May 6, 2005
(SAN DIEGO, CA) - Thomas F. Burke and Petia Yanchulova were inducted into USD's Chet & Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame Thursday evening before approximately 175 family members, friends and supporters. A reception was held in the Jenny Craig Pavilion foyer between 6-7 pm, with dinner and the program following from 7-9 pm. A video for each inductee was shown with numerous guest speakers featured. Ky Snyder, Executive Director of Athletics, introduced and spoke about both Tom and Petia prior to them receiving their Hall of Fame plaques. On hand to help with the presentations were Dr. Mary Lyons, USD President, and Jack and Maureen (Pagni) LeCroix. Jim Stone, local NBC 7/39 sportscaster, was the Master of Ceremony.
Tom Burke led Torero athletics from a Division II college program into the national spotlight of Division I athletics. After nearly 30 years at Alcala Park, the former vice president of student affairs left a legacy that includes the Hahn University Center and the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Petia Yanchulova was a two-time AVCA First Team All-America volleyball player for the Toreros between 1995-99. She led USD to two West Coast Conference championships and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. She has participated in two Olympic Games in beach volleyball for her home country of Bulgaria. Burke and Yanchulova become the 19th and 20th inductees into the Chet & Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame.
Thomas F. Burke
USD Administrator, 1973-2003
Thomas F. Burke served as Vice President for Student Affairs at USD for 28 years. He arrived in 1973 as dean of students, and played a major role in building a strong student affairs division from the ground up. He put his stamp on the university by helping shape the identity it enjoys today on a national level. With athletics under his watch, he guided USD's move up to the NCAA Division I collegiate ranks and membership in the West Coast Conference in 1979. Under his leadership, USD was able to build a successful athletic program while maintaining the academic integrity of the university's educational mission.
He worked closely with the development of the Sports Banquet, USD's single largest fund-raising event for athletics; he was President of the WCC Executive Cabinet from 1983-1994; and he played an important role in seeing a dream become a reality with the opening of the Jenny Craig Pavilion in October, 2000. His legacy also includes the Hahn University Center, expanded on-campus housing, scores of student organizations, and a role in shaping the lives of countless students, all a direct result of his patience, faith and determination.
Petia Yanchulova
Volleyball, 1995-99
Petia Yanchulova, a 1999 graduate, made a huge impact on the USD volleyball program. The 5-11 outside hitter from Sofia, Bulgaria, was a two-time AVCA First Team All-America, a two-time District VIII First Team pick, a two-time WCC Player of the Year and a two-time WCC First Team selection, all for the 1998 and 1999 seasons.
During her four years she guided USD to the WCC Championship twice (1997, 1998), and to the NCAA Tournament each year with the team reaching the 2nd Round three times. She was named WCC Defender of the Year in 1999, a WCC 2nd Team member twice (1996, 1997), and the WCC Freshman of the Year in 1996. A two-time team MVP, she also was named 2nd Team District VIII All-Academic in 1998, and was a two-time WCC All-Academic selection. She is USD's all-time leader in kills (1,892), digs (1,341), and attack attempts (4,295).A professional beach volleyball player, she participated in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in beach volleyball for her home country of Bulgaria.
