The Penn State Brandywine Athletics Hall of Fame added four new members on Friday, Jan. 26, writes Christina Billie for Penn State Brandywine.

Members of the class of 2024 include former men’s soccer student-athlete Stephen Bucci, women’s basketball and volleyball student-athlete Carolyn Hilden, women’s basketball student-athlete Rachel Hurwitz-Casey, and women’s basketball coach Brian Donoghue.

“On behalf of the campus and the athletics department, I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Carolyn, Stephen, Rachel, and Brian. Thank you all for the impact you’ve left on Penn State Brandywine Athletics,” said Bobbi Caprice, director of athletics. “I’d also like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has joined us tonight, whether in person or virtually, to celebrate this special occasion.”

During her opening remarks, Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells recalled her first Hall of Fame induction ceremony five years ago.

“I am so proud to be the chancellor of Penn State Brandywine, and I’m so excited to be our fifth Brandywine Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony. The inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony five years ago was the first event I attended when I first took my post as chancellor in January 2020,” she recalled.

“The event was spectacular. The evening exuded enthusiasm, excellence, passion, and pride from the inaugural class of inductees, their families, coaches, friends, current Brandywine student-athletes, and alumni. This room really embodies the secret sauce, the intangible thing you can feel that makes Penn State Brandywine so unique and special.”

Emceed by Vince Screnci, the Brandywine Athletics Hall of Fame Committee chair, nearly 100 family members, friends, former teammates, and coaches gathered to watch the Hall of Fame class of 2024 be inducted.

“The Hall of Fame process is something that is so humbling for all of us involved, and to see everyone come back and see how the campus has changed is great,” Screnci said. “I’ve heard from many people that being back here makes it feel like you’ve gone back in time, and we’re so glad that you’re here with us tonight with our four fantastic nominees for our Hall of Fame.”

Nominees were inducted into the Hall of Fame by those who watched them grow during their time at Penn State Brandywine. Hilden was inducted by Matt Clark, former men’s soccer goalie and athletic trainer; Bucci was inducted by former men’s soccer coach Alan Miller; Hurwitz-Casey was inducted by former teammate Laura Keller; and Donoghue was inducted by former assistant coach Bill Dougherty.

Find out more about the Hall of Fame ceremony at Penn State Brandywine.