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Athletic Hall of Fame

 
The Moravian Academy Athletic Hall of Fame honors past student-athletes, teams, coaches, faculty, staff, and friends who have brought distinction through athletics to Moravian Academy and themselves. Consideration will also be given to athletes who display a lasting commitment to the mission of Moravian Academy.


Athletic Hall of Fame - 2022

List of 3 items.

  • Kimberly "Kim" Murray Colville '82

    Kim Colville Murray ‘82MA was an all-around athlete participating and excelling in Varsity Girls Tennis player, a Varsity Field Hockey player, and  Varsity Girls Basketball in her time at Moravian Academy.  She also played Boys Lacrosse her senior year. 

    Kim shared, “Team sports were a huge part of my world at the time.  I had wonderful coaches that taught me the skills of sportsmanship, team communication, and spirit. I was encouraged to try new things, take risks, and support my teammates.”

    At Penn, she played Division 1 field hockey and lacrosse for one year while also being exposed to the game of squash.  For the next three years, she played on the Penn Squash team.  She continues to be active in Platform tennis, Tennis, Pickleball, and Padel. 
  • Thomas "Tom" Schoeninger

    Tom Schoeninger was a coach at Moravian Academy from 1997 through 2018.  His boys tennis teams won both the Colonial League and District 11 titles 18 times during his tenure, including the past 10 and 17 out of the last 18 seasons. His teams won state championships in 2001 and 2015. Moravian Academy also had three doubles state champions during his coaching career, including the most recent being in 2015.  Schoeninger's record with the Moravian Academy boys team was 403-41.

    He also coached the Lions girls team from 2004 to 2014. Schoeninger led the Lions to eight District 11 titles and eight league championships. The Moravian Academy girls won the last seven district titles before he retired in 2014. The Lions girls had a doubles state championship in 2012. Schoeninger's record with the girls team was 252-44.
    Schoeninger has been a head coach for 53 seasons and an assistant coach for 12 more seasons in the Colonial League. He was named The Express-Times or lehighvalleylive Tennis Coach of the Year nine times. Prior to coming to Moravian, He coached boys and girls basketball, track and field and tennis at Pen Argyl from 1968 to 1980. Schoeninger coached the Green Knights boys to District 11 champions in doubles and mixed doubles, the only two champions in program history. In 1980, the Pen Argyl girl's basketball team won its only Colonial League title.

    When he resigned he said, "I resigned simply because it was time for me to go. I had accomplished more than I ever thought possible and I wanted to leave when there was a good bunch of players to continue the Moravian Academy tradition in tennis."
  • Zachary "Zac" Walton '92

    Zac Walton ‘92MA was a three-sport athlete participating and excelling in Varsity Soccer, Golf, Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Boys Tennis.  

    As a Varsity Soccer player, his team was champions of the Penn-Jersey League and qualified for district play and he was selected All-League, first team. As a Varsity Boys Basketball player, his team qualified for district play. As a Varsity Boys Tennis player, his team qualified for district play.

    Zac was also quite the student-athlete. He won the John Amos Comenius Award for the highest academic average in each year (tying in 1989-90), Outstanding Male Athlete, the Countess Benigna von Zinzendorf Award for History, the Dr. Albert de Neufville Mathematics Award as a junior, the Departmental Award in Science, the American Association of Physics Teacher’s Award, and the Francis H. Storrs Award for character (gentleness, understanding, respect for others, and devotion to learning). He was the highest scorer at Moravian Academy on the American High School Mathematics Examination and the National Chemistry Olympiad Exam. Zac won four state-wide monetary awards in mathematics from the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, and he authored or co-authored three articles in mathematics journals while still in high school.

    Outside of Moravian, he had many accomplishments. Zac was the Saucon Valley Country Club Junior Golf Champion in his age group every year from 9 to 18. He was the captain and played the #1 position on Saucon’s Golf Team.  He was the medalist in the 1989 Golf Association of Philadelphia Junior Championship and made a hole-in-one, watched by a crowd in the final round at Ashbourne Country Club.

