Behrend Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2026

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend Department of Athletics is proud to announce the selection of five former student-athletes, one coach and one administrator for enshrinement into the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame this upcoming fall.

The seven individuals will be formally inducted in the Penn State Behrend Reed Union Building in McGarvey Commons on Saturday, October 3. The class includes Kevin Gardner '16 (men's track & field), Zane Hackett '16 (men's basketball), John Leisering (Administrator), Dan Perritano (soccer coach), Nicholas VanDamia '16 (men's golf), Dante Vetica '15 (men's golf), and Mike Worthy '15 (men's soccer).

Kevin Gardner (Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) was one of the most accomplished field athletes in Penn State Behrend track and field history, earning national recognition as the program's first NCAA Indoor Track & Field All-American. A four-time All-ECAC performer and eight-time ECAC qualifier in the high jump, Gardner set school records and consistently ranked among the region's elite competitors. His career-best jump of 6'9.5" earned a runner-up finish at the 2015 ECAC Indoor Championships before he placed sixth nationally to secure All-America honors. Gardner also played a key role in Behrend's first conference championship in the Colonial States Athletic Conference, winning three conference titles and earning four All-CSAC honors. Despite overcoming significant injuries throughout his career, Gardner's perseverance, consistency, and record-setting performances established him as one of the premier athletes in program history and earned him a place on the CSAC 25th Anniversary Team.

Zane Hackett (Brookville, PA/Brookville) was one of the most dominant post players in Penn State Behrend men's basketball history, helping lead the Lions to two AMCC championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances during his career. A 2015-16 NABC and D3hoops.com All-Great Lakes Region selection, Hackett was named AMCC Player of the Year after averaging 16.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game while ranking among the nation's leaders in field-goal percentage and double-doubles. He earned First-Team All-AMCC honors and finished his career as a consistent offensive and defensive force, recording 1,194 points and 660 rebounds. Hackett ranks 15th in program history in scoring and ninth in rebounding, leaving his mark as one of the most productive frontcourt players to wear a Behrend uniform.

John Leisering, the voice of the Behrend Lions, dedicated more than four decades to advancing athletics in the Erie community through leadership, communications, and service. A 2011 inductee into the Metropolitan Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, he played a pivotal role in the growth of Mercyhurst athletics as athletic director, sports information director, hockey operations director, broadcaster, and public address announcer. During his tenure as athletic director, Leisering helped establish Mercyhurst's men's hockey and men's and women's soccer programs while hiring several coaches who went on to achieve lasting success. Leisering also became one of the region's most recognizable voices, serving as a broadcaster and public address announcer for numerous collegiate and professional sporting events. His lifelong commitment to promoting and supporting athletics has left an enduring impact at Penn State Behrend.

Dan Perritano is the winningest coach in Erie collegiate soccer history. He was the head coach of the Penn State Behrend men's soccer team for 31 seasons. He is all-time winningest coach in program history (397 wins) and ranks third overall among coaches in school history (Paul Benim baseball, Dave Niland basketball – both in Metro Hall of Fame). He also ranks 25th all-time among Division III coaches for total wins.  He is the founder of the Outreach Program TOPSoccer, a program for special needs children. He has been involved in EYSA coaching education for the last 30 years. He has raised thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations through "Emma and Dan's Journey", long-distance walking aimed to inspire and educate students of all ages. Over his 31 seasons, the men's soccer team earned 10 conference titles, 10 ECAC bids, eight NCAA appearances, one ECAC Championship (2009), and were four-time AMCC regular season champions (2012/2015/2017/2018). Dan was named the AMCC Coach of the Year three times. Dan also served as the women's soccer coach for nine seasons, from 1995 to 2003, leading Behrend to four AMCC titles and three runner-up finishes. They earned three bids to the ECAC Tournament and the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. His women's teams were 109-57-11. He has a total of 506 career victories.

Nicholas VanDamia (Erie, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) enjoyed a remarkable four-year career at Penn State Behrend from 2012-16, emerging as one of the top golfers in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The 2012 AMCC and Behrend Newcomer of the Year quickly developed into a conference champion, earning AMCC Golfer of the Year honors in 2014 after winning the individual conference title. VanDamia was a three-time First Team All-AMCC selection and finished among the top three at the conference championships in three different seasons. As a key contributor to four AMCC championship teams and four NCAA Tournament appearances, VanDamia helped usher in one of the most successful eras in Penn State Behrend men's golf history.

Dante Vetica (Hermitage, PA/Kennedy Catholic) was one of the most accomplished golfers in Penn State Behrend history during his four-year career from 2011-15. A two-time AMCC Golfer of the Year (2012, 2013), Vetica captured the conference individual championship in 2012 and successfully defended his title in 2013, becoming one of the program's premier competitors. He earned First Team All-AMCC honors three times and served as team captain and co-captain during his final two seasons. Vetica's leadership helped guide Penn State Behrend to four AMCC championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest golfers in program history.

Mike Worthy (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) was a cornerstone of Penn State Behrend men's soccer during one of the most successful eras in program history, helping the Lions compile a 68-15-5 record and capture two AMCC championships, three conference regular-season titles, and two NCAA Tournament appearances. A four-year starter and the program's all-time leader in games played with 88, Worthy earned First Team All-AMCC honors twice, along with ECAC and All-Region recognition. He capped his career as an NSCAA Scholar All-American, becoming just the second player in program history to earn the distinction. A Co-Team MVP and outstanding student-athlete, Worthy's leadership, durability, and defensive excellence helped establish Penn State Behrend as one of the premier programs in the region.