University of Tampa Announces Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa has announced its Hall of Fame inductees, including six former student-athletes, one contributor, and the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, who will represent the 2025 class of the University of Tampa Athletics Hall of Fame. The class will be inducted in a 7 p.m., ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 16 at UT's Vaughn Center ninth floor.
The inductees include former student-athletes Gianna Messina (women's basketball), Steve Mumaw (baseball), Berkley Whaley (volleyball), Conor Whipple (men's lacrosse), David Winner (men's soccer), and Brian Zaletel (baseball). The contributor, Stu Williams, will also earn induction to the Hall of Fame. Tony Saladino has been selected as the recipient of the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award and will be recognized posthumously as a member of the 8-person Class of 2025.
The special category selection will honor the 2014 national championship volleyball team, as the 1987 women's swimming 400 Free Relay national champions will also be honored at the ceremony.
Members selected will be honored at a banquet to be held at the Vaughn Center ninth floor on Thursday, October 16, beginning with a 6 p.m. reception followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and ceremony.
Tickets
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University of Tampa Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Student-Athletes
Gianna Messina (2008-2011): A three-time First Team All-Sunshine Conference selection and four-time Academic All-Conference honoree. Messina served as the team captain for women's basketball each year and was instrumental in helping the Spartans compile an exceptional 73-19 record, winning two SSC regular season titles, one SSC tournament title, and earning three consecutive NCAA Division II tournament berths. On the court, Messina became the first Tampa women's basketball player to surpass 1,000 career points in just three years, finishing with 1,326 points. She finished first in school history for career three-point shooting percentage (.441) and free throw percentage (.815). Messina finished second in minutes per game (34.9), third in three pointers made (203), and third in defensive rebounds per game (5.8). Statistically, she posted impressive career averages over 90 games: 14.5 points (42% overall FG, 44.1% 3pt, 81.6% FT), 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. On a per 40-minute basis, her scoring averaged out to 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.6 three-pointers per game.
Steve Mumaw (1984-85): Mumaw transferred from South Florida Junior College prior to the 1984 season. During his time as a member of the Spartans' baseball team, Mumaw established the school record for pitching wins in a season, most strikeouts in a career and season, and lowest ERA in a season. He was awarded the 1984 Student Athlete of the Year and was selected as a 1984 second-team All-American. Mumaw currently ranks in the top 10 in several career and single-season pitching categories, having played only two years at UT. Mumaw continued his baseball career in the Minor Leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals. He won league championships in 1985 (South Atlantic League) and 1990 (Texas League). Mumaw coached with the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays, Pasco-Hernando College, and Wesley Chapel High School.
Berkley Whaley (2013-15): Member of UT volleyball's 2014 national championship team in a season where she was awarded National Player of the Year. Whaley collected many honors in her career at Tampa. These include being a two-time CSC Academic All-American (2014-15), a three-time First-Team All-American (2013-15), a three-time member of the All-South Region team, selected to the NCAA South Region All-Tournament team, a member of the 2014 NCAA Championships All-Tournament team, a three-time South Region Player of the Year, selected as the 2013 SSC Newcomer of the Year, a three-time member of the All-SSC First-Team, and the 2014-15 SSC Female Athlete of the Year. She ranks second in program history in kills per set (3.97), third in points per set (4.54), and fourth in reception percentage (.966). Whaley finished her career with 1,350 kills. Whaley started her career at the University of Florida in 2012.
Conor Whipple (2014-17): Whipple was a part of three UT Men's Lacrosse teams that reached the NCAA semifinals. His awards include being a four-time USILA All-American, a four-time First-Team All-SSC recipient, a three-time SSC Player of the Year, and a two-time National Player of the Week. Whipple ranks in the top 10 in several categories for both single-season and career records. He appears three times on the single-season points leaderboard, with his 2017 season holding the record with 99 points. He also appears three times on the single-season points per game leaderboard, with his 2016 season finishing second all-time with 5.33 points per game. All four of Whipple's seasons appear on the single-season assists leaderboard, with 2017 (60 assists), 2016 (50 assists), and 2014 (41 assists) being the top 3 assist seasons all-time. All four of his seasons at UT also appear on the single-season assists per game leaderboard, with 2017 being the best mark in school history with 3.16 assists per game. Whipple ranks first in career points (354), third in career points per game (4.72), second in career goals (169), first in career assists (185), and second in career assists per game (2.47).