    After graduating from Moravian Academy, Zac earned a B.A. in Physics from Harvard University before attending Boston University to earn an M.S. in Computer Science and Ph.D. in Electric Engineering and even having the opportunity to present at Oxford University. At the age of 30, he attended Yale Medical School.

    Mr. Tom Bross, a longtime teacher at the school shared that, “He was brilliant, very outgoing personality and played a sport every season. What a remarkable individual - one of the most accomplished scholars I ever encountered.”


Athletic Hall of Fame - 2019

List of 3 items.

  • Andrew "Drew" Balshi '05

    Dubbed by The Morning Call as “one of the area’s finest overall athletes,” Drew excelled in both team and individual sports while at Moravian Academy.  His successful journey began as a freshman when his victory at No. 3 singles notched the state championship for Coach Tom Schoeninger and the boys’ tennis team.

    He went on to earn Colonial League accolades, as well as a District singles championship and two District doubles championships. Crowning glory came his senior year, garnering the state doubles title with partner Eric Bourassa ’05.

    After getting sporadic playing time on the basketball court as a freshman, Drew became a three-year varsity starter and a Via Classic all-star.  At the time, he led the Lehigh Valley in scoring with an average of 21.3 points per game and ended his high school career with 1,352 points.

    Drew joined the golf team during his sophomore year. During his senior year, he helped the team to an undefeated season and their first District title. 

    Said former athletic director Jim Tiernan, “During his tenure at the Upper School, Drew took part in 19 of the school’s 32 championships or gold-medal winning efforts.  His accomplishments made him one of the most versatile and successful athletes I encountered in my 45 years in high school athletics. And he accomplished these astonishing milestones with an appropriate dose of humility, unbelievable mental toughness and a smile on his face.”

    In February 2005, Drew signed a letter of intent to continue his scholastic and playing career at Lehigh University.  The two-time Express-Times Player of the Year played varsity tennis for three years until an injury cut short his college career.  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business management, he began working for True North Chartering, a tanker brokerage firm formed a month prior to his graduation.

    A “lifer,” he reflected on his time at Moravian, “Beyond what I was so fortunate to learn in the classroom, the time and experience shared with teammates and coaches while practicing and competing have also stayed with me.  I was lucky to have an older brother (Chris ’02) to look up to from day one, and as the years progressed, I made it a goal to try to model what he taught me for younger teammates. The love and support that my peers and I received from my parents, and so many other parents, teachers, and coaches in the Moravian family created an environment unlike any other. And so, I credit these people with any success we earned at Moravian. All of the hard work that we put in on the courts and course was rewarded at both the District and State level, which, in turn, gave me a level of confidence in myself and teammates that I have carried with me throughout the years.  It's hard to imagine I would be where I am today without the foundation created at Moravian.”   

    Still working for Wilton, CT-based True North Chartering as a partner in the firm and manager their Dirty Product Tankers desk, Drew currently resides in New York City.  He enjoys spending time with wife Bronwen Durocher, an occasional round of golf, and exploring the endless new restaurants in the city.
  • Debbie Bross

    “It was worth it!”  That is how Debbie Bross described her 37-year tenure at Moravian Academy. “Working with students and athletes was a privilege and an honor.”

    Debbie arrived at Moravian Academy in 1981 to teach physical education and was soon charged by then Headmaster David Devey with bolstering a fledgling field hockey program.  Over her years in the classroom and on the field, she taught and impacted students in all three divisions.

    “By the time I came to Moravian Academy in 1996, Debbie was already a field hockey icon,” said former Athletic Director Jim Tiernan.  “Debbie has been a role model to her players and her example has led to their individual success on and off the field of play. She is always quick to share stories about the people her students have grown into and what contributions they make to their respective communities.”

