Sports

Successful Saxons: Program provides student-athletes a wide range of support

Published

5 months ago

August 6, 2025

The Saxon Success Program was launched last fall with a goal of providing broad-based training to student-athletes, coaches, and athletics department staff. Five core components comprise the program: life skills, leadership, staff professional development, sport psychology/mental training, and academic success.

The program is supported in part by The Fahey Fund, which was established in 1998 by Russ Fahey ’58 and his wife, Patricia, as a way to help first-year football players make the needed adjustments to college life. Russ, who earned a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering and participated in football and track and field at Alfred, served on the university’s Board of Trustees from 2003-08.

“So many kids get to college and the school doesn’t have the necessary discussions with players” on what they need to do to succeed, Russ explained “So they fail. I saw kids leaving and not coming back. I thought, this is crazy. Why isn’t someone helping these kids?”

Russ said he himself struggled initially after arriving on campus as a first-year student in 1954. He recalled Fred Gertz, dean of students at the time, engaging him in a frank discussion about his prospects for continued enrollment at Alfred. “He told me, you have to pay attention, or you won’t be here next year. So, I did. But there were many others who didn’t make it. For me personally, that changed my life. I know the value of having someone to talk to.”

The Fahey Fund “started out as a retention program,” Pat added. “We wanted to design something to help the freshmen football players, teach them skills like time management, how to make up missed classes and tests; how to get along with their roommates; keeping a checkbook—skills that many student-athletes were lacking.”

The initiative eventually expanded to include serving all first-year student-athletes and now, as the Saxon Success Program, provides guidance to all student-athletes enrolled at Alfred.

“There have been success initiatives in the past for student-athletes, but this is far more comprehensive,” said Deb Steward, Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation. “This is process focused. If we execute the process correctly, the success will come. We need our students taking care of business in the classroom; that shows they are committed to the process.”

Under the program’s life skills component, student-athletes participate in 45-minute seminars, called “huddles,” which are offered according to their class year. First-year students’ seminars focus on areas aimed at helping them acclimate to life as a college student-athlete. Sophomores are taught about researching careers and securing internships, networking, and personal empowerment. Juniors’ huddles teach students how to market their athletics careers to potential employers, setting their career plans in motion, and becoming vocal leaders. Seniors’ discussions include securing their financial futures, developing an identity post-athletics, and prioritizing lifelong fitness and health.

Student-athletes are taught leadership skills through the LEAD (Learn, Empower, Achieve, Develop) model. Students leaders from each varsity athletics team—self nominated or chosen by their coaches—engage in a leadership curriculum and summit while applying their leadership skills to their teams and also in a seminar with underclass students.

LEAD athletic workshops are led by Dr. Chrissy Holm Haider, a Minneapolis, MN-based sports psychology consultant. The athletics department partners with the Judson Leadership Center in the LEAD Summit to provide student-athletes leadership training “in a collaborative team setting,” Steward said. “The goal is to help students develop leadership skills through various experiential learning activities, which they will then apply to their teams, in class, and in other settings.”

Steward pointed to the benefits of fostering leadership skills in student-athletes, which benefit them on their teams and in the classroom, and also long-term in their lives after graduation. “Everything in athletics is transferrable to everyday life,” she said. “We want our students to go out as citizens engaged where they live and work, as leaders in their families, their jobs, and their communities.”

Holm Haider leads four one-hour professional staff development sessions focusing on leadership as well as sports psychology/mental training sessions for student-athletes and teams. The latter sessions address topics such as performance anxiety, confidence, and building goals.

The athletics department tracks student-athletes’ performance in the classroom. An academic success committee headed by Erin Schurr, associate athletic director, monitors student-athletes’ compliance with minimum academic standards and ensures that they are utilizing the resources available to them. Dr. Nicole Bernsen, director of the rugby program and head women’s rugby coach, and Adair Milmoe, head field hockey coach, also serve on the committee; both have backgrounds in academic success programs at their previous institutions of higher education.

man and woman on basketball court — Mike Moskowitz, women’s basketball coach, and senior team member Alyssa DiMillo ’25

Mike Moskowitz, seventh-year head women’s basketball coach, said student-athletes have provided the Athletic Department feedback on the Saxon Success Program. “It is ever evolving, and we are constantly looking for ideas to improve their lives as members of their teams, our athletic department, and campus community as a whole. This has certainly led to our student-athletes feeling supported across the board, with opportunities for growth and a stronger connection to the athletic community.”

