Photo by Ross Gallabrese Among those honored during Thursday's Baron Club Dinner at the Franciscan University of Steubenville were, from left, Laurie Labishak, recipient of the Kuzma Community Award; Clint Hurdle, former Pirates manager and keynote speaker; Mike Haney, recipient of the Father Terrence Henry, TOR, Award; and Joe Wallace, the school's men's basketball coach and executive director of community relations.

STEUBENVILLE — Danny Andersen summed up what the Baron Club Awards Dinner at Franciscan University of Steubenville means in a simple statement:

“This is a special night of the year for us,” Andersen said Thursday before the 57th annual event at Finnegan Fieldhouse.

While the dinner serves as a major fundraiser for the school’s Division III athletic program, it also provides an opportunity to recognize members of the community.

Clint Hurdle, who managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2010 to 2019, was the keynote speaker. Mike Haney, coach of the Steubenville High School basketball team, and Richard K. Reiderer, a former Weirton Steel Corp. executive and longtime member of the university’s board of trustees, received the Father Terrence Henry Awards. Laurie Labishak, market director of marketing and communications and interim director of philanthropy at Trinity Health System, received the Kuzma Community Award.

Hurdle said that when Joe Wallace, the university’s men’s basketball coach and director of community relations, invited him to speak, he decided to learn more about the school. He was already familiar with the Rev. Brian Cavanaugh, a longtime university staff member, through previous communication.

“Father Brian and I had a little history through the years. I knew about Franciscan University, but I wanted to dig a little deeper,” Hurdle said.

After learning more about the school’s history and its Christ-centered mission, he said it felt like the right place to share his story and faith.

A recovering alcoholic, Hurdle said his faith helped him overcome many obstacles.

“I’m trying to share with people that there is another way,” he said prior to the event. “If you are not in a good place and you are struggling, if you are lost or anxious, mad or sad, it’s OK to ask for help. It’s actually a superpower, because there may be somebody that you actually know who’s already gone through it and can help you walk through your hard part of your journey with God.”

Hurdle added that the Pittsburgh area remains a special place for him and his family.

Labishak has a long history of involvement with both the community and the university. She helped secure funding for the school’s track and field complex, assisted in establishing a campus clinic serving students and faculty and contributed to the development of the Rink at Franciscan Square.

“I had the profound blessing to take a pilgrimage to Italy, walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi,” she said. “That journey gave me a deeper understanding of our collective mission. St. Francis, known for his joyful demeanor, urged his followers to be troubadours for God, bringing peace and song. I believe that the song we collectively sing in our community is one of unwavering collaboration, of working together for the well-being of every single person.”

Haney, a Catholic Central High School graduate, has been the Big Red basketball coach for 18 years. His team finished runner-up in the Division II state tournament this season.

“I know my name is on it, but this award goes to all of the people who helped me grow, talking about the value of family and community,” he said.

Reiderer was unable to attend the dinner.

“These honorees show us how special they have been to all of us tonight, with the many people who have shown up inside the fieldhouse to support them,” Wallace said. “These honorees are the definition of what makes the valley a special place.”

Andersen said the school’s athletic programs are experiencing a historic stretch. Every fall sports team made the playoffs, the rugby team won a national championship and the men’s basketball team recorded its first 20-win season in the Division III era, he said.

Also speaking was Jazzy Melnyk, a Weirton Madonna graduate who scored 1,000 points during her Franciscan career. She said her faith and dedication helped her overcome leg injuries and succeed on the court, including becoming the school’s all-time leader in steals, rebounds and assists.