Dr. Daniel Carneval’s influence as the top physician for Gannon University’s athletic programs went beyond his tenure.
His five-decade tenure.
Carneval, who died Dec. 3 at age 97, was a 1985 inductee for the school’s sports hall of fame. That was 17 years after the board-certified orthopedic surgeon initially tended to injured Golden Knights.
Carneval was bestowed that honor less than halfway through what ended up a 36-year span in that role. The Erie native didn’t retire until 2004, which was 10 years before Lisa Goddard McGuirk was hired as Gannon’s athletic director.
McGuirk first learned of Carneval’s presence through the name that adorns the campus’ main athletic center. The Carneval Athletic Pavilion was renamed in his honor in 2001.
Better, though, were the occasions McGuirk personally spoke with Carneval during Gannon events he continued to attend.
“Dr. Carneval had such a tremendous impact on Gannon athletics,” McGuirk said in an email to the Erie Times-News. “He supported our programs throughout the years in a multitude of ways, facilitating a high-level of experience (that was) reflective of our programs’ success academically and athletically.”