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.