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Germantown Academy Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

Germantown Academy is proud to announce the newest class of its Athletic Hall of Fame. The class of six athletes, one coach, and four teams were selected from a very strong pool of 96 nominations.

“We are very excited to announce the 2020 Athletics Hall of Fame Class,” said Director of Athletics Tim Ginter. “Each inductee has made an indelible mark on our proud athletics history as a student-athlete, team, or coach. I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments and reliving the memories with our newest inductees as soon as we can safely host the induction event on campus.  I would like to thank the members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee for their thoughtful review of this year’s nominations.” 

Congratulations to the following inductees!


Sean Coyle '10, Baseball

Sean Coyle '10 was a five-year varsity baseball player for the Patriots and helped GA win a share of the Inter-Ac League title (2006) and two state titles (2008, 2010) during his career. The Patriots went 124-30 during his tenure. He also set the GA record for home runs in a career (22) and a single season (13) as well as hits in a career (190).

As an eighth grader, Coyle batted .273 and finished the year with 18 hits, 14 runs scored, two RBI, and four stolen bases. He had an on base percentage of .324. Coyle, who played left field and third base, had the key RBI that helped GA defeat Malvern Prep to earn a share of the title. The Patriots finished 21-10 overall (7-3 Inter-Ac League) that spring.

As a freshman, Coyle hit .341 and tallied 31 hits, 19 walks, 26 runs scored, 17 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. He had an on-base percentage of 435. Coyle played second base that season. GA finished second in the Inter-Academic Athletic League with a 7-3 record (23-6 overall).

As a sophomore, Coyle, who played second base, hit. 561 and racked up 55 hits (16 doubles, four triples, five home runs) and 36 RBI. He drew 27 walks and stole 17 bases. He had an on-base percentage of .671. For his efforts, he was named First Team All-City by The Philadelphia Daily News and First Team All-Inter-Ac League. That year, GA finished second in the Inter-Ac League with a 7-3 record. The Patriots finished 27-5 overall and won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) Tournament.

As a junior, Coyle was named First Team All-Inter-Ac League, First Team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania (The Philadelphia Inquirer), and Second Team All-City (Philadelphia Daily News. Coyle), who played second base, hit .462 in the spring of 2009 and had 36 hits (11 doubles, four triples, four home runs). He had 37 runs scored and 17 RBI. He also stole 13 bases. The Patriots finished second in the Inter-Ac League with a 7-3 record (24-6 overall).

In fall of his senior year, Coyle won a gold medal while representing the United States’ 18-and-under team at the 2009 Pan American Junior Championships (COPABE) held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He batted .296 in eight games. He played third base and batted leadoff. He was teammates with future Major League stars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

In spring of his senior year, Coyle led GA to winning another Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association title. The Patriots finished the year 29-3 overall and in second place in the Inter-Ac League with an 8-2 record. Coyle hit .562 with 50 hits (14 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs - *GA record*), 45 runs scored, 55 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. That spring, Coyle, who played shortstop, was named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Baseball Player of the Year, The Philadelphia Daily News City Player of the Year, and The Philadelphia Inquirer Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Likewise, he was named the MVP of the Inter-Ac League in 2010 and First Team All-Inter-Ac League, First Team All-Southeastern PA (The Philadelphia Inquirer), First Team All-City (Philadelphia Daily News).

Coyle finished his career with the most hits (190) and home runs (22) in GA history.

Following his senior season, Coyle was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round. Coyle did sign a letter of intent to attend the University of North Carolina on a baseball scholarship, but decided to postpone college to turn pro. He ran a top national prospect time of 6.49 seconds in the 60-yard dash during a pre-draft tryout with the Red Sox. His best clocked 60-yard dash time that ever was reported to be 6.35.

Coyle played pro baseball from 2010-2017. He reached the Triple-A level with the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2016 and was named to the Boston Red Sox’s 40-man roster in 2014.

