LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Sept. 24) – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) is celebrating its 75th anniversary season in the 2025-26 academic year. The league honored 300 of its most prominent contributors through the month of September.

The final 75 honorees are designated "Distinguished Keystones," a group that recognizes individuals that have been historically influential in the PSAC, whether it be staff, coaches or administrators.

California boasts of group of six honorees among the "Distinguished Keystones" recognition on Wednesday morning: Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. (university president, 1992-12); Rick Bertagnolli (softball head coach, 1994-24); Dr. Karen Hjerpe (administrator, 1993-present); John Luckhardt (football head coach, 2002-11); Jess Strom (women's basketball head coach, 2011-present); and Darcie Vincent (women's basketball head coach, 2000-08).

"Every great structure relies on keystones, which are essential elements that hold everything together. The individuals we recognize as our Distinguished Keystones have been just that: the steady hands, bold voices and visionary leaders who helped shape the foundation of our conference," said PSAC Commissioner. "They may or may not have worn a uniform, but their fingerprints are all over our history. Their legacy reminds us that success isn't only measured in points or trophies, but in leadership, dedication and a lifelong commitment to something greater than oneself."

Armenti served as president for 20 years and oversaw the most decorated era of athletics in university history. The Vulcans won a trio of NCAA National Championships, constructed several premier athletic facilities and expanded scholarships for domestic and international students under his leadership. Cal finished No. 2 in the NACDA Director's Cup in 2010 for the only top-five finish in PSAC history.

Bertagnolli led the Vulcans to a 927-389 overall record (.714 winning percentage), highlighted by back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1997 and 1998. He guided Cal to 21 appearances in the NCAA Tournament with six regional championships, including a 'four-peat' from 1996-99. Bertagnolli was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2013.

Hjerpe, one of two active administrators listed as a Distinguished Keystone, has worked in the athletic department at Cal for over three decades. She has served as Athletic Director since 2014 after joining the Vulcans as the head volleyball coach. Since her arrival to athletics, Cal has captured four NCAA Division II National Championships, won the Dixon Trophy twice and underwent numerous capital projects to athletic facilities.

Luckhardt guided the Vulcans to an 88-33 overall record (.727 winning percentage) and closed his coaching career by leading the program to five-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Playoffs from 2007-11, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back regional championships. Luckhardt was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Strom, the only active women's basketball coach featured as a Distinguished Keystone, ranks as the all-time school leader with a 297-99 overall record (.750 winning percentage). She led the program to the 2015 NCAA National Championship and has led the Vulcans to 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament over the last 13 years. Cal has captured the PSAC Championship three times under Strom with the most recent title being in 2023.

Vincent guided the Vulcans to a 212-47 overall record (.819 winning percentage), highlighted by the 2004 NCAA National Championship. She led Cal to seven-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament while capturing a trio of regional championships. Vincent also helped the Vulcans win four PSAC Championships from 2002-06.

The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and was comprised of 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.

The initial group announced was the "Made in the PSAC" List, which celebrated 75 former student-athletes that went on to influential careers. The conference then released the "PSAC's 75 Greatest Female Athletes" List to recognize former female student-athletes that had exceptional athletic careers during or after their participation in the PSAC. Last week, the league announced the "PSAC's 75 Greatest Male Athletes" List to recognize former male student-athletes that had exceptional athletic careers during or after their participation in the PSAC.