    Under Debbie’s leadership, Moravian Academy field hockey teams won over 500 games and brought home two state championships, first in 1984 and again in 2016.  Her teams earned five Colonial League titles and six District titles during her tenure. Because of her success, in 2013 Debbie was recognized by the National Federation of State High School Associations as a coach of the year, one of just 22 such awards given out across the country.

    “There was never any question as to the commitment that Debbie had to the field hockey program, the student athletes on the team, and her love for teaching and coaching,” said Athletic Director Manny Oudin. “ I also did not fully appreciate until she and I developed a stronger relationship, how much   she cares deeply for our school. This passion for the field hockey program and for Moravian Academy was instrumental in the drive for the program to be successful.”

    Since retiring in 2018, Debbie is enjoying spending time with husband Tom, former Moravian Academy Upper School Physics teacher, and her growing family, including granddaughters Sophie and Naomi.  Daughter Emily Quinn ’04 is teaching French in the Moravian Academy Middle School. Recently married, son Matt ’06 lives in Munich, Germany, and works as an experimental researcher in the Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics Department of the Bundeswehr University Munich.

    This past fall, Debbie began officiating middle school field hockey through the PIAA, seeing it as a way of giving back through teachable moments.  It also affords her the opportunity to occasionally see former players cheering on their own daughters from the sidelines, which imparts a certain sense of pride.  

    Reflected Debbie, “It’s not all about wins and championships, but about the love of the game and how it can transform a person.  Every team that I’ve worked with over the years has really clicked and these experiences transfer to their colleges and career choices and bond all of us.  I think field hockey is special, but participation in any sport can change your life forever.”
  • Maureen Mahlman ’96

    Maureen Mahlman came to Moravian Academy in ninth grade, and it did not take long for her to make an impact on the athletic program.  She was a force to be reckoned with on the softball field, the basketball court, and the tennis courts.

    By her senior year, served as captain on teams in all three sports and earned MVP status for each.  In tennis, she went to Districts for singles and doubles with Lesley Ofrichter ’99. She led the softball team to their first-ever undefeated season and a Penn-Jersey League title.  Keeping basketball fans in anticipation, she scored her 1,000th point during Districts her senior year and ultimately ending with 1,007 career points.

    Former softball coach and Upper School music teacher Rob Riker said, “Maureen had a great spirit and was a talented hitter, fielder and motivator of the team.  She was the one to turn to in a clutch situation.”

    “I learned a lot of great lessons on the fields and courts at Moravian,” she shared. “Softball taught me to break down tasks and isolate scenarios, and that repetition breeds success. Basketball taught me that some days you’re not going to make your shots; you won’t always be the superstar and have to rely on your team.”

    Recruited by several schools, she ultimately chose to attend Drew University, where she continued her basketball and softball career.  A four-year starter on the basketball team, Maureen averaged 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and was named the Villa Julie Tournament MVP during her senior season.  She finished the season and career strong, leading her team in scoring seven times in her last eight games.

    Maureen finished her Drew softball career high in the school's record book, including third in doubles (17), fourth in hits (93) and third in RBIs with 61. She had a lifetime batting mark of .297.

    A double major in chemistry and art, Maureen had an interest in art history and art restoration fostered by Upper School art teacher Sue Maurer, as a way to marry her analytical and creative sides. But she was first employed as a graphic designer and then spent 16 years in marketing with Cigars International before spending time raising her family, and is in the  process of building clientele as a marketing consultant.

    Currently, Maureen lives in Basking Ridge, NJ,  with husband Kevin Fleming and children Jackson (11), twins Reagan and Kieran (5) and Jameson (2.5).  

    Of her time at Moravian, she says, “The school gave me opportunities and the ability to flourish.  It was an atmosphere that shaped my drive and my confidence in myself. My time at Moravian was so rewarding. I latched on to all lessons taught and am still able to apply them later in life.”

Athletic Hall of Fame - 2018

List of 2 items.

