Sports

Faculty and Staff Share Their Highlights of the Year

We asked Fordham faculty and staff to reflect on their most memorable, meaningful moments from the past year. Their highlights remind us why our work matters, and why the Fordham community continues to inspire. Forging Friendships That Will Last for Years to Come “Students fuel us and inspire us,” said psychology professor and Associate Dean […]

Published

1 month ago

May 10, 2025

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Forging Friendships That Will Last for Years to Come

“Students fuel us and inspire us,” said psychology professor and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives Rachel Annunziato, Ph.D. This year, one student, Steven Laureano, reminded her of this. Annunziato met him as a first-year when she was tapped to be a summer faculty advisor for this year’s graduating class, and “he stood out quickly as embodying what I love about our students; he was so kind, excited, grateful, and hard-working,” she said. Annunziato focused on creating a schedule that would fit his commute and his work in sales, and “I have watched him soar ever since,” she said.

“He is now a well-known leader in the Commuter Student Association, a superstar psychology major, the recipient of our Davidson Scholarship, and a few weeks ago he called to tell me that he was accepted into Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Work, where his mom is also a student.” They may even graduate from GSS together.
“Students like Stephen are symbolic of the close connections that faculty form here—he’s one of those students that I know I’ll get to be in touch with for so many years to come,” she said. “It’s a gift to be at a place like this where those kinds of relationships are possible. I’ve been at Fordham for almost 15 years and you always get this joy, each and every year.”

Creating a Sense of Home in the Classroom

Leo Guardado, Ph.D., accepting the Humanities award at the Arts and Sciences Faculty Day. Photo: Joseph Buscaro

Theology professor Leo Guardado, Ph.D., began his undergraduate Christian Mystical Texts class one morning in April by asking his students how they felt in this current moment. Students cried, he said; they shared what it’s like to feel unwanted by society. “What I thought would be a brief discussion turned into a class-length holy time and holy space for sharing our vulnerabilities, anxieties, and fears,” said Guardado, who received two Faculty of Arts and Science awards this year, the Humanities award and the James C. McGroddy award, in recognition of his excellence in teaching.

“It became clear to me as I listened to my students that one of the most critical tasks facing us is the communal and ongoing re-creation of a sense of home even amidst the ongoing threats and persecution that is tearing apart communities,” Guardado said. Inviting students to share their stories was a simple gesture, he said, that created a time for healing.

They tabled their discussion on the 16th century Spanish mystic, Teresa of Avila, for the next class, but “the conversation about the reality we are living through made spirituality even more relevant as a source of resistance to violence. We heal together, not alone.”

CCEL in Action in Albany

Each year for the past three years, the Center for Community Engaged Learning [CCEL] has participated in Albany’s annual SOMOS Conference, a statewide gathering of community leaders, elected officials, and changemakers dedicated to promoting justice, public service, and cultural celebration. This year Travis Proulx, vice president of external affairs, joined to participate in a panel discussion on the future of DEI in higher education.

The students who took part in the event made it truly memorable for Keisha Shay, Ph.D., director of academic development and administration in CCEL. They helped design a participatory installation called “Clima,” a handmade tree where visitors could hang their personal pledges and visions for a better climate future.

“Seeing our students engage with communities beyond the Bronx and Manhattan was truly meaningful,” said Shay. “It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when education uplifts and empowers.”

A Defining Moment in Water Polo’s Winning Season

Fordham fans packed the stands at the Sept. 27 game. Photo by Vincent Dusovic

Before the Fordham men’s water polo team finished its greatest season ever, 32-1, and went further than any other Fordham team in the NCAA Championship, they had to defeat a rival they had only beaten once in the program’s history: Princeton.

“They’ve just been our thorn in our side that we’ve never been able to get past,” said Head Coach Brian Bacharach. But their Sept. 27 game—one of the highlights of Bacharach’s year—was different. “It was the first time in five years that we got them to come to our place to play, so we got a home game against them, and the night was just magical. We played amazing and the stands were packed. We never had so many people in our place before, so we had to open up seating down on the pool deck. We brought all the parents down, because there was not any room up in the stands.” After the win, hundreds of alumni were there to celebrate. “They knew how long it’s taken for us to finally get over the top against those guys. That was our first marquee win.”

Music Meets Mission

As Director of Ignatian Mission Initiatives, Rob Parmach, Ph.D., organizes many opportunities to connect Fordham faculty, staff and students to the local communities around Lincoln Center and Rose Hill. Looking back on them all, a visit by the all-male a capella group, The Fordham Ramblers, to a local middle school, was the most memorable.

