Emmitsburg, Md. (January 24, 2015) – The
Mount St. Mary’s athletic department celebrated the careers
of Stephan Ricker (C’00, men’s lacrosse) and Kim Keene
Christensen (C’04, women’s lacrosse) with their
induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 24, at
the Dillon Fieldhouse in the ARCC. Agnus McGlade Berenato and Mayor
Don Briggs also received the Father John “Spike” Cogan
Award as part of the ceremony.
Ricker will go down as one of the most prolific scorers to ever
don a Mount St. Mary’s men’s lacrosse jersey. His 137
career goals were a school record upon graduation in 2000 and still
rank second in the Mount’s Division I record book. Ricker
burst on the scene as a freshman in 1997, scoring 44 goals to lead
the team and rank second in the conference for the season. The mark
still places him in a tie for sixth in single-season history for
the Mount.
Ricker again led the Mountaineers in scoring with 36 goals in
1998 before tallying another 36 during his junior season in 1999.
In the regular season finale in 1999, Ricker notched two goals and
two assists in a 6-5 win over Fairfield to secure the MAAC regular
season championship for the Mount.
A versatile attackman who also spent time in the midfield,
Ricker appeared in 66 games with 60 starts in four seasons. His
teams compiled a 35-31 overall record including a 29-3 mark in
conference regular season games.
Keene Christensen was part of one of the biggest turnarounds in
Mount St. Mary’s women’s lacrosse history, culminating
with the program’s first Northeast Conference Championship
and trip to the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 2004. After a 5-13
record during her freshman season in 2001, the Mount increased its
win total over the next three seasons building up to a school
record 15 wins in 2004.
A two-time First Team All-Northeast Conference selection as a
midfielder, Keene Christensen was the first Mount women's lacrosse
player to compete in the IWLCA North/South Senior All-Star game and
was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team. As a
sophomore in 2002, Keene Christensen caused 46 turnovers, good for
third in single-season history. The Baltimore native followed up in
2003 with 72 ground balls, which placed her second in program
history for a single season.
During the course of her four years in Emmitsburg, Keene
Christensen re-wrote the record books, setting a new school record
with 226 career ground balls. She finished with a then-school
record 125 career caused turnovers, still good for second in
program history. With 55 career goals, Keene Christensen ranks 25th
on the Mount’s all-time scoring list.
Awarded to those who have shown exemplary support and
contributions to Mount Athletics, the Father John
“Spike” Cogan Award was given to McGlade Berenato and
Briggs.
As Mayor of Emmitsburg, Mount St. Mary’s University Grotto
Council member and former Mount Men’s Rugby Coach, Briggs
dedicated his life to serving others. His commitment to service
extends to all areas of his life, however, his most profound impact
has been on the Mount St. Mary’s men’s rugby program.
He is the father of Mount Rugby and laid the foundation for the
2014 Mount’s Men’s 2014 National Small College Rugby
Organization Regional Champion title.
Before arriving at the Mount, Don excelled as a rugby player and
coach. His honors include the USA Rugby East Selection, Washington
Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame Member, and recognition as a USA
Rugby Level III Coach. Briggs founded the Frederick Rugby Football
Club and coached the Frederick Falcons semi-pro football team to
three-consecutive championships.
Beginning his tenure in 1997, he posted a 141-15 domestic record
as Head Coach of the Mount’s Men’s Rugby team. In 2000,
he guided the team to the Potomac Rugby Union Division II
Championship title. He led the team to international tours to
Ireland in 1999 and 1994 and to Argentina and Uruguay in 2006.
Stressing to his players the importance of community, he founded
“Pennies for the Poor,” an organization focused on
mentoring middle school students, reading programs for elementary
schools, community festivals and charity runs.
McGlade Berenato has enjoyed success at every stop in her
career. Following her playing career for the Mount St. Mary’s
women’s basketball team, she went on to serve as Head Coach
at Rider University from 1982-85. For her success with the Broncs,
she was elected to the Camden County and Rider University Sports
Hall of Fames.
Following her stay in Lawrenceville, N.J., McGlade Berenato
moved on to Georgia Tech, taking over in 1989. During her 14-year
tenure, the Yellow Jackets posted a 223-209 record and made two
NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to the 2003-04 campaign,
Berenato became the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh,
where she led the women’s team to its greatest success. In
2012, she broke the women’s basketball team all-time wins
record with 159 victories.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1980 and was
awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the Mount. The
Mount has also awarded her with the Bicentennial Medal, Young
Alumni Award, and Trustee Emeritus.
