Point Park Athletics inducted three new members into their Hall of Fame during an induction on September 30. There are currently 62 members.
Members of the public can nominate alumni for their success both in their sport and in the classroom. Players or coaches must have a five-year gap to be nominated. Coaches must have three years of service.
The newest inductees are Shane Lucas (men’s soccer), Tom Birko (men’s baseball) and Ashley Morran (women’s softball). Lucas graduated in 2011 and he was named team captain. He started every game of his career of 70 games. From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the defender was a three-time All-Conference honoree.
Birko graduated from Point Park in 2014. The team captain hit .337, 35 doubles, eight triples and four home runs. He also drove in 142 RBIs in his 200 games. He was also named to the 2014 CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team and was named to the second team in 2013.
Morran is a Pittsburgh native, coming from Washington, Pennsylvania. The 2014 graduate hit for .363 and 40 home runs. In 166 games she also had 174 RBIs. Twice in her career, she was honored as an NAIA All-American and in 2013 she was named the KIAC player of the year. The four-year starter also won 105 games and was an All-Conference member in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Kevin Taylor, Point Park’s sports information director (SID) of 16 years, said they receive a handful of new nominations every year. There is a process on how to be nominated and how long it is active.
“When a nomination is made, it is active for five years; so, there are those that carry over from previous years if they are not selected,” Taylor said. “Each year there are more and more who become eligible.”
Shane Lucas, of men’s soccer 2011, was one of three members nominated this year and attended the event in Lawrence Hall.
“The event was incredible; to be able to come back to the University, to the ballroom, to see so many familiar faces, both new and old, was great,” Lucas said. “It’s a very nostalgic feeling as it’s been a long time since I was last on campus. It was organized and the staff did a great job serving. I was very happy overall with it.”
Even with a lot of athletic events going on around campus that day, there was still a high number in attendance, but the event was the same as always for Taylor.
“This year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony was like all of them in that it was very special to the inductees, their families, supporters and us as an athletic department,” Taylor said. “This year’s inductees were very appreciative of the honor, and I know that everyone came away with an enjoyable and memorable night”
It was a different feeling for the newest member of the Hall of Fame.
“Admittedly, I did not know what to expect; I tried not to set any expectations for the event as a whole because I wanted to stay in the moment of all of it,” Lucas said. “So, for me, it was perfect because I didn’t have those expectations. My family, friends, teammates, and coaches all really enjoyed it and that’s what was most important for me.”
Cameron Williams, the current men’s soccer coach, is very pleased that Lucas was inducted.
“I think Shane represented the program with his leadership ability and hard work,” Williams said. “I am excited to have him represent our program now in the hall of fame. It’s a great honor for him personally, and we could not be more elated for him.”
Lucas is the third member of the men’s soccer program to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Rafal Kolankowski (1995 & Hall of Fame class of 2006) and Chris Heh (1998 & Hall of Fame class of 2010) are the other two members.
“The atmosphere had everything, happiness, laughs, tears, memories,” Lucas said. “To me, that’s what those ceremonies are about. The vulnerability and to allow the event to be what it should be naturally.”