During his career, he was named to a Minor League Baseball Organizational All-Star (2011, 2012) and added to the United States roster for the 2014 All-Star Futures Game. Coyle was named the Carolina League Championship Series MVP in 2013 while playing for the Salem Red Sox. Coyle also spent time with Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Baltimore Orioles organizations. In total, Coyle, an infielder, finished his pro career hitting .234 after 2,029 at-bats and 579 games played. He had 490 hits (129 doubles, 13 triples, 70 home runs). He scored 345 runs and drove in 283 RBI. He drew 237 walks and stole 79 bases. Coyle hit 16 home runs in 2013 and 2014.

For his efforts on the field, he was recently named to the 40-Year All-City First Team by The Philadelphia Daily News (1978-2017).

Coyle later earned his degree in finance from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.


Tommy Coyle '09, Baseball

Tommy Coyle '09 was a four-year started for the Patriots and finished his GA career with 168 hits, including 70 extra base hits. He was named First Team All-Inter-Academic League all four years.

As a freshman, Coyle, who played second base, batted .420 and had 42 hits (eight doubles, three triples, one home run). He scored 28 runs and racked up 19 RBI. He had 13 walks and seven stolen bases. His on-base percentage was .500. The Patriots finished 21-10 overall (7-3 Inter-Ac League) that spring.

As a sophomore, Coyle, who played shortstop, hit .435. He tallied 40 hits (10 doubles, five triples, two home runs) and drove in 33 runs. He also scored 34 runs, drew 19 walks, and stole 11 bases. His on-base percentage was .526. GA finished second in the Inter-Ac League that spring with a 7-3 record (23-6 overall).

As a junior, Coyle, who played shortstop, hit .471. He cranked out 49 hits (18 doubles, five triples, three home runs) and 48 RBI. He also scored 48 runs, stole 14 bases, and had an on-base percentage of .548. In addition to his First Team All-League honors he was also named All-City Second Team by The Philadelphia Daily News. The Patriots finished 27-5 overall and won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament.

As a senior, Coyle, who played shortstop, hit .468. He had 37 hits, including 15 extra base hits, and scored 37 runs and tallied 25 RBI. He also had 19 stolen bases. In addition to his First Team All-League selection, he was also named to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s All Southeastern Second Team, The Philadelphia Daily News’ Second Team, and The Intelligencer All-Area’s First Team. The Patriots finished second in the Inter-Ac League with a 7-3 record (24-6 overall).

Coyle went on to play at the University of North Carolina on scholarship where he was a three-year starter. Coyle was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 16th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of UNC.

During his time in Tar Heel blue, Coyle, who played shortstop and second base, led UNC to the NCAA Tournament every year. In 2011, UNC was a NCAA Regional Champion and made an appearance in the College World Series. He was an Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team selection in 2011.

As a freshman, Coyle hit. 282 and had 57 hits (seven doubles, two triples, one home run). He also stole 14 bases. As a sophomore, he batted .311 with 84 hits, which tied for sixth in the ACC and 65th in the country. He had 16 doubles, three triples, and two home runs. He had 36 RBI and scored 57 runs. He also stole 18 bases. As a junior, Coyle hit .246 with 60 hits (seven doubles, six triples, four home runs). He tallied 29 RBI and 53 runs scored. He also stole 14 bases.

Coyle played in the Tampa Rays Minor League system from 2012-2016. In 474 games, he had 421 hits (74 doubles, 26 triples 24 home runs), 175 RBI, and 120 stole bases. He finished in a tie for third in the New York-Penn League in runs scored in 2012.

For his efforts on the field, Coyle was recently named to the 2000s Third Team All-Decade by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Coyle later returned to UNC in 2018 where he earned his degree in exercise and sports science. He also minored in philosophy.


Claire Crippen '07, Swimming

Claire Crippen '07 was a four-time All-Inter-Academic Athletic League selection and helped the Patriots win the Easterns Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Championships three times. She served as a captain during the 2006-2007 season and won a gold medal by with the 400-yard freestyle relay at the 2007 Easterns Championships.

