Red & White Week Celebrates Dickinson Athletics, School Spirit and 2023 Athletics HOF Inductees
Photo by Caroline O'Connor.
video by Doug Legore Media
Annual celebration of Dickinson athletics comes to a close after a weeklong schedule packed with events
Dickinson celebrated its annual Red & White Week from April 10-15, an event filled with activities for students, faculty and staff to show their school spirit. Across the week, student-athletes from each class decorated the Benjamin Rush statue as part of an interclass competition, while Red Devil action in baseball, softball and men’s and women’s lacrosse kept fans on their feet.
Festivities ran through the weekend, with a campuswide tailgate organized by the senior class, a community picnic at Biddle Field, and home games for baseball, softball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's tennis and women's tennis. The baseball team beat Muhlenberg College 8-4; the softball team lost to Alvernia University 4-1; men's lacrosse topped Swarthmore College 17-4; women's lacrosse lost a close match against Muhlenberg College 16-15; and men's and women's tennis were defeated by Washington College.
The weeklong event culminated Saturday evening with Dickinson's Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony, during which six former Red Devil student-athletes, one team and one coach were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
2023 Dickinson Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
John Haire ’11, Men's Lacrosse
A two-time First Team All-Centennial Conference honoree (2010, 2011), John Haire '11 was a standout player in Dickinson men’s lacrosse program—one that has featured so many standout players over the years that actually standing out is a tough assignment.
Haire was recognized with a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-American honorable mention in both 2010 and 2011. As the team captain in 2011, Haire played a critical role in leading the Red Devils to an unbeaten run in Centennial Conference matches. That season culminated in Dickinson’s first-ever conference title and a second consecutive NCAA tournament berth.
“John was the undisputed leader of that team,” says Head Coach Dave Webster, noting that Haire was a dominant athlete and an excellent defender. “He was quiet and unassuming, but everyone knew he was our guy.” Haire was a member of a graduating class that achieved the most wins in Dickinson lacrosse history at the time, with 45 victories.
“Often, your best player is not always the best teammate,” says Webster, “but in John’s case, he was our best player and the best teammate! He was so unselfish and always put the team first.”
Sue Jehl ’96 (posthumous inductee), Women's Lacrosse
As team captain, Sue Jehl ’96 was a strong defender during her time at Dickinson, racking up 142 groundballs and 27 draw controls. After being named honorable mention All-Centennial Conference and Regional All-American honorable mention in 1994, Jehl had a stellar 1996 campaign, as her 56 groundballs and 18 draw controls led to a First Team All-Centennial Conference selection as well as Regional All-American status.
At the end of the 1996 season, she was chosen as a Third Team All-American while being chosen to participate in the North/South Senior All-Star Game. Her accomplishments resulted from a rare combination of talent and hard work.
“Sue was an incredibly gifted athlete,” says Kelly Hart, former Dickinson head women’s lacrosse coach and now vice president for enrollment management at Shepherd University. “She was strong, she was aggressive, tenacious. She anticipated well as a defender, she was able to read her opponents, and I think that, combined with her work ethic—she never gave less than 100%—was just a winning combination and set her up for success.”
Amy Jennings ’09, Women's Lacrosse
Amy Jennings ’09 helped Dickinson women’s lacrosse team reach four consecutive Centennial Conference semifinals (2006-09). And as a first-year student in 2006, she was a major reason that the Red Devils reached their first-ever NCAA tournament.
“I took great pride in being a Red Devil, and as a student-athlete, I enjoyed being part of a team that motivated me to continuously elevate my performance both on the field and in the classroom,” says Jennings. “One of the best things about lacrosse was having the opportunity to compete and celebrate the hard work that the team put in day and day out.”
During the 2006 season, Jennings tallied 42 goals, while handing out 22 helpers. She also broke the 60-point mark two other times, with 72 in 2008 and 65 in 2009. Her streak of 72 straight games played and started are school records. At the time of graduation, she held the record for career points (246) and assists (114) and was a three-time All-Centennial Conference selection, including a First Team pick in 2008. She was also named All-Metro Region all four years, with two First Team honors.
“I had an amazing four years at Dickinson,” says Jennings. “I carry many experiences and lessons learned with me. Above all, Dickinson taught me leadership and gave me the confidence, courage and knowledge to empower others to succeed.”
Emma Murtaugh ’11, Softball
Emma Murtaugh ’11 was a key contributor for a Dickinson softball program that went to three Centennial Conference championship games, which included one victory in 2010 and an NCAA tournament appearance.
“Playing a collegiate sport is a huge time commitment, but the team atmosphere made that easy,” says Murtaugh, adding that Coach Richwine and the team dynamic really set the softball program apart from the other schools and ultimately influenced her decision to attend Dickinson. “Every practice, team dinner and game-day road trip was just more time to spend with my best friends.”
She holds school records for career slugging percentage (.649), home runs (26) and total bases (259), and her seven home runs in 2009, 2010 and 2011 still stand as single-season records. Murtaugh’s school ranks at time of graduation were notable in putouts (556; 3rd), games played (138; 2nd), runs scored (88; 3rd), RBIs (99; 3rd), walks (59; 3rd) and doubles (32; 3rd). Murtaugh was selected three times to All-Centennial Conference teams, including two First Team picks (2008, 2011). As a senior she was chosen to the NFCA Third Team All-East Region.
“Looking back, Dickinson—especially as a member of the softball team—provided an environment that allowed me to develop into an effective leader,” says Murtaugh, “and those skills have greatly impacted my life personally and professionally.”
