UTICA, NY - The Utica University athletic department has announced its 2025 induction class for the Pioneer Hall of Fame. This year's induction class will be honored during homecoming weekend, with a public ceremony planned for halftime of this fall's homecoming football game against Alfred State. That game will take place on Saturday, September 27th, with a 1:00 PM start time.
 
The Hall of Fame's induction classes highlight the prominent achievements of players who have helped define the successes of Utica University Athletics.
 
The 2025 class includes field hockey standout and Division III All-Star Jenny Lounsbury '05, men's swimming and diving inaugural captain Pete Tarnapoll '79, football Division III All-Star and three-time All-Empire 8 selection Eric Kahl '10, and two-time All-ECAC West selection and current Utica University assistant men's hockey coach Adam Dekker '08.
 
The Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to celebrate the dedicated student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and benefactors whose extraordinary achievements express the values of Utica University in the spirit of competition within a lifelong learning environment.
 
Class of 2025
Jenny Lounsbury '05 - Field Hockey - 2001-04
Lounsbury anchored the goal for the Pioneers during the initial years of the field hockey program. Her lockdown presence in the cage led the Pioneers to some incredible early success, with the team posting a combined record of 29-7 during her junior and senior years, coupled with a New York State Championship in 2003 and an ECAC Semifinal Appearance in 2004. Lounsbury also stifled the opposition enough to send the Pioneers to their first-ever national ranking during her senior season, with the team reaching as high as 12th in the country during the 2004 campaign. Lounsbury picked up a bevy of accolades for her stellar play, including being an NFHCA All-Region First Team selection, NFHCA Division III North All-Star, and an All-Empire 8 First Team selection, with all these honors coming during her senior year alone. She also showcased excellence in the classroom, grabbing two NFHCA National Academic Squad honors. Lounsbury still holds the program's best career save percentage (.828), goals allowed average (1.35), while also posting the most career shutouts (14) and second-most career goalie wins (33). Lounsbury, a native of Saratoga Springs, NY, has also flourished after graduating from Utica, picking up her Master of Science in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven, and her PHD in Chemistry from the University of Virginia, and going on to become a Forensic Scientist IV with the Texas Department of Public Safety, a role she currently holds today. Lounsbury also continued her field hockey career after graduation, as she is currently a goalkeeper for the United States Masters Field Hockey over-40 team, competing in some impressive tournaments across the world (Nottingham, England in March of 2024 and Cape Town, South Africa in October of 2024).
 
Pete Tarnapoll '79 - Men's Swimming and Diving - 1975-1979
Pete Tarnapoll was a true Pioneer during his time with the Utica men's swimming and diving program, serving as the team captain for the program's first few years of their official transition to a varsity sport. Tarnapoll was a true team player and a versatile swimmer, often competing in any event in order to keep the team competitive in its early stages as a varsity program. During his three seasons of varsity competition (1976-1979), Tarnapoll was a qualifier for the Upstate New York Championships in each campaign, ending as a 200 backstroke finalist during all three years. In his senior year, Tarnapoll was awarded the Utica College Outstanding Senior award, which combined athletics, academics, service to the community, and professionalism. Upon his graduation, Tarnapoll held school records in a plethora of events, including the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 400 medley relay, and 400 freestyle relay. Tarnapoll's swimming success has extended beyond his graduation date as well, with the Pioneer alum staying active in the swimming circles ever since. He has continued his career as a competitive pool swimmer, long-distance swimmer, and as an administrator with one of swimming's national governing bodies (U.S. Masters Swimming). He achieved a third-place finish in the 200 backstroke at the U.S. Masters National Championships in 1986 and an All-America nod thanks to his 5th place finish at the 1987 U.S. Masters National Championships, also in the 200 backstroke. He's experienced massive success in the long-distance swimming category too, becoming one of the first 85 people in the world to complete the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (28.5 miles). Today, he remains a member of New Albany Masters, near his home in Ohio. He continues to give back to the swimming community, an area in which he is unmatched in both success and passion.
 
Eric Kahl '10 - Football - 2006-09
Eric Kahl anchored the Pioneer defense during his four-year tenure as one of Division III's most powerful linebackers. This fact was solidified during his senior year when he was selected to the 2009 NCAA Division III All-Star Team. Also during his senior season, Kahl picked up his third All-Empire 8 selection, finishing with a first team nod in 2009, second team selection in 2008, and honorable mention in 2007. Kahl was the heartbeat of the team during his playing days, especially during his two seasons as a team captain (2008, 2009). Kahl produced the numbers to back up all this success as well, ranking 15th in all of Division III for total tackles during his junior year, finishing 6th all-time in program history for career total tackles, career unassisted tackles, and career assisted tackles. Kahl was also honored with the 22nd annual Kiwanis Student Athlete Award ahead of his graduation in 2010, showcasing his talents both on and off the field. After graduation, Eric continued to attend Utica University where he eventually received his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2013. Kahl continues to serve the Utica community and gives back as an Adjunct Lecturer of Physical Therapy for HPE at Utica University. He has an unmatched commitment to excellence. His coaches, teammates, family, and friends are proud to have been a part of his collegiate athletic journey and accomplishments.
 
Adam Dekker '08 - Men's Hockey - 2004-08
Adam Dekker has shown an unmatched dedication to the Utica University men's hockey program, serving as one of the most reliable and consistent goaltenders in team history before returning to the program to coach the next generations of Pioneer goalies. Dekker suited up for the Pioneers in 91 games, starting in every single appearance. Thanks to this incredible longevity, Dekker holds many nigh-unbreakable goalkeeping records at Utica. Among these program bests are the career records for goalie wins (47), saves (2262 - 629 more than second place), minutes played (5,392 - 1,440 more than second place), goalie games started (91 - 23 more than second place), and goalie games played (91 - 16 more than second place). Dekker's dominance in net also led to the program's first taste of sustained success, with the team making noise in the ECAC West during each of his four seasons. In just his freshman year, Dekker led the team to its first-ever regular season title, with the team even reaching the ECAC West Championship. Under Dekker's watch, the Pioneers reached two ECAC West Championships and two ECAC West Semifinals, never missing the postseason during his time in net. Thanks to this, Dekker became a two-time All-ECAC selection, earning first team honors his freshman year and second team honors during his junior season. Dekker was also named a USCHO East Region All-Rookie Honorable Mention during his debut season. After graduation, Dekker embarked on a professional career that saw him play for eight teams in a variety of different professional leagues. Dekker has since returned to the Utica men's hockey program, serving as the team's goalies coach since 2014. He helped guide the program to back-to-back NCAA Division III Frozen Fours in 2024 and 2025, along with an NCAA Division III National Championship appearance in 2025. In 2018, Dekker was called to serve as the emergency goalie for Utica's AHL team, making his return to the Adirondack Bank Center for a cameo with the Comets.