St. Lawrence University Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation is proud to announce its newest inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring a group of individuals and teams that defined excellence across five decades of competition.

The 2026 Robert J. Sheldon Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will honor a vast array of accomplishments. From national championship performances on the trail, to leadership on the ice and in the press box, this year's class represents the very best of the Scarlet and Brown.

Garry Weischedel '79 – Swimming

Garry Weischedel '79 remains one of the most decorated swimmers to ever compete for legendary St. Lawrence head coach Scott Woodburn. An All-American and a vital member of the national championship-winning team, Weischedel captured the 800 free relay national title in 1976 and the 400 free relay national title in 1979. A teammate of fellow Hall of Famer Jim Brush, Weischedel's competitive spirit never wavered. He continued to represent Team USA on the global stage at the FINA World Masters Championships as recently as 2014.

Ashley-Kate Durham '13 – Alpine Skiing

Ashley-Kate Durham '13 is recognized for a stellar Alpine Skiing career that saw her consistently finish among the elite in the East. Over her four years, she compiled 17 top-10 finishes and a signature victory in the Giant Slalom at the 2012 UVM Carnival. Her collegiate peak came at the 2011 NCAA Championships, where she earned All-America honors with a third-place finish in the slalom, cementing her status as one of the premier skiers in the collegiate world.

Emily D'Alessandro '15 – Riding

Emily D'Alessandro '15 established herself as a fixture of the riding program, achieving the rare feat of winning individual national championships in both 2012 and 2014. Beyond her individual brilliance, she was a foundational member of the back-to-back national champion riding teams in 2012 and 2013.

Wally Johnson – Administrator

Wally Johnson enters the Hall of Fame as one of the most respected sports information professionals in the history of collegiate athletics. The St. Albans, Vt. native guided the St. Lawrence sports information staff from 1975 to 2016. A 2013 CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee, Johnson was the first professional to win all three major industry honors: the CoSIDA Warren Berg Award, the ECAC-SIDA Irving T. Marsh Award, and the Pete Nevins Lifetime Achievement Award. As a 25-year member of the ECAC-SIDA board and the longest-serving ECAC Hockey SID at the time of his retirement, Wally was a beloved ambassador for the university and a fixture at multiple NCAA championships.

Joe Marsh P'03, 06 – Men's Hockey Coach

Joe Marsh is inducted as the most successful coach in the history of St. Lawrence Athletics. Over 26 seasons, Marsh compiled 468 victories, which was the most of any active ECAC coach at the time of his retirement. A two-time Spencer Penrose NCAA Division I Coach of the Year and record four-time ECAC Coach of the Year, Marsh led the Saints to five ECAC championships, eight NCAA tournaments, and two Frozen Four appearances. His legacy is measured not just in wins, but in the 18 All-Americans and seven Hobey Baker finalists he mentored during his storied tenure.

2009 Women's Cross Country Team

The 2009 Women's Cross Country team enters the Hall of Fame following one of the most dominant seasons in program history. Led by Wendy Pavlus, who captured the individual national championship, the Saints surged to a second-place podium finish at the NCAA Division III Championship race. The team's historic performance was bolstered by Johannah Ludington and Jenna Hulton, who finished 12th and 15th respectively to join Pavlus as All-Americans, marking a pinnacle of distance running excellence at St. Lawrence.

1996-97, 1997-98 Men's Basketball Teams

The 1996-97 and 1997-98 men's basketball teams are inducted together to honor a golden era from the program. The 1996-97 squad posted a 22-4 record, hosting an NCAA tournament game in the final season for head coach Jim Paulsen. The momentum carried into the 1997-98 season, the first under current head coach Chris Downs, where the team went 24-2 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. This era was defined by an unprecedented concentration of talent, featuring four members of the exclusive 1,000-point club: Andy Bardeschewski, Nick Burkhard, Greg Acunto, and Greg Sutton.

EVENT INFORMATION

The 2026 Robert J. Sheldon Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony kicks off on Friday, May 29, with a beer and wine reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. The celebration continues Saturday, May 30, with the Saints Athletics Breakfast Starter from 8:00 to 9:45 a.m.

Registration for the full weekend of events is $55 per adult and $15 for children ages 6–18, while children aged 5 and under may attend for free. Please ensure you register by Friday, May 15, at 12:00 p.m. ET either through the St. Lawrence University Advancement registration page registration page or by contacting the Office of Laurentian Engagement at 888-758-4438.