Message from the Director of Athletics

easuring success can take many different forms when it comes to college athletics. For some, winning championships is the ultimate benchmark when determining whether or not it has been a good year. For others, wins and losses are the primary factor when evalu- Mating performance on the field. Perhaps the most important indicator does not even come on the field, court, or water, but rather in the classroom.

It’s my firm belief that Fairfield University athletics excelled in all three of those criteria during the 2011-12 campaign. With three MAAC cham- pionships, a combined winning percentage of .609 for the entire academic year, and nearly 100 student-athletes achieving All-Academic status from their conference, I think the Stags enjoyed one of their best overall seasons in school history.

Perhaps the ultimate tribute to our student-athletes achievements this year comes in the form of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Commissioner’s Cup. Fairfield University won the overall and men’s Commissioner’s Cups while the women placed a close second. The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded annu- ally as a symbol of overall excellence in athletics in the 24 cham- pionship athletic events conducted within the MAAC.

And our alumni, fans, parents, faculty, and staff surely took notice of the success displayed by our student-athletes over the last 12 months. Your pride in our student-athletes certainly showed by the number of red t-shirts, sweatshirts, and painted faces that were on display for many of our home games. Your support is immeas- urable and is certainly appreciated by our student-athletes, coach- es, and administration.

However, there was more than just a surge in game attendance. We found levels of encouragement from so many different groups Head Women’s Basketball Coach Joe Frager, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Sydney Johnson, – from our parents who provided postgame meals for our student- Fairfield University Vice President Mark Reed, Bridgeport SoundTigers President Howard athletes, to our students who attended many spirit events. We also Saffan, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, and Director of Athletics Gene Doris after announcing Fairfield’s partnership with Webster Bank Arena. enjoyed increased participation from our alumni and friends groups, which sponsored events like the career networking night on campus.

We have made a concerted effort through marketing and fan development to provide opportunities for the University and local communities to become more involved in our program. And through clinics, read aloud programs, and community service projects, I believe our student-athletes have shown their support of these communities as well.

I am also grateful for the counsel we receive from our faculty, staff, and administration on a continual basis. The lives of our student-athletes can be hectic and stressful at times, so it is important to have professors who can offer their assistance when needed. Fairfield University is very fortunate to have such an outstanding faculty who can impart their knowledge and experience on our students. Whenever our student-ath- letes are asked, ‘Why Fairfield?’everyone points to the quality education that they receive during the college career. This quality of education is a direct result of the commitment and dedication that our faculty exhibits year in and year out.

And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the guidance we receive from our coaching staff and athletics staff. Our coaches put forth a great deal of time and effort in helping our student-athletes not only reach their potential as athletes, but also as young men and women. I am also grateful to our athletics staff for their level of commitment to our student-athletes.

As you peruse the 2011-12 Athletics Annual Report, I am sure you will relive many wonderful moments from last season. And while many of these moments are a result of the many hours of hard work by our coaches and student-athletes, I know that they, like me, truly understand that those memories would not be possible without your support.

Eugene P. Doris, Director of Athletics

2011-12 Annual Report 1 Commissioner’s Cup

t is one of those things that never get old. Even though it was the third with 51.50 points, followed by Marist (51), Loyola (48), Rider fourth time, the feeling of pride, accomplishment, and exhilaration (44.50), Canisius (43), Saint Peter’s (29), Siena (28.50), and Niagara Iwas still there for the Fairfield University athletic family. (26). The Stags won their fourth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Fairfield finished second in the Women’s Cup with 73 points, just (MAAC) Commissioner’s Cup, which is awarded annually as a symbol two points off Marist’s top point total. Third place went to Iona with of overall excellence in the 24 championships conducted within the 57.50 points, followed by Niagara (49), Canisius (48.50), Loyola (47), conference. The Stags won the overall Commissioner’s Cup and the Siena (40), Rider (30.50), Manhattan (29.50), and Saint Peter’s Men’s Commissioner’s Cup this year. Fairfield athletics won the over- (27.50). all Commissioner’s Cup for the fourth time (1994-95, 1997-98, and The scoring system gives points in all championships that the 2008-09). school fields a varsity team. However, only the scores from the men’s “The Commissioner’s Cup is a benchmark for and women’s basketball participation, plus excellence,”Fairfield University Director of the other top six men’s and other top six Athletics Gene Doris said. “It is only through the women’s championships shall be used to deter- support of our administration as well as the efforts mine an institution’s total points. and dedication of our student-athletes and “For me, winning the Commissioner’s coaching staffs that we are in a position to Cup is a big deal,” Head Men’s and receive this tremendous honor.” Women’s Tennis Coach Ed Paige said. Fairfield University won three MAAC cham- “I immensely enjoy being part of the pionships this season – men’s soccer, men’s Fairfield University athletic family and in tennis, and women’s tennis – while all teams sharing the success of all of our teams. advanced to their respective conference cham- When we won the MAAC championships pionship tournament. As a program, Fairfield this year, it was great to see the coaches University owned a .609 winning percentage with and student-athletes share in our enjoy- 13 teams posting winning overall records. ment and encourage us as we went to the NCAA “Congratulations to the Fairfield University athletic tournament.” department on its success this year and winning the Academy Bus The Stags improved their Commissioner’s Cup total to 14 Commissioner’s Cup that symbolizes excellence across the with this year’s total, securing four overall Cups, three breadth of MAAC sports championships,” Rich Ensor, men’s Cups, and seven women’s Cups. Fairfield is one of Commissioner of the MAAC said. “As a founding mem- four conference schools to win the overall ber of the MAAC, Fairfield’s administrators and Commissioner’s Cup four times, joining coaches understand the effort required by their La Salle University, Marist College, and programs to achieve this level of winning across Loyola University for that distinction. The sports and congratulate their student-athletes Stags have now captured two of the last for this honor.” four overall Commissioner’s Cups. In the overall race, Fairfield scored With the athletic teams losing just 135.50 points to win the Cup, 80 student-athletes to while Marist finished second graduation, the Stags with 126 points. The appear poised to standings also included make another run at Iona (111 points), Loyola the Commissioner’s (95), Canisius (91.50), Cup in 2012-13. And Manhattan (81), Niagara should the program and Rider (75 each), Siena rack up its third Cup in a (68.50), and Saint Peter’s five-year stretch, the (58.50). student-athletes and On the men’s side, coaches will enjoy the Fairfield secured the Cup thrill of another victory, with 62.50 points, nine a feeling that never more than runner-up grows old on Fairfield’s Iona. Manhattan placed campus.