“This was for me a great example of seeing God in all things—you have 13 college adults who are talented musicians, but also college students who want to mentor and give a good life lesson to these middle school kids who are in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. They teach them not only about how they put music together, identifying that it’s hard work and it requires a lot of patience and collaboration and teamwork, but also to recognize that through their music and through their soft skills, they’re becoming lifelong friends.”

Getting Everyone in the Room—and on the Field

University Secretary Dorothy Marinucci had a hard time picking just one standout moment from the past year. “January’s Mental Health and Crime Symposium was extremely well received, and I was very proud to have worked on it with my colleagues,” she said. She also spearheads the yearlong commencement planning that brings everyone from the Ram Van crew to facilities to public safety to faculty together for meetings.. “It’s a wonderful opportunity where we’re all in the room together and we go over every crazy thing and we all get to see each other. It’s not that often that we can do that.”

The return of Fordham’s Dagger John Day, which Marinucci and Kathy Law, office coordinator and event specialist in the Office of the University Secretary, helped bring back last June after the pandemic put it on hold, was another highlight of the past year. “We wanted to bring it back in a more engaging, fun way, and so we created a cornhole tournament and other games, and we opened up the football field snack bars to serve hamburgers and hot dogs. It was fun.”

This year, the celebration will move indoors to the air-conditioned Rose Hill Gym on Monday, June 2.

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Wilson Named Second Team All-American at NCAA Championships Breaking Program Record

Story Links EUGENE, Ore. – In his first NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Hayward Field, combined events student-athlete Cole Wilson was named a Second Team All-American in the decathlon. The Canadian compiled a program record 7,662 points across the 10 events to finish in 11th place. Wilson became the […]

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8 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

EUGENE, Ore. – In his first NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Hayward Field, combined events student-athlete Cole Wilson was named a Second Team All-American in the decathlon. The Canadian compiled a program record 7,662 points across the 10 events to finish in 11th place.

Wilson became the first High Point combined events athlete to qualify and compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In March, he was the first HPU combined events athlete to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships where he placed 14th overall and earned Second Team All-American honors. Three months later, he made his second NCAA Championship appearance and improved by three placements for 11th overall after entering the competition with the 24th best score.

“Cole competed incredibly well,” Coach Hillary Holmes stated. “He was ranked last heading into this championship, and he moved up 13 places with a personal best score. That is not an easy task. With this being his first time in Eugene, and first Panther decathlete to compete at NCAAs, we are so very proud of how he represented HPU. Looking forward to more fun competitions in the future!”

DATE: June 12, 2025
SITE: Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon
EVENT: 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

On day one, Wilson competed in the first five events and posted solid marks to finish the day in 11th place. He began the week with the 100m dash and recorded a 10.95 time. He moved on to the long jump and jumped 7.01m for 10th in the field. In the shot put, Wilson threw 13.67m. In the high jump, he had one of the best clears in the field with a new personal best 2.01m for sixth place. In the last event of day one, he clocked 50.57 seconds in the 400m.

Moving on to day two for the last five events of the week, he opened on the home straight away with the 100m hurdles and clocked a 15.11 time. In the infield, he had a solid throw in the discus with a 40.96m mark to place 10th in the field. In the pole vault, he cleared three bars after entering at the 4.51m height. He posted a 4.71m height to finish eighth in the field.

“Cole has been working so hard for so long and done such a great job,” Pole Vault Head Coach Scott Houston stated. “On the pole vault side, he’s worked on being consistent and he’s gotten his consistency up. It’s been a dependable event for him so we’re happy to see him keep improving. Coach Holmes has done a phenomenal job with him and they’re a force to be reckoned with, so we’re excited to have him back next year.”

He threw close to his personal best in the javelin with a 52.98m launch for 10th place in the field. Closing out the final event of the decathlon, he clocked a 4:38.58 time in the 1500m.

In the end Wilson compiled a program record 7,662 points in his final meet of the 2025 season.

Along with Wilson on the men’s side, Ricardo Montes de Oca qualified for the NCAA Championships in the pole vault. During the competition on Wednesday afternoon, Montes de Oca experienced an injury and was unable to attempt a jump to register a height.

“Warmups were going well for Ricardo and then he caught a calf cramp at the beginning of the competition,” Houston added. “As a freshman, we’re excited for his future and for his ability to qualify for both the indoor and outdoor NCAA championships. We’ve just got to get him healthy and teach him how to manage the travel and expectations with everything. He’s going to be a big hitter for us in the future and we’re looking forward to his success and that’s going to be something that all the High Point fans should really be looking out for.”

