2024 STFX Sports Hall of Fame inductees unveiled

Antigonish, NS – STFX Athletics is pleased to announce the Class of 2024 inductees into the STFX Sports Hall of Fame, including five athletes: David Barry (X-Men Basketball), Tony Cuomo (X-Men Hockey), Chris Sellitri, (X-Men Basketball), Bethany Johnston (X-Women Rugby) and Brayden Ferguson (X-Women Hockey); Father Stanley MacDonald, as a builder; along with the 1993 X-Men Soccer and 1998 X-Women Rugby squads in the team classification.    

This year's induction ceremony, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m., at STFX's Schwartz School of Business Auditorium.   

The 2024 STFX Sports Hall of Fame inductees are as follows:

ATHLETES:

David Barry (X-Men Basketball, Class of 1966)

The native of Saint John, N.B. fashioned a stellar varsity career, coined the "best all-around player" he had coached during his six years at STFX by then X-Men head coach John 'Packy' MacFarland. Barry, the X-Men rookie of the year in 1962-63, led his team in points (278), points-per-game (14.7), field goal attempts and makes. He was runner-up for the Nova Scotia Intercollegiate Basketball League (NSIBL) scoring title and lone Canadian named to the league's all-star squad.

In 1963-64, the sophomore led the X-Men to the MIBC and NSIBL final, losing out in the championship to Acadia, who finished second at nationals. In 1964-65, Barry became the first Canadian to win the MIBC scoring crown, with a 24.6 points-per-game average. He led the conference with 17 rebounds per contest, which remains tops in the X-Men record book and tenth all-time in Canadian university basketball. His 29 rebounds versus St. Dunstan's that season remains the highest single-game mark in program history and fifth all-time in Canadian university basketball. In 1965-66, Barry – a co-captain – led the X-Men in rebounding (139) and rebounds per game (10), while contributing the second-highest scoring total (198). He placed fifth in the MIBC in both scoring and rebounding. He finished his X career with more than 1,000 points, and capped off his senior campaign by garnering the Larkin Trophy, awarded to the student who best represents StFX for athletic ability, academic achievement, character and leadership.

Anthony (Tony) Cuomo (X-Men Hockey, Class of 1981)

The native of Levack, Ontario, with "deceptive moves and deft passes," - as described by former STFX head coach Jim Cahoon - skated into the hearts of White and Blue fans with a sensational AUAA career, which included leading his team to a conference championship in 1977-78. The Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, in four varsity campaigns, collected 184 points (76 goals and 108 assists), placing him fourth on X-Men hockey's all-time scoring list. In 1980-81, he tallied a season-best 56 points, including 39 assists, tied for first overall in program history for single-season helpers. He continues to top the X-Men program in career assists.

Cuomo was the STFX scoring leader in each of his four seasons, while also capturing the team's most valuable player award on four occasions. He was named the X-Men's top freshman in his inaugural campaign. The 5'7", 180-pound dynamic forward skated to AUAA all-conference status on three occasions, and garnered conference MVP accolades in 1980-81. He led the conference in scoring on two occasions (1978-79, 1980-81) and received a CIAU All-Canadian nod in 1978-79.

Chris Sellitri (X-Men Basketball, Class of 1985)

From the start of his STFX varsity career, the native of Brooklyn, New York established a well-deserved reputation as one of the premier rebounders in the AUAA. Sellitri, who remains fifth on the X-Men's career scoring list, is the White and Blue's all-time leader in rebounding, with 1,487. In his freshman campaign (1976-77), he averaged 18.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, which helped garner the forward AUAA first team all-star recognition.  

As an example of how his perseverance on the court transferred to the classroom, Sellitri returned to STFX – after a three-year hiatus – to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree. On the court, from 1981-85, Sellitri led the X-Men to an Eastern Regional crown (1984-85), along with a berth in the CIAU national championship tournament. He received tournament all-star recognition at the Mid-East Regionals (1983-84) and CIAU tournament (1984-85) and was honoured as a 1984-85 conference second team all-star.

