ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Saturday morning, St. Bonaventure's Athletics Hall of Fame grew by two members, when Andy Garcia '06 and Christine Keleher '07 were inducted as the Class of 2018.
During a ceremony inside the Reilly Center's Hall of Fame Room, St. Bonaventure Director of Athletics Tim Kenney called the day one of his favorite of the year. "The Hall of Fame reminds us of why we are in the business of education and athletics," Kenney said. "We are excited about our future but remember how Andy and Christine helped set the path forward. They are shining examples of what we want all our student-athletes to be."
A skilled and tenacious player from Mississauga, Ontario, Garcia received Atlantic 10 All-Rookie honors as a freshman after scoring five goals and adding three assists. That same year, he was selected to Canada's Under-20 National Team.
After an injury sidelined him for most of his sophomore season, Garcia bounced back in his junior season of 2004, scoring four goals with an A-10 high 10 assists. He earned him first team All-Conference and as well as All-New York Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association. Evidence of his dedication to his studies, he also was named to the adidas Scholar-Athlete All-America team.
As a senior, Garcia wrapped up his collegiate career in style with a selection to the second team All-Conference. That gave him All-Conference honors in all three years in which he played the full seasons. He finished his career with 12 goals and 13 assists.
After graduating with a degree in Spanish, Garcia played for Brampton City United of the Canadian Soccer League. Today, he remains active in the game as a Development Coach for the Oakville Soccer Club. He also works as a quality assurance specialist at RBC Insurance. Garcia and his wife, Michelle, have two children.
A heralded recruit from Tonawanda, New York, Keleher took over as the No. 1 pitcher at St. Bonaventure early in her career, setting a then-school record with 91 strikeouts as a freshman. As a sophomore in 2005, she won nine games with a 2.68 ERA. Most notably, though, she helped the Bonnies earn a spot in the A-10 Tournament for the first time in school history. There, Keleher sparked the Bonnies' first-ever postseason win with 12 innings of three-hit pitching in a 1-0 decision over Saint Joseph's. She was named to the All-Tournament team.
Keleher helped the Bonnies back to the A-10 Tournament in 2006, setting St. Bonaventure single-season records with 18 wins, 122 strikeouts, 30 appearances, 28 starts, 23 complete games, three shutouts and 188 innings pitched.
Keleher was named an Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection both her junior and senior seasons. She holds the school marks for career wins, wins in a single season and shutouts. She also stands second in team history in strikeouts with 384 as well as complete games and starts. She graduated in 2007 with a degree in English. Keleher now resides in Washington, D.C. and has one daughter, Charlie.
The induction was the 41st in the history of the Hall of Fame.
"This place became my second home, but most importantly the people here became my second family."
— Bonnies Athletics (@GoBonnies) December 1, 2018
Andy Garcia '06 earns his induction into the #Bonnies Athletics Hall of Fame after a tremendous career with @BonniesMSoccer!
Read about his career ➡️ https://t.co/rNrvgsWIDH pic.twitter.com/85Sww3bN0I
"The four years I spent @StBonaventure are some of the most memorable years of my life."
— Bonnies Athletics (@GoBonnies) December 1, 2018
Congratulations to @BonniesSoftball great Christine Keleher '07 on her induction into the #Bonnies Athletics Hall of Fame!
More on her career ➡️https://t.co/rNrvgsWIDH pic.twitter.com/eQOL3b2AcI
Honored to be here for the induction of Andy Garcia '06 into the @StBonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame! Andy is an all-time great of our program and we are thrilled to see him take his spot with the best in @GoBonnies history. pic.twitter.com/wu6FPOwD4r
— Bonnies Men's Soccer (@BonniesMSoccer) December 1, 2018
Tremendous to be a part of the induction ceremony for Christine Keleher '07 as she took her rightful spot in the @StBonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame this morning! A great example of what our players can do with hard work and the right attitude. Congrats CK! pic.twitter.com/9OSav8DlsU
— Bonnies Softball (@BonniesSoftball) December 1, 2018
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