SELINSGROVE, PA – Susquehanna University is pleased to announce five new additions to the 2026-27 Athletics Hall of Fame induction class on Saturday, Jan. 30. This year the hall welcomes Lisa Finizio '12 (Softball), Pat Gallagher '73 (Football), Kelsey Lessard '16 (Swimming), Bryan Majors '10 (Basketball), and Kuuipo Tom (Women's Volleyball Coach). January's induction ceremony coincides with Susquehanna's home swim meet against Landmark rivals Lycoming and Moravian, as well as men's and women's basketball's Alumni Game doubleheader against Moravian, with the inductees being recognized at halftime of the men's game, which tips off at 4 p.m., and the induction ceremony set for that evening in the new event center in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center.
"This year's induction class comprises a rich list of individuals who exemplified what it takes to be great. Not just in their sports, but also their time with us on campus and their endeavors since then," related Interim Director of Athletics Jim Findlay. "We appreciate the efforts those close to the inductees brought forward with nominating them for the Hall of Fame and we are delighted to celebrate with all of you come January. The timing could not have been better with having our Hall of Fame celebration in tandem with our basketball and swimming events happening in Garrett Sports Complex to recognize all things great about Susquehanna University Athletics."
Lisa Finizio '12, Softball (2009-12)
From 2009 to 2012, Finizio etched her name at the top of SU's career record books as the all-time leader in at-bats (552), total bases (271), runs (136), and hits (212). At the time of her induction she remains the only player in team history to reach the 200-career hit milestone and ranked third all-time with 15 triples. Her arrival coincided with Susquehanna's emergence as a regional softball power, where as a senior she helped the team clinch the top seed in the 2012 Landmark Tournament for the first time in program history. That season she recorded 55 base hits that ranked sixth all-time on her way to being named the Landmark Conference Player of the Year and National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation (NFCA) East Region First-Team. Her contributions earned her the Connie N. Harnum Award.
Pat Gallagher '73, Football (1969-72)
Pat Gallagher quickly cemented himself as one of Susquehanna's most feared linemen in the early 70's. In a time where many defensive stats were not yet recognized, Pat still filled the stat sheets with 174 tackles, including a career-high of 50 during Susquehanna's legendary 1970 season where they won the MAC Championship and defeated Georgetown in the Boardwalk Bowl. He was a three-time All-MAC selection, receiving First Team honors in 1971 by the MAC, ECAC and the All-Lutheran team. His accolades earned him a tryout with the Cleveland Browns. Pat also competed on the wrestling team and threw discus for the track & field program.
Kelsey Lessard, Swimming (2012-16)
Kelsey Lessard completed one of the most impressive careers in Susquehanna swimming history. She helped the program to four straight Landmark Conference championships and as a senior received the Landmark's Swimmer of the Meet and Landmark Senior Scholar-Athlete, becoming Susquehanna's first recipient in the latter from women's swimming and diving. She won both the Landmark 200 and 400-yard IM championship three straight years and as a senior also won the 200-yard butterfly, making the NCAA B cut in all three events. Her winning time of 2:07.20 in the 200 IM at the 2016 Landmark Championships is still a school record, while her championship time of 2:06.56 in the 200 butterfly and 4:33.81 in the 400 IM both rank second.
Bryan Majors, Men's Basketball (2006-10)
Bryan Majors finished his career as the Susquehanna men's basketball program's career steals leader with 251, a record that still stands. A four-year starter at point guard, Majors totaled 487 career assists to rank second all-time. Majors was twice named the Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons when Susquehanna totaled 33 wins between 2008 and 2010. Three of his season totals for steals still stand in the top five at Susquehanna, with his career-high 75 thefts as a freshman in 2006-07 as second-most all-time. Despite competing in the Landmark Conference for his last three seasons, his 176 steals in that span stands fourth-most all-time in the conference at the time of his induction.
Kuuipo Tom, Women's Volleyball Coach (2003-23)
Kuuipo Tom recorded 440 career victories as Susquehanna's head women's volleyball coach from 2003 to 2023, easily making him the program's all-time career wins leader. He led the team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament in 2016 and made it twice more in 2019 and 2021, reaching as far as the Sweet 16 in 2021, while racking up three 30-win seasons. Their best season in terms of wins was in 2019 with 32 victories, including a Landmark Conference win over national-power Juniata, and entering the national rankings for the first time, finishing 16th. He coached 12 AVCA All-American selections, two Landmark Conference Players of the Year, and was named Landmark Coaching Staff of the Year three times.