Crippen went on to swim on the Division I level at the University of Virginia where she was a three-time Atlantic Coast Conference individual champion (2008, 2009, 2011) in the 400-yard individual medley event, team champion, and four-time NCAA All-American Honorable Mention Selection. She was named an NCAA Academic All-American in 2011. She set an ACC and ACC met record at the 2011 conference championship in the 400 IM with a time of 4:07.29. She served as UVA’s captain in 2011.

Crippen was a national qualifier from 2005-2011 and an Olympic Trial qualifier in 2008.

During college, Crippen volunteered with the ACE (Athletes Care about Education and Community) program where she worked with students in Charlotesville, Virginia. After college, she spent time in Vietnam to promote the need for higher education in developing her countries. During her time in Vietnam she coached volleyball and taught health.

Crippen later returned to help coach the Patriots from 2012-2016. During her time on the pool deck, she helped GA girls win three more Easterns titles (2013, 2014, 2015).

Crippen earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Virginia. She later returned to school (Villanova University) to become a nurse. 


Amanda Jones '08, Lacrosse

Amanda Jones '08 was a three-year varsity letterwinner in both lacrosse and field hockey during her three-year Upper School career at GA. For her efforts on the lacrosse field, she was twice named First Team All-America. She finished her GA lacrosse career in first in season assists (56) and career assists (131) and second in season goals (87), season points (143), career points (346), and career goals (216). In her senior year, she managed to net 67 goals and dish out 47 assists while earning 35 draw controls and scooping up 54 ground balls. She earned team MVP honors that spring as well as First Team All-Inter-Ac League honors and First Team All-PhillyLacrosse.Com honors. As a junior, she scored 87 goals and contributed 56 assists. Jones served as a captain of both the lacrosse and field hockey teams.

On the club circuit, while playing for the Upper Atlantic Team 1 at the National Tournament, Jones was the recipient of the Heather Leigh Albert Award, which was given to the most outstanding women’s lacrosse player at the tournament. Jones was only a junior at the time and she is the only GA player to be honored with that award.

At GA, Jones was also a member of the Academy Club and a representative for the Positive Coaching Alliance and Community Service Organization.

Jones went on to earn a full scholarship at Duke University where she thrived for the Blue Devils at the attack position and was a four-year letterwinner. She appeared in 66 games and tallied 63 points (48 goals, 15 assists). She also finished with 26 ground balls and nine draw controls. She posted a career-high 17 goals as a senior where she registered hat tricks against No. 15 Georgetown University and Virginia Tech.

As a junior, she was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll and the All-ACC Squad. She was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll as a sophomore.

Duke reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals three of her four years and the NCAA semifinals her junior year.

Jones majored in Sociology and minored in Visual Studies. She also earned a certificate in Markets and Management Studies.

“Amanda Jones set the benchmark for both academic and athletic success for GA,” wrote one nominator. “Amanda was a star within the greater Philadelphia area and in the Inter-Academic league, which earned her success on the national stage. Not only was she a two time All-American on the lacrosse field, she was extremely strong in the classroom and well-received by her peers in her three years at GA. Her dominance on the field and academic standing at GA led her to one of the most prestigious institutions in our country, Duke University. Amanda's character has always been in the forefront of who she is as a person and has always been able to pull people together as a teammate and leader. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award. Amanda represents the values of what our school stands for—excellence in everything that we do.”


Damon Myers '94, Basketball

Damon Myers '94 was named an All-Inter-Academic Athletic League selection for football, basketball, and track & field. Likewise, he was named to All-Area teams for all three sports by The IntelligencerThe Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Ambler Gazette. Myers played an integral role in two Inter-Ac titles captured by GA boys basketball, including the 1992-1993 team that went 24-1 and was ranked in the top 25 in the country by a number of national rating services.

