INDIANA, Pa. – The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) department of athletics announced its Hall of Fame Class for 2024.
The class consists of 10 former student-athletes, two long-time coaches and one team to make up the department's 28th induction class. Along with the coach/administrator and team categories, Larry and Barbara Kubala will be recognized as the Honorary Bell Ringer.
The full IUP Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is listed below:
- Tim Buffone; football, 2001
- Mario Hardison; football/track & field, 1996
- Crystal Heder; women's soccer, 2008
- Michael Higgins; cross country/track & field, 1979
- Jackie Hynson; women's swimming, 2012
- Alexa Lodovici; women's lacrosse, 2013
- Christine Schrott; cross country/track & field, 1990
- Ashton Smith; men's basketball, 2012
- Nick Sudzina; baseball, 1969
- Jim Wooding; track & field, 1977
- Team: 1964 Football Team
- Coach/Administrator: Rich Hornfeck/James. G Mill; football
- Honorary Bell Ringer: Larry Kubala '68 and Barbara Kubala '68, M'73
"The 2024 Hall of Fame Class is another outstanding example of excellence across the storied tradition of our athletic department," IUP director of athletic
Todd Garzarelli said. "We are excited to recognize this accomplished class this fall for their many contributions to the university."
The 2024 Hall of Fame Class will formally be inducted this fall, taking place on Saturday, September 28 prior to the IUP football game against Clarion. More details are forthcoming.
The new inductees bring the total to 329 former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and teams who have made significant contributions to IUP Athletics and have enhanced its image and reputation as enshrines in the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame.
Biographical capsules on the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees can be found below:
Tim Buffone
Football
1998-2001
Three-time All-PSAC First Team defensive lineman (1999, 2000, 2001)… Defensive team captain for IUP in 2000 and 2001… Part of PSAC West titles in 2000 and 2001… Named the team's most inspirational player in 2000 and 2001; began career on offensive line before moving to defense… Had a pick-six against Lock Haven in 1999… Named to the IUP Football CFB 150 List… Played two seasons for National Indoor Football League's Ohio Valley Greyhounds, earning First team All-Pro honors in both years.
Mario Hardison
Football/Track & Field
1993-1996
Two-sport student-athlete at IUP as a sprinter for the track & field program and a wide receiver for the football program… Two-time all-conference selection in football… All-PSAC First Team wideout in 1996… All-PSAC Second Team selection in 1995… Fifth in program history in receiving touchdowns (23), 10th in career receiving yards (2,093), 12th in career receptions (118)… Part of school-record relay track teams in the 1990s, including the 400 meter relay (41.69) and 800 meter relay (1:28.3).
Crystal Heder Kosecki
Women's Soccer
2003-06
Four-time all-conference selection for the IUP women's soccer program… Member of 2004 PSAC Championship squad, the second in school history… All-region selection… All-PSAC First Team honors in 2004 and 2006… All-PSAC Second Team honoree in 2003 and 2005… Logged 112 career points on 42 goals and 28 assists… One of just four players in program history to record 100+ career points… Currently third in program history in career assists, fourth in career goals… Averaged 1.4 points/game across 80 career appearances… Scored three goals in 2004 against California (Pa.), the second-most in a game in program history.
Michael Higgins
Cross Country/Track & Field
1975-79
NAIA All-American at IUP (1979)… Finished in second at NCAA Regionals qualifier, the highest finish for men's cross country… Set IUP record in 10,000 in the spring of 1978.
Jackie Hynson McKelvy
Women's Swimming
2009-12
National Champion and 2012 national record holder in the 200 butterfly (1:58.84).. PSAC Women's Swimmer of the Year (2011)… Set six school records; still holds two IUP women's swimming school records in the 200 back (1:59:35) and 200 fly… 11-time All-American honoree… Versatile competitor, earning All-America First Team honors in five different events… Two-time PSAC Top 10 award recipient, given for combined academic and athletic excellence… IUP Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2012… Nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year in 2012… Holds PSAC all-time and conference meet records in the 200 fly and 200 back.
Alexa Lodovici
Women's Lacrosse
2010-13
Among the most decorated offensive players in IUP lacrosse history… Program leader in career points (292)… Third in program history in career goals (167) and assists (125)… Holds the program's top two marks for points in a season… 2013 PSAC Player of the Year and two-time All-American… Two-time All-Region honoree (2012, 2013)… Three-time All-PSAC selection… Ranks 15th in PSAC history in career assists and tied for 19th in career points through 2023 season… 101 points in 2013 is tops in school history… Tied for third in school history for points in a game, recording 11 against Millersville in March 2012… Had 10 or more points in four games during her career… Seven-goal performance against Gannon in April 2013… Added 84 career ground balls.
Christine Wheeler Schrott
Cross Country/Track & Field
1986-1990
Finished sixth at NCAA Cross Country National Championships in 1989 as an All-American… PSAC champion in 3,000m and 5,000m in 1990 at the league's track & field championships… Second at PSAC Cross Country Championships in 1989; fifth at PSAC XC Championship in 1987… Earned bid to cross country nationals in debut collegiate season (1986)… Competed throughout her collegiate career in both cross country and track.
Ashton Smith
Men's Basketball
2008-12
Played in 127 career games across four-year IUP career, helping the program to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments… Member of three straight PSAC regular season titles, two PSAC Championships (2010, 2011) and an appearance in the NCAA DII National Championship game in 2010… 2012 NABC All-America First Team and PSAC West Player of the Year… All-Region selection and a Reese's Division II College All-Star Game participant as a senior… Among the best guards in program history, currently sixth in career points (1,635), third in career assists (456), 10th in steals (138), 12th in made field goals (135) and sixth in made free throws (408).
Nick Sudzina
Baseball
1966-69
Four-year outfielder for the IUP baseball program… Part of a combined 59-26 record under the direction of legendary head coach Owen Dougherty... Hit a combined .388 with just four strikeouts in his collegiate career… Helped IUP to a pair of District 18 NAIA Championships… 1969 IUP baseball program beat three NCAA DI schools in a 14-game schedule… Signed with the Detroit Tigers organization in the summer of 1969… Assisted on the final out of a triple play, backing up the play from left field in 1966 against St. Francis… Seven career triples.
Jim Wooding
Track & Field
1974-77
Seven-time All-American as a four-year letterwinner in track & field… Four-time PSAC Champion in the 400-meter dash… Anchor of the 1977 All-American 1600 meter relay (4x400) team, a record that still stands today… Joined Don Freidline, Steve Shunk, and Ron Steele, anchoring the combined mark of 3:12.45.
Coach/Administrator Category
Richard Hornfeck/James G. Mill (posthumous)
Assistant coaches/coordinators with the IUP football program… Hornfeck served as offensive coordinator with Mill serving as defensive coordinator in the 1970s for head coach Bill Neal… Played a significant role in academic and athletic roles at IUP over their careers.
Team Category
1964 Football Team
First eight-win season in IUP history under head coach Chuck Klausing… Went 6-0 in PSAC play, becoming the first football team in program history to win the PSAC West… Known as Indiana State College at the 1960s… Members of the team went on to a variety of career fields following their playing career, including military service, education, coaching, officiating, business executives and more.
