WATERLOO, Ont. - The Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce the inductees for the Waterloo Warriors Hall of Fame Class of 2026. 

This year, six athletes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. They'll be joined by a unique inductee, the 1985-1991 era of Warriors men's volleyball. During this time, the term "Black Plague" as a description of Warriors men's volleyball was coined, which described the program until the mid 90s and is a brand that is still used to this day. The 1985-1991 men's volleyball teams will be inducted into the Members of Distinction category. 

The Class of 2026 will be officially inducted on Friday, September 18. More details will be shared at a later date. 

Athletes 

Amanda Flasch (Carruthers) - Badminton (BA '10, MA '13) 

Amanda Flasch (née Carruthers) was the picture of consistency in her time as a Warrior, being named an OUA all-star in four consecutive years from 2008 to 2011. A team captain, Flasch led the Warriors to an OUA bronze medal in 2013, four OUA silver medals (2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011), and one OUA gold medal in 2010. She was also a member of the IU Council, and a member of the team coaching staff in 2012 and 2013. 

Flasch was among the very first class of Warriors Shield of Excellence winners in 2011. 

Michael Clouthier – Baseball (BA '17) 

Still the Warriors leader in most offensive categories on record, Michael Clouthier is the first Warriors baseball player to be inducted into the Warriors Hall of Fame. He was the OUA Rookie of the Year in 2013, and an OUA first team all-star in three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016. 

Clouthier's 2014 season epitomized "filling the stats sheet." Clouthier hit .415 with 11 extra-base hits and 22 RBIs across 18 regular season games on record. He sported an outstanding 1.150 OPS that season and added nine stolen bases. Clouthier even recorded two wins as a pitcher, filling in for 2.2 innings. 

Mike Malott - Football, Track and Field (BA '26) 

Mike Malott was a force on the gridiron for the Warriors, earning team MVP in 1993 and 1995. An OUA first team all-star three consecutive seasons from 1993 to 1995, he also earned second team All-Canadian honours in 1993, finishing second in the nation with 842 rushing yards. Malott was a dual-sport athlete, competing for the Warriors in Track and Field as well. 

Malott was drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Rough Riders in the 1994 CFL draft, and was inducted into the Warriors football Ring of Honour in 2018. 

Ian McKegney, Men's Hockey (BEng '71) 

Ian McKegney had success on the ice both during and after his time with the Warriors. With the black and gold, he was named a first team OUAA all-star in 1969 and 1970, and again in 1971 when the conference became known as the OUA. In 1970, McKegney was also awarded the Robert E. Rafferty as team MVP. 

After graduating from Waterloo, McKegney went on to play five seasons with the Central Hockey League's Dallas Black Hawks – then the minor league affiliate of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks – and one season with the American Hockey League's Novia Scotia Voyageurs. He was named the Central hockey league's Most Outstanding Defenseman in 1975 and 1976, and was awarded the Tommy Ivan Award as league MVP in 1976. 

During the 1976-1977 season, McKegney was called up and appeared in three NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Devon Rizzo, Women's Golf (BEng '15) 

Devon Rizzo had a career full of triumphs as a Warrior. Rizzo won 11 OUA women's golf tournaments, including the individual title at the 2013 OUA Championship. She was named an OUA all-star in four consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2013, and led her team to two OUA gold medals (2010, 2011) and two OUA silver medals (2012, 2013).  

Internationally, Rizzo represented the Warriors and Canada at the FISU World University games in China in 2011 and in South Korea in 2015, as well as at the World University Golf Championship in Czechia in 2012 and in Switzerland in 2014. 

Rizzo graduated with the record for the lowest score in OUA women's golf history with her round of 70, and was the Canadian University/College Championship individual women's champion in 2012. She was awarded the Warriors Shield of Excellence in 2014. 

Micaala Seth, Squash (BEng '13) 

Micaala Seth is the original reason her last name is now synonymous with Warriors Squash. Seth not only spearheaded the establishment of a women's squash program at Waterloo, she also achieved a level of dominance that few student-athletes have ever matched in any OUA sport. 

Seth was named the OUA MVP in three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013, a feat only one other student-athlete shares. She won the individual women's title at the 2010 Canadian University Squash Championships, and did it again in 2013 without dropping a single game. 

Seth led the Warriors to back-to-back OUA silver medals in 2012 and 2013, restoring the Warriors program into a perennial contender in the OUA. She also represented Canada at the 2010 World University Squash Championship in Australia, where she finished 4th. 

Seth was awarded a Warriors Shield of Excellence in 2014. 

Members of Distinction 

1985-1991 Men's Volleyball 

The 1985 to 1991 era of men's volleyball became known as the "Black Plague" era. The black-clad Warriors not only found success in the OUA, but were nearly unstoppable in non-conference games against the country's top teams from coast to coast, earning them the nickname. Fans wearing Black Plague t-shirts packed into the PAC gym for home games, creating one of the most intimidating atmospheres for visiting teams across all of Canadian university sport.  

On the court during this period, the Warriors won two OUA championships (1986 and 1990) and two CIS bronze medals (1990 and 1991). The 1990 team was particularly dominant, going 32–0 against OUA competition.  

Two players were named U SPORTS All-Canadians during this span — Dave Ambrose in 1986 and Steve Smith in 1990 and 1991 — and the team consistently appeared in the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings.  

The impact of these teams on the campus community and the men's volleyball program as a whole is still felt today, with a strong alumni presence among players and coaches from this era.