2 2011-12 Annual Report Fairfield University Award Winners

omen’s swimmer Michelle Yoshida and men’s soccer player awarded the Women’s Lacrosse coach’s award in 2011 for her out- Michael O’Keeffe were named the Fairfield University standing leadership and dedication to the program. WFemale and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, to head- The Alumni Association Scholar Athletes of the Year were field hock- line all of the recipients at the 2011-12 Fairfield University Athletics ey player Marit Westenberg and men’s tennis player Erik Kremheller. Awards Banquet at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn. In addition, women’s Westenberg, a senior, led the Stags in scoring with 20 points, which lacrosse player Courtney Chmil and men’s soccer player Jordan Ayris ranked her among the top-ten in America East for points and goals per were named the Fairfield University Freshmen of the Year. game. She finished her athletic career fifth in career scoring with 75 Yoshida, a senior, collected nine individual MAAC championship points, fourth with 31 career goals, and ninth with 13 career assists. titles, three silver medals, and one bronze relay medal over her four- She earned All-America East honors for the second straight season. year career. There are 37 school records on the books at Fairfield The forward was named to the NFHCA National Academic team and University and Yoshida’s name is listed under 21 of those events. She was named field hockey’s representative for America East’s Scholar holds the MAAC Championship record in the 100-yard backstroke and Athlete of the Year award. She graduate with a 3.89 GPA in is a 10-time qualifier for the ECAC championships. She has scored International Studies. Kremheller, a junior, helped the men’s tennis more team points than any other swimmer in each of her four seasons team capture the 2012 MAAC Championship as well as the confer- with the program. This year, she was undefeated in every individual ence’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. He was equally suc- event she swam in dual meets. She also earned MAAC All-Academic cessful in doubles, securing an 18-6 overall record and a perfect 6-0 honors. mark in doubles. For his efforts, he was named All-MAAC First Team in O’Keeffe, a junior goalkeeper, led the men’s soccer team to an doubles. He also collected MAAC All-Academic honors for the second NCAA Tournament berth after helping the Stags finish the 2011 MAAC straight season and owns a 3.55 GPA in Accounting. season with an unblemished 8-0-1 record. He ranked among the There were two recipients of the ECAC Certificate of Appreciation MAAC top-ten statistical leaders with five shutouts, a 1.17 goals in: Dr. Milo Peck and Ivey Speight ’12. Dr. Peck has played an integral against average, and a .756 save percentage. In the MAAC tourna- part in the welfare of our student-athletes for more than 15 years. As ment, this goalkeeper posted two shutouts and gave up one goal over- the University’s Faculty Athletic Representative, he served as the liai- all. During the team’s 13-game unbeaten streak, he surrendered just son between the department of athletics and the University faculty. He nine goals for a 0.69 goals against average with 42 saves for a .808 also was a liaison between the University and the NCAA. Speight, a save percentage. He capped his season by earning the MAAC member of the Class of 2012, was recognized for his dedication to Defensive Player of the Year along with All-MAAC First Team honors. He telling the story of Fairfield University Athletics over the last four years was also a member of the All-Region team. as a member of WVOF and The Mirror. Chmil was a key member of the women’s lacrosse team, placing third on the team with 28 goals, which was the top goal total for any freshman on the team. She was an effective defender, registering a team-high 20 caused turnovers in 17 games. She capped her season with the MAAC Rookie of the Year Award, first team All-MAAC honors, and a spot on the MAAC All-Rookie team. Ayris was not only the top scorer on the men’s soccer team this sea- son, but he was also the top scoring freshman in the MAAC. He fin- ished his rookie campaign with 24 total points, tallying 10 goals and four assists. This forward also led the MAAC in game-winning goals, as he scored the deciding goals in six of the team’s 12 victories. He earned the MAAC Rookie of the Year, All-MAAC, and MAAC All-Rookie honors. He finished the year with a berth to the All-Region second team. Women’s lacrosse senior Kelley Brady was given the William Wallin Award, presented to the student-athlete who best demonstrates the highest levels of sportsmanship, character, and leadership on and off the field. She served as co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) this year and was a driving force behind many of SAAC’s community outreach programs, including the highly successful student-athlete talent show. For her efforts in that project, Kelley received the Campus Hero Award in 2011 and the prestigious Fairfield University Student Achievement Award in 2012. In the classroom, Brady is a three-time MAAC All-Academic recipient. She also was Rev. Jeffrey vonArx with the Athletes of the Year, Michael O’Keeffe and Michelle Yoshida.

2011-12 Annual Report 3 Fall Highlights

Men’s Soccer  Fairfield captured its third MAAC Championship in six seasons and advanced to the NCAA Tournament at the beginning of November after topping Manhattan College in the MAAC Championship final.

 In the NCAA Tournament, the Stags were edged by Brown University, 3-2, who clawed back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Fairfield. The loss ended Fairfield’s 13-game unbeaten streak and gave the team a final overall record of 12-5-1.

 Numerous Stags garnered other postseason honors from the MAAC. Carl Rees collected the MAAC Coach of the Year Award, while Michael O’Keeffe was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and Jordan Ayris was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year. O’Keeffe also earned his third selection to the All-MAAC First Team, while Jonny Raj, Jon Clements, and Ayris secured first team nods. Three other Stags were selected to the All-MAAC Second Team, namely Jack Cleverley, Dan Shaw, and Jack Burridge. Ayris and Hrvoje Glavan were named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team.

 Three Stags were recognized regionally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Jonny Raj earned a spot on the All-North Atlantic First Team while Jordan Ayris received a Second Team berth and Michael O’Keeffe was chosen to the Third Team.

Kelly Boudreau

Women’s Soccer  Senior Kelly Boudreau was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-MAAC, to headline seven Stags that earned All- MAAC accolades. Alli Walsh and Nikki Stanton were also named to the All- MAAC First Team, while Carly Beyar and Lauren Reilly earned All-MAAC Second Team honors. Emma Pichl and Ashley Small were voted to the All-MAAC Rookie Team.

 Junior Lauren Reilly was named to the NSCAA All-Northeast Region Second Team, while senior Kelly Boudreau was named to the Third Team in 2011. The Stags have had a dozen All-Northeast Region honorees in program history.

 Fairfield played in the MAAC Championship for the 18th time in its 20-year varsity history and notched a school-record seven ties to finish the season at 6-6-7. The Stags allowed just 13 goals to its opponents in 2011, setting the program record for fewest goals allowed in a season.

 The Stags finished the year ranked 11th nationally in save percentage, 15th in goals against average, and 26th in shutout percentage. Jack Burridge

4 2011-12 Annual Report Field Hockey  The Stags got off to one of their best starts in program history, opening the year with a 7-2 mark which included a five- game winning streak and victories against the College of the Holy Cross, Sacred Heart University, and Saint Joseph’s University.

 Senior Marit Westenberg was chosen to play in the prestigious National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCHA) Division I Senior Game. Westenberg scored her team’s only goal.

