Quinnipiac Recognizes Keith Gaither & Patricia Hayes by Adding to MAAC Honor Roll Class
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. – The 2014 MAAC Honor Roll Class will add two members on behalf of Quinnipiac University at the MAAC Basketball Championships in March. Keith Gaither and Patricia Hayes are two of the Bobcat’s biggest basketball fans and will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the “MAAC Experience” exhibit.
Keith Gaither is a familiar profile at the TD Bank Sports Center for every home Bobcats basketball game. Keith Gaither, recognized by everyone at Quinnipiac as the No. 1 fan for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs, sits in the corner straight across from the home bench, cheering on both Bobcats’ squads. While Gaither may be in a wheelchair and slowed by cerebral palsy, in no way does it stall his passion for Quinnipiac basketball. He never misses a game, and always arrives early to get set in position. “He’s a great fan, and our kids really enjoy him. He lights up a room with his enthusiasm, said Bobcats’ men’s basketball coach Tom Moore. “He’s so passionate and competitive on game nights.” Quinnipiac honored him two years ago with a ceremony declaring him as the Bobcats No. 1 fan, and he was greeted with a standing ovation.
Pat Hayes is one of those “behind the scenes” individuals that helps make a large organization run with success. Pat is an Accounting Secretary in the Bursar’s Office at Quinnipiac, which can be one of the toughest, and most unforgiving positions on a college campus. However, she is always able to do her job with a smile and a kind word. She regularly interacts with students and student-athletes. Pat is also one of the most dedicated fans of Quinnipiac athletics, and a devotee of the men’s and women’s basketball programs. She was recognized in 1999 with Quinnipiac athletics’ “Behind the Scenes Award,” given by the department to dedicated fans for their support, and again in 2004 with the university’s Excellence in Service to Students Award.
The MAAC Honor Roll is part of the 600 square foot “MAAC Experience” display at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Each year one honoree selected by the MAAC Council of Presidents joins one male and one female honoree from each of the 11 MAAC institutions. The 23-member 2014 induction class will be enshrined to the MAAC Honor Roll on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Court of Dreams. The Honorees’ names will be added to the “MAAC Experience” exhibit. Additionally, each honoree will be profiled in the 2014 MAAC Basketball Championships game program and will also be featured in a video display at The MAAC Experience available for viewing by the general public. Lastly, the honorees will also be recognized at halftime of the 9:00p.m. MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship quarterfinal on Saturday, March 8.
The complete 2014 MAAC Honor Roll Class:
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MAAC Honoree:
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Brad Tracy
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School
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Male Honoree
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Female Honoree
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Canisius
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Frank Swiatek
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Dr. Ellen Conley
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Fairfield
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George Bisacca
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Dianne Nolan
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Iona
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Kevin Hamilton
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Celeste Grier-Johnathan
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Manhattan
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Luis Flores
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Marianne Reilly
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Marist
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Mike Hart
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Julianne Viani
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Monmouth
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Ron Kornegay
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Joan Martin
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Niagara
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Juan Mendez
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Joan Thornton
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Quinnipiac
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Keith Gaither
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Patricia Hayes
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Rider
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Jack Madden
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Kelly Eckardt Zawodny
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Saint Peter’s
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Don Kennedy
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Tonya Grant
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Siena
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Billy Harrell
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Lisa (Serafino) Ruggiero
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