Skip to main content

Congratulations to D’Youville University Athletics 2023-2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

January 25, 2024
Image
Display Wall for the Athletics Hall of Fame inside the College Center building.

The D'Youville University Athletics Department is proud to announce the 2023-24 Hall of Fame inductees, marking the class as the third to be inducted. Members of the class contain three former student-athletes along with a team. The inductees are Bill Schultz (Men's Volleyball), Dave Mohr (Men's Basketball), Kathleen Navarro Twist (Women's Tennis & Women's Basketball), and the 2007-08 Women's Basketball Team.

Bill Schultz, Men's Volleyball (2003-04)

Bill Schultz was a two-year member of the D'Youville men's volleyball team, a team that was nationally recognized during his time. Schultz earned North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Western Division Player of the Year honors in both 2003 and 2004, while also being named First Team All-American during the 2004season. Schultz holds the school record of most kills per match with 38 kills. Schultz was later inducted into the NECVA Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Western New York Men’s Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Schultz extended his playing career, competing in the Association of Professional Volleyball (AVP) Beach Tour for five seasons. During that time, Schultz qualified for the Main Draw Tournament where he went up against numerous Olympic Gold Medalist.

After his time with D'Youville, Schultz went into the coaching rankings where he was named the Grand Island High School boys volleyball coach in 2004. He holds an overall league record of 236-53, accumulating ten Niagara Frontier League Championships and four Section IV Championships. In 2019, Grand Island won the state championship with a record of 23-0 and went on to win the regional championship. Schultz's coaching achievements include being named the Niagara Frontier League Coach of the Year in 2008, All-Western New York Coach of the Year in 2019, and New York State Coach of the Year in 2019.

Schultz spent his time at D'Youville until 2004 studying elementary education.

Dave Mohr, Men's Basketball (1974-78)

Mohr was a four-year member of the men's basketball team where he was named team captain each year. Mohr was selected as one of the Outstanding College Athletes of America in 1975 as well as the D'Youville Male Athlete of the Year. During the 1975-76 season, Mohr was named to the Western New York Regional All-Star Team.

On the hardwood, Mohr became the first 1,000-point scorer and was the leading scorer for all four seasons with the team. In total, Mohr scored over 1,400, an accomplishment achieved before the three-point line was implemented. Mohr was also a glass-cleaner, grabbing over 700 rebounds throughout his career.

Mohr was also involved throughout the campus, serving as the sophomore class vice president during the 1975-76 academic year.

After D'Youville, Mohr coached youth baseball for 20 years in North Cheektowaga while also spending 15 years as a member of the WNY Umpires Association. While an umpire, Mohr worked over 1,500 baseball games at both the high school and collegiate levels. Mohr's umpiring career was highlighted by working several Section VI championship games and the American Legion State Finals. In his professional career, Mohr worked as an Account Executive for 34 years in the commercial printing business, retiring in 2017. Mohr now enjoys his time with his children and grandchildren, while also being an avid golfer.

Mohr graduated from D'Youville in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and social welfare.

Kathleen Navarro Twist, Women's Tennis & Women's Basketball (1970-74)

Kathleen Navarro Twist was a four-year member of the D'Youville women's tennis team where she played first singles and doubles during that time. Twist held are markable record in singles competition, losing only one match during her entire career.

While attending D'Youville, Twist was captain of the women's tennis team along with the women's basketball team. From 1972-74, Twist was listed in the "Who's Who At American Universities", an honors program that recognizes upper class students who combine a strong academic background, along with leadership skills evidenced in extracurricular involvement in campus and community activities.

Twist came back into the collegiate tennis world in 1994 when she was named the assistant women's tennis coach at the University at Buffalo. Twist moved over to the men’s side the following year. In 1996, Twist was named the head women's tennis coach, a position she held for 16 seasons. During that time, Twist helped lead the Bulls to their first postseason MAC Championship in 2008 and UB's first appearance in the NCAA tournament. With 136 dual-match wins, she has exceptional contributions to the growth and development of the UB Tennis program.

In 2002, Twist was selected as the PTR-Eastern Coach of the Year by the Eastern Section of the Professional Tennis Registry. The award, one of the most prestigious given by the PTR, recognizes organization members who have demonstrated the highest standards in the coaching of players or teams in their accomplishments and character. Twist’s overall tennis and coaching philosophy of developing athletes into top players and outstanding citizens helped her earn the annual recognition from the organization.

Preserving her place in Buffalo tennis history, Twist was inducted to the Buffalo Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.

After her time as a coach, Twist was named the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration and Senior Women Administration in 2012. In 2018, Twist served as UB's interim Athletic Director from January until mid-April. During her time as interim AD, UB experienced one of its most successful runs, which included women’s basketball making it to the first Sweet Sixteen in school history, while the men's basketball team won their third MAC Championship in four years, and they won their first ever NCAA Tournament game.

In addition, Twist was responsible for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Department of Athletics. In 2018, UB Athletics received the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletics Association's Award for Diversity and Inclusion, a recognition of the department's impactful initiatives aimed at creating an inclusive environment in athletics, on campus and in the community. In that same year, UB Athletics received the Inaugural Mid-American Conference Diversity and Inclusion Institution Award. Twist was named the MAC D&I Administrator of the Year and UB Student-Athlete, Devon Patterson, received the MAC D&I Student-Athlete of the Year Award. UB Athletics won the MAC D&I Institution Award again in 2019.

Twist worked with UB's Wellness Education Service to receive the SUNY 2019 Outstanding Student Affairs Program Award for Violence Education and Prevention, Crisis Management, and Campus Security. Twist graduated from D'Youville in 1974 where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and has a Master of Arts from Empire State University. After her time at D'Youville, Twist worked as a registered nurse at various Buffalo hospitals for 18 years.

2007-08 Women's Basketball Team

Under the guidance of head coach Mark Herr, the 2007-08 D'Youville women's basketball team put together a 22-6 record, the best record by a D'Youville women's basketball team. During the season, D'Youville saw their biggest win streak come to 10 games followed by a win streak of six games.

During the year, D'Youville was the North East Athletic Conference (NEAC) regular season champions and backed that up by winning the 2008 NEAC Women's Basketball Championship tournament over Keystone College with a 72-60 win. Holly Beats was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

With the win, D'Youville earned their first berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Members of the 2007-08 Women's Basketball Team:
Holly Beats
Jennifer Carpenter
Angel Clark
Christine Halter
Melissa Kanalley
Rachel Pagano-Fuller
Rachel Placito
Ellen Remillard
Angela Rossi
Stephanie Schmieg
Jonisha Scott
Susanne Wieliczki

Head Coach: Mark Herr
Assistant Coach: Carrie Stevens
Assistant Coach: Aurea Espada
Team Manager: CJ Richards

Induction of Ceremony Information

The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 27th on the third floor of the Health Professions HUB in room 301. The event begins with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the induction ceremony to follow.

2023-24 Hall of Fame Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday, January 26, 6:00 p.m. - Hall of Fame Welcome Reception for Inductees, Auxiliary Gym

Friday, January 26, 6:00 p.m. - Women's Basketball vs. Queens (N.Y.)

Friday, January 26, 6:30 p.m. - Hall of Fame Halftime Recognition for Inductees, College Center Gymnasium

Friday, January 26, 8:00 p.m. - Men's Basketball vs. Queens (N.Y.)

Saturday, January 27, 5:00 p.m. - Hall of Fame Cocktail Hour, Health Professions HUB

Saturday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. - Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Health Professions HUB

Related News