  • Member - Kathleen Farrell Connolly ’93

    Kathleen was a three-sport athlete at the Academy (basketball, soccer and field hockey) and has the distinction of being our first 1,000+ point scorer. She continued her athletic career at Ursinus College, playing varsity basketball and helping to form the first women's soccer team at the school.  Currently, she is the staffing manager for Pepper's Artful Events in Northborough, MA.
  • Member - Lynn Iannotta Richardson ’85

    Lynn was a three-sport athlete at the Academy (field hockey, basketball, and softball). She scored the winning goal in overtime to secure the school's first state field hockey championship in 1984. She continued her athletic career at the University of Delaware and is currently a school counselor, varsity field hockey coach and varsity lacrosse coach at Polytech High School in Woodside, DE.

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees - 2017

List of 2 items.

  • Member - Allison Nicholson ’98

    If you look at Allison’s senior yearbook page, you will see the following Fred Shero quote – “Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion.  You must first set yourself on fire.” And by all accounts, she was an athletic inferno, blazing across the field hockey field, the basketball court and the softball diamond.

    A natural athlete, Allison recalls at a young age being the only girl on the boys’ travelling soccer team and Little League baseball team.  It was in 6th grade that she was encouraged to try field hockey, a sport she continued throughout her years at the Upper School.  She also added softball and basketball to the mix.  
     
    "While no doubt exists about Allison's physical prowess as a three sport athlete who earned 12 varsity letters in her four years at Moravian Academy, only those who saw her in person can appreciate her leadership skills on and off the playing fields,” says former Upper School Director Joe Chandler.  Described by many as a “gentle leader” or “reluctant hero,” Allison’s athletic success was not inspired by winning, but by embracing the concept of the team and cherishing the relationships that were made.
     
    By her senior year at MA, she was a captain for all three teams and earned MVP awards for each sport.  Additionally, she was named to Colonial League second team in field hockey, qualified to play in the VIA All Star Senior Classic basketball game, and hit 4 homeruns during her final softball season.
     
    Former softball coach Kevin Ballard says, “I always told people that Allison was the greatest athlete that ever graced the playing fields and courts at Moravian Academy.  Some of the plays that she made at shortstop had [us] just smiling and shaking our heads.  Our problem was that she was such a good pitcher that we couldn't use her at shortstop enough!” 
     
    A “lifer,” she feels that MA was the right place for her, and loved being a student. “A love of learning was instilled in us from the time we were in Kindergarten, and, because of this, we approached all subjects with an open mind. I knew when I graduated that I was equipped to succeed in whatever field I chose because I had everything I needed at my fingertips. All I had to do was put it into action. Things weren't always easy, but we learned to keep a positive attitude and then anything is possible.” 
     
    She was encouraged by then Athletic Director Betsy Wilson to look at Ursinus College, and was ultimately recruited for field hockey and later added softball.  During her tenure there, she was named a Patriot League Player of the Week, as well as a member of the Patriot League Field Hockey Honor Roll.  
     
    Much to the delight of coach Debbie Bross, after graduating with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Allison returned to MA as assistant varsity field hockey coach and a long-term substitute post in the Lower School.  She later became an assistant teacher in pre-K, and added softball and girls’ basketball to her coaching responsibilities.  In 2005, she filled the role of Director of Alumni Relations, a position she would hold for five years. Additionally, she fulfilled several terms on the Alumni Association Executive Board, and continues to volunteer as a liaison with the Class of 1998.
     
    Today, Allison enjoys life in Quakertown, PA, with husband Pete and sons Drew, 7, and Alex, 5.
     
     
      
     
  • Member - Matt Stein '01

    Matt came to Moravian Academy in 9th grade for academics, not basketball, but nonetheless became the first 1000+ point scoring boys’ player in school history. He left Moravian with 1393 career points and was the all-time leading scorer until 2014. Always humble, he credits legendary coach John Donmoyer with his scoring milestone and the success of the team.

    Former athletic director Jim Tiernan maintains that Matt was one of the finest student athletes he has ever met, citing his work ethic, steady demeanor, belief in the team, and determination.

