PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO REPLAY
The Spartan Club of Case Western Reserve University inducted six new members into its Hall of Fame at a ceremony held on Saturday, April 26 inside the Excelsior Ballroom at the Thwing Center.
The 2025 class of inductees included Maggie R. Dillione, DO (Swimming & Diving, Class of 2014), Eric Klawitter (Tennis, Class of 2014), Kendra Simmons (Soccer, Class of 2013), Harry Weintraub (Track & Field, Class of 2014), Niro Wimalasena (Soccer, Class of 2012), and special category inductee Lou Stark.
The six honorees joined the 361 other members inducted since the inception of the Spartan Club Hall of Fame in 1975. It marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Spartan Club and the Hall of Fame.
In addition, former CWRU Assistant Athletic Director Gary Pillar, who passed away in December, posthumously received the University Award for Athletic Excellence.
The ceremony featured Ron Jantz as the master of ceremonies and included a welcome speech by CWRU President Eric Kaler.
More information on this year's inductees can be found below. In addition, the Spartan Club is currently accepting nominations for its next induction class. To nominate a worthy candidate, go to https://athletics.case.edu/sports/2023/6/20/hall-of-fame-nominations.aspx.
Maggie R. Dillione, DO | Swimming & Diving | Class of 2014 (Presented by Doug Milliken)
Maggie Dillione graduated from CWRU as the best butterfly swimmer in the program's history. She was a four-time All-American, placing third nationally in the 200-yard butterfly and seventh in the 100-yard butterfly in 2014 and 12th in the 200 Fly and 14th in the 100 Fly in 2013. During her junior and senior years, she won the UAA title in the 200 Fly and finished her career with nine All-UAA honors with a top-three finish in the 100 Fly in each of her four seasons with the team. Dillione set school records in both butterfly events and was a member of a pair of record-setting relays. She was recognized twice as a Scholar All-American and received the Glenn and Peggy Nicholls Female Athlete of the Year Award, Dorothy Hoza Award, and Nancy Gray Female Rookie of the Year Awards at CWRU.
Eric Klawitter | Tennis | Class of 2014 (Presented by CJ Krimbill)
Eric Klawitter capped his career at CWRU in storybook fashion, winning the first NCAA Doubles Championship in program history in his final collegiate match. The national championship capped a historic career for Klawitter who set program records for total wins (140) and singles wins (75). At the conference level, he twice received All-UAA recognition, once for singles play and once for doubles play. In addition to the individual accomplishments, Klawitter helped lead the team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013, win its first-ever postseason match, and reach the quarterfinals for the first time in program history in 2014. He ended his career with a career singles record of 75-41 and a doubles record of 65-26.
Kendra Scherer | Soccer | Class of 2013 (Presented by Adrien Scherer)
Kendra Scherer (née Simmons) led the Spartan offensive attack on the pitch for a pair of seasons, becoming the third All-American in program history during her junior year. In that 2011 campaign, she set a program record with five game-winning goals, added two goals, and contributed four assists. Simmons was recognized with All-UAA First Team and All-America Third Team selections, while also becoming the first Scholar All-American in program history. The CWRU women's soccer team made its postseason debut that season, winning its first-ever tournament game. The prior season, Simmons started every game for the Spartans, leading the team with 17 points and eight goals to earn All-UAA Second Team selection.
Harry Weintraub | Track & Field | Class of 2014 (Presented by Ryan Breon)
Harry Weintraub graduated as arguably the best thrower in Case Western Reserve history, placing in the top six twice at the NCAA Championships. He earned the bronze medal in the hammer throw in 2013 and placed sixth the following year in the same event. At the conference level, Weintraub won the UAA Championship in the hammer throw in each of his four years and claimed the conference title in the weight throw twice. At the 2014 UAA Indoor Championships, he was named the Most Outstanding Field Performer after smashing the conference record in the weight throw. In addition at the time of his induction, he owns the conference championship record in the hammer throw and school records in both the hammer (62.43 meters) and weight throw (18.72 meters). During his senior year, Weintraub received David Hutter Male Athlete of the Year honors at CWRU.
Niro Wimalasena | Soccer | Class of 2012 (Presented by Dan Palmer)
From 2008 to 2011, Niro Wimalasena set a program record with 76 games started for the Case Western Reserve University Men's Soccer team on the Spartan backline. Wimalasena earned All-UAA honors each of the four seasons at CWRU, receiving an honorable mention during his first year, Second Team honors as a sophomore and junior, and First Team honors as a senior. Following the 2011 campaign, he became the first player in program history to be named an All-American, Scholar All-American, and Academic All-American. The Spartans posted 31 shutouts during his time on campus, including a 1-0 win over Rochester in 2011 to clinch the UAA Championship and a 3-0 win over DePauw the following weekend in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Wimalasena, a two-time captain, received the Arthur P. Leary Award as a junior and Philip K. "Nip" Heim Award as a senior.
Lou Stark | Special Category Inductee (Presented by Ann Stark)
Lou Stark retired from Case Western Reserve University in 2023 after being one of the biggest administrative advocates for athletics and student-athletes at CWRU in the history of the University. His presence at games and events made him a familiar face to nearly every student-athlete and his approachable manner allowed him to become an integral figure in the student-athlete experience at the school. Most impactful was his support of additional staffing for the department. Stark captained the effort to add assistant coaches for baseball, softball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, track and field, and wrestling, which has arguably been one of the most important factors in the department's success over the last decade. Stark's efforts and commitment to athletics equitably across the board helped launch the department into its most recent era of success, unprecedented in the University's history. In addition to his University responsibilities, Stark was a member of the NCAA Division III Management Council before arriving at CWRU and both served as and subsequently appointed the department's Faculty Athletic Representative during his decade-long tenure.
Gary Pillar | University Award for Athletic Excellence (Award accepted by Jacquelyn Svitek)
Gary Pillar's work was evident across CWRU, especially through the athletics programs and facilities that his engagement with donors helped support. At CWRU, Pillar's impact was visible in the classroom (he was an adjunct professor at Weatherhead School of Management) and through the facilities his leadership helped inspire. His presence was particularly transformative in the athletics realm, as he championed development, alumni engagement, and community relationships. Pillar's efforts were instrumental in establishing the athletics visiting committee and securing funding for several landmark projects, including the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center, DiSanto Field, Nobby's Ballpark, Mather Park, and the endowment of the James C. Wyant Director of Athletics position. His commitment to athletics was recognized by the Wyant family in June 2022 with the dedication of Pillar Plaza—the courtyard entrance to Nobby's Ballpark—named in his honor. Pillar passed away on December 21, 2024 at the age of 71.