Fontbonne University Athletic Department Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Written by Bruna Niederkorn and Payton Siebert
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Fontbonne University Athletic Department is proud to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, an esteemed event recognizing the achievements and contributions of former student-athletes, coaches, and distinguished members of the Griffin community.
The ceremony will take place on May 23 at 5 p.m. located in the DSAC (Dunham Student Activity Center) Cafe with a cocktail hour including appetizers and drinks. This will be honoring individuals whose dedication and excellence have left a lasting impact on Fontbonne Athletics.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 exemplifies the highest standards of athletic and personal achievement, embodying the values of perseverance, leadership, and sportsmanship. This prestigious occasion will bring together alumni, current student-athletes, and supporters to celebrate the rich history of Fontbonne athletics and its tradition of excellence.
This year, the inductees are: Mary Beers (women's soccer), Sarah Cerutti (softball), Caden Clark (men's basketball), Braeden Dobbs (baseball), Matt Helm (baseball), Anthony Jones (men's basketball), Molly Kovarik (women's soccer), Ryan Lively (men's volleyball), Cody McKinney (golf), Elijah Rice (men's basketball), Samantha Rosner (softball), Zach Rothstein (men's volleyball), Kyler van Rossum-O'Connell (men's volleyball), Raven Venegas (women's basketball and track and field), Daniel Youngblood (baseball), Coach Ryan Good (baseball), Mrs. June McKinney (distinction award), and Coach Lance Thornhill (basketball and golf).
"It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome this 2025 Fontbonne Athletics Hall of Fame Class," stated Director of Athletics Danielle Doerfler. "The committee felt very strongly about these candidates, and they were selected among a competitive group of nominees. We look forward to celebrating these successful alumni and alumnae who embody the Fontbonne Athletics legacy."
Class of 2025
Mary Beers
Mary wore the Griffin uniform from 2017 to 2023.
She played in 65 games as a goalkeeper, earning 48 wins, recording 34 shutouts, and playing a total of 5,677 minutes. Her outstanding performance on the field led to her being named SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year twice, in addition to earning SLIAC First Team honors.
Mary's name is etched in the record book, as she holds first place in four different categories and ranks in the top seven in five others.
Sarah Cerutti
Sarah wore the Griffin uniform for three seasons, from 2010 to 2014.
During her career, she played in 145 games, amassing 427 at-bats, 143 hits, 31 home runs, 114 RBIs, 59 stolen bases and 126 runs scored. She finished with a .335 batting average, and a .649 slugging percentage.
She was nationally ranked in five different occasions. She ranked among the best in home runs per game and total home runs in two separate years as well as sacrifice flies once. She won four SLIAC Regular Season Title, four SLIAC Tournament Champions and four appearances to the NCAA Tournament.
Her excellent performance earned her three selections to the SLIAC First Team, as well as spots on the SLIAC All-Decade Team and the NFCA Midwest All-Region First Team. She holds the record for most home runs in program history and is ranked in the top five in four additional categories.
Caden Clark
Caden was a key member of the basketball team from 2018 to 2023.
Over the course of his career at Fontbonne, he played an impressive 3,292 minutes and joined the 1,000-point club with a total of 1,319 points. He made 459 field goals, recorded 506 assists, accumulated 171 steals, and grabbed 445 rebounds.
He earned two selections to the SLIAC First Team, one to the SLIAC Third Team, and three appearances on the SLIAC All-Defensive Team. His name is etched in the record book, where he ranks second in total points for a career, and third in field goals made, assists, and steals.
Braeden Dobbs
Braeden wore the Griffin uniform on the baseball field from 2017 to 2022.
Over the course of his career, he made 155 appearances and recorded 564 at-bats, collecting 196 hits, 11 home runs, 123 RBIs, and scoring 142 runs. His offensive ability was reflected in his impressive .348 batting average, .432 on-base percentage, and .516 slugging percentage.
He was named to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team and SLIAC Second Team once and was selected to the SLIAC First Team twice. His earned a place at the top of the record book for most triples in a season and most doubles in a career. Additionally, he is ranked in the top 10 in eight other categories.
Matt Helm
Matt was a standout member of the baseball team for two seasons, in 2022 and 2023.
He played in 77 games, recording 286 at-bats, 119 hits, 18 home runs, 100 RBIs, and scoring 58 runs. He posted an impressive .416 batting average, .485 on-base percentage, and .696 slugging percentage.
His remarkable performance earned him SLIAC First Team honors in both years. His contributions to the program are cemented in the record book, where he ranks in the top 10 nine times across various categories.
Anthony Jones
Anthony was a member of the basketball team from 2018 to 2022.