    “Of course Matt was a terrific athlete, but what I remember most about him was how good a teammate he was,” says former basketball coach Kevin Ballard. “In fact, [head coach] John Donmoyer and I had several conversations about what we could do to get Matt to be more selfish. He was always more concerned about his fellow players than with his personal statistics and accolades even when we needed him to do more scoring. Matt was the perfect player for Coach Donmoyerthey were both such gentlemen on and off the court.”

    He also excelled on the tennis court, and played in a District 11 doubles final. His senior year, the boys’ tennis team had a 20-0 record. They were Colonial League Champions and won the District 11 Team Championship. The entire squad, including Matt, was named Colonial League All Stars.

    Of his time at Moravian, he says, “I have such good memories, and got things at Moravian that I wouldn’t have been able to get elsewhere. It was a place that allowed me to compete athletically within an environment of learning and academics. I was set up well to do that on the college level, too.”

    After leaving MA, he continued his athletic career at Haverford College, where he was a four year starter on the basketball team and again achieved 1000+ career points. The senior captain finished top 10 all-time in points, rebounds and steals, and top 5 all-time in field goal percentage and blocked shots. He was also a 4-year varsity tennis player, serving as captain his senior year. In 2005, he was named a recipient of Haverford’s Gregory Kannerstein ’63 Award for recognition of outstanding athletic achievement and leadership.  

    He graduated from Haverford College with a B.S. in biology, determined to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. After graduating from NYU School of Medicine, he completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of South Florida, and a sports medicine fellowship through the Rothman Institute and Jefferson University. Through this fellowship, he provided team coverage for the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, and Philadelphia Phillies. 

    Today, Matt is in private practice in Saratoga Springs, NY, specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy, and general orthopedics. Widely published, his work has been presented at both national and international meetings on topics such as distal biceps tears, ACL reconstruction, and cartilage restoration procedures.

    Matt currently resides in upstate NY, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, and children—Gabe, Lena, and Eli.
     
     
     
     
     
     

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees - 2016

List of 4 items.

  • Member - Mark A. Devey ’81

    A “prolific” goal scorer, Mr. Devey recorded an amazing 58 goals during the 1980 soccer season and appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” after amassing 14 goals in two matches.

    A powerful offensive and defensive force, during his senior year Mr. Devey earned national recognition when he was named to the All-State, Regional All-American, Parade magazine All-American and McDonald’s All-American teams. He was also offered a professional contract with the famed Tampa Bay Rowdies while still in high school.

    Upon graduating from Moravian Academy in 1981, Mr. Devey played every minute of every game as the center forward with the U-23 United States National Soccer Team on an international tour and scored the first-ever goal for the United States in World Cup play.

    That phenomenal goal led to a flood of professional offers. However, he turned down opportunities from the North American Soccer League and the Major Indoor Soccer League to attend The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to further his education. While his college soccer career was marred by several injuries, Mr. Devey was still named All-ACC, All-South, and graduated as the all-time leading scorer at UNC. He is listed as one of The Express-Times Top 100 Athletes of the 20th Century.

    Mr. Devey earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UNC and an MA in Educational Leadership from Columbia University. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and serving in the administration at independent schools across the country. He recently returned to the area to take on the role of headmaster at The Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, PA.
  • Member - Katherine “Katie” Krum ’00

    As an Upper School student, Ms. Krum was a standout on the soccer team. She also played club soccer for FC Delco Fear and represented eastern PA as part of the Youth Soccer Association State Select Team.

    After battling chronic compartmental syndrome 1996-1998 and ultimately having surgery, Ms. Krum returned the next season and traveled to France and Italy with the U.S. Women's Olympic Development Team (under 17).

