December 29, 2021

Official Canisius Athletics News Release

The Canisius athletic department announced in late November that Cory Conacher '11 – hockey, Allison Daley '11, MS '13 – women's lacrosse, Shane Davis '10 – baseball, Adam Jones '11 – men' lacrosse, Alan McGreal '10 – men's soccer, Cameron Norton '09 – softball and Frank Turner '10, MS '11 - men's basketball, have been selected as the 58th induction class to the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame.

Additionally, Canisius graduate and long-time athletic department supporter Mark Evans '83 will be presented with the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, S.J., '45 Award, an honor that recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to Canisius athletics.

The Canisius Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, when the men's basketball team plays host to Manhattan at the Koessler Athletic Center. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

The annual Hall of Fame Day will begin with a special "Induction Brunch" at Montante Cultural Center on the campus of Canisius College.

To be eligible for the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame, a former student-athlete must have completed his/her eligibility at least 10 years prior to induction, be a graduate of the College, been acclaimed as an undergraduate as one of the outstanding athletes in the history of the school and, since graduation, the student-athletes' life must have continued to reflect favorably on the College. Non-athletes may be inducted if they have made outstanding contributions to Canisius College athletics.

The Canisius Sports Hall of Fame, which began in 1963, now boasts 208 individual members with the addition of this year's group.

Shane Davis '10 – The program's career leader in wins (35), complete games (21) and innings pitched (364.1), Davis (Belmont, Ont.) made 56 starts on the hill for the Griffs during his four seasons with the program. The 2008 MAAC Pitcher and Rookie of the Year, Davis won a program-record 12 games during his freshman campaign, compiling a 12-1 record and a 2.42 ERA in 89 1/3 innings pitched. He was also recognized as a Third Team All-American, Freshman All-American and a First Team ABCA All-Northeast Region selection for his outstanding freshman season.

A two-time First-Team All-MAAC honoree, Davis won nine or more games in three of his four seasons with the program and struck out 55 or more batters on three occasions as well. His 231 career strikeouts rank him second on the program's all-time list. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 MLB Entry Draft, Davis is the 26th member of the baseball program to be inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame.

Cory Conacher '11 – The 2009-10 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, Conacher rewrote the Canisius Division I era record book, establishing 12 single-game and career marks during his time on Main Street. The school's Division I era career leader in points (147) and goals (62), Conacher was a two-time All-AHA selection as well as a Lowe's Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team pick in 2010-11. His 53 points and 33 assists during the 2009-10 season still stand as single-season standards for the program while his 23-goal effort in 2010-11 also stands as the school's single-season mark.

After graduation, Conacher embarked on a professional playing career that is in its 12th season. He has played 193 games in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. Conacher was named the American Hockey League's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year during 2011-12 season as he helped guide the Norfolk Admirals to the Calder Cup championship. He has also played abroad, winning a NLA Championship (2015-16) and a Swiss Cup title (2020-21) with SC Bern in the Swiss League. An All-Atlantic Hockey 10th Anniversary First Team selection in 2013, Conacher is the 14th member of the hockey program to enter the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame.

Allison Daley '11, MS '13 – A four-year letterwinner, Daley is the fourth former member of the women's lacrosse program to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. The two-time All-MAAC First Team honoree owns the school's career records with 662 saves and an 11.66 goals against average. She became the first women's lacrosse player to earn all-region honors in 2011 after she ranked seventh nationally with a .496 save percentage. Daley garnered MAAC Championship MVP accolades in 2011 after posting a .564 save percentage and an 8.50 goals against average in the two wins as she helped the Griffs capture the program's first MAAC title. The 2010 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, she led the league in saves per game and save percentage during her junior campaign. She began her career by recording a school-record 174 saves as a freshman in 2008.

After her collegiate career, Daley played for Team Canada at the 2017 FIL Women's Lacrosse World Championship. She also served as the associate head coach of Team Canada at the 2019 U-19 World Championship, helping guide the squad to a silver medal at the event. She was the head coach of the women's lacrosse program at Canisius for four seasons, leading the program to a share of 2018 MAAC regular-season title.

Adam Jones '10 – The first men's lacrosse player to earn All-American distinction, Jones played four seasons for the Griffs, finishing his career with 129 points and 98 goals, ranking him among the top 15 players in school history in both categories. He tallied 38 goals during his freshman season, helping the Griffs capture the program's first MAAC title as he was recognized as a MAAC All-Tournament Team selection. One of only two players in school history to earn All-MAAC First Team distinction three times in his career, Jones also excelled in the classroom, earning MAAC All-Academic Team accolades on three occasions.

Professionally, Jones was the first Griff to be selected in the Major League Lacrosse Entry Draft, chosen with the 38th-overall pick by the Rochester Rattlers in 2011. He was also selected third overall by the Colorado Mammoth in the 2011 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. The 2012 NLL Rookie of the Year (2012), Jones has spent nine seasons in the box-lacrosse league, recording 629 points (319g, 310a) in 133 games played. He is the eighth former men's lacrosse player to be inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame.

Alan McGreal '10 - The only four-time All-MAAC honoree in the program's history, McGreal finished his time on Main Street as Canisius' all-time leading scorer with 99 points. He also established program marks with 35 goals and 29 assists during his career. A two-time NSCAA All-North Atlantic selection, McGreal led the MAAC with 10 goals and ranked second in the league with 24 points during his senior season. The 2006 MAAC Rookie of the Year led the league in shots as a freshman while also ranking in the top 10 in the league for points, goals and assists.

His 33 points in 2007 rank second in school history for points collected in a single season, helping him earn Canisius Male Athlete of the Year honors. He is the third former men's soccer player to be inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame.

Cameron Norton '09 – A four-year member of the softball program, Norton started all 203 games played during her career at Canisius. The 21st member of the softball program to be inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame, Norton helped lead Canisius to 120 wins, highlighted by 49 MAAC victories and three trips to the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament. She was a key member of the 2008 squad won a program-record 39 games, including a game in the NCAA Tournament.

One of seven players in school history to record more than 550 career at-bats, she ranks in the top-20 all-time in 14 different statistical categories. Norton's 112 career RBI ties her for fourth in school history while her 308 career defensive assists places her seventh in that category. Named the 2009 MAAC Tournament MVP, Norton was a three-time MAAC All-Tournament Team selection. She also earned All-MAAC honors in all four seasons with the Griffs. She was voted All-MAAC Second Team three times and was an All-MAAC First Team honoree after the 2007 campaign.

Frank Turner '10, MS '11 -A four-year letterwinner with the Griffs, Turner appeared in 125 games during his four-year career at Canisius. Fourth on the program's career scoring list with 1,769 points, Turner is one of six players in school history to lead the team in scoring in three consecutive seasons. One of only two players in school history with more than 1,500 career points, 400-plus rebounds and 400-plus assists to his credit, Turner graduated with the school record in career assists with 616. One of three players in school history to record 160-plus assists in multiple seasons, his 4.9 career assists per game average is third-best in school history. A three-time team captain, Turner was a three-time All-MAAC honoree and was named the 2006-07 MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year.

The 56th member of the men's basketball program to be inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame, Turner is currently playing professionally in Macedonia.

Mark Evans '83 – An ardent supporter of the Golden Griffins, Mark Evans is this year's recipient of the Rev. Paul J. Dugan, S.J., '45 Award, presented annually to individuals whose acts or efforts have significantly benefited Canisius athletics.

Evans, who has held an executive role with Colgate Palmolive for two decades, has shown his passion for Canisius athletics by supporting the Blue and Gold, both in person and through social media. A respected donor, Evans continues to give back to the Canisius community with his generous philanthropy.