AIS Welcomes 5 New Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Five Agnes Irwin alumnae were recognized for their outstanding athletic achievements at a ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 8. Noel Spahr Cappillo ’92, Keeneh Gaffney Comizio ’85, Pamela V. Egan ’88, Suzy Pitman O’Kane ’62 and Lynn Keyser Tierney ’78 were inducted into the Agnes Irwin Athletic Hall of Fame in front of a crowd of 100 that included friends, family members, Agnes Irwin alumnae and past Hall of Fame inductees.

All of this year’s inductees were three-sport athletes during their Agnes Irwin careers and continued to pursue athletics in some form during college and into adulthood.

“This is a group that represents the finest in Agnes Irwin athletics,” Head of School Dr. Wendy Hill told those gathered.

The Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2004 for the purpose of celebrating and preserving the School’s rich athletic tradition. In the past 10 years, 38 individuals — as well as the inaugural AIS Varsity Squash Team 1991-1995 — have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Athletic Hall of Fame honors athletes every two years to coincide with the years Agnes Irwin hosts its annual athletic competition with Episcopal Academy, known as AIS/EA Day.

After a welcome by Hill, each alumna was introduced and inducted by a member of the AIS community, including past inductees, AIS alumnae and faculty member Dawn Anthony.

Past Hall of Fame inductees in attendance at Saturday’s ceremony included Lisa Dixon ’92, Megan Boyle Flinn ’87, Wendy Chamblin Gunselman ’69, Gail Guthridge ’71, Betty Shellenberger ’39 and former Coach and Athletic Director Joan Keyser Salmon. Former inductees Becky Gaffney Campbell ’88 and former Athletic Director Jane White presented two of the evening’s awards.

“Being recognized by Agnes Irwin and my peers for induction into the Hall of Fame means so much to me as a woman, an athlete and a mom of three children who are finding their own success and joy in sports,” said Capillo, whose award was presented by White. “To be in the same realm as women I idolized as a younger student was amazing. I have a new appreciation for many women that came before me and paved the way in female sports. They also helped shape the institution that Irwins is today.”

“I am forever grateful to my parents for sacrificing and giving me the gift of an Agnes Irwin education,” Comizio said of the recognition. “AIS has such a rich history of academic and athletic excellence that I feel humbled and blessed to be even a small piece of its history.”

The legacy left by these five women “continues today with the girls who took to the fields, course and courts this week against Episcopal Academy,” Hill said. “The opportunities for these girls are tremendous and Agnes Irwin continues to be a place where girls take great pride in competing and playing for their school.”

About The Agnes Irwin School

Founded in 1869, The Agnes Irwin School is an independent all-girls’ college preparatory school in Rosemont, Pa., serving students in PreK through Grade 12. Its mission is to foster the development of each student’s highest potential in intellect, character and physical well-being through a rigorous academic education, diverse community, creative arts and competitive athletics. For more information, please visit www.agnesirwin.org or call 610.525.8400.