Press Release:

Arcadia University welcomed four new members to the Athletics Hall of Fame at an Induction Ceremony held during Knights and Family Weekend, October 3. 2026.

The members making up the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 include Men’s Volleyball alumnus Austin Braas, ’20, Men’s Swimming alumnus Grant Fisher ’18, Men’s Basketball and Baseball alumnus Phil Pierfy ’19, and Women’s Soccer and Track & Field alumna Veronica Pontis ’19.

“Every two years, the Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee faces the challenge of narrowing down a strong pool of candidates and selecting our class for induction. In 2026, we were blessed to be able to recognize Austin Braas, Grant Fisher, Phil Pierfy, and Veronica Pontis,” said Brian Granata, Associate Vice President of Arcadia Athletics. 

“The new inductees are tremendously accomplished individuals, as athletes and as working professionals,” Granata said. “These alumni athletes have contributed greatly to our success over the last decade.”

Dozens of friends and supporters of the athletes and Arcadia’s athletics programs attended the Hall of Fame Ceremony, including President Ajay Nair, Shirley Liddle, former Associate Vice President of Arcadia Athletics, and Hall of Fame honoree and active donor, Betty Weiss ’60.

Arcadia Athletics has grown over the last 15 years from 14 Varsity sports with 250 student athletes on campus to 30 Varsity sports with nearly 650 student athletes for the upcoming 2027-28 academic year.

The ceremony marked the 13th class to be inducted since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 2008.

“Difference Maker” Austin Braas ’20

Former team Evan Misal presented the Hall of Fame award to Men’s Volleyball standout Austin Braas with a moving speech, calling Braas “a difference maker.”

“When Austin was on the court, you knew things were going to run smoother and you knew he was going to make the big play,” Misal said. “What goes largely unnoticed was how much Austin cared for his teammates, those on the court and off the court, as well.”

Braas was a member of the inaugural team and helped set a standard of success that carries through to the present day. Arcadia’s Male Rookie of the Year, All-ECAC, and the ECAC Division III South Rookie of the Year. As a sophomore in 2018, Braas earned First Team All-MAC honors. In 2019, Braas exploded on to the national stage, earning First Team All-American honors from AVCA, while also earning First Team All-MAC honors. Cementing his place in Division III, Braas finished the season as the NCAA Individual Champion in hitting percentage at .474, leading the Knights to their first MAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2020 during the covid-shortened season, Braas again was named a First Team All-American, All-East Region, and was again the NCAA Individual Champion in hitting percentage. Braas was named Arcadia’s Male Athlete of the year in 2018-19, and the Senior Athlete of the Year in 2019-20. For his career, Braas stands first in hitting percentage, and blocks, third in kills, and ninth in service aces. In the season records, Braas is first, third, and fourth in blocks, second, third, and fifth in hitting percentage, and third in kills. Braas graduated in 2020 with a degree in Criminal Justice, and is currently a loan underwriter in Lancaster, Pa.

“I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments… He’s doing awesome now in his life. He went to graduate school, and he has a really good job now,” shared Caroline Brass, Austin’s aunt. She continued to say that while living in Philadelphia, she went to almost all the home games and even rooted for Austin against Widener University, her own alma mater.

“The One with the Most Heart” Grant Fisher ’18

Presenting the Hall of Fame award to swimmer Grant Fisher was former teammate, Michael Melissen, who called Grant, “the one with the most heart.”

“In the longer distance races, it’s often not the most efficient or the most talented person in the pool that wins,” said Meliseen. “It’s the one with the most heart, the one willing to push the pace despite the pain that they are in.”

Fisher was a three-year member of the Arcadia men’s swim team, joining the program on the rise and left it as one of the top in the conference. A six-time individual MAC Champion and three-time relay MAC Champion, Fisher won three-straight golds in the 500 freestyle and 1650 freestyle, also earning three more golds as a member of the 2017 400 and 800 free relay teams, and the 2018 800 free relay. In all, Fisher was a 12-time all-conference selection, while securing an NCAA “B” cut in the 1650 freestyle in 2017-18, the second swimmer in program history to achieve the feat. Fisher was named Arcadia’s Male Senior Athlete of the Year in 2017-18. For his career, Fisher holds the program record in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle, while also holding the Lenox Pool record for the 1000 free, and is a member of the program record holder in the 800 free relay. He graduated in 2018 with a degree in Business Administration and is currently a pilot in the United States Navy stationed in Florida. 

Grant reflected that, “returning to Arcadia to be honored in this way, surrounded by my family, friends, and past teammates was truly a special moment that I won’t forget. I’m so appreciative to the support that got me where I am today!”

