Pittsburgh, Pa. – Three former student-athletes, three teams and a builder, each of which have left indelible marks on Duquesne University Athletics, comprise the 2025-26 Merle E. Gilliand Hall of Fame class announced Thursday.
 
Former swimmers Emma Brinton (2017-21) and Abigail Stauffer (2015-19) and former baseball player Donald Ziegler (1954-58) join builders Joe & Kathy Guyaux to be enshrined into the Merle E. Gilliand Duquesne Athletics Hall of Fame, presented by Sherwin-Williams. In addition, Brinton and Stauffer join the 2017-18 and 2018-19 swimming teams that will be honored with enshrinement along with the 2003 Duquesne football team.
 
The honorees will be formally inducted Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, and will be publicly recognized during the men's basketball game against Rhode Island Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
 
A closer look at each of the inductees into the Merle E. Gilliand Duquesne University Athletics Hall of Fame, presented by Sherwin-Williams:
 
EMMA BRINTON | Swimming (2017-21)
Brinton, a native of Landenberg, Pa., is one of the most accomplished swimmers in program history. She concluded her career by establishing four school records and also claiming a total of 14 medals at the Atlantic 10 Championship, also a program standard. In both the 200 and 400 individual medley, Brinton won gold four times, becoming the only swimmer in Duquesne history to finish first at least three times in an event. Her record-setting performances included school marks in the 200 IM (1:58.90), 400 IM (4:13.68), 200 backstroke (4:13.68) and the 800-freestyle relay (7:15.54). She also ranks second all-time at Duquesne in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle. Named the 2018 Atlantic 10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer, Brinton went on to collect multiple all-academic accolades, CSCAA Scholar All-America recognition and a nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year. Across four seasons, Brinton played a pivotal role in sustaining Duquesne's success at the conference level, helping the Dukes to multiple finishes in the top three at the Atlantic 10 Championship, including back-to-back crowns during her underclass years. As a senior, she captured gold in both the 200 and 400 intermediate, added bronze medals in the 400- and 800-free relays and achieved NCAA "B" cut time in the 400 intermediate. Brinton also made program history as the first Duquesne swimmer to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials, qualifying in the 200 IM. From her freshman season, highlighted by two A-10 gold medals and four rookie of the week nods, to her final year, Brinton consistently delivered championship-level performances while setting new standards for the program in the pool and in the classroom.
 
ABIGAIL STAUFFER | Swimming (2015-19)
Stauffer is one of the premier competitors in program history in the breaststroke, as she finished her career as a five-time record holder as well as a consistent scorer at the Atlantic 10 Championship. Her school records included the 100 breaststroke (1:01.98), 200 breaststroke (2:14.40), 100 IM (57.11) and both the 200 and 400 medley relays. She also ranked among the top performers in the Duquesne record book in the individual medley, finishing third in school history in the 200 IM and fifth in the 400 IM. At the conference level, Stauffer, a native of Chambersburg, Pa., earned multiple A-10 medals, highlighted by golf as part of the 200-medley relay in 2018 along with silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the breaststroke events. Stauffer's success extended beyond championship meets, as she was recognized twice as an Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week and earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors on two occasions early in her career. She also combined elite performance with academic excellence, earning CSCAA Scholar All-America honors in both 2017 and 2018 and receiving Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference recognition.
 
DONALD ZIEGLER | Baseball (1954-58)
Ziegler, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., was a student-athlete for the Duquesne baseball program during his undergraduate career and remained a lifelong supporter of Duquesne Athletics. He supported the basketball program and the broader mission of the athletic department, leaving a legacy of loyalty and engagement. In 1978, he was among the first group inducted into Duquesne's Century Club of Distinguished Alumni, reflecting his longstanding commitment to the University and its student-athletes. In 1978, Judge Ziegler was nominated by former President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and served as Chief Judge from 1994 to 2001. Along with being an outstanding judge, Ziegler was a great, kind, considerate and thoughtful mentor and professor to law students and new lawyers. Ziegler will be inducted posthumously, with his wife, Claudia, and son, Scott, accepting the award on his behalf.
 
JOE AND KATHY GUYAUX | Builders
Joe and Kathy Guyaux continue to have a tremendous impact on Duquesne Athletics through their generosity and commitment to student-athlete development. The Guyaux's were instrumental in the renovation of the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse and are responsible for the "Joe and Kathy Guyaux Player Development Center" as well as the "Guyaux Men's and Women's Basketball Locker Rooms." Their contributions have strengthened team culture, improved recruitment and elevated the overall student-athlete experience at Duquesne University. Their leadership and generosity have left a lasting legacy on the Duquesne University athletic department.
 
2003 FOOTBALL
By virtue of a 12-10 win over Northeast Conference (NEC) champion Monmouth in the ECAC Classic, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) champion Duquesne rose to the top of all three national mid-major polls, earning recognition as the consensus 2003 NCAA I-AA Mid-Major National Champions. The 2003 Dukes captured a fifth consecutive MAAC title, led by league honors for Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Niel Loebig, Co-Defensive Player of the Year in defensive lineman Philip Polony and Coach of the Year in Greg Gattuso. It marked the fifth consecutive season a Duquesne player earned MAAC Offensive Player of the Year. In total, a league-high 23 Dukes were named to either the All-MAAC First Team or the All-MAAC Second Team. The Dukes finished a perfect 5-0 in conference play, outscoring opponents, 210-70, and also went 6-0 at home, a mark that remains tied for the most home wins in a season at Rooney Field.
 
2017-18 SWIMMING
The 2017-18 Duquesne swimming and diving team made history by capturing the program's first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship, scoring 567 points, a school record. Entering the meet, the Dukes posted an impressive 9-1 (.900) overall record and continued their dominance by earning 13 total medals and setting nine new program records on the way to the conference title. Duquesne collected four gold, two silver and five bronze medals en route to the A-10 crown. In addition, head coach David Sheets earned his second Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honor, while freshman Emma Brinton was named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer.
 
2018-19 SWIMMING
A year after winning its first Atlantic 10 Championship, Duquesne successfully defended its crown and, in the process, surpassed its program standard for points at the meet with 580.5. Under the leadership of head coach David Sheets, the Dukes earned 11 medals, including five gold, two silver and three bronze, while also scoring points in diving for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Sheets secured his second consecutive and third career Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honor, while Audrey Steen was named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer, marking the second consecutive year a Duquesne freshman earned the award. Duquesne also shattered five school records and set two new Atlantic 10 Championship records en route to its second conference title.
 
FOLLOW THE DUKES
For the latest news and updates on Duquesne Athletics, follow the Dukes on X and Instagram.