    In 1999, she was named The Morning Call Player of the Year, helping the team into District playoffs for the first time in the history of the program. She was also featured in the March 1999 issue of Soccer America. In 2000, she was named to both the Girls All-State and Girls All-America teams by the PA Soccer Coaches Association.
    In December 1999, Ms. Krum signed a letter of intent to continue her scholastic and playing career at Princeton University. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history, she went on to earn an MS in Integrated Marketing from New York University.

    Ms. Krum is currently the Senior Director of Global Engagement at Under Armour and manages the content and engagement for Under Armour’s Connected Fitness ecosystem. This includes MyFitnessPal, MapMyFitness, and Under Armour Record. She previously held similar positions at Marriott Hotels and Nickelodeon. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Harry.
  • Honorary Member - James "Jim" Tiernan

    Mr. Tiernan served as Moravian Academy’s Athletic Director from 1996 to 2010. Under his tenure, the athletics program was expanded through partnerships and alliances with Notre Dame (Green Pond) High School and Wilson Area High School. He was also instrumental in Moravian’s entrance into the Colonial League.

    He was best known for the great care he took when making his coaching selections. In fact, he hired John Donmoyer, after whom the annual tournament is named.

    Mr. Tiernan once said, "People demand competent teaching, and they deserve competent coaching.” That competence was the key to athletic success with Mr. Tiernan at the helm with accomplishments including:
    • Colonial League and District XI individual and team golf championships
    • Colonial League and District XI singles, doubles, and team tennis championships
    • 2002 boys' tennis team State Championship
    • Colonial League and District XI field hockey championships
    • Penn Jersey League cross country championships
    • District XI track and field championships
    • Several 1,000+ point careers in basketball, including 2001 alumnus Matt Stein’s all-time high of 1,393 (a record held until 2014, when broken by Luke Gutekunst ’14 with 1,496)
    Additionally, Mr. Tiernan was a key figure in researching sites for what is now the Athletic & Wellness Center. Prior to his position at Moravian, he spent 31 years as a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Pen Argyl.
  • Team - 2002 State Championship Boys’ Tennis Team

    In the 2002 PIAA Class 2A state tennis playoffs, the Wyoming Seminary boys' tennis team lost 3-1 to Moravian Academy. Moravian swept all three singles matches to secure the semifinals win. Wyoming won one of the doubles matches, and the second doubles match was halted with the outcome of the overall match already decided. The competition had to be moved to Penn State's indoor facility because of the rain.

    Moravian Academy advanced to the finals with basically the same team that had lost to Wyoming 3-2 in the previous year's state tournament. Samir Ghia, Chris Balshi, and Drew Balshi won in singles for Moravian.

    Moravian took the 2A title in dramatic fashion, 3-2, over ELCO. Playing in cold and blustery conditions, ELCO and Moravian each took two points, setting up a decisive singles showdown between ELCO's Andy Vo and Moravian's Drew Balshi. After the players split the first two sets, Balshi, a freshman, took control in the third set and won 6-3 to give Moravian its first-ever PIAA team tennis championship.

    Of the win, Drew Balshi said, “Honestly, I didn't want the team score to come down to my match, but it did and everything turned out all right.”

    The team, coached by Tom Schoeninger, included:
    Rakesh Amin ’04
    Andrew Balshi ’05
    Chris Balshi ’02
    Steve Bloom ’02
    Eric Bourassa ’05
    Geoff Finger ’02
    Samir Ghia ’02
    Greg Stepniak ’05
    Jared Surnamer ’05
    Sanjeev Thakrar ’05
    Nick Yukich ’03
    Rahul Yukich ’05

Submit a Nomination

Athletic Hall Fame Awards Categories

Players & Coaches - Must have graduated at least 5 years prior to selection to the Athletic Hall of Fame. Current coaches and staff are not eligible until they have left their active position with the school.

Honorary Member – Athletic Directors, trainers, assistant coaches, equipment managers, any other individuals (including former players) who have made significant contributions or who have provided significant support to Moravian Academy athletics

Team - Must be a specific sport for a specific year (i.e. 1984 State Championship field hockey team) Team must have won state or consecutive district titles.
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