Throughout his career, he played an impressive 1,838 minutes and scored a total of 1,022 points, earning a well-deserved place in the 1,000-point club. He made 405 field goals, contributed 137 assists, recorded 96 steals, blocked 24 shots, and grabbed 301 rebounds.
He was named the SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the SLIAC Second Team three times. In the Fontbonne record book, he ranks fourth for most points in a single game, fifth in points per game, and eighth in steals in a single season.
Molly Kovarik
Molly joined the soccer team in 2018 and played until 2022, starting in 68 of the 70 games she played. Over her career, she scored 59 goals and recorded 13 assists. Her exceptional performance earned her numerous accolades, including two SLIAC Player of the Year awards, two selections to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team, and four appearances on the SLIAC First Team All-Conference.
Molly's name is prominently featured in the record books, where she holds the record for most goals scored in a career with 59. She also ranks second and third for most goals scored in a single season.
Ryan Lively
Ryan was an outstanding member of the volleyball team from 2020 to 2023.
During his time at Fontbonne, he made 72 appearances, recording 852 kills on 1,867 total attacks, 99 service aces, and 1,004 points. He also totaled 1,142 serve receptions, 414 digs, 64 block assists, and 85 total blocks. In 2021, Ryan was ranked second nationally in kills, showcasing his dominance on the court.
His exceptional play earned him several accolades, including MCVL Rookie of the Year, two selections to the MCVL First Team, and recognition as an AVCA All-Region player twice and an AVCA All-American once.
He currently holds the top spot in the record book for three different categories and ranks in the top 10 in six additional categories.
Cody McKinney
Cody was a dedicated member of the golf team from 2019 to 2024.
During his time with the team, he earned eight top nine finishes, including two runner-up finishes. He was named to the SLIAC Second Team All-Conference and made a significant impact by setting the school record for the lowest individual round with a score of 69. Additionally, Cody was part of the team that recorded the lowest team round in school history with a score of 295.
Elijah Rice
Elijah was an important member of the basketball team that achieved a remarkable three-peat in the SLIAC Regular Season and back-to-back SLIAC Tournament titles, including two NCAA Tournament appearances from 2019 to 2024.
Over his career, he played 3,198 minutes and joined the 1,000-point club, finishing with a total of 1,289 points. He started in 108 of 115 games played, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Throughout his time on the court, he made 541 field goals, grabbed 640 rebounds, recorded 353 assists, and tallied 143 steals. His performance earned him two selections to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team, one spot on the SLIAC Third Team, and recognition on the SLIAC All-Defensive Team.
Kyler van Rossum-O'Connell
Kyler was an integral member of the volleyball team from 2016 to 2022.
Throughout his career, he played in 145 matches, recording 189 kills on 558 total attacks. He tallied 4,587 assists with an average of 9.46 assists per set, 35 service aces, and 1,104 digs, averaging 2.28 digs per set. Additionally, he registered 148 block assists and 183 total blocks, accumulating a total of 333 points.
Kyler's excellence on the court was recognized every year, as he was named to the MCVL First Team all four years. His impact extended beyond the conference, as he was nationally ranked in three different years, achieving first place three times. His name is etched throughout the record book, where he holds first-place rankings in five categories, second-place rankings in three, and is ranked in the top 10 in 12 additional categories.
Raven Venegas
Raven was a standout member of both the basketball and track and field teams from 2016 to 2021.
Her exceptional performance in track earned her multiple honors, including being named SLIAC Field Athlete of the Year, SLIAC Newcomer of the Year, and SLIAC Athlete of the Week four times. In 2019, she claimed the discus throw title at the SLIAC Outdoor Championships, and in 2021, she finished second in the hammer throw at the same event. Additionally, she finished in the top five 14 other times during her track career.
Raven's legacy in track and field is solidified in the record book, where she currently holds first place in three different events and second place in two others. She also set five freshman records during her career.
On the basketball court, Raven played 2,030 minutes and joined the 1,000-point club, finishing with 1,027 points. She made 460 field goals, contributed 144 assists, recorded 130 steals, blocked 54 shots, and grabbed 540 rebounds.
Her outstanding contributions earned her numerous honors, including SLIAC Newcomer of the Year, SLIAC First Team, SLIAC Second Team, and two selections to the SLIAC Third Team. Raven currently ranks fifth in the career record book for rebounds and sixth in blocks.
Samantha Rosner
Samantha was a dedicated member of the softball team from 2008 to 2012.
