Alumni
Athletics
Academics
Campus
Gwynedd Mercy Athletics Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Class as Part of the University 75th Anniversary Celebration
As part of a year-long celebration of the University 75th anniversary, Gwynedd Mercy University will hold a Hall of Fame induction on Saturday, September 30 for seven distinguished Griffins. The Class of 2023 will be the first to be inducted since 2018; among those who will be honored are Darnell artis '17 (men's basketball), Rachel (Fein) Hering '14 (women's tennis), Maria (Karidas) Sardis '14 (field hockey), Katherine (Klinges) Bates '12, (women's cross country), Dave Smit '09 (men's basketball), Meghan (Volz) Bailey '08, (women's lacrosse), as well as Director of Athletics and Head Women's Basketball Coach Keith Mondillo. Parties interested in attending should contact Gwynedd Mercy University Office Manager Joanne Talarico (talarico.j@gmercyu.edu, 215-646-7300, x21252) to receive an invitation with RSVP due by Friday, September 15.
Currently a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, Darnell "Speedy" Artis was the 2013-2014 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-CSAC First Team selection, and the CSAC Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a 2015-2016 run to the league crown. His 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 All-CSAC seasons were dignified with National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) DIII All-Region Second Team honors and City of Brotherly Love DII/DIII All-City Second Team recognition. He also garnered a 2015-2016 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Star selection and ranks among the program’s Top-10 all-time in points (6th, 1,319), points per game (10th, 12.2), field goals attempted (6th, 977), three-pointers attempted (3rd, 168), three-pointers made (2nd, 473), field goals made (3rd, 327), field goals attempted (3rd, 439), assists (1st, 448), and assists per game (1st, 4.1). Following his collegiate career, the communications major played professionally for Esporta Brazil (2017–2019) and was the 2017 Paulista Scoring Champion with 18.1 points per game over a 14-game season. In 2018, Artis was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Men’s Basketball Team.
With a 78 (78-9, .897) career singles wins and 69 (69-8, .896) career doubles wins, Rachel (Fein) Hering is Gwynedd Mercy University’s all-time leader in victories for both formats. Her stellar play at both number one singles and number one doubles led the Griffins to a 65-12 overall record and a perfect 40-0 conference standing during her collegiate career. Fein was the 2011 CSAC Rookie of the Year, a four-time member of the All-CSAC Singles and Doubles First Teams (2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014) and a four-time CSAC Player of the Year (2010-2011, 2011-2012 2012-2013, 2013-2014), leading Gwynedd Mercy University to CSAC Championships in 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014. The education major was also a four-time member of the CSAC All-Academic Team (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), the 2014 CSAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, and the 2014 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Co-Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. In 2018, Fein was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Women’s Tennis Team.
Ranking in the Top-3 all-time in points (2nd, 173), points per game (2nd, 2.28), goals (2nd, 69), goals per game (2nd, 0.91), game-winning goals (T2nd, 13), assists (3rd, 35), assists per game (T1st, 0.46), shots (2nd, 345), shots per game (2nd, 4.54), penalty strokes attempted (2nd, 6), and penalty strokes made (2nd, 4), Maria (Karidas) Sardis was the 2014 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Co-Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was the key component to CSAC Field Hockey Championships in 2010, 2011, and 2013. In return, Karidas was named the 2010 CSAC Rookie of the Year and the 2013 CSAC Player of the Year with All-CSAC First Team selections in 2010, 2011, and 2013, and an All-CSAC Second Team selection in 2012. Her sophomore (2011) and senior (2013) campaigns earned her National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region selections; the latter also garnered her an invitation to the association’s 2013 DIII All-Star Game and a selection to the Philadelphia-Area Sports Information Directors Association (PhillySIDA)/Philadelphia Inquirer Field Hockey Academic All-Area Team. The education major was a four-time member of the NFHCA DIII National Academic Team (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and the CSAC All-Academic Team (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014). In 2018, Karidas was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Field Hockey Team.