Pat O’Connor ’10, Football
Pat O’Connor ’10 was a dominating force for the Red Devils, helping the football team go undefeated (8-0) in the big rivalry games against Franklin & Marshall and Gettysburg, while posting a 31-11 overall record, including a conference title in 2006 and a trip to the NCAA tournament. At the time of his graduation, O’Connor held school records in career receiving yards (2,548), career receptions (167), single-season all-purpose yards (1,912), single-season receiving yards (1,324), single-season receptions (81), single-game all purpose yards (396) and single-game receiving yards (248). But it’s not the numbers that stick with him.
“When I think back on my time at Dickinson, the people that I was surrounded by sticks out as the absolute best part,” O’Connor says, noting that football was a big reason he came to Dickinson. “I’m very fortunate to have had Coach Breaux, Coach Quattrone and Coach Ryder lead me as a football player and as a man growing through his formative years.”
In 2008, O’Connor was an All-Centennial Conference selection as a wide receiver (First Team) and kick returner (Second Team). He was also recognized on the national stage, selected to the D3football.com All-Region Second Team in 2008, while being named D3football.com All-American honorable mention that same year.
“Some of the on-field memories—both the highs and the lows—with my teammates are engraved in me forever,” he says. “It really is amazing to look back and think about how a group of guys from all different walks of life was able to come together, work toward a common goal and build life-long relationships.”
Catherine Campbell Worthington ’12, Cross Country, Track and Field
Catherine Campbell Worthington ’12 was a two-time McAndrews Award winner, honored as the best athlete at Dickinson in 2010 and 2012. She helped the women’s cross country team reach four consecutive NCAA Mideast Regional second place (2008-11) finishes, which allowed the Red Devils to qualify for the NCAA championships each of those seasons.
“My fondest memories are from the daily grind of many shared miles with fantastic teammates under Coach Nichter’s training!” says Campbell. “And excelling together and competing as a team on the national stage certainly made the journey that much
sweeter!”
As an individual runner with cross country, she received First Team All-Centennial Conference and Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll honors three times each. On the track, Campbell won the 2012 Centennial Conference indoor track and field 3,000 meter championship while earning USTFCCCA indoor All-American honors in 2012 for the 5,000 meter. Outdoors, she was a three-time All-Centennial Conference honorable mention in both the 10,000 meter and 5,000 meter. After graduation Campbell qualified for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials.
“Connecting with others through a shared interest widens one’s lens and outlook, while adding perspective,” Campbell says. “Running continues to connect me with fantastic people in my post-collegiate years!”
2011 Men's Lacrosse Team
The 2011 Men's Lacrosse Team went 17-2 overall with a perfect 8-0 mark in the Centennial Conference. Moreover, with an effort that kept the Biddle Field stands full and lively, the Red Devils were a flawless 9-0 at home, which included a 6-5 win over Gettysburg in the conference championship game and sent the team to the NCAA tournament.
“I’m grateful for the team’s dedication and drive to get our program over the hump and to the next level,” says Head Coach Dave Webster. “They were a humble and hardworking group that loved to compete and played with so much joy and freedom.” Those traits led the team to advance to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament to face Salisbury University after they knocked off Wittenberg 11-4 in the second round. Across the season, three players scored 20 or more goals: Christian Beitel (29), Bobby Kingsley (26) and Brian Cannon (20). The group of Draper Donley, Chip Murray, Brandon Palladino, Parker Waldron and Peter Zouck all had over 40 groundballs apiece, while goalie Greg Hanley had a 7.64 goals-against average.
“We had gone to the NCAA tournament in 2010 for the first time, but 2011 and our first conference championship was breaking through a barrier,” says Webster. “It was the culmination of years of work, and it was so satisfying. Advancing to the Elite 8 of the NCAA tourney that season was a remarkable feat.”
Paul Richards, Swimming, in Recognition of Years of Success in Coaching
For 27 seasons, Paul Richards led both the Red Devils men’s and women’s swimming programs to success in the pool, in the class and beyond.
A business and economics major at Bloomsburg University, Richards worked in the business world for six years before choosing to follow his heart into teaching and coaching. He began to coach at Dickinson in 1994.
With a careerlong record of 519 wins, Richards is one of few of coaches nationwide with more than 500 victories on record. Under his leadership, Dickinson swimming posted a record of 200-102 (women) and 174-98-1 (men), with 51 All Americans and one national champion.
Every semester since his arrival at Dickinson, the women’s team has earned All-Academic Team Award from the College Swim Coaches Association of America; the men’s team has earned that distinction in all but 2 of 26 semesters. The programs also have produced two Fulbright Scholars and have had numerous student-athletes inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honors society during Richards’ time at the helm. Richards had already announced his retirement prior to spring 2020, when the global outbreak of COVID-19 abruptly ended the spring athletics season. After his successor departed Dickinson in 2022, he stepped in to help, returning to coach in 2022-23.
“I’m glad to help, and I’m grateful to have a chance for closure, since I couldn’t say goodbye in 2020,” he says. Richards encourages students and young alumni to continue to cultivate and appreciate the connections they make through Dickinson, and he takes his own advice. Over the years, Richards has cultivated close friendships and partnerships with colleagues all across campus, serving on all-college committees and guest lecturing about leadership for a policy studies class. He was also actively involved with many groups and community events across the campus, serving as an advisor for Relay for Life, Scroll and Key and Spectrum. He remains in touch with countless alumni, inside and outside of the swimming programs, and typically attends several former students’ weddings each year, sometimes as part of the wedding ceremony.
“I tell students that 30 years from now they won’t remember how fast they swam during a certain meet. But they’ll remember the people who sat next to them and cheered for them, and the crazy bus rides—all of those personal moments,” Richards says. “Because it’s not about the statistics. It’s about relationships. To me, being a part of this vibrant community is the most fulfilling part of the job.”
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published April 16, 2023