St. Mary’s College of Maryland Director of Athletics and Recreation Scott Devine announced Tuesday the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2014. This year’s class features two women’s lacrosse players – Gia Trionfo Hooper ’99 (Baltimore, Md./Loch Raven) and Jen Chumley-Pfeiffer ’04 (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) - and a women’s swimmer – Jaime Cheng Swanson '02 (Derwood, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel).

The trio will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, October 3, as part of the 2014 Hawktoberfest at Family Weekend festivities — a St. Mary’s Homecoming of sorts. The induction ceremony will be held that evening on campus at Daugherty-Palmer Commons.

Devine stated, “Being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame is the highest honor the Department of Athletics and Recreation can bestow upon a former Seahawk student-athlete. It is a permanent recognition of stellar athletic performance. All three individuals are all extremely deserving inductees as they each impacted their respective sport at the regional and national level.”

“That is the high standard we look at when evaluating Hall of Fame nominations. All of us look forward to honoring Gia, Jaime, and Jen, along with their families and friends in attendance, at the Hall of Fame Induction dinner this fall,” added Devine.

The Hall of Fame used to be celebrated every year starting with the inaugural class in 1990 but following the Class of 2000 induction, the Hall of Fame is now recognized every two years.

A brief description of this year’s inductees follows.  For more detailed information, please contact Nairem Moran, Sports Information Director, at 240-895-4482 or nmoran@smcm.edu.

Gia Trionfo Hooper ’99 was a St. Mary’s lacrosse all-star, leaving the program in 1999 as the school’s all-time leader in in goals, assists, and points. She finished her career as a two-time All-America selection, a three-time all-region pick, two-time Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year (1998 and 1999), as well as a four-time first team All-CAC honoree. She helped lead the Seahawks to first-ever NCAA Tournament berths in 1998 and 1999 following the program’s first two CAC tournament titles.

Trionfo Hooper expressed, “I am so excited and humbled to be inducted into the St. Mary's College of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. Since receiving this wonderful news, I have been reflecting on my time at St. Mary's and remembering some of the very best days of my life. I will always cherish my teammates, friends and the amazing experiences we had on and off the lacrosse field. I will always remember with gratitude the support I received from my coaches and my parents. They encouraged me to conduct myself with sportsmanship and respect and to be the best player I could be. I couldn't be more proud, honored and grateful.”

Jaime Cheng Swanson ’02 is part of St. Mary’s swimming history as she is only one of seven women to have ever qualified for the NCAA Championships. She was a multiple All-CAC performer during her four-year career, winning the 1650 freestyle as a junior at the 2001 CAC Championships, and a two-time team MVP. At one point or another in her career, she held five school records (3 individual and 2 relay).

“I am completely honored by this induction into the Hall of Fame,” commented Cheng Swanson. “SMCM was an all-around fantastic experience for me. Even though swimming can often be viewed as an individual sport, I truly felt like SMCM swimming was nothing but a team sport. Everything every swimmer past and present has done continues to make SMCM swimming a success. I am very grateful for the support of my coach, Andre Barbins, and my teammates allowing me to be in a position to accept this honor.”

Jennifer Chumley-Pfeiffer ’04 was a lacrosse standout in her own right a four-year starter in goal for the Seahawks. Like Trionfo Hooper, she ended her career as a four-time first team All-CAC selection. She was the 2001 CAC Rookie of the Year and earned three All-America nods. The Seahawks made four NCAA Tournament appearances during her time between the pipes, winning the 2002 CAC crown. She holds the career conference record for goals against average and save percentage.

Chumley-Pfeiffer exclaimed, “I am beyond honored to be recognized with this prestigious group of athletes. Lacrosse was, and still is, a very big part of my life. St. Mary's College of MD helped to lay the groundwork for what has been an exciting career in lacrosse. Congratulations to the other alumnae being inducted into the Hall of Fame.”