On the gridiron, Myers helped the 1993 team rebound from 1-7-1 campaign to go 8-2 overall. He was named First Team All-Defense (Defensive Line) for his play that autumn.  On the basketball court, he earned Second Team All-League honors following his senior campaign. As a junior, he helped the 1991-1992 Patriots (20-5 overall, 8-2 Inter-Ac League) win a share of the league title, their first in seven seasons. The following year, Myers and company went 24-1 (9-1 Inter-Ac League) en route to an outright Inter-Ac title.   

Upon Graduation from GA, Myers attended the Naval Academy where he played varsity football as a wide receiver. Myers began his academy athletic life as a basketball recruit before switching sports his sophomore year. Prior to the Army-Navy game in his junior year, Myers was diagnosed with cancer.  This illness ended his athletic career, but with his determination, he graduated on time and has served multiple assignments in the Middle East as a member of the Special Forces group of the United States Navy. He enjoyed over 15 years with the U.S. Navy and is currently working in the private sector. 

In addition to earning a Bachleor of Science degree in Economics from the United States Naval Academy, Myers also earned his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University.


David Simolike '05, Soccer 

Goalkeeper David Simolike '05 started every varsity game of his four-year career at GA and helped lead GA soccer to national recognition. During that time, the Patriots were nationally ranked and won the Inter-Ac League title twice (2001, 2003). Simolike was named First Team All-Inter-Ac League and All-Area all four years. As a senior, he was named the league’s MVP and he later earned First Team All-State honors. He was also named an Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association All-Star. He served as a team captain as a senior.

Simolike played for the EPYSA State team from 1998-2004. He also spent time playing for FC Delco Dynamo, which won State and National Championships. He was also a member of the U18 United States national team pool from 2000-2003.

Simolike went on to attend the University of Akron where he was redshirted his freshman year. He transferred to the University of Louisville. As a freshman, he saw action in 17 games and started in 16 of them. He recorded 65 saves on the season along with three shutouts. He recorded a career-high 10 saves in the Cardinals’ 1-1 tie with the University of Kentucky.

As a sophomore, he started in 22 games for the Cards and posted eight shutouts, which tied for the second most in Louisville history. He tallied 58 saves on the season with a .722 save percentage. He lowered his goals against average to 0.96 per game and had a season-high saves against seven saves against Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He recorded three straight shutouts against St. John’s University, University of Cincinnati, and Syracuse University.

Simolike battled injuries throughout his collegiate career.


Coach David Martin 1760, Lacrosse

For close to 40 years, Dave Martin 1760 has been a familiar face on GA’s sideline. Since 1984, he has served as a girls volleyball, golf, and football coach. Most, though, will know Martin from the many years he has served as a head coach and assistant coach for GA boys lacrosse teams. Martin served as a varsity lacrosse assistant coach from 1985-2004 and again from 2017 to the present time, varsity lacrosse head coach from 2005-2012, and Middle School lacrosse coach from 2013-2016.

A master teacher and coach, Martin has always put the needs and recognition of the team effort above himself. Likewise, he also perfected the art of being able to teach student-athletes about the technicalities of their sport while sharing life lessons with them.

As an assistant coach in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, Martin played a key role in helping GA’s varsity boys lacrosse program grow in prominence. Martin, along with former head coach Ted Haynie 1760, led the Patriots to Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association titles in 1990 and 1993 and runner-up finishes in 1987 and 2001. Together, they knocked off Inter-Ac heavyweights like Malvern Prep and The Haverford School on numerous occasions.

One GA fan noted that “Dave and Ted were unequivocally able to recruit talented student-athletes, make them fall in love with the sport of lacrosse and turn them into talented lacrosse players—some even going on to play in college when they did not start the sport until ninth grade.”

As head coach, Martin, who has one of the best lacrosse minds in the area, recorded an 89-71 overall mark. He took the Patriots to the Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association playoffs four straight-seasons and coached 10 All-Americans. Under Martin's tutelage, numerous student-athletes were named All-Inter-Ac League. One of his marquee wins came in the spring of 2008 when the Patriots defeated perennial powerhouse La Salle College High School, 3-2. It was noted after the game that Martin had simply “out coached” his opponents.