 Westenberg was unanimously selected to the America East All-Academic Team for the third consecutive season. She was just one of three student-athletes voted to Rachel Romansky both the All-Academic squad and the All- America East First Team. Westenberg also received a selection to the Longstreth /NFHCA All-Mideast Second Team. Volleyball  Freshman Felicitas Heinen was named  The Stags returned to the MAAC Championship final after a to the All-America East Second Team and two-year hiatus. Fairfield was edged by three-time defending the America East All-Rookie as well as the champion Niagara University in that match. NFHCA All-Mideast Second Team.  Fairfield recorded its 11th 20-win season in program histo-  Junior goalkeeper Maddy Sposito fin- ry finishing the year at 20-10. ished the season ranked 24th in the coun-  The Stags collected numerous postseason honors in 2011. try save percentage (.694). Throughout Head Coach Alija Pittenger was named the 2011 Anaconda the year, Sposito was ranked in the nation- Sports Coach of the Year, freshman Caitlin Stapleton was al top-25 in goals against average. She named the MAAC Rookie of the Year while sophomore Rachel was ranked as high as tenth in the catego- Romansky was named the MAAC Setter of the Year. Senior ry after posting a 1.27 GAA during the Kendal Dirkin was named First Team All-MAAC while junior month of September.

Brianna Dixion, Romansky, and Stapleton were named to the  In recognition of 10 varsity seasons, All-MAAC Second Team. Stapleton was also named to the Fairfield announced its All-Decade Team: inaugural MAAC All-Rookie Team. Dani Brown ’03, Iza Kotowski ’02, Liz  Senior Haililani Pokipala turned in a 13-dig effort in the Croney ’03, Karen Zanleoni ’02, Alexia Marit Westenberg final home match of her career on November 2 to become the Kennedy ’02, Steph Holland ’02, Lauren 11th Stag in program history to record 1,000 career digs. Pizzi, Becca Odenwaelder ’06, Caitlin Quinn ’07, Emily Janis, Pokipala was the second Stag this season to reach the mile- Carly McCullough ’10, and Lauren Thomas ’04. stone as libero Kara Reis tallied her 1,000th dig at the begin- ning of October.

Cross Country  The men wrapped up their 2011 campaign with a third place finish in the University Race of the IC4A Championship on November 19, for the highest finish ever by a Fairfield team at the event.

 Freshman Jake Ruskan earned All-MAAC honors as he paced the men’s cross country team to a fourth place finish at the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships at Van Cortlandt Park on October 28. Ruskan placed 15th overall with a time of 26:06.1, the fastest-ever by a Stag at Van Cortlandt Park. It is the first time since 1996 that the Stags had a runner earn All-MAAC honors; Ian MacNeill finished fifth at the MAAC Championships that season.

 Freshman Connor Kelley captured the Fr. Victor F. Leeber Invitational to help lead the Stags to their second consecutive team title.

 The men’s and women’s team each won team titles at the Fr. W. Laurence O’Neil Invitational.

 The women’s team placed sixth overall at the 2011 MAAC Championships at Van Cortlandt Park with junior Samantha Goodnow leading the Stags in the 6K with a personal best of 22:55.5. Connor Kelley National Rankings and Postseason Bids

National rankings, NCAA bids, and wins over nationally-ranked opponents highlighted 2011-12 National Notice

ts weight is irrelevant. In fact, the total weight is just a few pounds. But whether it weighs two pounds, 20 pounds, or 200 pounds, a trophy is Iprobably the easiest thing that any team can lift after winning a confer- ence championship. Just ask any of the three Fairfield University athletic teams that cap- tured a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship in 2011- 12. The men’s soccer, the men’s tennis, and the women’s tennis teams each hoisted the trophy in the air following their title run this year, fol- lowed by the extension of the index finger – the universal sign that boasts “We are Number 1.” It’s a post-game celebration of which every team dreams and lists on top of its preseason goals, not only for the exhilara- tion of victory, but also for the NCAA Tournament berth that goes hand-in- hand with a conference title. The men’s soccer team swept through the 2011 MAAC Championship Tournament which was played at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando. The championship was Fairfield’s second in that locale, also capturing the title in 1999. Fairfield started the run with a 1-0 win over Rider in the quarterfinals, followed by a 3-1 decision over Marist College in the semifinals. The championship round pitted the Stags against sixth- seeded Manhattan College, which knocked off second-seeded Iona College earlier in the week. Fairfield won the title behind a three-goal effort from Jack Burridge, who would be named the tournament’s most outstanding player. The win sent the Stags to Providence for a match up with Brown University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Although the Stags came up short by a 3-2 score, the team enjoyed one of its best seasons ever. Head Coach Carl Rees led his team to an unbeaten MAAC record (8-0-1) and a record 13-game unbeaten streak (12-0-1) during the season. Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams advanced to the national tournament after both defeated Marist College at the MAAC Championships. In the men’s bracket, Fairfield knocked off Niagara University by a 4-3 count in the semifinals of the four-team tournament. The win sent the team into the championship match against defending champion Marist. The Stags picked up the title with an identical score of 4-3 against the Red Foxes. Dan Sauter was named the tournament’s per- former after winning both of his singles and doubles matches over the two-day event. The women’s tennis team opened its championship run with a sweep of Saint Peter’s University, not losing a single set in singles or doubles play. With the victory, the Stags drew top-seeded Marist College in the championship match. Again, Fairfield prevailed in nearly the same fash- ion, sweeping all six singles matches and winning one of the three dou- bles matches. Sharissa Ryan garnered the tournament’s most outstand- ing performer award after going unbeaten in the two matches.

6 2011-12 Annual Report Head Tennis Coach Ed Paige

Keeping in step with their common opponent draw at the MAACs, ly-ranked South Florida. And, the team nearly posted another win over both the men’s and women’s tennis teams were paired up with the a ranked team, succumbing late in the game by a 2-0 count to Florida University of Southern California (USC) in the first round of the NCAA State. Those results propelled the Stags to another 30-win season Tournament. The Trojans posted 4-0 victories in both Fairfield match- under Head Coach Julie Brzezinski, the second straight and sixth over- es to advance in the tournament field. The Trojan men’s team went on all 30-win season under Brzezinski. to win the national title, while the women’s team advanced to the Speaking of 30 wins, the women’s lacrosse team extended its reg- national semifinals before losing to eventual champion University of ular-season MAAC winning streak to 30 victories after going unbeaten California-Los Angeles (UCLA). in conference play for the fifth straight season. Head Coach Mike Several other teams advanced to their respective title games as Waldvogel brought the Stags to the brink of an NCAA Tournament well, namely men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, berth in 2012, losing to host Canisius College in the MAAC women’s lacrosse, and volleyball. Although they came up short, their Championship final. Still, the women’s lacrosse team registered a 13- efforts helped Fairfield capture the 2012 MAAC Commissioner’s Cup win season and ranked nationally in winning percentage (12th at which is awarded annually as a symbol of overall excellence in the 24 .765) and in scoring defense (7th at 8.53 goals allowed per game). championships conducted within the conference. The men’s and women’s basketball teams both advanced to post- Making the NCAA Tournament may be the most desired way to season play by earning a berth to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason make a splash on the national scene, but there are other ways to Tournament (CIT) and the Women’s National Invitation Tournament accomplish the goal. The men’s lacrosse team earned its highest (WNIT), respectively. Head Coach Sydney Johnson brought the men’s national ranking during the 2012 season, reaching as high as number team to its third straight 20-win season at 22-15 as well as its third 13 in the polls. And, Head Coach Andy Copelan led the men’s lacrosse consecutive postseason tournament berth. Fairfield reached the CIT team to a school-record 12 wins which included a victory over nation- semifinals with wins over Yale University, Manhattan College, and ally-ranked Denver on Lessing Field. The Stags advanced to the con- Robert Morris University. ference championship game against eventual national champion Under Head Coach Joe Frager, the women’s team rolled through the Loyola University in front of a national audience as the contest was tel- MAAC season en route to a 15-3 conference record and a 24-9 overall evised on ESPNU. slate. At one point, the Stags won 11 of 12 games primarily with their While the softball team did not earn a national ranking, it turned defense which would end up ranked fifth in the nation at 52.0 points heads on the national front with an impressive road win over national- allowed per game. Fairfield’s regular season success would earn it a berth to the WNIT and would yield the first-ever WNIT home game for the women’s program. With all this success, the Fairfield University student-athletes are looking forward to the 2012-13 campaign as many will return next year. Captain’s practices, offseason training workouts, and weight training are all on the dockets of the student-athletes this summer, helping them prepare for the opportunity to earn a national ranking or lift a championship trophy in the upcoming season.