The impact of the Saxon Success Program from an academic standpoint is evident. There was an increase in overall grade-point averages of all student-athletes as demonstrated by the Fall 2023 GPA of 3.18 for 487 student-athletes to the Fall 2024 GPA of 3.26 for 527 student-athletes. In addition, there has been an increase among students with a GPA 3.50 or higher, with 74 more student-athletes achieving that mark or higher in Fall 2024 as compared to Fall 2023.

“This will increase retention, persistence, and graduation rates,” Steward said. “It is an enrollment driver; a tool coaches can use for recruiting.”

Moskowitz agreed. “When we meet with recruits and their families, this is a big talking point. We often talk about being a program that focuses on developing people and these additional resources offered by our department help us do just that,” he said.

Alyssa DiMillo, a senior member of the women’s basketball team, touted the benefits of the Saxon Succes Program during her time as a student-athlete at Alfred. “I have become more self-aware of my strengths and weaknesses and have learned how to become a better leader for my team, and how to build confidence in myself and others,” said Alyssa, a business administration major from Syracuse.

Steward credited the Faheys for making the Saxon Success Program possible and for their continued support of Alfred University student-athletes. “I can’t emphasize enough the generosity of the Faheys and how it has allowed us to enhance the opportunities for our student-athletes,” she said, adding that the Saxon Success Program also receives support from Saxon Nation, the fundraising organization for the athletics program.

“We’re very happy with how it has grown,” Pat says. “So many people have brought new ideas and have improved it far beyond what I’d ever imagined it would become. This helps these kids not only become good students, but also good employees and good citizens.”

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Tomashek named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech men’s basketball senior Marcus Tomashek has been named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for week six, the league office announced on Monday.

The honor marks the ninth of his career and the first of his senior season.

Tomashek, a standout from Green Bay, Wisconsin, averaged 30.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds to lead the No. 9 nationally-ranked Huskies to win over Florida Tech (64-52) before blitzing the high-flying offense of the Lynn Fighting Knights (105-67) at the Florida Tech Christmas Classic over the weekend to wrap non-conference play with a 11-1 record overall.

In the largest scoring game against a Division II opponent in over 15 years, Tomashek netted a season-high 39 points in the 105-67 win on 14-21 from the field and 11-17 from 3-point land, breaking the school record for single-game 3-point field goals made, surpassing fellow Husky All-Americans Kyle Monroe and Ben Stelzer. He also added four assists that helped the Huskies break the team record for most 3-point field goals made with 23.

Tomashek finished the weekend shooting 54.1 percent from the field (20-37), 50 percent from long range (14-28) and a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.

The Huskies resume GLIAC play next weekend, hosting Grand Valley State Thursday and Davenport on Saturday.

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SCAC Announces 2025 Fall All-Sportsmanship Teams

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SUWANEE, Ga. — The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) today announced its 18th annual fall All-Sportsmanship teams. A total of 63 student-athletes – the most since 2011-12 – were selected to the 2025 squad in the sports of men’s cross country, women’s cross country, football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball.

Since the inaugural All-Sportsmanship teams were honored in the fall of 2008, the SCAC has recognized over 2,500 student-athletes who each, in his or her own way, has displayed the league’s core belief in the value of honorable conduct.

For this year’s selections, each conference head coach was asked to elect one member from his or her team who displayed good sportsmanship throughout the season.