In the past, Martin has been honored by U.S. Lacrosse as the Man of the Year (Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter) as well as the Assistant Coach of the Year (Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter)

In his playing days, Martin was a four-year varsity letterwinner at the University of Massachusetts (1977-1980) where the Minutemen were the number one team in New England and invited to play in the NCAA Division I Tournament three out of his four years. At the time, there were only eight teams in the national tournament and there weren’t any automatic qualifiers. Martin was named All-Northeast in 1980 and invited to play in the annual North-South Senior All-Star game. Prior to UMASS, Martin played lacrosse at Bethpage High School Bethpage High School in New York.

His love of lacrosse also led Martin to officiating college lacrosse for 20 years, including a number of NCAA playoff games, most notably the NCAA Division II National Championship game at Rutgers University in 2001.

As a volleyball coach, he led GA to eight titles, and last fall, on the golf course, one of Martin’s players won the Bert Linton Inter-Academic Athletic League Invitational Tournament.

Perhaps most importantly is that Martin has been able to positively impact thousands of GA students—both as a coach and a teacher. Memorabilia and notes from the past adorn his classroom walls, notes that messages like, “thanks for everything you have taught me on and off the field” and “it has been an honor, I have learned more than you know.”

Away from the field, Martin has faithfully served GA’s student body as the Physical Education & Wellness Department Head, Head of Kershaw House, and Upper School Registrar.  He is the epitome of a teacher-coach and embodies the complete mission of GA sports.


1986 Boys Swimming & Diving 

The Patriots won the National Boys Prep Team Champions for the 1985-1986 season. Every year, Swimming World magazine compares the nation’s top 12 scholastic times in every event and provides corresponding scores, similar to a meet.

The Patriots also went undefeated in the Inter-Ac League and finished second at the Easterns Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Championship Meet. At Easterns, Dave Wharton '87 earned two national prep school records, one in the 200-yard individual medley (1:48.23) and the other in the 500-yard freestyle (4:22.48). GA’s 400-yard freestyle relay (Wharton, Mike Peterson ’186, Rob Montgomery ’86, Paul Fisch '86) finished first at Easterns with a time of 3:07.15.

Wharton finished his career at GA by posting four individual school records and two national prep school records. After GA, he attended the University of Southern California where he was the Most Valuable Swimmer for four straight years, a four-time All-American in 21 events, the NCAA Athlete of the Year in 1989, the NCAA Swimmer of the year in 1988 and 1989 and the top U.S. Swimming Performer of the Year for three straight years. He has made numerous appearances in the Pan-Pacific Games, the World Championships and the Goodwill Games, and was a member of the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Teams. In the 1988 Olympics, Wharton won a silver medal in the 400-meter IM.

Montgomery went on to winning an open water national championship.

Head Coach: Richard Shoulberg 1760

All-Americans: Dave Wharton '87, Mark Sermarini '86, Michael Walter ’88, Christopher Lalor '86, Paul Fisch '86, Rob Montgomery '86, Robert Ripper '86.


1987 Girls Swimming & Diving 

The Patriots won the National Girls Prep Team Championship for the 1986-87 season thanks to their incredible performances at the Easterns Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Championships. Every year, Swimming World magazine compares the nation’s top 12 scholastic times in every event and provides corresponding scores, similar to a meet.

The 1986-87 Patriots went 7-0 during the regular season and won the Inter-Ac League title. They finished in a tie at Easterns.

The team featured Katrina Radke Gerry '89, who was a medalist at the Pan Pacific games, a member of two World Championship teams, and a finalist at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea as well as Suzy Bukovich Courtway '87, who was a medalist at the Pan American Games in individual and relay events, and Erika Hansen, who was a gold medalist at the Pan Pacific Games, a member of the 1988 Olympic team in Korea, and a member of the 1992 Olympic team in Barcelona, Spain.

