General | 8/11/2023 10:54:00 AM

AVE MARIA, Fla.- Ave Maria University is pleased to announce the 2023 Class of the Ave Maria University Athletics Hall of Fame, as well as the third winner of the John Paul II Distinguished Alumni Award. The athletic department will honor the inductees at a banquet and induction ceremony on Friday night, October 13, during the University's homecoming festivities.

This is the third class of inductees, with six athletes currently inducted into the Hall of Fame, listed here. The John Paul II Distinguished Alumni Award was created in 2022, with two AMU alumni so honored last year.

The class was selected by the University's Hall of Fame committee, which consisted of members of the University administration, members of the athletic department's executive team, and members of the University's sports information department. One ballot—with three votes—was also cast by Ave Maria fans, as the total of the more than 1,000 ballots cast were factored into the decision.

The John Paul II Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an AMU athletic alum who has achieved notable distinction off the field of competition following graduation.

John Preyer was the first defensive player in Ave Maria football history to earn All-American honors, and did so for one of the program's most decorated teams. Preyer, who ranks among the top five in program history in tackles, sacks, and interceptions, was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2018, when the Gyrenes won the Sun Division championship. A two-time All-Division player and three-time Division Player of the Week was responsible for one of that season's defining moments, an interception return for a touchdown in the first-ever game played under the lights, a win versus Southeastern.

Marinna Shadley made a massive impact for the AMU softball program in her two years on campus, becoming the program's second-ever All-American. The infielder needed just two seasons to rank in the top ten in program history in both hits and runs scored, and ranks in the top five in batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. Shadley's senior season was one for the ages, as the Naples native hit .459 and set still-standing school records in runs scored and doubles. Shadley was named First Team All-SUN and an Honorable Mention All-American that season.

Conor Sullivan joins the AMU Hall of Fame as one of the best catchers to ever play in The Sun Conference. The Chicago native was a three-time Sun Conference Gold Glove selection, and earned national Gold Glove recognition in 2013, when AMU made their first-ever National Tournament appearance. A two-time All-Sun Conference selection, Sullivan still ranks in the top ten in numerous offensive categories at AMU. Following his time at Ave Maria, Sullivan played three years of professional baseball on the independent level in the American Association and Frontier League. Sullivan also was at the top of fan ballot, receiving nearly 400 unique votes.

The 2023 recipient of the John Paul II Distinguished Alumni Award is Fr. Alexander Pince, a member of the AMU class of 2012. While at Ave Maria, Pince played tennis for three seasons.  He then served as the tennis program's head coach for a season. After graduation, Pince entered the seminary, and was ordained a priest in 2021. His studies took him to Rome, where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He currently serves as the Parochial Vicar at Epiphany Cathedral within Florida's Diocese of Venice and teaches part-time at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, Fla.

Preyer, Shadley, Sullivan, and Pince will be honored as Ave Maria's Hall of Fame class of 2023 as part of Homecoming Weekend festivities on campus. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 13 on the Ave Maria campus. Ticket information for the 2023 ceremony is available HERE.