As the 2009 and 2011 CSAC Runner of the Year, Katherine (Klinges) Bates earned National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DIII Mideast All-Region Team selections in 2009 and 2011. Her 2011 CSAC Championship finish earned her an individual title (2011, 1st, 20:41), while a second-place finish in 2009 (2nd, 19:48) helped Gwynedd Mercy University to the CSAC team title. Klinges’ 2008 (5th, 20:42) and 2010 (2nd, 18:49) finishes earned her two additional All-CSAC First Team honors. As a member of the Gwynedd Mercy University indoor and outdoor women’s track and field teams, she is responsible for program records in the indoor 5,000-Meter (1st, 18:43.54, Mason Dixon Championships, Feb 19, 2012) and Distance Medley Relay (18th, 12:44.15, ECAC Championships, Mar. 4, 2011), as well as the outdoor 10,000-Meter (3rd, 38:40.75, Danny Curran Invitational, Mar. 30, 2012). Klinges also earned an All-ECAC honor. Academically, the nursing major was a 2009 and 2011 United States Track and Field Cross and Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Academic All-American with CSAC All-Academic Team honors in 2009, 2010 and 2011. She was named to the PhillySIDA/Philadelphia Inquirer Women’s Cross Country Academic All-Area team as a senior (2011) and was named the 2012 Gwynedd Mercy University Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. In 2018, Klinges was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Women’s Cross Country Team.
In just three seasons with the Gwynedd Mercy University men’s basketball program, Dave Smith forged a legacy with Top-10 all-time rankings in points per game (7th, 13.4), field goals made (8th, 446), field goal percentage (2nd, .596), rebounds (5th, 575), rebounds per game (4th, 7.7), blocks (3rd, 158), and blocks per game (2nd, 2.1). He finished his collegiate career with 1,008 points (16th all-time) and was named the 2009 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Senior Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Smith’s stellar senior season (2008-2009) saw the Griffin forward earn the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Player of the Year title and additional recognition on the All-PAC First Team, the D3Hoops.com All-Region First Team, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) First Team, and the ECAC DIII All-Star Team, while leading the Griffins to the PAC Championship with Tournament MVP honors. Smith earned an All-PAC Second Team selection in 2007-2008 and an Honorable Mention in 2006-2007. Academically, the education major was a member of the 2008-2009 NABC Academic Honors Court and the 2008-2009 CSAC All-Academic Team. In 2018, Smith was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Men’s Basketball Team.
The 2005 PAC Women’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Year, Meghan (Volz) Bailey enjoyed three All-PAC First Team (2005, 2007, 2008) selections and an All-PAC Second Team selection in 2006. Named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Team in 2018, Volz ranks among the Top-10 all-time in points (2nd, 239), goals (2nd, 178), assists (3rd, 61), shots (2nd, 350), ground balls (1st, 212), draw controls (7th, 155), caused turnovers (1st, 137), free position goals (7th, 22), games played (T6th, 69), and games started (T3rd, 69).
Gwynedd Mercy University Director of Athletics Keith Mondillo has overseen the University’s intercollegiate athletics programming since 1997. Since then, the University has seen the Athletic Department grow from one fulltime employee to staff of 14 coaches and administrators. In addition, Mondillo spearheaded the development of 11 intercollegiate athletic teams (baseball, softball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s lacrosse, and cheerleading) as well as the construction of baseball and softball fields in 1999, tennis courts in the early 2000’s, the Athletic Complex and it’s eight-lane track in 2009, and the – soon to come - Frank O. Genuardi Legends Fields.
As the Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Mondillo is one of only 55 coaches in the history of NCAA DIII to win at least 500 games in their career. The Griffins’ patriarch crossed the historic threshold during the 2022-2023 season with an 84-83 overtime victory at Atlantic East Conference (AEC) rival - and defending champion – Immaculata University (Jan. 28, 2023). The accomplishment stands as an exclamation point on a brilliant 28-year career that includes a remarkable 504-239 (.678) overall record, a 333-82 (.802) conference record, seven conference titles, and nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Overall, his teams have appeared in 18 of the last 25 conference championships – including the 2021-2022 AEC Women's Basketball Championship opposite the same Mighty Macs - and were in the finals for 13-straight years between 1998 and 2010.
Coach Mondillo took over the Gwynedd Mercy University women's basketball program prior to the 1995-1996 season. During his tenure, Coach Mondillo has transformed the Griffin program into a regional and national power. His success has been recognized by his peers with CSAC Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, and 2012.
He is the first – and only – coach in CSAC history to lead his team to consecutive undefeated conference seasons; winning regular season championships and the conference tournament championships in both the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. During that time the Griffins overall record was an amazing 51-7 and a perfect 36-0 in conference play. The undefeated seasons are an achievement that have not been duplicated by any team in the conference, men or women.
Coach Mondillo's record to date – 504-239 – ties him for 73rd in winning percentage (.678) and 18th in wins (500) among active DIII women's basketball coaches. He celebrated his 400th win on December 29, 2015 with a victory over King's College (Pa.) (W, 54-44) and his 300th win on January 30, 2010, with a victory over Marywood University (W, 84-72).
Mondillo serves on several NCAA committees, including the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee for Division III and the Mid-Atlantic Region Ranking Committee, for which he serves as Chair Person. From 2005-2009 he served on the NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee, which spans Divisions I, II, & III.