2011-12 Annual Report 7 Winter Highlights

Women’s Basketball  The Stags earned a berth in the Women’s National Invitation Rakim Sanders Tournament (WNIT), the team’s first invitation to that tournament since the 2000 edition. Fairfield hosted Drexel in this year’s event, the first time the program hosted a WNIT game.

 The team advanced to the MAAC championship game as the num- ber two seed after posting a 15-3 record in conference play.

 Fairfield finished fifth in the nation for scoring defense, allowing just 52.0 points per game, including four games in which it allowed less than 40 points in a contest.

 Sophomore Alexys Vazquez set a school single-season record for three-point field goal percentage (42.7 percent). She led the nation in three-point shooting percentage for six weeks before falling out of the rankings because she did not meet the required 2.0 field goals made per game. She finished with 1.9 field goals per game.

 Taryn Johnson earned All-MAAC First Team honors for the second straight season, and also secured a spot on the All-Met Second Team. Furthermore, the forward also received an honorable mention spot on the National All-Jesuit Team.

 Senior Desiree Pina was selected to the All-MAAC Second Team for the second consecutive year. Pina was one of 12 players in MAAC his- tory to record 1,200 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists, 100 steals, and 100 three pointers in a career. Men’s Basketball  Junior Brittany MacFarlane was named the MAAC’s Sixth Player of  The University welcomed Head Coach Sydney Johnson to the the Year, becoming the first Stag in program history to receive the program as he became the 12th head coach in Fairfield basketball award. She appeared in 28 games and averaged 5.4 points, 5.3 history. rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.  The team started the year in August with a trip to Italy, winning  Head Coach Joe Frager tallied his 100th Fairfield victory in the all four games during its tour of Rome, Florence, Lake Como, and MAAC tournament semifinal win over Siena College. Venice.

 Fairfield was a participant in the nationally-televised 2011 Old Spice Classic which also included Arizona State, Dayton, DePaul, Indiana State, Minnesota, Texas Tech, and Wake Forest. Desiree Pina

 The Stags earned a berth to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) and advanced to the semifinals by defeating Yale University, Manhattan College, and Robert Morris University.

 The Stags advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship game after finishing fourth in the regular season standings

 Rakim Sanders received All-District honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) as well as All-MAAC First Team, All-Jesuit, and All-Met honors. He became the first Stag to record 600 points and 300 rebounds in the same season.

 Sanders was one of 64 student-athletes to receive a spot in the Portsmouth Invitation Tournament, an event which places the play- ers in front of NBA scouts and administrators. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Golden State Warriors

 Derek Needham collected All-MAAC second team and All-Met accolades despite missing the final four weeks of the season with an injury. Needham became the second Stag to reach 200 career three-point baskets.

8 2011-12 Annual Report Winter Highlights

Women’s Swimming & Diving Ashlee Steinberger  Freshman Ashlee Steinberger was selected the MAAC Championship most outstanding diver after winning the 3-meter event and placing fourth in the 1-meter competition.

 Senior Michelle Yoshida finished her career with 13 medals from the MAAC championships, including her ninth career win in the 2012 championships. She also registered 21 school records in her four years.

 The women’s team placed sixth in the 2012 MAAC champi- onships, just five points shy of cracking the top five.

 The women’s swimming team earned the College Swimming and Coaches Association of America Team Scholar All-America Award for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters. Fairfield was one of five schools in the country to have both the men’s and women’s teams both earn the honor.

Men’s Swimming & Diving  The Stags finished sixth in the MAAC Championships, up two spots Brian Friedlander from the 2011 meet.

 Freshman Evan Barr won two MAAC Diver of the Week awards dur- ing his inaugural season and placed sixth in the 1-meter at the MAAC championships.

 Senior Brian Friedlander set his third career school record with his sixth-place finish at the MAAC championships. He is also part of four school relay records.

 The men’s swimming team earned the College Swimming and Coaches Association of America Team Scholar All-America Award for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters. Fairfield was one of five schools in the country to have both the men’s and women’s teams both earn the honor.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament  Fairfield University hosted the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship First and Second rounds at Webster Bank Arena. It marked the fourth time that Fairfield hosted this event, also hosting the 2004 first and second round, the 2006 regional, and the 2008 first and second round.

 In 2012, the University of Connecticut, Kansas State, Princeton University, and Prairie View A&M University began their national championship journey at Webster Bank Arena.

 Fairfield hosted more than 200 writers and broadcasters from over 40 media outlets during the two-day tournament.

NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Regional  Fairfield University partnered with Yale University to bring the men’s ice hockey regional to the state of Connecticut for the third time in four years.

 The schools partnered with the city of Bridgeport and Fairfield County Sports Commission for SportsFest, an interactive sports festival located in downtown Bridgeport.

 Union College, Miami (Ohio) University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and Michigan State University comprised the four-team East Regional.

 Fairfieldi hosted more than 40 media outlets including national, regional, and local media.