David Winner (1992-94): Winner transferred from Florida International University prior to the 1992 season. He was the starting goalie on the 1994 national championship team, where he registered a shutout against Oakland in a 3-0 Spartans win to capture the title. In 1993, Winner was an honorable mention for the All-SSC team. Winner currently ranks in the top 10 for several program records, including being fifth in most wins (31), fifth in goals against average (0.93), sixth in most shutouts (14), and ninth in save percentage (.772). Winner continued his soccer career professionally, where he played for several teams in the MLS, USL First Division, and USL Second Division. He coached for the Austin Aztecs and currently coaches in the Columbus Crew organization.
Brian Zaletel (1992-93): Zaletel was a member of the first two baseball national championship teams at UT. Zaletel's two-year career at Tampa was marked by numerous awards and honors. These honors include being a First-Team All-American in 1993, a Second-Team All-American in 1992, South Region Player of the Year in 1992, selected to the NCAA Division II World Series All-Tournament team in 1992 and 1993, First-Team All-South Region in 1992 and 1993, selected to the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament team in 1993, SSC Player of the Year in 1992, and First Team All-SSC in 1992 and 1993. Zaletel holds the single-season record for doubles with 27 in 1992. Zaletel continued his baseball career in the Minor Leagues with the San Francisco Giants.
Contributor
Stu Williams: A 1970 University of Tampa graduate, Stu Williams has since been involved heavily in the University of Tampa baseball program and other areas throughout the university. He enjoyed a successful career in regional banking and has been involved in the community. He has participated on several advisory committees at the University of Tampa, including the Board of Counselors, Board of Fellows, the Alumni Association Board, and the Alumni Campaign Steering Committee. Together with his wife, Diane, Stu Williams endowed the head baseball coach position: the Stu and Diane Williams Head Baseball Coach. He helped lead the fundraising efforts for a new turf baseball field along with other alumni. Williams has shown his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the University of Tampa since graduating in 1970.
Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award
Tony Saladino: Tony Saladino was selected as the recipient of the Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to an individual who continues their success post-graduation and continues to support the University of Tampa. Saladino is a 1958 graduate of the University of Tampa. He and his wife, Bertha, began the Bertha and Tony Saladino Tournament, a week-long event for high school baseball teams in Hillsborough County. The tournament continues currently and has expanded to 32 teams across the county. One of Hillsborough County's longest-tenured educators, Saladino taught generations as an elementary school physical education teacher, retiring at age 79 in 2015. Baseball has always been an essential part of Saladino's life, through his involvement in Hillsborough County baseball. The Tony Saladino Memorial Baseball Award was also established in 1971 and is presented annually to the outstanding high school senior baseball player in Hillsborough County as a memorial to Tony Saladino Sr. and to promote school baseball. A lifelong supporter of the University of Tampa baseball, Saladino had the opportunity to watch his grandson, Nico Saladino, who recently won his second national championship with the Spartans baseball team.
Special Category
2014 Volleyball Team: The 2014 Spartans Volleyball is one of the recipients of the Special Category honor. This was the second national championship in program history and the second under legendary coach Chris Catanach. The Spartans defeated Southwest Minnesota State three sets to none in the National Championship game. The Spartans were dominant all season, only losing once and finishing with a 34-1 record.
1987 Women's Swimming 400 Free Relay: Four athletes from the 1987 Women's Swimming team took part of the finals for the 400 Free Relay and broke an NCAA record. Cindy Jones, Laura Atteberry, Karen Pitre, and Maureen Fahey finished the race with a time of 3:29.17 to win the championship.