Athletic Hall of Fame Induction

Sacred Heart University Athletics and the SHU Alumni Association invite you to join us for a special ceremony celebrating the inaugural class of the SHU Athletic Hall of Fame! 

Established to honor the outstanding athletes, coaches, administrators, and teams who have helped shape Pioneer Nation for more than 60 years, the Hall of Fame recognizes the individuals and accomplishments who have left a lasting legacy on SHU Athletics.

Honorees

Dave Bike ’69

Men’s Basketball Head Coach, 1978-2013
1986 Men’s Basketball National Championship Team

The all-time winningest and longest-tenured men’s basketball coach in Sacred Heart University history, Dave Bike led the Pioneers to the only national championship in school history, defeating Southeast Missouri State, 93–87, on March 22, 1986. That historic season earned Bike National Coach of the Year honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, following four selections as District I Coach of the Year in 1977, 1978, 1982, and 1986. His distinguished career also included the New England College Basketball Coaches Association’s Doggie Julian Award for outstanding service and recognition as a Connecticut Sports Media Alliance Gold Key recipient.

At the time of his retirement, Bike had compiled a 528–500 career record (.514), leading SHU to seven 20-win seasons, including a program-record 30 victories during the 1985–86 national championship campaign. Under his leadership, the Pioneers made eight postseason appearances and captured seven regional titles.

Bike’s impact extended beyond the program’s success on the court, as he helped develop some of the most accomplished players in SHU basketball history. Under his guidance, six Pioneers earned All-American recognition a combined 11 times, highlighted by three-time All-American Keith Bennett. Three players earned regional Player of the Year honors, with Bennett receiving the distinction twice. During the 1992–93 season, Darrin Robinson led the nation in scoring, averaging 32.0 points per game.

Amanda Pape ’07

Women’s Basketball, 2003-2007

One of the most accomplished players in Sacred Heart women’s basketball history, Amanda Pape remains the program’s all-time leading scorer and the only player to surpass the 2,000-point milestone, finishing her career with 2,045 points and averaging 16.9 points per game. A three-time All-Northeast Conference (NEC) First Team selection, Pape earned two of the conference’s top individual honors, being named NEC Rookie of the Year in 2004 and NEC Player of the Year in 2006. She helped lead the Pioneers to consecutive NEC Regular Season Championships in 2005–06 and 2006–07, as well as an NEC Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.

Pape’s impact on the program extends beyond her scoring achievements. She ranks first in program history with 362 career steals and 709 field goals made. She also ranks fifth in career rebounds with 850 and eighth in assists with 350, cementing her legacy as one of the most versatile players in program history.

Donald Cook

Director of Athletics, 1992-2013

During his 21-year tenure as Director of Athletics, C. Donald Cook oversaw a period of tremendous growth and transformation at Sacred Heart University after being appointed to the position in 1992. Under his leadership, the University expanded its intercollegiate athletics program from 12 to 31 varsity sports and developed several state-of-the-art facilities, including the William Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center.

In 1999, Cook spearheaded SHU’s transition to NCAA Division I, establishing the Pioneers as a full member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) and the ECAC, an associate member of the Colonial Athletic Association, and a charter member of the Atlantic Hockey Association, now known as Atlantic Hockey America. As part of the University’s transition and continued program development, Cook guided SHU through its first NCAA Division I certification process in 2007, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of Division I athletics.

Beyond his contributions to SHU, Cook played an influential role in conference leadership and strategic planning. He chaired the NEC Athletic Directors Committee during the 2010–11 and 2011–12 academic years and served on the NEC Strategic Planning and Membership committees. He also chaired the NEC Baseball Committee and the conference’s Cost Containment Committee.

Cook was also instrumental in the early development of the Atlantic Hockey Association, serving as chair of its Executive Committee during the organization’s formative years and continuing as a committee member while contributing to the league’s strategic planning efforts. In retirement, he has continued to support the organization as a consultant, assisting with updates to the Atlantic Hockey America strategic plan.

