Paw Prints E-Newsletter: Volume 71

3/21/2023 10:23:00 AM

From the Desk of the Director of Athletics...

Dear Wildcat Fans,

Greetings and Happy March Madness to you all! We've had a great start to 2023 and I'm happy to take this opportunity to update you on some key items from our division.

Let me start by congratulating coach Jenepher Banker and our women's basketball team on another championship season. It was thrilling to see them win the East Coast Conference tournament title on our home floor once again - the program's third such championship in the last four seasons. These women were determined to climb back atop the mountain this season and they deserve a ton of credit for putting in the work to do so.

Our inaugural women's lacrosse season is underway! Congratulations to coach Dominique Hamman on her first career victory, a 14-10 defeat of Lake Erie in the program's first-ever game. Between the history being made on the lacrosse field, the basketball court and places in between, it's especially worth celebrating during this Women's History Month!

In other news related to our teams...

Although they just missed out on an NCAA tournament bid, congratulations to coach Mike MacDonald and our men's basketball team on yet another 20-win season, including a third straight trip to the ECC tournament finals.
Our women's bowling team has been ranked among the best Division II/III teams in the country, according to the National Tenpin Coaches Association. They compete for a conference championship this weekend.
Our track and field teams wrapped up their indoor season at the ECC championship meet in late February, and the performances were highlighted by distance specialist Kassandra Nolet who earned First Team All-ECC honors in three different events.
Our men's volleyball team continues to impress in its first season as an associate member of the Northeast Conference. As we approach the latter portions of the season, coach Don Gleason has his team sitting at 12-3 overall (6-0 in conference) and they are coming off the program's first-ever win against a nationally-ranked opponent - a 3-2 defeat of #12 Cal State Northridge.
Our men's tennis team has hit their stride with wins in three of their last five matches, including impressive victories over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference members Kutztown and Bloomsburg.

Off the field of competition, we've been hard at work and seen some successes as well, none bigger than our recent Hall of Fame induction - the first since 2014. We were elated to welcome our four inductees - Gerald Beverly, Mackenzie Donahue Lowe, Samantha Engel and Dr. Gabriel Marshall - back to campus where they were honored in front of their families and friends. The induction ceremony was the culmination of a nearly three-year process to relaunch the Hall of Fame. I would like to extend one final thank you to our Hall of Fame Committee for its dedication and good work on this important initiative. It's a tradition that we look forward to continuing in the years to come.

Looking ahead, Daemen Day of Giving is fast approaching and I'd like to call on you to consider making a gift to our division on April 19. Over the last several years, the generosity of our fans and supporters has led to thousands of dollars in donations coming into Daemen Athletics. Every dollar matters. Whether you're donating to a specific sport program or to the Athletics Annual Fund, your donation helps us achieve the goals laid out in our 5-year strategic plan, and it's 100% tax deductible.

As part of our Daemen Day of Giving efforts, we're seeking individuals who would be interested in becoming fundraising ambassadors. Ambassadors can be student-athletes, alumni, family, friends, neighbors - anyone who is willing to help us spread the word by establishing their own fundraising goals and utlizing their own personal networks to help raise money. Money raised by ambassadors directly impacts the sport program or athletic fund of their choice. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email at tmurphy@daemen.edu.

Before I sign off, please allow me to thank our incredible athletic training staff. March is National Athletic Training Month and having gotten my start in college athletics as an athletic trainer, I have a profound appreciation for the services these healthcare professionals provide to student-athletes across the country. Thank you, Jeff Sage, Karen Roehling, Zachary Morris, Kyle Wells and Alicia Loh for all you do for us at Daemen Athletics.

Until next time, Go Wildcats!

Sincerely,