2011-12 Annual Report 9 Community Service

airfield University student-athletes and niche, providing cancer coaches are integral components and education, screening, and Fcontributors to community outreach, liv- prevention programs at low ing out the Jesuit ideals and giving back to or no cost for the underin- the community that supports them. The ath- sured and uninsured. letics program not only provides student-ath- letes with a variety of opportunities for aca- Student Athlete Advisory demic and social experiences to develop Committee (SAAC) Events strong moral character, sportsmanship, and Fairfield athletic teams, leadership qualities, but also instills a strong through the organization of commitment to community service. In 2011- SAAC, also participated in 12, Fairfield coaches and student-athletes the annual Relay for Life on were involved in numerous community out- campus, helping Fairfield reach projects devoting more than 31,000 University raise more than hours to community service. $22,000 for the American The women’s basketball team stopped by the Wakeman Boy & Girls Club Cancer Society. after- school program to offer girls tips on the game and shared what it means Cancer Awareness and Fundraisers SAAC held an event to be a student-athlete, the hard work it takes to compete in college, and the The field hockey team held their second which brought together challenges they faced growing up. annual Play 4 the Cure event hosting Lock Fairfield student-athletes team also hosted children from The Pilot Haven University in a nonconference game. and Special Olympians for dodge ball and House program of Fairfield for a basketball The team joined field hockey programs across kickball games. The teams were divided up clinic at Walsh Athletic Center. The Pilot Fairfield County, including youth and high between Fairfield and Special Olympics ath- House provides programs and resources for school teams, to help raise awareness and letes. SAAC worked with Dr. Joe Dennin, math families raising children who have develop- raise money to help research and education professor at Fairfield University, as his family mental disabilities. Their mission is to enrich, programs that target the fight against breast volunteered to coordinate the attendance of empower, and embrace families striving to cancer through the Susan G. Komen the special athletes. All of the student-ath- restore balance in children's lives. Foundation and the American Cancer Society. letes involved came away from the event both Fairfield’s female student-athletes partici- The basketball teams each held an aware- with new friends and a new inspiration. pated in the Annual Girl Scouts Day. The local ness event during one of their respective The Second Annual Student-Athlete Talent chapter of the Girl Scouts spent the day with games. On the men’s side, Head Coach Show has quickly become a favorite among the Stags, learning about each women’s sport Sydney Johnson and his staff wore sneakers the Stags allowing them to show off their Fairfield offers and getting to know the stu- with suits during home games over the week- many creative talents while benefitting a wor- dent-athletes. end in support of the Coaches vs. Cancer ini- thy cause. Sponsored by SAAC, the Talent atitve by the National Association of Show raised funds to offset the cost of med- Continuing to Serve the Community Basketball Coaches (NABC). The Fairfield ical treatment for Emily Tredwell, a local child Several student-athletes continued the tradi- women's basketball team held heir sixth from Fairfield. The teams easily reached their tion of participating in community service annual breast cancer event, Play 4Kay, which goal of raising $2,000 towards Tredwell's events to benefit both neighbors and the envi- benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in partner- treatment. ronment. For the Annual Hunger Cleanup ship with the WBCA and the V Foundation. Members of the Stags baseball team event, students joined together to volunteer Fairfield swimming & diving alumni and helped deliver toys to the Cardinal Sheehan for a half-day serve-a-thon at 40 plus local current team members (pictured below) par- Center in Bridgeport as part of the Toys For nonprofit agencies and sites in the Greater ticipated in the 24th Annual SWIM Across the Tots Drive held by SAAC. In all, more than 100 Bridgeport area. Volunteers helped out by Sound. The Stags captured the top three toys were collected and delivered to the doing odd jobs such as painting at a church, spots in the University Challenge and raised Cardinal Sheehan Center for distribution. stocking a food pantry, and doing spring more than $31,000 for the St. Vincent’s cleaning for a nonprofit or at a local beach or Medical Center. The SWIM has a unique Making A Difference in Children’s Lives trails. The men’s basketball Student-athletes also participated in the team visited the annual walkathon to benefit Caroline House. Shriner's Hospital in The children's programs at Caroline House in Springfield, Mass. prior Bridgeport educate and encourage children to its game with Old from immigrant and low-income households. Dominion University at The men's and women's rowing teams don- the MassMutual Center. tated their time to the Norwalk River Rowing The entire team attend- Association boat cleanup while the baseball ed the event and appre- team volunteered their time to assist the ciated the time spent Bridgeport Neighborhood cleanup service fol- with the children. lowing the September storm. The men’s basketball Academics

MAAC ALL-AACADEMIC TEAM AMERICA EAST ACADEMIC HONOR NCAA ACADEMIC PEFORMANCE Fairfield had 86 student-athletes named to the MAAC All-Academic ROLL AWARD Team during the 2011-12 season. To be eligible for the MAAC All- The Fairfield University field hockey team The NCAA Public Recognition Awards are Academic Team, a student-athlete must complete two semesters at had 11 student-athletes represented on presented to those teams that have an their institution and hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 the America East Fall Academic Honor Roll. NCAA Division I Academic Progress Report on a 4.0 scale. Student-athletes must achieve a semester (APR) in the top-10 percent of all squads in Baseball Rowing GPA of 3.0 or higher to earn this recogni- their respective sports. Through its innova- Michael Bennett Floris-Jan Floris tion. tive APR, the NCAA tracks the classroom Brian Murphy Matthew McNeill performance of student-athletes on every Nicholas Piccirillo Brendan Spearing Hilary Burns Division I sports team. By measuring eligi- Brett Shulick Avery Adams Valerie Buurma* bility and retention each semester or quar- Mark Skrapits Molly Graffam Molly Caffrey ter, the APR provides a clear picture of the Tyler Wosleger Lorena Gullotta Hillary Fitts academic culture in each sport. Elizabeth Kavanagh Leah Furey* Basketball Pauline Santos Felicitas Heinen Men’s Cross Country Ryan Olander Amanda Keller Women’s Cross Country Katelyn Linney Soccer Emily Leo Men’s Golf Sarah Paulus Matt Danaher Caitlin O’Donnell* Laura Vetra Michael O'Keeffe Christy Starsinic MISCELLANEOUS Spenser Allaway Marit Westenberg*^ Numerous student-athletes and team *Commissioner’s Honor Roll earned academic recognition from various Cross Country Kelly Boudreau ^America East All-Academic Team Matt Boley Sarah Frassetto coaching organziations. Matt Brunelle Jac Ley AMERICA EAST SCHOLAR ATHLETE Greg Chase Alanna Locast Marit Westenberg earned one of six Individual Brian Cleary Bri Miller America East Scholar Athlete awards for National Field Hockey Coaches Vin Ferrer Lauren Reilly 2011, presented to one student-athlete Association (NFHCA) Division I Steve Flanagan Lexi Simon from each sport that is sponsored by the National Academic Team Kyle Short Nikki Stanton conference. She is the first Fairfield Valerie Buurma Juli Bassett Stephanie Sutherby University field hockey player to earn the Leah Furey Danica Ceballos Jackie Taylor recognition. Felicitas Heinen Emily Davis Allison Walsh Caitlin O’Donnell Kerry Hamilton ECAC LACROSSE LEAGUE Marit Westenberg Kelly Kramer Softball ACADEMIC ALL-CCONFERENCE Nikki Livesey Lauren Liseth The Fairfield University men's lacrosse Intercollegiate Tennis Association Lauren Londregan Alli Wigand team had five members on the ECAC (ITA) Scholar Athletes Hillary Maxson Lacrosse League Academic All-Conference Cameron Amyot Caroline Riley Swimming & Diving Team. To be eligible for the honor, a stu- Erik Kremheller Meghan Sullivan Anthony Caserta dent-athlete must maintain at least a 3.20 Joe Michalisin Kevin Greener grade point average through at least four RJ Mirabile Golf Kyle Rozanitis semesters of work at his institution, be a Dennis Zlobinsky Scott Rainaud Aly Criscuolo significant contributor to his team, and Elly Lemons Samantha Distler have participated in at least 50 percent of USILA Scholar Athlete All-AAmerica Teresa Garrity games played. Charlie Cipriano Women’s Lacrosse Norah Gentile Kelley Brady Emily Kelly Charlie Cipriano National Association of Basketball Casey Gerety Megan Kuzniewski Brendan McTague Coaches (NABC) Honors Court Tara Lynch Suzy Lawlor Greg Perraut Ryan Olander Chloe Mangan Margaret Osmulski Matt Rubertone Samantha Mazzeo Abigail Sanders Sam Snow Old Spice Classic Scholar Baller Melanie Raso Michelle Yoshida Ryan Olander Addie Reilly CAPITAL ONE/COSIDA Rebecca Rostowsky Tennis The 2011-12 Capital One Academic All- Samantha Sherman Erik Kremheller District® teams are selected by the Team Jenna Slowey Bjorn Merinder College Sports Information Directors of Cross Country Caitlin Townsend Joseph Michalisin America (CoSIDA) and recognize the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Olivia Ziegler RJ Mirabile nation's top student-athletes for their com- Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All- Dennis Zlobinsky bined performance on the floor and in the Academic Team classroom. To be eligible for the honor, a Volleyball student-athlete must be a varsity starter or Field Hockey Lauren Balmert key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade National Field Hockey Coaches Kendal Dirkin point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale, and Association National Academic Team Hayley Moyer have reached sophomore athletic and aca- Award Bethany Steiger demic standing at his/her institution. All-DDistrict First Team Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Lauren Balmert (Volleyball) Diving College Swimming Coaches Assoc. of America Team Scholar All America Lauren Balmert Award