Elizabeth “Bippy” Luckie ’85

Student-Athlete, 1983-1985
Coach, 1989­-2018
Administrator, 1989-2021

A true Pioneer through and through, Elizabeth “Bippy” Luckie’s career at Sacred Heart University has spanned more than 40 years as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. Her journey began in 1983 as a two-sport student-athlete and evolved into a distinguished career serving the University in a variety of roles, including assistant softball coach, head softball and volleyball coach, assistant athletic director, compliance officer, senior women’s administrator, budget director, and sports administrator. Today, she serves as Director of Athletic Aid & Student Financial Assistance.

As a student-athlete, Luckie excelled on both the basketball court and the softball diamond, playing a pivotal role in leading the Pioneers to three consecutive NCAA Division II Softball World Series appearances in 1983, 1984, and 1985. A two-time All-American at shortstop, she compiled a .357 career batting average and still holds the SHU single-season record for total bases (110) and is second in runs scored (55), both set in 1985. On the basketball court, Luckie led SHU in scoring in each of her two seasons and established a school record with 42 points against Rhode Island College on February 21, 1983, a mark that stood for 31 years.

Following graduation, Luckie succeeded her softball coach, Pete DiOrio, taking over as head coach in 1989. She guided the Pioneers to five first-place finishes in the New England Collegiate Conference and five NCAA New England Regional appearances in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1995. Following SHU’s transition to Division I in 1999, Luckie and co-head coach Pam London led the Pioneers to two Northeast Conference (NEC) championships and NCAA Regional appearances. Their accomplishments included the program’s first Division I NCAA Tournament victory, a win over Cornell on May 16, 2009. Luckie retired from coaching in 2018 with 620 career victories, the most in program history.

Jim Barquinero

Senior Vice President for Enrollment, Student Affairs and Athletics, 1989-2023

Under the leadership of Jim Barquinero, Sacred Heart University experienced a period of remarkable growth and transformation, transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division I, more than doubling its varsity sports offerings, and investing in state-of-the-art athletic facilities, highlighted by the William Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center and Martire Family Arena.

When Barquinero arrived at SHU in 1989, many institutions throughout the Northeast were scaling back their athletic offerings. Instead, he recognized an opportunity to expand the Pioneers’ program, launching a football program that began competition in 1991 and has since captured five conference championships.

By the time of his retirement, Barquinero had overseen the expansion of Pioneer Athletics from 12 sports competing at the Division II level to 35 varsity sports at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. His impact extended beyond program growth to the development of premier athletic facilities across campus. Under his leadership, SHU opened the William Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center, home to basketball and volleyball, and Martire Family Arena, home to the men’s and women’s ice hockey programs. He also spearheaded ongoing improvements to Campus Field and Park Avenue Field, while overseeing the acquisition of Great River Golf Club, a premier course situated along the banks of the Housatonic River.

Justin Danforth ’17

Men’s Ice Hockey, 2013-2017

The first Sacred Heart player to make his debut in the National Hockey League (NHL), Justin Danforth established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in SHU men’s hockey history. A leading scorer for three seasons (2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17), Danforth finished his SHU career with 124 points on 47 goals and 82 assists. His career point total ranks sixth in program history, while his assist total stands fifth all-time. He also ranks among the program’s top 10 in games played, appearing in 147 contests.

Danforth earned Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Rookie of the Year honors in 2014 and was a three-time AHA All-Conference selection, earning All-Rookie Team recognition in 2014, Second Team honors in 2016 and First Team distinction in 2017. He made his NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 15, 2021, going on to play four seasons with the organization before signing a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, where he continues his NHL career.

Tony Judkins ’89

Men’s Basketball, 1985-1989
1986 Men’s Basketball National Championship Team

A two-time National Basketball Coaches Association All-American and the 1986 New England Basketball Coaches Association Rookie of the Year, Anthony Judkins played a pivotal role in one of the most successful eras in Sacred Heart men’s basketball history. Judkins helped lead the Pioneers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, capturing two regional championships and the program’s only national championship in 1986.

