Karen Fischer Inducted into Ithaca College Hall of Fame
When Karen Fischer returned to Ithaca College for the school’s Homecoming weekend it was more than just a short visit to a place responsible for many of her fondest memories. It was here that the current Jefferson Primary School physical education teacher earned varsity letters in three different sports and etched her name into the record books.
At a festive Friday night dinner, Ms. Fischer joined Ithaca’s immortals as she was enshrined in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for her impact on the sports program. Surrounded by family and friends, it was a night she will always remember.
As an Ithaca senior, Ms. Fischer was named the school’s top female athlete and she has never been forgotten there. The visit to her alma mater included various receptions and even an introduction at midfield during halftime of Ithaca’s Homecoming football game.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen for this athletic award,” Ms. Fischer said. “I also feel very lucky to have had my family and friends join me this memorable weekend.”
A 1989 Huntington High School graduate, Ms. Fischer earned bachelor and master degrees at Ithaca, where she starred on the basketball and soccer teams and also played varsity softball. As a teenager, she played the same three sports for the Blue Devils under coaches Bob Kratske, Ed Parry, John Bifulco and Steve Henry.
Her career at Ithaca is now the stuff of legends and Ms. Fischer’s statistics in many categories are still among the school’s best. “My statistics were the reason for my induction, but I view this honor as a celebration of all the wonderful memories and amazing people that I have come in contact with over my athletic career,” Ms. Fischer said.
At Ithaca, Ms. Fischer earned two varsity soccer letters, playing goalkeeper and midfielder. She helped lead the Bombers to a 34-3-5 mark and two NCAA post-season appearances. In that short time, she recorded 11 shutouts and an astounding .854 save percentage.
Ms. Fischer even managed to get a season of college softball under her belt, contributing as an outfielder to an NCAA playoff performance en route to a 20-11 record. But, it was in basketball that she really built her Hall of Fame reputation.
An amazing four years resulted in statistics that are still breathtaking today, 14 years after Ms. Fischer’s graduation. She played in 100 games, scoring 1,078 points and pulling down 552 rebounds. Often brilliant from three-point range, she knocked down 42 of 167 shots from downtown. Ms. Fischer also average 10 assists per game over her career.
Twice captain of Ithaca’s basketball team, Ms. Fischer won a bevy of awards in the sport, from All-Conference to Conference Co-Player of the Year to Honorable Mention All-American. She also won numerous academic awards and earned the prestigious Medal of Merit from the conference.
Yet, despite stunning college achievements, which have now resulted in her taking a place among Ithaca’s most accomplished athletes and coaches, Ms. Fischer has never forgotten where she came from or where she makes her home and career today.
“I am a Huntington Blue Devil through and through,” Ms. Fischer said. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my mentors in the Huntington School District who were instrumental in my education and athletic development.”
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