hermiston
  • Al Newman, ’32
  • Sante Salvador, ’70, ’73
  • Gino Sovran, ’45

1996 Inductees

  • Bernard Newman, ’33
  • Andy Parici, ’71, ’91
  • Theresa Simpson (McGee), ’85
  • Lou Veres, ’55

1995 Inductees

  • Scott Mallender, ’80, '81
  • Linda Staudt, ’81, '95
  • Paul Thomas

1994 Inductees

  • Gene Rizak, '60
  • Jennifer Pace-Hickey, '81
  • Bob Horvath, '65

1993 Inductees

  • Stan Korosec, '82
  • Bill Coulthard, '48

1992 Inductees

  • Marion “Cookie” Leach, ’71, '74
  • Angelo Mazzuchin, ’66, '68, ’70

1991

  • Justin Clarke (posthumously)
  • Jack Hool, '58
  • Bruce Walker, 78, '79

1990

  • Margery Holman, '68, '69
  • Eddi Chittaro, '55, '58
  • Andrea Page Steen, '79, '82

1989

  • Bruno Bitkowski
  • Frank DeMarco
  • Ed Dawson
  • Sis Thomson

1988 

  • Reno Bertoia, '58
  • Rev. W. McGee CSB
  • Bob Samaras

1987 

  • Gino Fracas
  • Rev. C. Armstrong CSB, '29
  • Rev. J. Hussey, CSB
  • Stanley (Red) Nantais, '37

1986 Inductees (innaugural year)

  • Ian Allison, '32
  • Hank Biasatti,'49
  • Richard Moriarty, '56, '59
  • Bill Rogin, '37
  • Fred Thomas, '49 (posthumously)

Sport Achievement Award 

Recognizes alumni for outstanding contributions to sport beyond the University of Windsor.

2023 Recipient

  • Kurt Michael Downes BA ’03, BEd ’05

2021 Recipient

  • Jeff May, BA ’01

2020 - No Award Given

2019 Recipient

  • Joe Siddall BHK ’07

2018 Recipient

  • Reg Chappell, '79

2017 Recipients

  • Peter Karilo '72, '73
  • Harry Lumley '75, '76

2016 Recipients

  • Gene Dziadura '59 (posthumously)
  • Leo Shapiro '61, '62

2015 Recipients

  • Jack Costello '63, '67
  • Denis Landry '71 (posthumously)
  • Scot McFadden '73, '75

2014 Recipients

  • Emily McBride '80
  • Rosemary Smyth '78, '79

2013 Recipients

  • Philip Haddad BA '66
  • Jack Schroeder BA '65, BEd '74, MEd '77

2012 Recipients

  • Lou Pocock ’64
  • Dave Prpich ’67, ’69
  • Bob Weepers ’62 (posthumously)

2011 Recipient

  • Joe Bowen '73

2010 Recipients

  • Cheryll Damphouse '76, '84
  • Sam Sisco '57

2009 Recipients

  • Michael (Max) Karcz '53
  • Margaret Sidoroff-Canty '99, '08

2008 Recipient

  • Murray Costello '59

2007 Recipients

  • Gerry Livingston
  • Terry (Duke) Snyder '58
  • Jeff Tiessen '90

2006 Recipients

  • Bob Gage '44
  • Bill Thomson '48

2005 Recipients

  • Roy Battagello '52
  • Godfrey Janisse '60
  • William (Bill) Pataky '57 (posthumously)
  • John Upham '71

Team Achievement Award

Recognizes Assumption College/University Purple Raider or University of Windsor Lancer teams which have competed successfully in provincial championships and/or competed at the highest level of intercollegiate competition available at that time.

2019 Recipients

  • CIAU Women’s Cross Country 1995-96

2018 Recipients

  • 1997-98 Lancer Men's Hockey Team

2017 Recipients

  • 1976-77 Lancer Golf Team
  • 1982-83 Lancer Golf Team
  • 1986-87 Lancer Golf Team
  • 1987-88 Lancer Golf Team
  • 1989-90 Lancer Golf Team
  • 1993-94 Lancer Golf Team

2016 Recipients

  • 1990-91 Men's Track & Field CIAU Team
  • 1991-92 Women's Track & Field CIAU Team

2015 Recipients

  • 1978-79 Men's Basketball

2014 Recipients

  • 1980-1988 Lancer Fencing Teams

2013 Recipients

  • 1967-68 Women’s Basketball Team
  • 1967-68 Women’s Swim Team
  • 1968-69 Women’s Swim Team
  • 1969-70 Women’s Basketball Team

2012 Recipients

  • 1970-71 Lancers Men's Basketball
  • 1971-72 Lancers Men's Basketball
  • 1972-73 Lancers Men's Basketball
  • 1972-'73 Lancers Men's Fencing
  • 1973-'74 Lancers Men's Fencing

2011 Recipients

  • 1975 University of Windsor Football Team

2010 Recipients

  • 1976-77 Lancers Men's Curling Team
  • 1977-78 Lancers Men's Curling Team
  • 1978-79 Lancers Women's Curling Team
  • 1978-79 Lancers Men's Curling Team

2009 Recipients

  • 1958-59 Assumption University of Windsor Lancers Men's Basketball Team

2008 Recipients

  • 1969 Lancers Football Team

2007 Recipients

  • 1963-64 Lancers Men’s Basketball Team CIAU & OUAA Champions
  • 1964-65 Lancers Men’s Basketball Team OUAA Champions
  • 1965-66 Lancers Men’s Basketball Team CIAU & OUAA Champions
  • 1966-67 Lancers Men’s Basketball Team CIAU & OUAA Champions
  • 1968-69 Lancers Men’s Basketball Team CIAU & OUAA Champions

2006 Recipients

  • 1953-54 Assumption University Purple Raider Men’s Basketball Team
  • 1956-57 Assumption University Lancers Men’s Basketball Team
  • 1966-67 University of Windsor Lancers Women’s Volleyball Team

2005 Recipients

  • 1944-45 Assumption College Purple Raiders Basketball Team
  • 1962-63 University of Windsor Lancers Men’s Basketball Team