One of just three players in program history to rank among the top 10 in both career points and rebounds, Judkins finished his career with 2,009 points and 909 rebounds. He also ranks second in program history in free throws made (467), third in steals (206), fifth in blocks (119), and ninth in field goals made (754). Judkins earned Third Team All-America honors in 1988 before receiving Second Team recognition in 1989, following another regional championship run by the Pioneers.

Beyond his accomplishments on the court, Judkins has continued to make an impact through community leadership. He currently serves as director of the State of Connecticut’s Fatherhood Initiative and as a board member of the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders.

Keshaudas Spence ’15

Football, 2011-2015
Posthumous Induction

Sacred Heart football’s all-time leading rusher with 3,745 career yards, Keshaudas Spence played a key role in leading the Pioneers to consecutive Northeast Conference (NEC) championships in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, Spence earned NEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-Conference First Team, while also receiving Sports Network All-America recognition. That season, he rushed for 1,669 yards, establishing a single-season program record and placing him among the top rushers in NEC history.

Spence’s name appears throughout the Pioneers’ record book. In addition to ranking first in career rushing yards, he holds the program record for career rushing attempts (756), ranks sixth in career touchdowns (30), and eighth in yards per carry (4.9). His historic 2013 campaign remains one of the finest individual seasons in program history, as he ranks first in single-season rushing yards (1,669), second in rushing attempts (281) and all-purpose yards (1,709), fourth in rushing touchdowns (13), and seventh in yards per carry (5.6).

Troy Scribner ’13

Baseball, 2009-2012

The first Pioneer to make his Major League Baseball debut, Troy Scribner helped lead Sacred Heart to back-to-back Northeast Conference (NEC) championships in 2011 and 2012, both part of four appearances in the conference championship game. A two-time NEC All-Conference selection, Scribner earned Second Team honors in 2011 before being named to the First Team in 2012. After helping the Pioneers reach the conference tournament in each of his four seasons, he earned All-Championship Team honors following all four appearances, highlighted by his selection as the 2012 NEC Championship Most Valuable Player.

Primarily a starting pitcher, Scribner made 57 appearances during his collegiate career, compiling a 26-15 record with three saves. Across 344 innings pitched, he recorded a 4.08 career earned run average and 261 strikeouts, the second-highest total in program history. He also ranks second all-time at SHU in wins (26) and innings pitched (344), while his 17 complete games rank fifth in program history.

Scribner made his Major League debut on July 29, 2017, going on to pitch for both the Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks over two MLB seasons. He continued his professional career for a total of seven years before retiring in 2019.

1986 Men’s Basketball National Championship Team

Head Coach Dave Bike, Assistant Coach Bob Jenkins, Roger Younger, Keith Johnson, Tony Judkins, Travis Smith, Kevin Stevens, Joe Jackson, Keith Gatling, Jim Regis, Ed Jurin, Howie White, Keith Rado

Just 80 miles from its Fairfield County campus, the Sacred Heart men’s basketball team made history on March 22, 1986, defeating Southeast Missouri State University 93-87 to become the first New England program to capture an NCAA Division II National Championship.

The Pioneers’ championship run began with a double-overtime thriller, edging Springfield, 76-74, in the New England Regional. SHU advanced to the Elite Eight with an 83-67 victory over New Hampshire College before defeating Norfolk State, 84-74, on the road to secure a spot in the NCAA Final Four.

At the national semifinals, the Pioneers delivered another dominant performance, defeating Florida Southern, 80–60, to advance to the championship game. In front of 5,863 fans at the Springfield Civic Center, SHU capped its remarkable postseason run with a victory over Southeast Missouri State, bringing the national title back to Fairfield.

Following the historic season, head coach Dave Bike was named National Coach of the Year, while senior Roger Younger earned First Team All-American honors. Younger was joined by Tony Judkins, Keith Johnson, Travis Smith, Kevin Stevens, Joe Jackson, Keith Gatling, Jim Regis, Ed Jurin, Howie White, and Keith Rado as members of the championship team, forever cementing their place in Sacred Heart Athletics history.