The 2025 SCAC All-Sportsmanship honorees for the fall sports season are listed below:

2025 All-Sportsmanship Men’s Cross Country Team
Centenary College – Zack Wroten, Fy., Benton, Louisiana
Colorado College – Luc Santos, Sr., Exeter, New Hampshire
Concordia University (Texas) – Gerardo Leal, Fy., Dallas, Texas
University of Dallas – Martin Lane, So., Hot Springs, South Dakota
Hendrix College – Davin Barragan, Fy., Hot Springs, Arkansas
LeTourneau University – Austin Jett, Jr., Magnolia, Texas
McMurry University – Roman Perez, Sr., Big Spring, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Daniel Sanderson, Sr., Clarksville, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Sean Dansby, Jr., Pasadena, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Mason McFeeters, Jr., Lake Jackson, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Peyton Bristow, Fy., Round Rock, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Women’s Cross Country
Centenary College – Grayson Shugart, So., McKinney, Texas
Colorado College – Brooktie Frogge, Sr., Nashville, Tennessee
Concordia University (Texas) – Camille McWhorter, Jr., Humble, Texas
University of Dallas – Teresa Chshen, Jr., River Ridge, Louisiana
Hendrix College – Pippy Newell, Fy., Owasso, Oklahoma
LeTourneau University – Alayna Galloway, Sr., Montgomery, Texas
McMurry University – Madison Soultanova, Sr., Jacksonville, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Chloe Weathers, Sr., Clarksville, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Piper Hoeke, So., Boerne, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Alejandra Ramon, Jr., Klein, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Audrey Malbrough, So., Selma, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Football
Austin College – Evan Dennis, Sr., McKinney, Texas
Centenary College – Gideon Bowman, So., Destrehan, Louisiana
Hendrix College – Auvic White, Sr., Munford, Tennessee
Lyon College – Grayson Johnson, Jr., Anniston, Alabama
McMurry University – Kimani Smith, Sr., Austin, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Anthony Ortegon, Jr., Houston, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Men’s Soccer
Austin College – Justin Ajdukovich, Sr., Frisco, Texas
Centenary College – Joshua Mensah, So., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Colorado College – Will Jones, So., Colorado Springs, Colorado
Concordia University (Texas) – Steven Dolan, Jr., Bellevue, Washington
University of Dallas – Josh Longlois, So., Houston, Texas
Hendrix College – Charlie Mata, Sr., Houston, Texas
LeTourneau University – Nate Bransford, Sr., Kijabe, Kenya
McMurry University – Abel Gonzalez, Fy., Dallas, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Hunter Robert, Sr., Montgomery, Texas
Schreiner University – Derek Toney, Fy., San Antonio, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Elijah Flores, Sr., Missouri City, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Preston Huff, Sr., Houston, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Women’s Soccer
Austin College – Lynna Martin, Fy., Paris, Texas
Centenary College – Anna Hobart, Fy., Natchitoches, Louisiana
Concordia University (Texas) – Lilianna Cherry, Jr., Kingwood, Texas
University of Dallas – Kit Gibbons, Sr., Tomball, Texas
Hendrix College – Ella Kelly, Sr., Webster Groves, Missouri
LeTourneau University – Clarissa Martinez, Sr., Richwood, Texas
McMurry University – Alexandria Flores, Jr., San Angelo, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Jayden Vazquez, So., Dardanelle, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Aspen Ulibarri, So., Clovis, New Mexico
University of St. Thomas – Bre Medina, Fy., Pearland, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Alysa Marquez, Jr., Miami, Florida

2025 All-Sportsmanship Volleyball
Austin College – Selah Coleman, Sr., Houston, Texas
Centenary College – Hannah Dimmel, Jr., Navasota, Texas
Colorado College – Meghan Gannon, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio
Concordia University (Texas) – Camryn Parker, Sr., Garland, Texas
University of Dallas – Breana Timms, Fy., Mansfield, Texas
Hendrix College – Lily Meyer, Sr., Omaha, Nebraska
LeTourneau University – Emma Smith, Sr., San Antonio, Texas
McMurry University – Jalie Miller, So., Rockwall, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Claire Zeiler, Fy., Paris, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Emma Frye, Jr., Tigard, Oregon
University of St. Thomas – Madi Baker, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, California
Texas Lutheran University – Ryann Ely, Sr., Montgomery, Texas

To view an archive of past All-Sportsmanship teams, click here.

