WINONA, Minn. — It was three years in the making, but after COVID-19 foiled the first two attempts, the Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner and Sports Hall of Fame ceremony finally came to fruition last Saturday, March 12 at Vision Events Center in Winona.
 
And what an inaugural event it proved to be.
 
"The inaugural Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner was an amazing night — it surpassed my expectations for year one, and I can't wait to grow this signature event for years to come," said Saint Mary's athletic director Brian Sisson, who noted that more than 150 people joined in the festivities. "It was so great to be among our many Cardinal faithful. Seeing our new class of Sports Hall of Fame members being inducted in front of their friends and family — the emotion, the joy, the amazing speeches — it was truly special."
 
"Special" proved to be the word of the day for the three new inductees into the Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame — Marni (Orthey) Lamberty B'96, M'07, Tyler Stevenson B'06, and Emily Kearns B'04 — who all echoed Sisson's sentiments.
 
"The Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner was a fabulous event. It was fun to see former coaches and athletes come together and celebrate a great athletic program and honor three former athletes," said Orthey-Lamberty, a All-American women's soccer player who helped the Cardinals to a 52-16-6 record during her four-year collegiate career. "I felt so honored as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.
 
"The whole night was special and meaningful, not only for me, but also my family and friends," Orthey added. "Being inducted into the Hall of Fame meant so much to me. I will always have a place in my heart for my time at Saint Mary's."
 
"It was an incredible experience that could not have gone better," said Kearns, an All-American during her time with the Saint Mary's women's hockey program — and still among the most prolific scorers in program history. "I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the weekend. From
the campus tour, visiting the locker room, skating, seeing old friends, and finally, everything at the event and afterwards, it could not have been more special and fun.
 
"I am truly honored and blessed to be included with the amazing individuals I am joining in the Saint Mary's Hall of Fame."
 
"Having the honor of being inducted into the Saint Mary's Hall of Fame, being surrounded by my family, my coach, my teammates, and my closest friends, is an experience that I will never forget," said Stevenson, a five-time All-MIAC performer and the men's tennis program's all-time wins leader. "The event itself was a great example of how Saint Mary's is truly a one-of-a-kind family, where we can catch up with old friends and meet new ones all at the same time.
 
"There were so many involved to make this happen, but I want to send a special shout-out to Brian, Bob, Donny, and Ryan for making Saturday a special day for all of us."
 
The induction of three new members into the Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame proved to be the highlight of an evening that also included recognizing all the recent academic, service, and athletic accomplishments of the Cardinal student-athletes — including an inspirational speech from Hockey Humanitarian Award finalist Jordan Keeley of the women's hockey team — and getting a sneak-peek at proposed enhancements to the Cardinal athletics experience in the near future.
 
"The evening was a celebration of three amazing individuals, as well as a celebration of all the good things that are happening within Cardinal athletics," said Sisson. "It was great to see so many alumni, partners of Cardinal athletics, and current members of the Hall of Fame support this new class.
 
"I want to thank Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., Gary Klein and his staff — especially Bob Fisher and Tracy Heaser — and Dr. Tim Gossen for believing in this event and their support in making it a reality."