At Easterns, the foursome of Hansen, Jane Samuels '87, Colette Van de Berg Kozlowski '87, Jennifer Greer ‘88) won the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:47.87. Courtway won the 200 IM (2:04.48) and 100-yard butterfly (56.28). Hansen (500 freestyle, 4:50.64) and Samuels (100 breaststroke, 1:07.37) each won their events. 

Head Coach: Richard Shoulberg 1760

All-Americans: Christine Rawak '88, Jennifer Greer ’88, Jeanne Gibbons Brophy '89, Katrina Radke Gerry '89, Jill Cameron Hilliard '88


1992 Girls Swimming & Diving 

The 1991-1992 team was a star-studded group that won the National Girls Prep Team Championship. Every year, Swimming World magazine compares the nation’s top 12 scholastic times in every event and provides corresponding scores, similar to a meet. That winter, the Patriots won the Easterns Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Championships and their times allowed them to score major points on the national level.

GA won Easterns by scoring 317.5 points. The Patriots were led by Karen Bunting, who won the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.76) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:51.47), and Danielle Strader, who won the 50-yard freestyle (23.60) and 100-butterfly (55.72).

GA's also won the 200-freestyle relay (Dianna Metzger Groff '95, Bunting, Strader, Valerie Davis Missick '94) with a time of 1:36.59 and the 400-freestyle relay (Strader, Groff, Bunting, Mayuka Noda '93) with a time of 3:27.45.

That year, Strader and Bunting qualified for the U.S. Olympic Time Trials and Noda qualified for the Japanese Olympic Time Trials.

Many of the swimmers went on to earn scholarships to Division I schools, including Michigan, University of Georgia, UCLA, Notre Dame, SUNY Buffalo, and Villanova.

Head Coach: Richard Shoulberg 1760

All-Americans: Danielle Strader, Dianna Metzger Groff '95, Melissa Marcinkowski Anderson '92, Karin Bunting McCaul '94, Elizabeth Rice Bejgrowicz '93, Sarah Lawson Black '91, Mayuka Noda '93, Jennifer Kurth Williamson '95, Valerie Davis Missick '94, Dana Hazard '93, Colleen Petrelli Kohm.


2005 Girls Swimming & Diving 

The Patriots won the National Girls Prep Team Championship for the 2004-2005 season by scoring 120.5 points, just ahead of the 118 points tallied by Anne Arbor Pioneer (Michigan) and Arrowhead High (Wisconsin). Swimming World Magazine compares the nation’s top 12 scholastic times in every event and provides corresponding scores, similar to a meet.

The undefeated Patriots captured their third consecutive Easterns Interscholastic Swimming & Diving title by scoring 619 points at the two-day meet during which GA posted the fourth-fastest mark in the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.15)

Individually, GA benefited from the talents of Alicia Aemisegger '06 and Teresa Crippen '08. Aemisegger had the country’s third-fastest time in the 200-yard medley (1:59.48, meet record) and was fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:48.25). As for Crippen, as ninth grader, she tied for the fifth-fastest time in the 100-yard backstroke. She also won the 200-yard freestyle (1:50.37) and the 100-yard backstroke (55.60). Claire Crippen ’07 took third in the 200-yard IM and 500-yard freestyle.

In the 200-yard medley relay, Aemisseger (breastroke), Teresa Crippen ’08 (backstroke, Hannah Mein '05 (butterfly), and Sara Coenen '06 (freestyle) took first with a time of 1:45.15. The foursome of Aemisseger, Katie Magee, Teresa Crippen '08, and Coenen won gold with a time of 3:24.84.

Head Coach: Richard Shoulberg 1760

All-Americans: Alicia Aemisegger ’06, Sara Coenen ’06, Claire Crippen '07, Teresa Crippen ’08, Jennifer Kopenitz '07, Katie Magee '07, Bridgette McCabe '05, Eliza McDevitt '08, Kerri McIlvain Sepich '05, Hannah Mein '05, Lauren Sylvester '07.


All members of the GA community are encouraged to submit nominations for future Athletic Hall of Fame inductees via the website at www.germantownacademy.net/hof