Blackburn, Fisher, Homan, and Keating: Class of 2020 Athletics Hall of Fame Members

On Saturday, April 2, James Blackburn, B.A. 1975, M.A. 1978, Joseph Fisher, B.A. 1975, Philip Homan, B.S. 1976, and J. Kevin Keating, B.A. 1973, were formally inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in a ceremony that was originally scheduled for 2020.

 About James Blackburn

Blackburn was a two-time All-American as a sophomore in 1973. Competing in the two-mile relay, he helped the Cardinals place third at the AAU Indoor National Championships and fifth at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.

He qualified for the 1974 NCAA Indoor Championships in the 880-yard run; it was the second-fastest qualifying time in the country. In addition, he was a three-time cross country most valuable player (1971-73).

As a junior, competing against more than 600 runners in the prestigious IC4A Cross Country Championships, he placed 15th to earn first-team All-IC4A. He won 12 Mason-Dixon Conference gold medals in track and cross country. In April 1973, he helped set the University outdoor record in the 4x800 meter relay.

In 1974, Blackburn, Joe Fisher, B.A. 1975, Philip Homan, B.S. 1976, and Mark Robinson, Class of 1976, set the school record for the distance medley relay, which stood for more than 40 years.

 About Joseph Fisher

Fisher distinguished himself as both a student-athlete and as head coach of the Catholic University women’s track and field and cross country programs.

The height of his running career came in 1973, when his indoor two-mile relay team twice earned All-American status. He also earned All-American status in 1975 on the mile relay team. In 1974, Fisher, Philip Homan, B.S. 1976, James Blackburn, B.A. 1975, M.A. 1978, and Mark Robinson, Class of 1976, set the school record for the distance medley relay, which stood for more than 40 years.

As a coach, Fisher led the women’s cross country team to two NCAA Division III South/Southeast regional championships in 1982 and 1984. His coaching helped All-American Carolyn Hughes-Brady, B.S.N. 1984, win the 1982 NCAA 800-meter outdoor title to become CatholicU’s only female national champion. Before ending his 41-year coaching career (1978-2019), Fisher led the 2012 women’s cross country team to its first Landmark Conference championship.

Beyond Athletics, Fisher helped to establish and oversee the prestigious Thaddeus F. Aubry Jr. and Leon A. LeBuffe Scholarship Fund, which allows minority students to attend and graduate from Catholic University.

 About Philip Homan

Homan is a record-setter who earned All-American recognition when he, Joe Fisher, B.A. 1975, Clarence Musgrove, B.A. 1977, and Mark Robinson, Class of 1976, placed third in the mile relay at the 1975 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, Calif.

More than 40 years later, four of his relay teams still hold University records: 4x100 meters (42.2, April 1973); 4x200 (1:26.7, April 1974); 4x400 (3:10.6, May 1976); and 4x800 (7:27.8, April 1973).

In 1974, Homan, Joe Fisher, B.A. 1975, James Blackburn, B.A. 1975, M.A. 1978, and Mark Robinson, Class of 1976, set the school record for the distance medley relay, which stood for more than 40 years.

 About Kevin Keating

Keating was a Division I All-American competing in the two-mile relay. In 1973, he and his teammates placed third at the AAU indoor national championships and fifth at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

He was a member of several Mason-Dixon Conference title-winning teams, capturing seven individual 800-meter titles, and also lettered four years in cross country and outdoor track.

He won the Harris Cup, Catholic University’s highest honor for a senior male student-athlete, in recognition of his outstanding service to the University as a scholar, athlete, and gentleman.

About the Athletics Hall of Fame

For more than 100 years, Catholic University has proudly fielded outstanding athletes and teams in a variety of sports. Presented by the University’s Athletics Department and Alumni Association, the Hall of Fame honors in perpetuity the accomplishments of former Cardinal student-athletes and coaches.

Currently, athletes and coaches in the Hall of Fame represent the baseball, basketball, boxing, cross country, diving, field hockey, football, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball programs. To be eligible for induction, men must have graduated from the University at least 15 years ago and women must have graduated at least 10 years ago; coaches must have at least five years of coaching experience at Catholic University.