Bethany Johnston (X-Women Rugby, Class of 1990)

This STFX women's sports pioneer helped lead an X-Women rugby program, one in its infancy, to three consecutive Maritime championships (1987, 88 and 89). She was the captain of the White and Blue squad in her final three seasons and garnered a trio of team MVP awards. The Bachelor of Science in Physical Education graduate also starred on a streak of four Nova Scotia University championship club titles from 1986-1990, while winning two conference MVP trophies.

Johnston was the first ever X-Women Rugby student-athlete to earn a place with the Canadian national team and was long listed for the squad in 1988 while still a student at STFX. She went on to a successful club career with the Ottawa Irish Rugby Club and also played for the Quebec provincial team from 1992-2000, winning a national championship in 2000. With Team Canada, Beth played in eight international games between 1996-1998 including the 1998 World Cup where the Canadian team finished an impressive fourth place. 

Brayden Ferguson (X-Women Hockey, Class of 2009)

The native of Toronto, Ontario fashioned a historic five-year career (2004-2009) highlighted by not only individual success, but also contributions to unprecedented accomplishments for the White and Blue. In her 2007-08 senior season the highly-skilled forward led the AUS and CIS with 50 points, 25 goals and 25 assists. Named the X-Women and AUS MVP, she collected a conference first-team all-star spot. She also garnered first-team All-Canadian status, while taking home the CIS player-of-the-year award, the first ever X-Women to garner the prestigious national distinction. Ferguson wrapped up that amazing season as the co-winner of STFX's female student-athlete of the year.

The X-Women's rookie of the year for 2004-05 skated to AUS all-star selections in each of her varsity campaigns, including two first team nods and three second team. She is currently placed third overall in AUS career scoring – along with second in the X-Women record book – with 196 points (105 goals and 91 assists) in 100 games. Her 105 goals, which rank second all-time in the conference, include an AUS single-season best 30 in 2005-06. In that same year, Ferguson finished with 53 points, which places her third on the all-time list for single season scoring in the conference.

BUILDER:

Father Stanley MacDonald (Class of 1954)

"Go X Go! Go X Go!" That familiar refrain heard during STFX games is most often associated with the proud alumnus and beloved X-Women and X-Men super fan 'Father Stan,' as he is more affectionately known. A fixture in the crowd of STFX varsity games for years, his gregarious smile and booming voice can light up a venue. The Glace Bay, Nova Scotia native played a variety of sports growing up in Cape Breton, a passion he brought to the Antigonish campus. A dual-sport athlete competing on both the varsity rugby and hockey teams, he captained the last varsity men's rugby team on campus in 1953.

After graduating from STFX and completing his seminary studies, MacDonald served in various locations including Cape Breton and Antigonish during his vocation as a priest, returning to the STFX campus in 2008 where he has resided ever since. A loyal and spirited attendee at varsity games in all sports and venues over the past 15 years, STFX student-athletes welcome his distinctive 'Go X Go' chant as encouragement to push harder and go that extra effort to win the game/race. His chants also serve to increase excitement and ignite energy in STFX partisan crowds in the arena, gymnasium, stadium and alongside the running trails. Father Stan has also been known to greet teams leaving and returning from away trips, engage with student-athletes at meal hall and across campus, travel to games and championships, make guest appearances in locker rooms and practices, and deliver grace before all STFX Athletics special events. 

The Athletic department honoured him in 2013 at their annual awards gala with the 'X-Ceptional Award,' for going above and beyond to contribute in a positive manner to STFX Athletics, praising him for his spirit, enthusiasm, unwavering support and loyal dedication to the White and Blue. The department has made audio and video recordings of Father Stanley's recognizable cheer, ensuring that the inspirational ambassador will always be a part of the action. The ultimate supporter, loyal alumnus and overall kindhearted soul is beloved by STFX fans and alumni young and old; and is the favourite supporter amongst X-Men and X-Women student-athletes.

TEAMS:

1993 X-Men Soccer

Featuring a tight-knit and talented line-up that boasted a distinct Maritime flavour, the White and Blue captured the program's first AUAA championship banner, which kicked off a run of supremacy that included representing the conference at the CIAU national tournament in three out of five years and two more AUAA crowns (1994 and 1997). Coming off a one-win season, the 1993 X-Men - which featured nine student-athletes from Antigonish - skyrocketed to the top of the competitive conference with an AUAA-best record (7-2-3).

