PITTSBURGH – Point Park University and the department of athletics will welcome four new members to its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 26 during Homecoming Weekend on the PPU campus.
 
The Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, reception and dinner will be at the Pittsburgh Playhouse & PNC Theatre on Point Park's downtown campus.
 
Tickets for the event will go on sale later this summer. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available by visiting this link.
 
The Class of 2026 features Ashley Iagnemma '19 (softball), Keith Paylo (administrator), Anna Shields '19 (track & field) and Joseph Zyra '74 (baseball).
 
Iagnemma, a standout pitcher for the Pioneers from 2016 to 2019, holds the school record with 507 career strikeouts. The mark shattered Katie Tarr's previous record of 362.
 
In her career, Iagnemma recorded a 2.46 earned-run average with 39 wins, 54 complete games and 12 shutouts. She was a three-time all-conference standout in softball, including a first team selection in 2016 and 2017, and a second team standout in 2019. She also earned KIAC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2016.
 
Paylo currently serves as Point Park's Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs, a role he has held at the University since 2003, spending over 23 years on the school's leadership team.
 
Prior to the recent NCAA transition, Paylo was a direct report for PPU's Director of Athletics and the department of athletics. He has been instrumental in the creation and growth of the Point Park Athletics Golf Outing and Pioneer Golf Classic at Laurel Valley. His many contributions to the University include renovations to the Student Center, launch of Point Perk in 2018 (and rebrand in 2025 to Bison Bites & Brews), and the addition of eSports at the university.
 
He has earned countless honors and recognitions for his work in providing a superior student experience at Point Park University. His role at the university directly impacts 28 areas on campus, including resident life, student activities, co-curricular and cooperative education, study abroad, and formally athletics.
 
Shields re-wrote the Point Park track & field record books during both indoor and outdoor seasons during her collegiate career. In indoor events, she held nine records at the time of her graduation and still holds seven record marks today. She currently tops the PPU indoor record board in the 600 meter, 800 meter, 1000 meter, mile, 3000 meter, 4x400 meter relay and distance medley relay.
 
During outdoor season, Shields held five school records, four of which she still holds today (800 meter, 1500 meter, 5000 meter, 4x800 meter relay). She was the school record holder in the 400 meter from 2019 to 2024.
 
As a member of the track & field and cross country programs, Shields was a 10-time NAIA National Champion.
 
Named to recognize her outstanding accomplishments as a Pioneer, the Anna Shield Student-Athlete of the Year Award is presented annually to the department's top female student-athlete.
 
Zyra starred for the Pioneers from 1970 to 1974 on the diamond. He hit .350 with 13 home runs, 23 doubles and 11 triples. Zyra was a District 18 All-Star three times during his career, while also earning a spot on the Tri-State Coaches All-Star Team for four-straight years.
 
During Zyra's career, Point Park won 83 percent of its games, including winning District 18 Championships in 1973 and 1974. As a senior in 1974, the Pioneers went 19-5 and earned a trip to the NAIA College World Series in St. Joseph, Missouri, finishing 2-2 at the World Series. On the way to the World Series, the Pioneers swept its way through the Area 8 Playoffs with three shutout wins.
 
Zyra graduated in May 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He was a member of the Point Park Dean's List multiple times during his career.