#GoHPU x #DefendTheTeam

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Coey, 4×400 Meter Relay Team Earn Honorable Mention All-America

Story Links EUGENE, Ore. — A historic season for the Montana State women’s track and field program came to a close on Thursday, with multiple All-American honors earned during action at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Hailey Coey placed […]

Published

23 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

EUGENE, Ore. — A historic season for the Montana State women’s track and field program came to a close on Thursday, with multiple All-American honors earned during action at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Hailey Coey placed 20th in the long jump, while the 4×400 meter relay team of Peyton Garrison, Caroline Hawkes, Olivia Lewis, and Giulia Gandolfi placed 21st.

“Today was a great finish to a historic year for our women’s track and field program,” head coach Lyle Weese said. “Having five athletes out there competing at the NCAA Championships is pretty special, and having our first relay ever compete at the NCAA Championships and our first long jumper was also pretty special.”

Coey, a junior from Billings, was representing the Bobcats as the first man or woman to ever compete at the national meet in the long jump, and did so brilliantly to cap one of the best seasons by a women’s field athlete in school history.

All three of Coey’s attempts on Thursday went over 19-02.50, with her best jump coming on her third and last try to measure at 19-08.25.

Coey’s year ends after winning the indoor Big Sky title, setting the Big Sky Conference and school records indoors, and setting the school record outdoors with the second-best outdoor jump in Big Sky history.

The Billings product then placed eighth at the NCAA West Regional to earn a spot in Eugene, and now has a top-20 finish in the nation to back up a special season with an honorable mention All-American nod.

“Hailey has come so far over the last three years and especially this year,” Weese said. “It was fun seeing her compete against the best in the NCAA, and she looked like she belonged out there. It seemed to be maybe the first of a couple more NCAA Championships that she’ll get to compete in.”

In the final event of the night, the women’s 4×400 meter relay team upset three teams to come away finishing 21st in the country with a hard-fought effort.

Peyton Garrison, a junior from New Castle, Colorado, ran the leadoff leg before handing the baton to Caroline Hawkes, a junior from San Clemente, California. Hawkes, a ten-time All-Big Sky honoree, split the fastest lap in 52.11 seconds then handed it off to Olivia Lewis, a freshman from Corvallis, Montana, before Giulia Gandolfi, a junior from Faenza, Italy, ran the anchor leg.

The Cats crossed the line in 3:36.70, taking down Arizona, TCU, and Baylor to finish 21st and earn honorable mention All-American honors.

The squad was the first-ever relay to compete at the national championships.

“With our women’s 4×400, they obviously took a gigantic step forward this year, but you can look into the future and say they could do even more in future years, so that’s also exciting with all of those athletes coming back,” Weese said.

Combined with Coey’s heroics in the long jump this year, the Montana State relay’s presence meant the Bobcats had multiple entries at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on the women’s side for just the fourth time in school history.

During the outdoor season alone, the Montana State women set an astounding nine school records, including two conference records, and tallied more points at the conference championship meet than they have in over 20 years.

UP NEXT

Rob McManus races in the 3,000 meter steeplechase national final on Friday at Hayward Field in Eugene.

‘Steeple U’ has now had a man in the national final in the steeplechase in each of the last five years, one of only three schools to accomplish that (BYU, Eastern Kentucky).

The national final is scheduled for 5:24 p.m. PT/6:24 p.m. MT and will be televised on ESPN2.

#GoCatsGo

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LA County Parks pools — and a couple of lakes, too — just opened for summer – NBC Los Angeles

What to Know The pools overseen by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation are open through Aug. 16 The year-round pools and seasonal pools will observe slightly different schedules Year-round pools are open Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seasonal pools are open […]

Published

35 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

What to Know

The pools overseen by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation are open through Aug. 16
The year-round pools and seasonal pools will observe slightly different schedules
Year-round pools are open Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Seasonal pools are open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Lake swimming at Castaic Lake and Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area will be open on select dates (weekends through June 21, then Wednesday-Sunday through July 2); check the site for more information
Swim lessons, water polo, and a line-up of splashy activities are on the schedule
Every Body Swims is free to all; other activities may have an “affordable” fee; see the LA County Aquatics site for details

A hard but obvious truth? There are fewer days in the summer season than there are droplets in a swimming pool.

Far fewer, in fact, which is why making the most of the season, and all of its splashy diversions, is a must.

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation has long been a partner in helping the people of LA play, and stretch a leg, and learn a fresh skill, and connect with community in all of the big and glad ways.

