Marisa Lombardo

Alvernia Inducts Hall of Fame Class of 2024

By Marisa Lombardo (Director of Sports Information)

2/18/2024 1:06:00 PM

Reading, Pa. (Feb. 18, 2024) - Alvernia University inducted the Class of 2024 to its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday in a ceremony held in Alvernia’s Francis Hall.

The Class of 2024, Alvernia’s 15th Hall of Fame class, included Men’s Tennis player David Emkey (2007), Baseball player Mike Kutz (1991), Men’s Basketball and Cross Country athlete Brian Patton (1990), Women’s Basketball athlete and coach Jen Sawyer (2004) and longtime Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Miller Sr.

Dave Emkey - Men’s Tennis, 2007

Dave Emkey was a standout member of the Alvernia Men’s Tennis team. A 2007 graduate, Dave was the 2004 PAC Rookie of the Year, a 2004 2nd Team All-PAC honoree in singles and doubles, and a 2007 1st Team All-PAC honoree. Dave was a member of the 2007 PAC Championship team, which is considered the most successful team in program history following an 8-0 record in PAC Play. Dave won his singles match in the 2007 NCAA first round and was 11-3 overall during the 2007 season.

Following graduation from Alvernia, Dave got married in 2010 and has two kids - both of course play tennis. Dave spent 15 years working in the tennis industry, including a two year stint in Orlando to open a store located at the largest tennis facility in the United States.

In 2022, Dave started his own footwear and apparel business for the racquet sports and golf industries. Dave also is now a member of Alvernia’s tennis coaching staff. He also hosts and runs a professional tennis event in Wyomissing where players come from all over the world to compete prior to participating in the U.S. Open. All proceeds from the even benefit underserved youth in Reading.

Mike Kutz - Baseball, 1991

Mike Kutz was a four year member of the baseball team from 1988 through 1991, and was a 1991 graduate of Alvernia. Mike was part of teams that made four consecutive NAIA postseason appearances.

Mike’s senior year saw Alvernia go 30-9 on the season and was the first team to win an NAIA District 19 title and advance to the NAIA Regional tournament.

During his career, Mike hit 24 home runs, had 142 RBIs, and 257 total baes. He also had 310 assists in the field.

After graduating from Alvernia, Mike started his own mortgage company. He has owned and operated the company for the last 24 years. He also holds Pennsylvania real estate and insurance licenses.

Mike is married to his wife, Zenaida, and they have a son and daughter. Their son, Kameron, is a graduate of Drexel University and their daughter, Kennedi, is a graduate of Hofstra University.

Brian Patton - Men’s Basketball and Cross Country, 1990

Brian Patton was a member of both the Alvernia men’s basketball and men’s cross country programs in the late 80s through graduation in 1990. While a member of the men’s basketball program, Patton made postseason appearances in 1988, 1989, and 1990. He played in 113 career games and is ranked in the top-25 in program history with 1,107 career points. Brian was named the top Alvernia Male athlete in 1990.

Brian was inducted into the Alvernia Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of the 1987 Men’s Cross Country team. That team won the NAIA District 19 Championship and was the first Alvernia athletics team to qualify for a national championship.

Brian graduated from Alvernia in 1990 with degrees in computer science and business management and administration.

He went on to get his masters in computer information science from Kutztown in 1993, and has been working in the technology and data field ever since. He spent 18 years working for the Antietam school district before joining his alma mater in Governor Mifflin in 2012, where he is still working today.

Brian has four kids - Dylan, Boston, Aubrey, and Gracie - and was a volunteer coach in the Governor Mifflin Youth Sports organizations for several seasons.

Jen Sawyer - Women’s Basketball, 2004

Jen Sawyer was a three-year starter for the women’s basketball team. During her career, Alvernia made the PAC postseason four times, the NCAA tournament twice, and were PAC Champions twice.

Jen was a three-time All-PAC honoree, earning honorable mention honors in 2002, second team honors in 2003, and first team honors in 2004. During her four years, Jen scored 1,079 career points and averaged 10.6 points per game. She made 115 3-pointers and 432 field goals. She finished her career with a .433 shooting percentage.

Jen was an assistant coach for Alvernia for four years after graduating in 2004. After a stint at Conrad Weiser High School, Jen returned to Alvernia as an assistant prior to the 2013-14 season. She served as the head coach for Alvernia for the 2014-15 season.

After graduating from Alvernia with a degree in elementary education, Jen taught at the Montessori Country Day school for 15 years. She taught toddler for five years and first through third grade for ten years. She has also worked for the Reading Phillies, and this upcoming season will be her 19th with the team. She currently works for Pitney Bowes. Jen is married to her wife of seven years, Jamie, and is the proud aunt to two nieces and two nephews.

Mike Miller Sr - Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Mike Miller Sr. served as the head coach of Alvernia’s Men’s Basketball program for 19 years. He retired in the summer of 2023 with a 315-178 record and as the winningest coach in program history.

Miller led Alvernia to 12 conference playoff appearances, six conference titles - including four MAC Commonwealth titles in five years. Miller was also an assistant coach for Alvernia during its run to the NCAA Division III Final Four in 1997.

Miller coached 11 1,000 point scorers and an additional four 1,000 point scorers as an assistant coach. He coached four PAC Players of the Year and three MAC Commonwealth Players of the year. He also coached 27 players to All-MAC Commonwealth honors and 13 to All-PAC honors.

The character of student-athletes under Miller was also a highlight of his career at Alvernia. His student-athletes were individuals of high character with very few and far between character issues on or off the court. His teams were disciplined on the court and in the classroom. He had players go on to become doctors, nurses, police officers, teachers and business owners. Over 20 of them have gotten involved with coaching at all levels, including his son, Mike Miller Jr.

Miller is a 1976 graduate of Holy Name and played collegiately at Delaware Valley. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania (Berks County Chapter) Hall of Fame in 2009 and is also a member of both Reading High and Berks Catholics’ Hall of Fames.

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