Honoring Athletic Contributions

During Pace’s Homecoming celebration in October 2022, the Pace University Department of Athletics was able to resume their tradition of honoring outstanding athletic alumni and staff after a three-year pause. Kaitlyn Lynch '13, Barry Moriarty, Larry Piediscalzo '02, Brittany Shields '12, and Ryan Williams '08 were inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Class of 2022, the 19th enshrined class since the Hall of Fame’s creation in 1997. Alex Rohan '93 and Terri Rohan '96 were recognized for their contributions to Pace Athletics with the Peter X. Finnerty Leadership Award.

"We couldn't be more excited to honor this class of prestigious and dedicated Setters. The Class of 2022 and this year's Peter X. Finnerty Leadership Award winners really embody the 'best of the best' of what Pace Athletics represents," remarked Director of Athletics Mark Brown. "We haven't had the opportunity to have this annual event over the past three years and we really wanted to bring it back bigger and better as a highlight of homecoming weekend."

All seven alumni were recognized at a ceremony and dinner on October 14, 2022 at Westchester Manor, and again during the halftime of the Pace homecoming football game against AIC the next day. But if you weren’t there, you can meet the newest Finnerty Leadership Award honorees and the Hall of Fame Class of 2022 now.

Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Kaitlyn Lynch

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Kaitlyn Lynch made history as the first Pace swimmer to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after an impeccable career in Pleasantville. The California native totaled a remarkable 16 medals from 2010-14, including 5 individual Northeast-10 (NE-10) championships. She notched back-to-back NE-10 titles in both the 100-fly and 100-back while also grabbing first in the 50-free in 2014.

Lynch was also named the NE-10 Swimmer of the Year in 2014 after racing to 3 individual titles and 6 total medals in her final championship meet. Her excellence includes a lasting impression right here at Pace, as her top times in both the 100-back (56.55) and 100-fly (56.75) are still school records to this day.

Not only an athletic success story, Lynch also impressed in the Pace classroom. She was a three-time selection to the NE-10’s Academic All-Conference Team, to go along with winning the NE-10's Sport Excellence Award in 2014.

Barry Moriarty

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Barry Moriarty was Pace's first-ever full-time certified athletic trainer, diligently serving the Athletic Department for over 40 years before retiring this past summer. Moriarty was promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine in 2015 in addition to his title as Head Athletic Trainer.

In addition to his athletic training duties, he served as the Chairperson of the Health and Wellness Curriculum Department over his last 34 years at Pace. On top of the chairperson role, he was also as an adjunct professor in the College of Health Professions. In his first 17 years with Pace Athletics, he also oversaw the operations of the equipment room.

Amongst his teaching responsibilities included classes in Care and Prevention of Athletic Injury, Wellness and Fitness, and Golf Courses. Moriarty also served on the Pace University Wellness Committee and was a voting member of the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame Committee.

Moriarty, who touched the lives of countless student-athletes over his long and illustrious career, was named the recipient of the Eastern College Athletic Conference's Dr. Donald Grover Memorial Award in 2016.

Larry Piediscalzo

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Larry Piediscalzo is arguably the best all-around football player in Pace history. In a career that spanned from 1997-2001, he was one of the most explosive players in the country. Following his senior season, Piediscalzo was named a Don Hansen Gazette D-II All-American as both a running back and a special teams performer and was Specialist of the Year in 2001. He finished his career as a two-time all-American and all-conference selection (2000, 2001) and the team's three-time offensive MVP (1999, 2000, 2001).

Piediscalzo's dynamic playmaking is still a lasting memory as he still owns Pace's two longest rushes. He rattled off a 96-yarder in 2001—which is still Pace's longest touchdown from scrimmage—while also breaking off a 90-yard run as a sophomore. In 2001, he also registered the Setters' highest-ever yards per carry at 7.7 per attempt.

Piediscalzo's jaw-dropping plays didn't stop at just the rushing attack. He added 97- and conference-record 96-yard kick-off return touchdowns as well in 2001, while also nabbing an 84-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Jamie Reed.

Brittany Shields

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Brittany Shields, who is currently the associate head coach for the Pace women's basketball team, is also one of the best players ever to don the Blue and Gold. Playing for the Setters from 2008-2013, Shields is one of just seven players in Setters' history to record more than 1,000 career points and rebounds. In addition to 1,006 career boards, she ranks third in program scoring with 1,757 points.

Shields was a four-time All-Conference selection, earning First-Team accolades in 2011-12, Second-Team honors in 2012-13 and 2010-11, and was named NE-10 Conference Freshman of the Year for the 2008-09 season as well as being selected to the All-Rookie team. In addition, she was named the All-Met Division II Player of the Year in 2012.

Shields averaged 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game during her career, while shooting over 50 percent from the field. Additionally, she racked up 41 double-doubles, 129 steals, and 50 blocks.

Ryan Williams

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Ryan Williams is one of the most prolific scorers in the 74-year history of the Pace men's basketball program. Currently sitting second on the all-time scoring list, Williams notched 1,892 points in 107 career games.

Known as an assassin from deep, Williams is decidedly Pace's best-ever three-point shooter. He finished his career with 340 long balls, which is 81 more than any other player in school history.

Williams' junior year was especially sensational as he averaged 18.5 points per game for a Pace team that earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. In addition to the offensive excellence, he also finished his career with 175 steals—a mark that still ranks sixth in program history.

Williams was recognized for his efforts with a plethora of awards during his career. He was twice named to the NE10 All-Conference First Team, in addition to being named to both the NABC and Daktronics All-Region teams. Williams was also selected as an All-American Honorable Mention by Sporting News and a participant in the NABC's Division II All-Star Game.

Peter X. Finnerty Leadership Award Honorees

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Alex and Terri Rohan

The Peter X. Finnerty Award is presented to a member or members of the Pace University athletics community for outstanding leadership and service to the University or to society as a whole. The individuals selected exemplify those characteristics for which Peter Finnerty was best known: hard work, a spirit of competition, the ability to serve and lead with integrity, and to inspire others to do the same. This honor has only been awarded seven times since its creation.

This year's honorees, Alex and Terri Rohan, have served as great contributors to the Pace Athletics Department over the years, specifically for the men's and women's lacrosse programs. Through their foundation, the May Ellen and Gerald Ritter Foundation, the Rohans have helped establish funds for men's and women's lacrosse which aid and enhance the development of these nationally competitive programs. Most recently, the Foundation created the establishing gift of the Dan Mulholland Endowment Fund in honor of the former head coach and founder of Pace men's lacrosse. Alex Rohan played goalkeeper and defense for the Pace Setters from 1990-92 under the tutelage of Mulholland.

Additionally, Alex assists in alumni engagement and networking as a mentor for senior student-athletes as they enter their professional careers.