Moon Township, Pa. – The 32nd class of inductees into the
RMU Athletic Hall of Fame is comprised of three former student-athletes and one coach, each of whom left an indelible mark on their respective programs. The four new members to join the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame as the Class of 2023 include Sal Buscaglia (women's basketball coach; 2003-16), April Krivoniak (volleyball and track & field; 2013-17), Jonathan LeDonne (football; 2001-04) and Debbie Sutterlin (women's basketball; 1985-89).
Each of the individuals will be inducted Friday, Dec. 1, at the UPMC Events Center, with public recognition to follow Saturday, Dec. 2, during the RMU men's basketball game against Youngstown State.
The RMU Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution to RMU athletics. Nominations are solicited and individuals selected by the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame committee. Student-athletes, coaches and administrators are eligible five years after they have concluded their career at RMU.
The Class of 2023 brings membership in the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame to 151 individuals and three teams. A closer look at the new members …
Sal Buscaglia
Women's Basketball Head Coach
2003-16
Inheriting a program that had suffered through 14 consecutive losing seasons, Buscaglia, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., revived the program at RMU, turning the Colonials into a perennial contender in the Northeast Conference (NEC). In his 13 seasons at the helm, Buscaglia posted an overall record of 225-178 (.558) and is the all-time leader in victories for Robert Morris basketball. On seven different occasions Buscaglia guided the Colonials to at least 20 wins as well as six postseason national tournaments, including four automatic berths in the NCAA Tournament (2007, 2008, 2014, 2016). Buscaglia also led RMU to four NEC regular-season crowns (2007, 2008, 2014, 2015). A three-time NEC Coach of the Year honoree, Buscaglia claimed the accolade from his peers in 2005, 2010 and 2013. He also coached four players that were bestowed NEC Player of the Year plaudits. Overall during a 38-year coaching career, Buscaglia compiled an overall record of 712-369 (.659), including 443 wins at the NCAA Division I level.
April Krivoniak
Volleyball, Track & Field
2013-17
A two-sport athlete for the Colonials, Krivoniak appeared in 115 career matches for the volleyball program, including 102 starts. The 11th student-athlete in program history to eclipse 1,000 career digs while also ranking in the top 10 in school history in blocks, Krivoniak was named the 2015 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament MVP after helping lead the Colonials to their first league tournament title and subsequent bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2003. In victories over Bryant and LIU en route to MVP accolades she compiled 30 kills, a .394 attack percentage and 23 digs. In track & field, Krivoniak, a native of Latrobe, Pa., concluded her career as the program's indoor record holder in the shot put while owning six of the top 10 distances in program history. Her school record throw of 14.06 meters (46'1.50") came in Boston, Mass., at the 2016 ECAC Championships, helping her finish fourth out of 21 competitors and earn All-East Coach honors for the second time. Krivoniak, who maintained a 3.99 cumulative grade point average (GPA) as a biomechanical engineering major, is the only RMU student-athlete in department history to be selected the NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in two sports. She earned the for volleyball in 2015 and the honor for track & field in 2016. Krivoniak was also a two-time District 2 Academic All-American (2015, 2016) from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for volleyball while also earning the same honor in track & field in 2016.
Jonathan LeDonne
Football
2001-04
A four-year letterwinner for the Colonials, LeDonne concluded his career ranked in the top 10 in program history for career tackles with 256. Named both the 2005 Outstanding Senior Male and the 2005 Presidential Scholar-Athlete at the annual RMU All-Sports Banquet, LeDonne was the first student-athlete in program history to be named to the Academic All-America® First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), garnering the honor in 2004. LeDonne, a native of Aliquippa, Pa., started 39 games over his four years and was named the 2004 Northeast Conference (NEC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year for football. He returned a pair of interceptions from his linebacker position for touchdowns in 2004, tying a season-single school record, including a 75-yard return at Wagner, the second longest pick six in school history. LeDonne also owns the RMU single-season (4) and career (6) school records for forced fumbles. LeDonne currently serves as the head football coach at Pine-Richland High School.
Debbie Sutterlin
Women's Basketball
1985-89
In four years with the Colonials, Sutterlin appeared in 112 career games, which stood as the program school record at the conclusion of her career. She scored 1,168 points in four seasons at Robert Morris, with her best season coming during the 1988-89 campaign. In 28 games as a senior, Sutterlin, a native of Bellevue, Pa., averaged 13.5 points. Throughout the course of her four years with the Colonials, Robert Morris amassed 68 victories, including the 1988 ECAC Metro Conference Tournament championship. During the 1987-88 season, the Colonials finished 18-10 (.643) overall and earned victories over No. 3 seed Wagner, 75-61, and at No. 1 seed Monmouth, 63-60, to claim the ECAC Metro Conference Tournament crown. Sutterlin is a veteran's committee selection for the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have concluded their respective careers at least 20 years ago.
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