Off the court, he has been recognized for his coaching and playing tenure with a Philadelphia 21st Ward Athletic Association Hall of Fame selection in 2009, a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame selection in 2014, and a Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame selection in 2016.
Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics
2023 Hall of Fame Induction
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Julia Ball Auditorium
Hors d'oeuvres Reception: 1:30 p.m.
Induction Ceremony: 3:00 p.m.
Darnell Artis '17
Currently a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, Darnell "Speedy" Artis was the 2013-2014 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-CSAC First Team selection, and the CSAC Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a 2015-2016 run to the league crown. His 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 All-CSAC seasons were dignified with National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) DIII All-Region Second Team honors and City of Brotherly Love DII/DIII All-City Second Team recognition. He also garnered a 2015-2016 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Star selection and ranks among the program’s Top-10 all-time in points (6th, 1,319), points per game (10th, 12.2), field goals attempted (6th, 977), three-pointers attempted (3rd, 168), three-pointers made (2nd, 473), field goals made (3rd, 327), field goals attempted (3rd, 439), assists (1st, 448), and assists per game (1st, 4.1). Following his collegiate career, the communications major played professionally for Esporta Brazil (2017–2019) and was the 2017 Paulista Scoring Champion with 18.1 points per game over a 14-game season. In 2018, Artis was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Men’s Basketball Team.Rachel (Fein) Hering '14
With a 78 (78-9, .897) career singles wins and 69 (69-8, .896) career doubles wins, Rachel (Fein) Hering is Gwynedd Mercy University’s all-time leader in victories for both formats. Her stellar play at both number one singles and number one doubles led the Griffins to a 65-12 overall record and a perfect 40-0 conference standing during her collegiate career. Fein was the 2011 CSAC Rookie of the Year, a four-time member of the All-CSAC Singles and Doubles First Teams (2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014) and a four-time CSAC Player of the Year (2010-2011, 2011-2012 2012-2013, 2013-2014), leading Gwynedd Mercy University to CSAC Championships in 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014. The education major was also a four-time member of the CSAC All-Academic Team (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), the 2014 CSAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, and the 2014 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Co-Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. In 2018, Fein was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Women’s Tennis Team.Maria (Karidas) Sardis '14
Ranking in the Top-3 all-time in points (2nd, 173), points per game (2nd, 2.28), goals (2nd, 69), goals per game (2nd, 0.91), game-winning goals (T2nd, 13), assists (3rd, 35), assists per game (T1st, 0.46), shots (2nd, 345), shots per game (2nd, 4.54), penalty strokes attempted (2nd, 6), and penalty strokes made (2nd, 4), Maria (Karidas) Sardis was the 2014 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Co-Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was the key component to CSAC Field Hockey Championships in 2010, 2011, and 2013. In return, Karidas was named the 2010 CSAC Rookie of the Year and the 2013 CSAC Player of the Year with All-CSAC First Team selections in 2010, 2011, and 2013, and an All-CSAC Second Team selection in 2012. Her sophomore (2011) and senior (2013) campaigns earned her National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region selections; the latter also garnered her an invitation to the association’s 2013 DIII All-Star Game and a selection to the Philadelphia-Area Sports Information Directors Association (PhillySIDA)/Philadelphia Inquirer Field Hockey Academic All-Area Team. The education major was a four-time member of the NFHCA DIII National Academic Team (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and the CSAC All-Academic Team (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014). In 2018, Karidas was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Field Hockey Team. Katherine (Klinges) Bates '12
As the 2009 and 2011 CSAC Runner of the Year, Katherine (Klinges) Bates earned National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DIII Mideast All-Region Team selections in 2009 and 2011. Her 2011 CSAC Championship finish earned her an individual title (2011, 1st, 20:41), while a second-place finish in 2009 (2nd, 19:48) helped Gwynedd Mercy University to the CSAC team title. Klinges’ 2008 (5th, 20:42) and 2010 (2nd, 18:49) finishes earned her two additional All-CSAC First Team honors. As a member of the Gwynedd Mercy University indoor and outdoor women’s track and field teams, she is responsible for program records in the indoor 5,000-Meter (1st, 18:43.54, Mason Dixon Championships, Feb 19, 2012) and Distance Medley Relay (18th, 12:44.15, ECAC Championships, Mar. 4, 2011), as well as the outdoor 10,000-Meter (3rd, 38:40.75, Danny Curran Invitational, Mar. 30, 2012). Klinges also earned an All-ECAC honor. Academically, the nursing major was a 2009 and 2011 United States Track and Field Cross and Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Academic All-American with CSAC All-Academic Team honors in 2009, 2010 and 2011. She was named to the PhillySIDA/Philadelphia Inquirer Women’s Cross Country Academic All-Area team as a senior (2011) and was named the 2012 Gwynedd Mercy University Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. In 2018, Klinges was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Women’s Cross Country Team.Dave Smith '09