And when the weather is warm? It is time to make your way to a pool for some cool-down merriment, and, perhaps, some aquatic activities that sharpen our physical skills, our mental acuity, and the cheerful chance to let loose.

The Los Angeles County pools are now open across the region, and a pair of lakes, too, if you’d like to take a dip at Castaic Lake or Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.

Keep in mind that lake-swimming hours and dates are different from the pools, so check on the department’s site to get all of the details before you find your trunks and goggles.

“We are thrilled to welcome the community back to our pools for another exciting season,” said Norma E. García-Gonzalez, Director of LA County Parks.

“Our goal is to make swimming and water activities accessible for every resident, encourage healthy lifestyles, and foster memorable experiences for individuals and families across Los Angeles County.”

Some of the enticing aquatic offerings on the fun-in-the-sun schedule include Water Polo, Lap Swim, and Water Exercise. Registration for the special pool activities can be found at the Los Angeles County page devoted to pools and swimming.

Note that some programs will be available “at an affordable rate” while Every Body Swims is free to everyone.

There are a few pool rules to know, so study up before heading to your favorite park and swimming hole.

Not quite ready for an afternoon swim? Splash Pads are longtime favorites of younger locals, and there are several damp and delightful destinations dotting the county.

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No.20 Seminoles Qualify for NCAA Finals

EUGENE, Ore. – The No.20 Florida State women’s outdoor track and field team began the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday at Hayward Field with three Seminoles advancing individually to finals on Saturday, in addition to the 4×100-meters relay. The 4×100-meter relay team of Lucy May Sleeman, Shenese Walker, Liana Tyson and […]

Published

47 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

EUGENE, Ore. – The No.20 Florida State women’s outdoor track and field team began the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday at Hayward Field with three Seminoles advancing individually to finals on Saturday, in addition to the 4×100-meters relay.

The 4×100-meter relay team of Lucy May Sleeman, Shenese Walker, Liana Tyson and Joella Lloyd clocked the first automatic qualifying time for the Noles, placing fourth at 42.93.

In her second race of the day Walker advanced in the 100, finishing eighth at 11.06.

Kaelyaah Liburd earned a spot in the 400 final with the ninth fastest overall time at 51.35, becoming the first person since Kala Funderburk in 2015 to qualify for the event.

Tyra Wilson advanced to her first career final in the 400 hurdles, placing eighth overall at 56.39. The Columbia, Missouri native becomes the first runner since Sage Watson in 2015 to compete in the final round of the event.

Brooke Mullins concluded her collegiate career in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, placing 17th overall with a personal best and fifth-fastest time in FSU history at 9:56.80.

The women’s 4×100 relay of Alyia Green, Wilson, Liburd and Takiyah Ferguson closed the day in 10th with sixth-fastest time in FSU history at 3:30.14.

Kyvon Tatham will begin the men’s triple jump final starting at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday. Expanded coverage throughout the meet can also be found on the ESPN family of networks and can be accessed at Seminoles.com. Live Results will be available here.

NOLE SUMMARY:

-Women’s 4×100-meter relay (Semifinal):

*Lucy May Sleeman, Shenese Walker, Liana Tyson, Joella Lloyd | 16th | 42.93

-Women’s 100-meters (Semifinal)

*Shenese Walker | 8th | 11.06

Joella Lloyd | 24th | 11.43

Women’s 400-meters (Semifinal)

*Kaelyaah Liburd | 9th | 51.35

-Women’s 400-meter hurdles (Semifinal)

*Tyra Wilson | 8th | 56.39

-Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase

Brooke Mullins | 9th | 9:56.80

-Women’s 4×400-meter relay (Semifinal):

Alyia Green, Tyra Wilson, Kaelyaah Liburd, Takiyah Ferguson | 10th | 3:30.14

*Advancing to finals

FLORIDA STATE NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JUNE 13- Men’s final

8:10 p.m.-   Triple jump-Kyvon Tatham

SATURDAY, JUNE 14- Women’s finals

9:02 p.m.    4x100m relay

9:10 p.m.    Triple jump-Kayla Pinkard

10:02 p.m.  100m –Shenese Walker

10:14 p.m.  400m – Kaelyaah Liburd

10:21 p.m.   4x400m relay

10:27 p.m.  400m hurdles – Tyra Wilson

For more information on Florida State track and field, follow Twitter (X) @FSU_Track and Instagram @FSU_Track.

