Viterbo Athletics Announces 2022 Wall of Fame Class

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Athletics Department has announced its 2022 Wall of Fame class. Five alumni will be inducted in an on-campus ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 24. Breanne Burry, women's soccer, Molly Machometa, women's soccer, and Evan Taylor, baseball, are being inducted for their outstanding achievements as student-athletes. Jean Moore, FSPA, and the Rev. Tom O'Neill are being inducted posthumously for their outstanding meritorious support.

• Breanne Burry (Huntley, Ill.) was a four-time all-conference player for the Viterbo women's soccer team from 2011–15. She was also academic all-conference in each of her four seasons. In her sophomore season, Burry helped lead the best single-season turnaround in program history, during which the team went from just two wins in 2011 to 15 and regular season and conference tournament titles in 2012. Over 71 games, Burry recorded eight career goals, including two game winners, and 14 assists.
• Molly Machometa (McHenry, Ill.), who played from 2012–2016, still dominates the Viterbo women's soccer record books. She is the career leader in points (198) and goals (87), and is third in assists (24). Machometa also holds the record for goals in a season at 31, and is tied for the second most goals in a game with five. Over her career, the V-Hawks boasted a 56-19-1 record and won two conference titles and two conference tournament championships. Her personal accolades include Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards, twice being named NAIA All-American, four first-team all-conference selections, and three academic All-Conference awards.
• As teammates, Machometa and Burry went 44-11-1 over three seasons, were 2012 MCC regular season and conference tournament champions, and the 2013 conference tournament runner-up. In 2012, the V-Hawks were a program-best 8-0 at home, which included a 10-0 victory over Roosevelt in which Viterbo recorded a program record 10 assists. In 2013, Viterbo women's soccer set their best season winning percentage at .83 and allowed the fewest number of goals (12.)
• Evan Taylor (San Diego, Calif.) played two outstanding years as a right-handed pitcher for the Viterbo baseball team. Taylor joined the V-Hawks as a junior in 2013 and recorded eight wins, a 1.88 ERA, and three shutouts en route to being named all-conference honorable mention. As a senior, Taylor set a Viterbo record with 10 wins, 11 complete games, 97.1 innings pitched, with a 1.78 ERA (fourth best in program history) and three shutouts, earning him First-Team All-Conference and MCC Pitcher of the Year honors. In 2014, the V-Hawks set a program record with 34 wins, were regular season and conference tournament champions, and went 3-2 in the NAIA tournament opening round. In his two seasons, the Viterbo baseball team had a record of 58-40, while Taylor was 16-6 (tied for fifth most wins in program history), threw 17 complete games (tied for fifth in team history), six shutouts (tied for first in program history), and posted a record 1.80 ERA.
• Fr. Tom O'Neill's influence on Viterbo athletics was felt in countless ways. Fr. Tom, as he was best known to students, created the Team Chaplain program, and served in that role for the women's volleyball team. He served all student-athletes with his "open-door policy," and he would help them balance the busy life of being both a student and an athlete. Fr. Tom was "the voice of Viterbo athletics" as he was the public address announcer/emcee for basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball games, as well as emceeing many year-end sports banquets. Fr. Tom brought fun and humor to this role, including nicknames he created for each player. He passed away in 2009.
• Sister Jean Moore served as dean and vice president of student development and was recognized as one of Viterbo athletics most vocal and committed fans. Making appearances at nearly every athletic event, she knew the important role student-athletes play in the world of higher education, and she worked to support the unique academic, social, and spiritual needs of these students. Her creativity and love of athletics could be seen at her annual Doctor Sister Dean Jean Golf Scramble. She was selected to be honored with the Viterbo University Saint John XXIII Award for Distinguished Service in May 2020. Sr. Jean passed away in 2020.

The Viterbo Wall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby. A social hour will begin at 3:30 p.m.