Join us for the 2023 Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner and Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony

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Sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System

The Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner is a celebration of Cardinal athletics, past and present - highlighted by the induction of the new Saint Mary’s Sports Hall of Fame Class. As we also recognize the accomplishments of our current student-athletes, generations of Cardinal athletes have a unique opportunity to make connections through their shared experiences. Finally, we recognize the generosity of our Cardinal Excellence Fund supporters, whose contributions are an important resource in helping Cardinal Athletics develop our student-athletes on a personal, professional, and competitive level. Join us as we celebrate these and all Cardinal Athletics successes this year!

REGISTER

Please register by February 24, 2023.

Event Details:

Saturday, March 11, 2023
6:00 to 6:45 p.m. - Social
7:00 p.m. - Dinner and Program

Visions Event Center
22852 County Rd 17
Winona, Minn.

Your ticket includes dinner and two drink tickets. 

Dinner includes garden salad, bread, Beurre Blanc Grilled split chicken breast, wild rice blend, steamed green beans with a buerre blanc sauce, dessert and appetizers.

Hotel Block Information:
Blocks must be booked at least 15 days in advance

The Plaza Hotel & Suite
1025 Highway 61 E, Winona, MN
507-453-0303
Block: Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner
$139 per night

Americinn by Wyndham Winona
303 Pelzer Street, Winona, MN
507-474-7700
Block: Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner
$114 per night

Holiday Inn Express
1128 Homer Rd., Winona, MN
507-474-1700
Block: Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner
$149 per night


Questions? Contact Brian Sisson at 507-457-1638 or bsisson@smumn.edu

Ticket Options:

Please note we will not be able to take walk-ins or pay-at-the door for this event.

Individual ticket cost is $75 ($20 donation value)

To purchase tickets for the dinner at the individual ticket price, register now!

The table ticket option includes 8 individual tickets and costs $600 ($160 donation value)

To purchase a table for the dinner, register now!

Sponsoring a Cardinal costs $125 ($15 donation value) and includes an individual ticket for yourself and provides an individual ticket for a Cardinal coach or student-athlete.

To purchase sponsor a Cardinal for the dinner, register now!

2023 Hall of Fame Inductees:

 

BRUNA BUCCIARELLI B'76 (Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball)

A true pioneer for women's athletics at Saint Mary's, Bucciarelli was among the first — and the best — to put on the Cardinal uniform in the inaugural stages of women's sports. A three-sport standout in basketball, cross country, and volleyball, Bucciarelli epitomizes greatness and boldly led the way for decades of talented women athletes. Just as 50 years ago, Title IX made history in creating equal opportunity for all, Bucciarelli's pioneering achievements led to greater opportunities for all women at Saint Mary's.

 

GEORGE DROUCHES B'78 (Basketball, Baseball)

Drouches was a two-sport standout during his time at Saint Mary's, excelling both on the hardwood and on the diamond. A First-Team All-MIAC selection during his junior and senior seasons, Drouches averaged 15.5 points-per-game and ranks 16th all-time in career scoring with 1,176 points. He enjoyed his best season as a senior, averaging 13.5 points-per-game, while dishing out 67 assists and adding 88 steals. On the baseball field, Drouches enjoyed his best season as a junior, hitting .314 (33-for-105) with three doubles, three triples, and a home run in 28 games. For his career, Drouches hit .267 (70-for-262) with eight doubles and four triples, while going 22-for-26 in stolen bases.

 

MARK STAUB B'88 (Men's Hockey)

A four-year letterwinner, Staub, a goalie, was named First-Team All-MIAC following both his junior and senior seasons, and helped lead Saint Mary's to a regular-season conference title in his final campaign in 1987-88. Staub, who made 74 career appearances between the pipes, saved his best season for last, appearing in all 29 games, while compiling a 3.84 goals-against-average and an .886 save percentage. Staub remains No. 1 all-time in career wins as a goalie with 50 — including a single-season school-record 22 wins in 1987-88 — and is No. 2 all time in saves in a season (872) and a career (2,266).

 

JENNIFER (GUTTERMAN) BECKER B'06 (Fastpitch Softball)

Becker, a four-year regular on the Cardinal fastpitch softball team, led the Cardinals to an NCAA Regional appearance in 2005, while closing out her collegiate career as one of the most prolific hitters in program history. Earning conference post-season honors in all four seasons — an honorable-mention selection as a freshman and a First-Team pick as a sophomore, junior, and senior — Becker was also named Second Team All-Region following each of her final three seasons. Becker, who started every game during her four-year collegiate career, boasted a career batting average of .379 (209-for-552) with 30 doubles, 16 triples, six home runs, and 62 RBIs. She holds single-season records in games played (49), at-bats (168), and triples (8), and is the program leader in games played (162), at-bats (552), and triples (16), while sitting No. 2 all-time in hits (209).

 

 

JENNIFER (SCHIPP) STEWART B'06 (Fastpitch Softball)

Stewart was a dual threat for the Cardinals fastpitch softball team, causing opponents fits both at the plate and in the pitcher's circle. A four-year standout, Stewart joined Becker as a member of the NCAA Regional-qualifying 2005 team and earned First-Team All-MIAC and Second-Team All-Region accolades following each of her final three seasons. In the circle, Stewart is among the program leaders in virtually every pitching category, including ranking No. 1 in career strikeouts (545) and shutouts (22), while sitting No. 2 all-time in complete games (52), innings pitched (516 2/3), and appearances (99). Stewart put together her best season in 2005, when she set single-season program records for wins (25) and shutouts (9), closing out the year with a 27-7 record and a 1.80 ERA. At the plate, Stewart boasted a career .289 batting average — including hitting .358 in 2006 — with 24 doubles, five home runs, and 71 RBIs.

 

View past Hall of Fame Inductees