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Long Beach State Men’s Water Polo Players Will Compete For Five Different Nations At The World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championships

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State will be represented by five players at the World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championship, held in Zagreb, Croatia, at the legendary pool of SP Mladost from June 14 to June 21. Artur Diaz is set to represent the Brazilian National Team during the tournament, while Ash Keshvara […]

Published

53 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State will be represented by five players at the World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championship, held in Zagreb, Croatia, at the legendary pool of SP Mladost from June 14 to June 21.

Artur Diaz is set to represent the Brazilian National Team during the tournament, while Ash Keshvara will play for the New Zealand team. Harper Stewart will play for Australia, and Corbin Stanley will once again represent Team USA.

Incoming freshman Zalán Nagy will represent Hungary before arriving at the Beach. Nagy was part of the U18 World Championship-winning team last summer in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Stanley and Nagy will face each other in the group stage, as both the United States and Hungary are set to compete in Group A alongside Montenegro and Croatia.

Diaz and Brazil are in Group C with Germany and South Africa, while Keshvara and New Zealand are in Group D with Kazakhstan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Stewart will compete in Group E, as Australia takes on the South American teams of Colombia and Argentina.

Action begins on June 14 for all five players. The tournament runs through June 21, and additional information can be found at https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/4888/world-aquatics-u20-men-s-water-polo-championships.

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Evelyn Bliss Repeats as All-American in Javelin

Eugene, Ore.- Bucknell sophomore Evelyn Bliss earned Second Team All-America honors in the javelin for the second consecutive season on Thursday night. Bliss finished 12th, joining fellow javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini as the second two-time All-American in Bucknell women’s track & field history. Her finish improved one slot on her placement at the 2024 National Championships. […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Eugene, Ore.- Bucknell sophomore Evelyn Bliss earned Second Team All-America honors in the javelin for the second consecutive season on Thursday night. Bliss finished 12^th, joining fellow javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini as the second two-time All-American in Bucknell women’s track & field history. Her finish improved one slot on her placement at the 2024 National Championships. Her accomplishment marks the seventh All-America laurel in Bucknell women’s track & field history.

“It was not exactly what she was hoping for but she still hit over 180 feet which has consistently been a top eight throw every year until today,” said Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner. “It is still a one spot improvement from last year and she is still a Second Team All-American. We are all very proud of Evie’s sophomore season and she still has the World University Games in Germany and the USATF Championships back in Eugene in the next 4-6 weeks.”

Results

“Today was a very competitive day,” said Bliss. “I unfortunately didn’t put it together like I have before, but the javelin is always a learning experience and I’ll come back better prepared.”

Bliss threw first in the second flight of 12. Her first toss went 46.46m (152-5), placing her 11^th. The top seeds, including Bliss at four, filled the flight and their resulting throws dropped Bliss to 19^th by the time her second chance arrived.

The Bucknell star answered the challenge, uncorking a strong 54.19m (177-9) throw. The mark immediately rocketed into sixth place, putting her in position for the finals, of which only the top nine advanced. Unfortunately, Bliss’ compatriots on the second flight proved adept at their business and five better throws returned her to 11^th.

Bliss, as she often does, delivered her best throw in the final attempt. Her third heave flashed against the effervescent Oregon sky and settled into the soil at 55.09m (180-9). The throw was impressive but did not shake her from her 11th-place standing. She remained 11^th until Missouri’s Valentina Barrios Bornacelli’s attempt placed the Tiger at fourth, moving everyone below down a spot.

“I think we’re both proud and upset at the same time,” said throws coach Ryan Protzman. “There’s probably never a year that her throw doesn’t make the final. It was her fourth best throw ever and she made adjustments and improved each throw. She can be upset but she has a lot to be proud of. Those ladies in the top nine did amazing. We are going to learn from these results and be ready to attack the same goal of chasing a national title. So proud of Evie for her body of work the last two years. She has already accomplished so much and the sky is the limit for this hard-working young lady!”

Fiamoncini was a three-time All-American, earning 13^th (2018), 9^th (2019), and 3^rd (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic dashed her opportunity for a four-peat. Bliss will have the chance in 2026 to equalize her feat and in 2027 to surpass it.

Bornacelli performed admirably in both of her final attempts. She won the national championship, achieving a personal record of 62m (203-5) in the last round of the finals. Georgia’s Manuela Rotundo placed second with a throw of 60.35m (198-0), while TCU’s Irene Jepkemboi secured bronze with a toss of 60.31m (197-10).

Bliss’ summer will continue with her participation in the FISU World Championships (July 21-27) and the USATF National Championships (July 31-August 3).

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