Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives. Eventually, we plan to do that for the major colleges in the NCAA. As such, it is news to us that the University of Pittsburgh has announced thirteen members of their Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
The thirteen new members are:
Jennifer Bruce, Women’s Basketball(1981-85). With 2,295 Points, Bruce is second all-time in points scored for Pittsburgh, and her 20.5 Points per Game is still good enough to be tied as the best for the institution. Bruce was a three-time First Team All-Big East player and was the Big East Co-Player of the Year in 1984.
Donna DeMarino Sanft, Women’s Gymnastics (1970-74) Women’s Gymnastics Coach (1974-86), Administrator (1986-2014). A three-time MVP as a gymnast, Sanft would take over as their Head Coach. Over the 12 years she ran the program, Sanft had a meet record of 86-5701 and was twice named the Eastern Collegiate Coach of the Year. Following her tenure as a coach, she worked as an administrator at Pitt for 28 years.
Chantee Earl, Women’s Track and Field (1996-00). Earl won the 800-Meter at the 2000 NCAA Indoor Championship and was second in that discipline in that year’s Outdoor Championship. Earl was a six-time All-American, and had seven Big East Titles.
Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, Football(1984-87). Heyward rushed for 1,791 Yards as a senior and was named a Consensus All-American, while also finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. Heyward would later plat 11 years in the National Football League, and was a Pro Bowl Selection in 1995.
Brandin Knight, Men’s Basketball(1999-2003). A two-time All-American, Knight took the Panthers to two consecutive Big East Regular Titles (2002 & 2003), with a Sweet 16 appearance in both years. Knight is still the school record holder for Assists (785), Assists per Game (6.2) and Steals (298). In 2009, his number 20 was retired by the school.
Ann Marie Lucanie, Women’s Volleyball(1990-93). Lucanie’s 1,815 career kills still ranks as second all-time at Pitt and she was a three-time Big East Player of the Year. Over her time as a Panther, her school had an overall record of 101-39 and took her school to four Big East regular season titles and four Big East Tournaments.
Ken Macha, Baseball(1968-72). Macha had a great 1971 season where he was in the top ten in the NCAA in Batting Average, Slugging Percentage and Runs Batted In. He later played six years in the Majors.
Curtis Martin, Football (1991-94). Martin went for 2,643 Yards at Pitt, and was named to the All-Big East Team in 1993. Martin would later become one of the most prolific Running Backs in the NFL, rushing for 14,101 Yards and earning a Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2012.
Bob Peck, Football (1913-16). Peck was an All-American each year from 1914 to 1916, and over those years, Pitt went 24-1. He entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
Pat Santoro, Wrestling (1986-89). Santoro competed at the 142-pound weight class, and he had an overall record of 16713. He would win the 1988 and 1989 NCAA Title, and he was a four-time member of the United States National Team.
Jackie Sherrill, Football Head Coach (1977-81). Sherrill had a head coaching record of 50-9-1, with a 4-1 record in Bowls. Those wins were the 1977 Gator, 1979 Fiesta, 1980 Gator and 1982 Sugar.
Arnie Sowell, Men’s Track and Field (1953-57). Sowell won four NCAA Titles, and he would also win the Gold Medal at the 800 meter at the 1955 Pan American Games.
Pop Warner, Football Head Coach (1915-23). Warner had a head coaching record of 60-12-4 and his teams were recognized as National Champions in 1915, 1916 & 1918. He was one of the most innovative coaches in football history.
This group will be officially inducted on October 16 at the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner. They will be unveiled the following day at Pitt’s home game against Notre Dame.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to the impending members of the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Hall of Fame.
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