Richie Tobin and Jorge Rodriguez led a balanced STFX offense, with nine and eight goals apiece, while goalkeeper Karl MacNeil anchored a stingy defense. In the 1993 AUS championship tournament, on home turf, the X-Men and Memorial SeaHawks played to a semifinal scoreless tie that would be decided in a shootout, an effort highlighted by MacNeil's stout goalkeeping and precision penalty kicks by the X-Men. With a raucous crowd of more than 1,500 on hand, STFX captured the AUAA banner with a 2-0 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers, one powered by another MacNeil shutout and extra-time goals from Tobin and Rodriguez.

At the 1993 CIAU championship tournament, hosted by Acadia University, the White and Blue opened with a 2-0 setback to Sherbrooke, the side that would move on to win the Canadian university title. With a spot in the bronze-medal match on the line, STFX battled Queen's to a scoreless tie, with the Gaels scoring the victory in a shootout (5-4).

When it comes to individual honours, head coach Lou Bilek was named AUAA and CIAU coach of the year. Trevor Reddick, Rodriguez and Tobin garnered spots on the AUAA all-star squad.

Rodriguez also received the AUAA rookie-of-the-year award, while Reddick was named a CIAU tournament all-star.

Members of the 1993 STFX X-Men Soccer team are Mark Bekkers, Ian Bilek, Jacques Boudreau, Jacob Chuwa, Kyle Frizzle, Brad Gillis, Paul Keating, Derek Knoechel, Joey MacCormack, Carl MacGillivray, Karl MacNeil, Cashel Meagher, Chris Nolan, Mike O'Brien, Chad Power, Randy Reardon, Trevor Reddick, Jorge Rodriguez, Brad Thompson, Richard Tobin, Ron Whalen, Lou Bilek (head coach), Rob Canning (assistant coach), Ron Nugent (trainer), Jeff Earl (manager) and Aaron Steeghs (assistant manager).

1998 X-Women Rugby 

It was a history-making season for the White and Blue, with women's rugby debuting as a varsity sport not only at STFX, but also across the country in Canadian universities. The X-Women won the inaugural AUAA varsity banner and represented the conference at the CIAU national championship tournament.

Coming off a one-win campaign in 1997, under the guidance of a group of X-Men Rugby student coaches, and with the support of long-time program leaders Ed Carty & Derek Wood, the X-Women posted a 7-1 mark, followed by a Nova Scotia title victory and then an appearance in the first AUAA championship match. On a muddy field at Oland Stadium, STFX defeated the St. Thomas Tommies to take home the conference title. Even though an upstart program, with its student-athletes donning mismatched shorts and socks - along with borrowed jerseys from their X-Men counterparts - the X-Women performed at a high level and never gave an inch to their much more experienced opponents from larger and higher financed programs at the 1998 nationals in Hamilton.  

This squad laid the foundation for an unmatched run in not only the AUS, but also U SPORTS for X-Women Rugby; one that boasts 23 conference crowns, including 17 consecutive triumphs; not to mention six gold medals on the national championship stage. The X-Women Rugby dynasty started on the shoulders of the 1998 team.

Proudly donning the White and Blue that season were Jennifer Beaton, Deanna Bennett, Pamela Burgess, Cynthia Cameron, Dorothy Caul, Monique Colton, Katie Corrigan, Meagan Cuddles, Melanie Doucette, Christine Ford, Louise Hamelin, Eryn Hessian, Jennifer Hickey, Karen Madden, Tracy-Lynn Malone, Maria Mullally, Marcie Murray, Krista Millar, Crystal Paynter, Danielle Pierce, Nathalie Poirier, Sheena Ruff, Heather Stephens, Gabrielle Tompkins, Margaret Ann Walsh, Heather Wright, Ed Carty (administrator), Derek Wood (administrator), Ramses Langston (head coach), Patrick Cusson (assistant coach), Scott McDonell (assistant coach), Rory McIntosh (assistant coach), and Angie Reid (trainer).

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