In just three seasons with the Gwynedd Mercy University men’s basketball program, Dave Smith forged a legacy with Top-10 all-time rankings in points per game (7th, 13.4), field goals made (8th, 446), field goal percentage (2nd, .596), rebounds (5th, 575), rebounds per game (4th, 7.7), blocks (3rd, 158), and blocks per game (2nd, 2.1). He finished his collegiate career with 1,008 points (16th all-time) and was named the 2009 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Senior Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Smith’s stellar senior season (2008-2009) saw the Griffin forward earn the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Player of the Year title and additional recognition on the All-PAC First Team, the D3Hoops.com All-Region First Team, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) First Team, and the ECAC DIII All-Star Team, while leading the Griffins to the PAC Championship with Tournament MVP honors. Smith earned an All-PAC Second Team selection in 2007-2008 and an Honorable Mention in 2006-2007. Academically, the education major was a member of the 2008-2009 NABC Academic Honors Court and the 2008-2009 CSAC All-Academic Team. In 2018, Smith was named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Men’s Basketball Team.Meghan (Volz) Bailey '08
The 2005 PAC Women’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Year, Meghan (Volz) Bailey enjoyed three All-PAC First Team (2005, 2007, 2008) selections and an All-PAC Second Team selection in 2006. Named to the CSAC 25th Anniversary Team in 2018, Volz ranks among the Top-10 all-time in points (2nd, 239), goals (2nd, 178), assists (3rd, 61), shots (2nd, 350), ground balls (1st, 212), draw controls (7th, 155), caused turnovers (1st, 137), free position goals (7th, 22), games played (T6th, 69), and games started (T3rd, 69).
Keith Mondillo, Director of Athletics and Women's Basketball Head Coach
Gwynedd Mercy University Director of Athletics Keith Mondillo has overseen the University’s intercollegiate athletics programming since 1997. Since then, the University has seen the Athletic Department grow from one fulltime employee to staff of 14 coaches and administrators. In addition, Mondillo spearheaded the development of 11 intercollegiate athletic teams (baseball, softball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s lacrosse, and cheerleading) as well as the construction of baseball and softball fields in 1999, tennis courts in the early 2000’s, the Athletic Complex and it’s eight-lane track in 2009, and the – soon to come - Frank O. Genuardi Legends Fields.As the Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Mondillo is one of only 55 coaches in the history of NCAA DIII to win at least 500 games in their career. The Griffins’ patriarch crossed the historic threshold during the 2022-2023 season with an 84-83 overtime victory at Atlantic East Conference (AEC) rival - and defending champion – Immaculata University (Jan. 28, 2023). The accomplishment stands as an exclamation point on a brilliant 28-year career that includes a remarkable 504-239 (.678) overall record, a 333-82 (.802) conference record, seven conference titles, and nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Overall, his teams have appeared in 18 of the last 25 conference championships – including the 2021-2022 AEC Women's Basketball Championship opposite the same Mighty Macs - and were in the finals for 13-straight years between 1998 and 2010.
Coach Mondillo took over the Gwynedd Mercy University women's basketball program prior to the 1995-1996 season. During his tenure, Coach Mondillo has transformed the Griffin program into a regional and national power. His success has been recognized by his peers with CSAC Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, and 2012.
He is the first – and only – coach in CSAC history to lead his team to consecutive undefeated conference seasons; winning regular season championships and the conference tournament championships in both the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. During that time the Griffins overall record was an amazing 51-7 and a perfect 36-0 in conference play. The undefeated seasons are an achievement that have not been duplicated by any team in the conference, men or women.
Coach Mondillo's record to date – 504-239 – ties him for 73rd in winning percentage (.678) and 18th in wins (500) among active DIII women's basketball coaches. He celebrated his 400th win on December 29, 2015 with a victory over King's College (Pa.) (W, 54-44) and his 300th win on January 30, 2010, with a victory over Marywood University (W, 84-72).
Mondillo serves on several NCAA committees, including the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee for Division III and the Mid-Atlantic Region Ranking Committee, for which he serves as Chair Person. From 2005-2009 he served on the NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee, which spans Divisions I, II, & III.
Off the court, he has been recognized for his coaching and playing tenure with a Philadelphia 21st Ward Athletic Association Hall of Fame selection in 2009, a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame selection in 2014, and a Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame selection in 2016.