She played in 154 games, recording 425 at-bats, 111 hits, 58 RBI, 53 stolen bases and scored 80 runs. She finished with a .261 batting average, a .329 slugging percentage. Her time with the team was highlighted by multiple championships, as she helped secure four SLIAC Regular Season titles, three SLIAC Tournament titles as well as an appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
During her career, she earned recognition as an SLIAC Second Team selection, she was a three-time All-Tournament Team and was named to the NFCA Midwest All-Region team. She currently ranks fourth in the record book for most games started, with a total of 154.
Zach Rothstein
Zach was a standout member of the volleyball team from 2016 to 2021.
During his time at Fontbonne, he appeared in 120 matches, recording 221 assists, 2,133 serve receptions, and 1,327 digs, with an impressive average of 3.23 digs per set.
His defensive skills earned him numerous accolades, including MCVL First Team, Second Team, and Defensive Player of the Year honors twice. He was named MCVL Player of the Week 11 times (most in conference history). His outstanding performance led to national recognition, as he was ranked in digs per set in three different years as well as as leading the country in digs in 2018. Not only he received the Red Schoendiesnt Award (best overall male athlete) at Fontbonne but he was also the all-time digs leader in NCAA D3 history.
He holds the record for most digs in a single season, career, and freshman records, as well as digs per set in the freshman record book.
Daniel Youngblood
Daniel was a key member of the baseball team from 2019 to 2022.
During his career, he made 87 appearances and recorded 329 at-bats, collecting 128 hits, 36 doubles, 15 home runs, and 93 RBIs. He also stole 13 bases and scored 107 runs. His impressive .389 batting average, .473 on-base percentage, and .657 slugging percentage were evidence to his offensive skills.
He was honored with SLIAC First Team selections twice.
Ryan Good began his impactful journey at Fontbonne University in 2007, taking on the role of Head Baseball Coach. Over the years, his leadership and dedication have made a profound impact on the program. As of March 20, 2025, Coach Good holds the distinction of being the winningest coach in Fontbonne history, boasting an impressive overall record of 357 wins and 359 losses.
Throughout his career, Coach Good has consistently led his teams to success. Under his guidance, the Griffins have secured six seasons with 20 or more wins. One of his most notable achievements came in just his third season (2009), when Coach Good led Fontbonne to a SLIAC tournament trophy. This win not only marked the team's first championship since 2003 but also earned them a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
In 2016, Coach Good's team set a remarkable new milestone for the program. The Griffins broke the team record for the most strikeouts in a single season, with 309, while also posting the program's fifth-lowest earned run average.
Coach Good's impact on the pitching staff has been particularly notable. During his tenure, four Griffins pitchers have thrown no-hitters.
Mrs. June McKinney (distinction award)
Mrs. June McKinney, with her late husband Coach Lee McKinney, were a Fontbonne legacy within themselves.
She supported her husband's tenure as a legendary men's basketball coach and Director of Athletics. During their time at Fontbonne, she watched her husband grow the athletic department from 3 sports and 35 athletes to 19 sports and over 350 athletes. She also supported her husband in the creation of the building our hall of fame will occur in, the Dunham Student Activity Center. J. McKinney, most notably, always ran the athletic department golf tournaments and auction, while also chaperoning numerous trips with the teams.
Many of those over 350 athletes became an extension of the McKinney family. Lee and June also bestowed their love for Fontbonne specifically on their children and grandchildren, many of whom graduated from Fontbonne and volunteered their time helping the athletic department succeed and grow.
Longtime administrative assistant Robyn Steiner said the following about the impact June had: "June deserves this award more than words can say. She was a true gem for 'Coach' and me and was always very proud of each and every Fontbonne athlete. I am blessed and lucky to have worked with June and to call her my forever family."
Coach Lance Thornhill
Lance has been an integral part of Fontbonne University's athletic community since 1995. His journey began as a graduate assistant, where he not only worked as the head men's golf coach but also served as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team during the 1995-96 school year. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career in both basketball and golf at Fontbonne.
Thornhill spent 16 years as an assistant coach under the mentorship of the late Coach Lee McKinney, the founder of the men's basketball program. In 2015, Thornhill was named Head Men's Basketball Coach, a role he held until the conclusion of his coaching career at Fontbonne.
During his tenure as head coach, Thornhill compiled an overall record of 107-142. His leadership was marked by numerous successes, including being named SLIAC Coach of the Year twice. He guided his teams to three consecutive SLIAC Regular Season Titles, as well as two SLIAC Tournament Titles. He also led the Griffins to two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to his basketball achievements, Thornhill also made a lasting impact on the men's golf program. As the head coach, he led the team to SLIAC Championship Titles in 2002, 2004, and 2006. His excellence in coaching golf was recognized with three SLIAC Coach of the Year awards, one in each of those titles (2002, 2004, and 2006).
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