Cardinal Hall of Fame Inducts Three New Members

Wheeling, W.Va. Sept. 22, 2007 — Wheeling Jesuit University welcomed three new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame, Saturday, Sept. 22 at a morning ceremony that began with a 10:30 a.m. brunch and concluded with the unveiling of three new plaques to hang on the McDonough wall of fame.

Honorees are: Avon Lake, Ohio resident Michael J. Gerrasch ’96; Downingtown, Pa. resident Jill Sassaman Neuhaus ’95; and Selinsgrove, Pa. resident James W. Findlay ’96.

The 1993 Men’s Soccer Team was also honored and received recognition for their 15th anniversary of winning Wheeling Jesuit’s first WVIAC title and NAIA National Tournament appearance. The 1993 soccer team had seven ALL-WVIAC selections, three Regional All-Americans, three NAIA All-Americans and one NAIA Academic All-American. Members in attendance were introduced by veteran soccer coach Jim Regan.

Athletic Director Dan Sancomb made the announcements and welcomed guests and honorees to the ceremony, held in the Erickson Alumni Center. The Rev. Julio Giulietti, S.J., president of the university, also welcomed the returning athletes and their family and friends as he congratulated them on their success.

Each honoree spoke and recounted their careers as they thanked their coaches and family members for their support.

Gerrasch is currently employed at Software AG, near Cleveland. He earned a bachelor’s degree in both physics and chemistry, while minoring in math and biology, graduating in 1996. An excellent student-athlete, he was a campus leader and resident assistant at the university. During his basketball career, he recorded 1,158 points and was named All-WVIAC Special Honorable Mention in 1993 and All-WVIAC Honorable Mention in

1995 and 1996. He and his wife, Shereen attended the ceremony, accompanied by his parents and sister.

Neuhaus graduated from Wheeling Jesuit in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She was a four-year standout for the Lady Cardinal soccer team. She was a member of the 1993 and 1994 District 28 and Great Lakes Region Championship teams. Neuhaus was also a member of the 1993 NAIA National Tournament Team and received 1993 NAIA All-Regional First Team and NAIA All-American Honorable Mention honors. In 1994, she received First Team NAIA All-Region, Second Team NSCAA All-American honors and was named to the NAIA Senior Bowl East Team. Her husband Scot, her children and her parents attended the ceremony.

Findlay, a native of Toronto, Canada, was a 1996 graduate of Wheeling Jesuit. He was a four-year standout for the men’s soccer program.

Findlay played from 1992-95, tallying up many accolades during his career. He was named First Team All-WVIAC in 1992, 1993, 1995 and Second Team All-WVIAC in 1994. He is a two time All-Region selection, a two-time team MVP, a NAIA ALL-American, a 1995 NAIA Senior Bowl selection and the 1995 WVIAC Player of the Year. Findlay ranks #5 in the Cardinal record books with 99 career points (32 goals and 33 assists).

He attended the ceremony accompanied by his wife Chrissy, his children, his in-laws and his parents.

With the addition of the 2007 Hall of Fame members, the roster now stands at 62 members in the WJU Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Cardinal Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to honor former student-athletes, coaches or other members of the WJU community who have made significant contributions to the success of the WJU athletic programs. Nine individuals who represent the athletic department, WJU faculty, alumni office, Cardinal Athletic Club and the Jesuit Community make up the Hall of Fame committee.

Criteria for nomination into the Hall of Fame include: candidates must be a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University who graduated 10 years ago or longer, must have participated on a varsity, intercollegiate team and shown athletic excellence in the candidate's given sport(s). Candidates must also be a significant contributor to the Wheeling Jesuit University athletic program (special "honorary" category for faculty members, coaches and administrators).

—WJU—