2011-12 Annual Report 11 Spring Highlights

Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse  The Stags posted a program-record 12 victories and finished the  The Stags earned 13 victories during the 2012 campaign marking campaign ranked 17th in the Nike/InsideLacrosse Coaches Poll, its a program-record five consecutive years with at least that many highest-final ranking in that poll in program history. Fourth-year head wins. Fairfield went 6-0 in the MAAC to win the regular season crown. coach Andy Copelan posted his 50th win as a Division I head coach when the Stags defeated ECAC foe Bellarmine 9-8 on March 31. That  Katie Keenan was impressive in was the Stags’ ninth win over the first 10 games, which included a goal for the Stags, earning First-Team program-best 7-0 start to the season and the program’s highest-ever All-MAAC accolades, and finishing the national ranking, 13th. year fourth in the nation with a .500 save percentage. She ranked sev-  Brent Adams became the Stags’ first enth with her 8.39 GAA and was 30th USILA All-America selection, being named at 8.06 saves per game. Keenan was to the Third Team following his senior cam- a key cog in the Stags defense rank- paign. He was joined by classmate Charlie ing seventh in the nation as they Cipriano, who received All-America allowed just 8.53 goals per game. Honorable Mention, becoming the only Stag teammates to earn All-America acco-  Courtney Chmil was named the lades in the same season. MAAC Rookie of the Year, giving the Stags three consecutive winners of  Cipriano made his own name, earning his that year end award and five of the second consecutive ECAC Goalkeeper of last seven recipients. The freshman the Year award in 2012, becoming the did a bit of everything for the Stags, Stags first multi-time winner of an ECAC including leading the team with 20 major postseason award. caused turnovers. She finished sec- ond with 38 ground balls and 34  Cipriano and Adams are both continuing draw controls, while netting the third- their careers, having been drafted with best goal total, 28, on the squad. consecutive picks in the 2012 Major Brent Adams League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft in  The Stags captured their fifth con- January. Cirpiano also earned USILA secutive MAAC Regular Season title Scholar All-America accolades for his success in the classroom and in the process extended their conference-record win streak to 30  Michael Roe burst into the Stags season with a 16-for-22 face-off games. The Stags are 30-0 against win effort in the opener to earn the ECAC’s first-ever Specialist of the conference foes during regular sea- Katie Keenan Week award, a prize he would claim three times during the year. He son play with Mike Waldvogel on the finished the campaign with 175 face-off wins, the third most in a sin- coaching staff. gle-season in program history. Roe won 61 percent of his face-offs for the year, fifth-best in Stags history and good for seventh in the NCAA.

Baseball Softball  The Stags won a program-record 27 games during the 2012 cam-  For the second consecutive season the Stags advanced to the paign and in the process went 14-10 in MAAC play to earn a confer- championship game of the MAAC Tournament. Fairfield posted 31 ence tournament berth for the first time in a dozen years. wins on the year, the seventh time in program history it has eclipsed 30 victories, and finished second in the MAAC.  Senior Scott Warwick fanned 57 in 72.2 innings of work for the Stags, post-  Sophomore Kristen Filicia led the Stags with a .314 batting average, ing an impressive 2.40 ERA which was with 58 hits on the year, and as a result was named to the NFCA All- tops in the MAAC. He earned MAAC All- Region Team. The First Team All-MAAC selection led Fairfield with 13 Tournament Team honors and was doubles, a .407 on-base percentage, 24 stolen bases and 103 assists selected to play in the 38th Annual New from her spot at second base. England Intercollegiate Baseball  The Stags had one of the program’s biggest wins when it knocked Association (NEIBA) All-Star Game, giv- off 24th-ranked University of South Florida in Clearwater, Fla. on ing the Stags a representative for the March 16. Rebecca Trott went the distance in the circle, making a pair third consecutive year. of first inning runs stand up as she fanned a pair and held the Bulls hitless over the last four innings. A Second-Team All-MAAC selection,  Senior Larry Cornelia and sophomore Trott fanned 151 batters during the year Ryan Plourde were named to the All- and posted a team-best 2.19 ERA and MAAC Second Team. Cornelia hit .301 won 17 games. in the leadoff spot this season, knock- Scott Warwick ing out 65 hits. He also swiped 25  Senior Alli Wigand and sophomore bases during the campaign, getting caught just four times, to rank Rae Ball shared the team lead with 36 among the nation’s elite in that category. Plourde, an outfielder, fin- RBI apiece. Wigand was named to the ished the 2012 campaign as the Stags leading hitter at .337 and with All-MAAC First Team after starting every six homeruns, while ranking second with 35 RBI. game at third base. She finished the year hitting .307. Ball knocked out a  For the second consecutive season the Stags turned a program- team-best eight homeruns, while also record setting number of double-plays, finishing 2012 with 52, five fanning 98 batters en route to All-MAAC more than last season. Rebecca Trott Second Team accolades.

