KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Department of Athletics inducted three former student-athletes into the Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday night as a part of the Green & Gold Annual Celebration Dinner during Keuka College's Green & Gold Celebration Weekend.
The three-person induction class included
Matt Selden '04,
Maggie Bonafede Gutierrez '14, and
Paige Golden Judge '14.
Matt Selden was a standout pitcher for the Keuka College Baseball team, setting multiple program records, including wins, innings pitched, and complete games. After recovering from back surgery in 2001, he returned to lead the team to a conference championship game and earned NEAC Pitcher of the Year honors, the only player in program history to do so. Selden graduated as the career leader in nearly every pitching category and remains among the top ten in most statistical areas.
"Keuka provided me with an opportunity to continue playing the sport that I have loved, but more importantly, set me up for success in my life and career," said Selden. "It was truly living in a dream, spending my first years of independence on this beautiful campus beside the lake. But beyond baseball was the mentoring and support that I received in the classroom. It was fun to be an athlete, but to remain focused on education was certainly more difficult. I am very grateful for that and all of those in the business and accounting program, and it is because of them that I have had a great career in accounting, finance, and management. Thank you to Keuka College for the experiences, lessons and a lifetime of memories."
Maggie Bonafede is Keuka College's all-time leader in assists and points in women's lacrosse, setting multiple single-season and career records during her four years. She helped lead the team to three NEAC championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances, earning Tournament MVP honors twice. Bonafede also excelled academically, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning NEAC Scholar-Athlete honors each year.
"To be recognized among so many elite athletes," explained Bonafede Gutierrez, "some of whom I've had the privilege of playing with throughout my 4 years, is never something I imagined when I picked up my first lacrosse stick. I have so much love for the game of lacrosse, and I'm so proud to have worn the Green and Gold for four amazing seasons. I'm truly honored, and I will carry this moment with pride for the rest of my life."
Paige Golden is Keuka College Women's Volleyball's career leader in kills and ranks second in digs, earning three First Team All-Conference honors during her standout volleyball career. She consistently led the team in offensive and defensive stats, becoming one of only three players in the 1,000-kill club. Golden graduated with a degree in Biology and minored in American Sign Language and Chemistry.
"It's such an incredible honor to be inducted into the Keuka College Hall of Fame," said Golden Judge. "However, I know without a doubt, I didn't get here alone. To my parents, thank you for being the ultimate support team. To my grandparents, thank you for being at so many of my games. To my husband, who I met right here at Keuka, thank you for being endlessly supportive and understanding of my competitive streak, both on and off the court. To my coaches and teammates, a player is only as good as the people around them, and I've been lucky to know and learn from you all. And lastly, as a mom to a beautiful daughter, I hope to pass down the same unwavering support I was lucky to grow up with. Thank you again to Keuka College and to everyone who's been part of this journey. I'm grateful beyond words."
