LIVONIA, Mich. – Madonna will Induct four Crusaders into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, September 30 to kick off the Homecoming weekend. The 2022 Hall of Fame class includes: Jessica Irwin (softball), Kelly (Delaney) Grodzicki  (women's soccer), Salvatore Piraine (men's soccer), and Sister Rose Marie Kujawa (administration). 
"The 2022 Hall of Fame class includes some of the most impactful leaders and student-athletes Madonna University has witnessed," Madonna Director of Athletics Noel Emenhiser said. "The legacy created by this group is felt each day at Madonna and in athletics." 

The Madonna University Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize those persons who have made significant contributions to the tradition of Crusader athletics as athletes, coaches, and administrators and, in doing so, have enhanced the image and reputation of Madonna University. The Madonna Hall of Fame can be located in the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena at the PAAAC and shows off the other 13 inductees. 

Below are bios on the four inductees for the 2022 Madonna Athletics Hall of Fame Class.


Sister Rose Marie Kujawa
Madonna University President (2001-2015)

"I am deeply honored to be included in the ceremony," Sister Rose Marie said. In her decade of leadership,Sr. Rose did a wonderful job for the university as well as athletics. Sr. Rose was instrumental in expanding the athletic department both in terms of teams and facilities. 

Under her leadership the university acquired the land that now hosts the Outdoor Athletic Complex. In addition she approved the funding to build all three fields on that site as well as the locker room and concession building. Additionally, the school expanded from seven teams to 11 under her leadership. We also saw unprecedented growth in athletic scholarships during her tenure.  


Kelly (Delaney) Grodzicki
Women's Soccer (1998-02)

Kelly has her name all over the women's soccer record books. The three-time All-American Honorable Mention was a big part of the 2000 women's soccer team that  became the first ever squad in school history to advance to the NAIA final four.

"To be recognized by the school and athletic program that means so much to me is an unbelievable feeling and, honestly, I'm still in shock," Grodzicki said. "The women's soccer program at Madonna has many great players to choose from for this honor and I am humbled and thankful to be in this position.  In addition, being inducted to the Hall of Fame following my former teammate and lifelong friend, Jen Barker, means the world to me."

Along with the 2000 team, Grodzicki helped lead the 2001 team to a 13-5-1 record as they would go on to win the WHAC regular season title and WHAC Tournament title. In 2002, the Crusaders would win the WHAC regular season title for the third year in a row. When it was all said and done, Grodzicki finished her career third all-time in points (119), second in assists (41), and is second all-time in games played. 


Salvatore Piraine
Men's Soccer (1998-02)

The men's soccer all-time points and goals leader helped lead the 1998 and 2002 teams to a WHAC regular season title and the 1998, 2001, and 2002 teams to a WHAC Tournament Title. Piraine follows his fellow teammate Scott Emert as the second men's soccer player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"I am incredibly honored and grateful for being selected into the Madonna University Athletic Hall of Fame," Piraine said. "It means the world to me to be inducted as the second soccer player, and I am confident that this program will continue to produce quality players and future hall of famers."

Along with being the all-time points leader (186) and goals leader (75), the two-time All-American Honorable Mention is second in assists (36). His sophomore year he set the record for most goals in a season with 25, and then his senior year he tied his own record with 25 more goals. 


 Jessica Irwin 
Softball (2008-11)

Jessica Irwin is one of the most dominant athletes in Madonna history. Irwin will be the first softball player inducted into the Hall of Fame and the records she set will be standing for years to come. 

"I did not realize I am the first softball player to be inducted into the Madonna Hall of Fame," Irwin said. "With all of the great players the program has seen over the years, this is a huge honor. I am so thankful my path crossed Coach Al White's and I was able to play for him and his coaching staff. All of my teammates made the journey one to remember, I would not have been the player I was without them. My parents, my brother, and all four grandparents followed me all over the country and without them the ride would not have been nearly as special. A huge thank you to Madonna for allowing me to play the game I love while preparing for the next phase of my life."

Irwin was a four-time WHAC Pitcher of the year, four-time WHAC All-Conference First Team player, and in 2009 received NAIA All-American Second Team honors. In 2008, 2009, and 2010 the Crusaders were able to win both the WHAC regular season and tournament titles behind the play of Irwin. When her career was all said and done Irwin left Madonna as the career strikeouts leader (1,320), record for most strikeouts per seven innings (10.67), most wins (105), most saves (13), most complete games (114), most shutouts (44),  most innings pitched (866.0), lowest opponent batting average (.164), and second lowest earned run average (1.41).
 
UP NEXT:

The four candidates will officially be inducted on Friday night, September 30th to officially kick off the 2022 Homecoming festivities. 

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