12 2011-12 Annual Report Spring Highlights

Women’s Tennis Men’s Tennis  For the third time in four seasons the women’s tennis team captured  The Stags upset top-seeded and four-time the MAAC Tournament crown and earned a berth to the NCAA defending MAAC Champion Marist, 4-3, to cap- Tournament. Fairfield defeated Saint Peter’s, 7- ture the program’s fourth conference tournament 0, in the semifinals and then knocked off crown and first since 1997-98. Fairfield dropped Marist, 4-1, in the championship match. The a 4-3 regular season decision at Marist, but in Stags won their third consecutive MAAC regular the tournament final Dan Sauter, the 2012 Most season title, going 7-0, and have now won 22 Outstanding Player, rallied after losing the first consecutive MAAC regular season matches. set, to capture No. 1 singles and give the Stags

 Sophomore Monica Yajima earned her second the tournament trophy. MAAC Player of the Year Award as she put together  Fairfield earned a berth to the NCAA a 17-2 mark at No. 1 singles for the Stags. She Tournament as a result and was rewarded with was named First-Team All-MAAC at that position an opening round meeting with #1 USC. The and partnered with Carolina Koladzyn to earn Stags battled the Trojans, who put two top-35 First-Team All-MAAC at No. 1 doubles. doubles teams and four singles players ranked

 Sophomore Sharissa Ryan won 25 dou- 57th or higher, onto the court for the match, and bles matches during the campaign, includ- fell 4-0. ing both her matches at the MAAC  Sophomore Ian Tesmond won 22 singles Championship, on her way to earning matches and 22 doubles matches during the Monica Yajima Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2011-12 campaign. He was named to the All- event. She earned First-Team All-MAAC MAAC First Team at No. 2 Singles and No. 3 honors at No. 2 Singles, and at No. 2 Doubles Doubles. All three of Fairfield’s doubles pairs Dan Sauter with partner Allison Radde. earned All-MAAC First Team honors while Joe

 The Stags were matched up with #5 USC Michalisin earned First Team honors for his play at No. 3 singles. in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament  Joe Michalisin (.667) and Dan Sauter (.643) graduate as the two in Los Angeles, Calif. Fairfield faced a USC squad that ranked fourth winningest singles players in program history. Michalisin’s 80 singles in the country and had four singles players ranked in the top-90 in the victories is the top number in school history, as is his 92 doubles wins nation and all three doubles teams in top-75. for a total of 172 combined wins. Sauter is second in both categories with 74 and 87 respectively for 161 combined victories.

Men’s and Women’s Golf  The men’s golf team had one of its best MAAC Championship showings in program history, as it battled to a third- place finish. Fairfield played its best golf down the stretch, lowering its best 54-hole score in each of its final three tournaments, culminating with an 896 at the MAAC Championship.

 Richard Dowling gave the Stags an individual crown when he captured the title at the Mount St. Mary’s Spring Invitational, shooting two sub-par rounds at the 54-hole event. The rookie led the Stags with a 75.55 scoring aver- age, which included a score of 218 at the MAAC Championship, good for a fourth place tie.

 The women’s golf team finished as the runner-up at the 2012 MAAC Championship, which included the team’s best round of the season, 320, in the second round.

 Rookie Emma Ritzmann averaged a team-best 82.59 strokes per round during the season. She also owned the Stags top finish of the year, shooting her way to a second-place finish at the Mount St. Mary’s Spring Invitational. Joe Macaluso Men’s and Women’s Rowing  The women’s novice 4 captured a silver medal at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta in May, giv- ing the Stags their third medal in the event in as many seasons. Katherine Pitz, Carmen Fox, Eileen Harris, Anne Baudinet, and coxswain Mikayla Daniels also captured third place in the Grand Final at the Knecht Cup.

 Fairfield won the women’s Varsity 8, Varsity 4, and Novice 8 at the 2012 Spring Mets to win the women’s point championship and finish second to Army in the combined teams points championship.  The men finished third at the 2012 MAAC Championship paced by the silver medal of the men’s novice 8. The women’s varsity four captured gold at the MAAC Championship, with the novice 4 also winning, as the Stags finished fourth overall.

 The men had success at Dad Vails as well, with a historic finish by the freshmen 8. With its third place finish in its semifinal heat, the boat became the Stags first men’s 8 to ever crack the top 16 at the regatta.

 The Stags won 11 events at the Dowling Cup in November to capture the combined team title at the team’s final fall event. The women won seven of eight events to capture their points tro- phy and the men edged MAAC foe Iona for the clean sweep.

2011-12 Annual Report 13 Giving & Corporate Partnerships

“Thank you to the members of our Friends Group and those who have supported us financially through our TEAMStag initiative. Your support is critical to the continued success and growth of Fairfield lacrosse. The Fairfield University Department of Athletics and Office of For us, as coaches, to be able to speak to poten- Advancement have numerous opportunities for friends, parents, alumni, tial student-athletes and their families about the and fans of Fairfield Athletics, to reconnect and support the Stags via passion, dedication and support that our alumni the Lyons-Lademan Athletics Fund. Supporters can give to the General and friends have for this program is an immeasurable benefit. Thanks Varsity Athletics Fund or to a specific team or program. to your help, we now have tangible evidence of that support with our This past spring, Fairfield launched a new leadership giving initiative, new state of the art locker room, which is clearly one of the best in the called TEAMSTAG, with four pilot sports. This annual program allows sup- region. porters to join this membership group and pledge or make a donation To say that this has been an important tool in our recruiting arsenal based on the number of wins and success of the program during the would be a giant understatement. Thank you for your continued sup- season. port.” It is a fun and enjoyable way for members to follow the team and – Head Men’s LacrosseCoach Andy Copelan make a direct and immediate impact each year, setting the standard for on the importance of giving Fairfield Athletics, present and future! Look for more TEAMSTAG groups to be announced during the 2012-13 season. There are numerous Friends programs as well, which seek to grow the athletic fan base through communications, events, mentoring and career networking, and by building a sense of tradition and community. These groups have sponsored numerous networking evenings, where alumni and friends share their own experiences with current student- athletes. These events are enjoyed by all that attend and help build relationships that are beneficial to both current and former Stags. For more information on TEAMSTAG and for other giving opportunities, please contact the Office of Athletics Giving at (203) 254-4004.

Corporate Partnerships

The partnership between Fairfield University and Nelligan Sports This program fosters long-term corporate relationships, furthers Marketing (NSM) continues to grow and foster new sponsorship institutional initiatives, and promotes the brands of the college/uni- opportunities. Through these sponsorships, Fairfield University pro- versity and its corporate partners. vides unique marketing opportunities for businesses and corpora- Fairfield University thanks all of its corporate sponsors who sup- tions at the local, regional and national level. port the Stags throughout the year. NSM provides sales and marketing expertise for sports properties nationwide. NSM is dedicated to building long-term relationships with clients through manage- ment of the properties rep- “We came into Fairfield three years resented and by maximizing ago and we knew that getting in with revenue growth through Fairfield University would be huge, corporate relationships. and so we reached out to the NSM’s experienced sales Department of Athletics and it has executives have a proven been great. I think that the relation- ship that we have established with track record of exceptional the University and Nelligan Sports revenue growth and man- Marketing has really propelled busi- agement of the sports prop- ness for us.” erties represented. – Matt Hurta, Garden Catering NSM has developed, as part of its unique partnership model, a campus-wide marketing pro- gram to maximize revenues for its collegiate institutions and their partners.