“A Natural Athlete” Phil Pierfy ’19

A two-sport athlete, Phil Pierfy played basketball and baseball at Arcadia. Pierfy’s father, Tony Pierfy, presented his son with the Hall of Fame Award, telling stories about his natural athleticism since he was a toddler. “In all of those records you see that he earned, most of those stats were for playing only two-and-a-half years,” Tony Pierfy explained. “We are very proud of him.”

Through tears, the elder Pierfy spoke about how Phil Pierfy overcame a knee injury that he sustained while playing in the 11th basketball game of his freshman season. He got through the injury without missing classes and was aided by the Arcadia Athletics staff throughout his rehab. He returned to the court and the diamond. 

A four-year member of the men’s basketball team and three-year member of the baseball team, Pierfy shined both on the hardwood and the diamond. On the court, Pierfy was a Second Team NABC All-District selection in 2018-19, First Team All-MAC Commonwealth as a senior, and Second Team All-MAC Commonwealth as a junior. On the baseball field, Pierfy was named First Team All-Region by the ABCA in 2018, First Team All-MAC Commonwealth in 2018, and Second Team All-MAC Commonwealth in 2019. Pierfy was a member of the 2017 and 2018 MAC Commonwealth baseball champions, and the 2019 MAC Commonwealth men’s basketball champions. Pierfy was also named Arcadia’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2017-18, and the Senior Athlete of the Year in 2018-19. For his career in basketball, Pierfy ranks sixth in free throws made, seventh in field goal percentage, eighth in three-point percentage, and ninth in total points and points-per-game. In the baseball career records, Pierfy ranks third in batting average, fourth in slugging percentage and doubles, sixth in runs batted in, and 10th in hits and home runs. For men’s basketball season records, Pierfy tied for first in games played, ranks second in three-point percentage, and tied for seventh in points and field goal percentage, In the baseball season record books, Pierfy ranks second in doubles, fourth in total bases, tied for sixth in batting average and hits, tied for ninth in RBI’s, and tied for 10th in slugging percentage.

In the classroom, Pierfy was named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll in 2016. Pierfy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Mathematics and earned a Master’s in Sport Analysis from California University of Pennsylvania in 2020. He served as assistant coach with the Knights’ men’s basketball team since his graduation until recently, as Pierfy accepted a coaching position at King’s College earlier this year.

“I feel lucky to know Phil. He is an excellent basketball coach and an even better person. And I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity to see him be supported and honored for something that’s so well deserved. He’s a great player and has spent a lot of time as a coach here, so he’s really invested in our school and community. And if I could play a small part in honoring him, it’s, I think, the right thing to do,” expressed assistant men’s basketball coach, Matt Dolan.

“Enduring Leader” Veronica Pontis ’19, ’22 DPT

Arcadia’s Head Women’s Soccer Coach Rick Brownell presented Veronica Pontis, a Women’s Soccer and Track & Field standout, with her Hall of Fame Award, calling her an enduring leader who left behind a remarkable legacy.

“She is one of the top student-athletes to ever represent the Arcadia Women’s soccer program,” Coach Brownell said. “Of all of the great players and highly successful people that I have coached, Veronica stands out clearly on my Mt. Rushmore of impact players who have positively moved the program forward.”

Pontis was a four-year member of the women’s soccer program, two-year member of the women’s indoor track & field team, and one year member of the women’s outdoor track & field team. Pontis made her strongest mark on the soccer pitch, earning Third Team All-Region in 2016, Second Team in 2018, and First Team in 2017, while being named First Team All-MAC Commonwealth all four years. Pontis was named Second Team All-ECAC as a senior and Honorable Mention All-ECAC following her junior season. On the field, Pontis helped anchor a back line that led the team to four straight MAC Commonwealth title games, breaking through in 2017 with an iconic double-overtime win at Messiah, which was its first outright loss in the conference postseason in 11 years. Pontis’ arrival on campus ushered in the start of the programs’ most successful era, beginning with the team’s third-straight ECAC Division III Championship as a first-year in 2015, and culminating in three-straight appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

In the classroom, Pontis was named to the Academic All-MAC in 2017, while earning a place on the MAC Academic Honor Roll all four years. Pontis graduated in 2019 with a degree in Biology and a Pre-Physical Therapy focus and earned her DPT from Arcadia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2022. She currently works as a Physical Therapist in Arizona.

“Arcadia still feels like home,” Pontis said after accepting the Hall of Fame award. “This school has made a positive impact on me and the community is still a very big part of my life.”

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Photo: AU