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RICHARDSON NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-LEAGUE TEAM

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State junior Joslyn Richardson was one of four repeat honorees on the 2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team released by conference officials Monday. A total of seven volleyball athletes league-wide were named to the team that was voted on by the membership’s faculty athletic representatives and sports information directors.

Richardson, a two-time Summit League Scholar of the Championship presented by JLG Architects, collected the second all-academic honor of her career.

Richardson played every match as the Jackrabbits’ libero in 2025 and led the team in digs per set with 3.31. She also set a new program record with 41 ace serves this year.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s ten institutions and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the seven student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team

Name	School	Yr.	Pos.	GPA	Major
Ally Barth	NDSU	Sr.	MB	3.94	Management Communication
Kamryn Farris	South Dakota	Sr.	DS	3.75	Business
Avery Van Hook**	South Dakota	Jr.	S	3.87	Kinesiology & Sport Management
Kali Jurgensmeier**	Omaha	Sr.	OH	3.82	Biology
Amanda Loschen	South Dakota	Jr.	MB	3.86	Medical Biology
Lauren Perugini**	North Dakota	Jr.	OH	4.00	Dietetics
Joslyn Richardson**	SDSU	Jr.	DS	4.00	Construction Management

*Career Academic All-League honors

-GoJacks.com-

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Una Vajagic becomes first Badger Volleyball starter to transfer after national semifinal run | Sports

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MADISON, Wis. — In a surprising move on the volleyball court, Una Vajagic has announced that she is entering the transfer portal. This news is a stunner for Badger fans, as the sophomore ranked second on the team in kills and becomes the first Badger starter to leave since their national semifinal run.

Vajagic was expected to take on a larger role next season with the graduation of Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth. However, head coach Kelly Sheffield is already taking steps to replenish the roster, bringing in Florida’s Jaela Auguste, a Middle Blocker, and Eva Travis, an Outside Hitter from UC-Santa Barbara.

Looking ahead, there is promising news for Wisconsin volleyball. According to PrepDig, Wisconsin boasts the #1 recruiting class in the nation, incoming in 2026. This signals a bright future for the program despite the unexpected departure of Vajagic.

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Tigers Picked Fourth in EIVA Preseason Poll

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the EIVA preseason poll, announced Monday. Mason Rice and Ryan Vena were named EIVA preseason players to watch.

With 26 points, Princeton is fourth in the rankings behind Penn State, which was unanimously selected first, NJIT, and George Mason.

Vena and Rice were named players to watch by the EIVA coaches. Vena, a senior middle blocker, was a First Team All-EIVA honoree in 2025. Rice, a sophomore pin, was named to the Second Team All-EIVA after a breakout freshman season.

In 2025, the Tigers went 15-11 overall and 10-2 in the EIVA, winning the EIVA regular season championship before falling to Penn State in the EIVA tournament finals.

The Tigers will kick off the 2026 season on January 3rd as they take on Toronto Metropolitan on the road in Canada. First serve is set for 8 p.m.

2026 EIVA Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rank

Team (First-place votes)

Points

2025 Record

Penn State (7)

15-16, 8-4

NJIT

14-13, 8-4

George Mason

16-13, 6-6

Princeton

15-11, 10-2

T-5

Charleston

12-17, 5-7

T-5

Harvard

9-15, 5-7

Sacred Heart

6-17, 0-12

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Barth Named to Summit League Volleyball All-Academic Team

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior middle blocker Ally Barth has been named to the Summit League Volleyball All-Academic Team for the first time in her career, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.

Barth boasts a 3.94 GPA in Management Communication and was one of seven players in the Summit League to earn a spot on the Academic All-League Team. The Verona, Wis., native was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for the third time in her career earlier this month.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions, except pitchers who must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s total contests.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s participating members, and voting is conducted by both SIDs and FARs.

The full Summit League release can be viewed here.

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