14 2011-12 Annual Report Fairfield University Alumni Association Athletics Hall of Fame

ive Stags legends were officially inducted into the Fairfield Pike continues to rank as one of the baseball program’s all-time University Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2011-12 greats, holding school records and ranking among the all-time leaders Finduction class consisted of women’s lacrosse player Colleen in several other offensive categories. Upon his graduation, Pike was Cunningham-Taylor ’01 and baseball players Michael Pike ’96 and the all-time leader in career hits (209), career doubles (58), career RBI Thomas Lopusznick ’00. In addition, men’s rower Chris Duffy ’93 was (138), and career slugging percentage (.567). As of today, he still presented with the inaugural Alumni Association Professional ranks among the top five in several career categories, including dou- Achievement Award while Jim Fitzpatrick ’70, M.A.’72, was given the bles (second), hits (third), home runs (third), RBI (third), runs scored Service to Athletics Award. (third) and slugging percentage (second). He currently holds two sin- Cunningham was one of the program’s top offensive players dur- gle-season school standards - RBI (51 in 1996) and slugging percent- ing her stay at Fairfield University. When she finished her career, she age (.702 in 1996). His success was rewarded with four All-MAAC placed third in career points, fourth in career goals, and third in career South awards, the only Stag to capture All-MAAC honors all four years assists. More than a decade later, Cunningham-Taylor is still ranked in he played. Pike was also named the MAAC South Player of the Year in the top 10 for career goals (eighth with 101), career assists (fifth with 1996. 52), and total points (sixth with 153). As an attack, she is one of three Duffy was recognized by the Alumni Association for his accomplish- Fairfield student-athletes to average four points per game in a season, ments after graduation. Duffy was one of the founding members of the posting 4.2 points per contest in 2001. Her 25 assists that year is the Fairfield University rowing club, which began in the early 1990s. Duffy second-highest single-season total for a Fairfield women’s lacrosse joined the program as a junior and rowed in several regional competi- player, while her 71 points that season places fifth for a single season. tions. He won a bronze medal at Dad Vails as a member of the Stags Cunningham-Taylor was voted the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference novice four, the first-ever medal by a Fairfield entry at that event. He (MAAC) Player of the Year as well as an All-MAAC selection in 2001. Off achieved a great deal of success after graduating from Fairfield the field, she earned three MAAC All-Academic awards. University, rowing with the United State Rowing Team for several years. Lopusznick became one of the top power hitters in school history, He helped the United States finish first at the 1997 and 1998 Henley tying the school record for home runs as a freshman with nine before Royal Regatta as a member of the Men’s Quadruple Sculls. Duffy was surpassing that total with 10 home runs both in his junior and senior also a member of the 2000 Olympic Team and continued to row for his seasons. He finished his career with a school standard 35 home runs, country at the 2001 World Cup Regatta. His international resume a record which still stands today. He also holds the school career includes competition at the International Rowing (FISA) World records for RBI (165), runs scored (142), and slugging percentage Championships from 1997-99. Duffy took first place at the 1997 U.S. (.569). Lopusznick places third all-time at Fairfield with 77 stolen National Championships in quadruple and double sculls. bases, including 33 during the 1999 campaign. He was named the Fitzpatrick is just the fifth person in program history to receive the MAAC South Preseason Player of the Year in 2000 after earning All- Service to Athletics Award. Since taking over the public address MAAC South honors in 1997 and 1999. In 1997, Lopusznick was announcing prior to the 1971-72 season, Fitzpatrick has called practi- voted the MAAC South Rookie of the Year. Lopusznick was also a mem- cally every field goal, free throw, and three-point shot for the men’s ber of Fairfield’s first varsity football team (1996), leading the team in basketball team and introduced more than 600 starting line-ups. receiving with 69 catches for 857 yards as well as in scoring with 56 Fitzpatrick has been a fixture in the University community having points. worked at Fairfield since his graduation.

Fairfield University Alumni Association Athletics Hall of Fame Awards Committee Chairman Kevin Kuryla ’88 with inductees (L-R): Chris Duffy ’93, Jim Fitzpatrick ’70, M.A. ’72, Thomas Lopusznick ’00, Colleen Cunningham-Taylor ’01, and Michael Pike ’96 .

2011-12 Annual Report 15 Coaches of the Year

Julie Brzezinski Carl Rees Softball Men’s Soccer

Julie Brzezinski was voted the MAAC Softball Carl Rees was voted as the MAAC Soccer Coach of the Year for the second consecutive Coach of the Year for the second time in his year by her counterparts within the league, career as he led the Stags to a dozen victories winning the award for the fourth time overall. and an NCAA Tournament berth. Fairfield The 14-year head coach led Fairfield to a 31- struggled early in the season, dropping its first 27 overall record, marking the sixth-time in her four matches, but righted the ship with a 1-0 tenure that the Stags have reached the 30-win win over Yale in New Haven. That began a 13- plateau in a season. Fairfield went 11-5 in MAAC play during the regu- game stretch in which the Stags didn’t lose, including an 8-0-1 run lar season, good for second place, and advanced to the title game of through the MAAC to earn the regular season crown. As the top-seed the MAAC Tournament. Brzezinski finished the 2012 campaign with in the MAAC Championship, Rees led the Stags to three wins in tour- 391 victories in her Fairfield career and now boasts 636 Division I vic- nament play to earn the program’s third NCAA berth in the last six sea- tories and a .557 winning percentage in her 22-year coaching career. sons.

Bill Currier Mike Waldvogel Baseball Women’s Lacrosse

Bill Currier was named the MAAC Baseball Mike Waldvogel collected his second consecu- Coach of the Year in his first season at the tive MAAC Lacrosse Coach of the Year award, helm of the Stags, leading the team to a pro- and his third in four seasons, after leading the gram-best 27 victories. After being picked to Stags to their fifth consecutive MAAC Regular finish seventh in the MAAC Preseason Season crown. The Stags reached 13 wins for Coaches’ Poll, and getting off to a 3-6 start in the fifth time since Waldvogel’s arrival, includ- league play, Currier led the Stags on an 11-4 ing the 2008 campaign during which he stretch run against conference foes to finish third in the MAAC at 14- served as an assistant coach. He now boasts a 56-17 mark as the 10. The finish gave Fairfield its first MAAC Tournament berth in a Stags head coach. Under his tutelage the Stags have never lost a dozen seasons. Currier, a three-time America East Coach of the Year MAAC regular season game (30-0), have advanced to the MAAC honoree, earned his 500th career victory in April as he led the Stags Championship Game in each of his seasons with the team and have to their first-ever doubleheader sweep at Yale. taken home nine major postseason MAAC individual awards.

Alija Pittenger Volleyball

Alija Pittenger was named the MAAC Coach of the Year for the first time in her career with the Stags. During her fourth season at the helm, Pittenger led the Stags to a 20-10 overall record and a return to the MAAC Championship final. The Stags went 16-2 in conference play, which featured a pair of eight- match winning streaks. She also guided the 2012 MAAC Setter of the Year in Rachel Romansky and the 2012 MAAC Rookie of the Year in Caitlin Stapleton. Pittenger has an impressive 58-14 MAAC record and a 72-55 overall record in her first four years at Fairfield.

16 2011-12 Annual Report