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GYMNASTICS: Eagle Gymnasts excel at Spring Fling Championship | Sports

ELMIRA — While a trio of gymnasts from Eagle Gymnastics competed recently in the Region 6 Championships in Massachusetts, several other gymnasts had business to attend to in Elmira. In the 2025 Elmira Spring Fling, the XCEL Gold team placed second in their Team competition, the Level 3s placed third in their Team competition and […]

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ELMIRA — While a trio of gymnasts from Eagle Gymnastics competed recently in the Region 6 Championships in Massachusetts, several other gymnasts had business to attend to in Elmira.

In the 2025 Elmira Spring Fling, the XCEL Gold team placed second in their Team competition, the Level 3s placed third in their Team competition and the XCEL Bronze placed third in their competition.

Here are the individual results:

XCEL Bronze Junior B age group

Mia Della Penna, Canandaigua — 1st place in All Around (38.05), Beam (9.85) and Floor (9.575), 3rd place in Vault (9.375), 6th place in Bars (9.25).

Senior A age group

Kova Kuhner, Naples — 1st place in Vault (9.6), 8th place in Bars (9.05), Beam (9.25), and All Around (37.0).

Bella Shepard, Canandaigua — 2nd place in Vault (9.5), 5th place in All Around (37.225), and Floor (9.4), 6th place in Beam (9.525).

Xcel Gold Junior Age group

Samantha McCandless, Pittsford — 2nd place in Beam (9.575), 3rd place All Around (37.125) and Bars (9.45), 5th place in Floor (9.4).

Kelsie Ledgerwood, Rushville — 9th place in Floor (9.175).

Molly Yaekel, Canandaigua — 1st place All Around (38.3), in Vault (9.525), Bars (9.725) and Beam (9.725), 9th place in Floor (9.325).

Senior age group

Darylynn Mungkhalodom, Farmington — 3rd place in Beam (9.45) and 8th place in Bars (9.325).

Evelyn Dillon, Lakemont — 8th place in Beam (9.325).

Xcel Diamond Senior age group

Josie Lamb, Farmington — 3rd place in Bars (9.375) and Beam (9.65).

Level 3 Junior A age group

Olivia Seeley, Bloomfield — 1st place All Around (38.1), 2nd place in Vault (9.6), 3rd place in Beam (9.5), 4th place in Bars (9.6) and Floor (9.4).

Addison Porter, Palmyra — All Around score of 31.975.

Junior B age group

Leah Murphy, Canandaigua — 8th place in Bars (8.85).

Senior A age group

Eden Foster, Canandaigua — All Around score of 34.4.

Amelia Mullard, Clifton Springs — 1st place All Around (38.25) and Beam (9.525), 2nd place in Bars (9.625), 3rd place in Vault (9.55) and Floor (9.55).

Senior B age group

Ava Woodford, Stanley — 1st place in Beam (9.725), 3rd place All Around (37.45) and Floor (9.575) and 6th place in Bars (9.2).

Addyson Briggs, Clifton Springs — 6th place in Beam (9.35), 7th place All Around (36.45) and in Vault (9.05).

Darcy Tyrrell, Canandaigua — 2nd place in Vault (9.525), 7th place in Bars (9.2), 8th place All Around (36.2).

Level 4 Junior A age group

Jordyn Leisenring, Waterloo — 3rd place in Beam (9.7) and 8th place in Bars (9.3).

Junior B age group

Elizabeth Braungart, Bloomfield — 2nd place All Around (37.575), 3rd place in Beam (9.55), 4th place in Bars (9.5), 5th place in Vault (9.15), 6th place in Floor (9.375).

Nola Turnbull, Hall — 3rd place in Floor (9.5), 6th place in Bars (9.45), 7th place All Around (36.8) and in Vault (8.85).



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Nilson Named Head Coach of Illinois Women’s Gymnastics

Story Links CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced on Tuesday the hiring of Josh Nilson as head women’s gymnastics coach. Nilson has agreed to a five-year contract, pending approval by the UI Board of Trustees at its July meeting. Nilson takes over the reins after serving as Illini associate head coach the […]

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced on Tuesday the hiring of Josh Nilson as head women’s gymnastics coach. Nilson has agreed to a five-year contract, pending approval by the UI Board of Trustees at its July meeting.

Nilson takes over the reins after serving as Illini associate head coach the past two seasons, helping lead the program to back-to-back NCAA Regional Round 2 appearances while having four gymnasts compile All-Big Ten honors. 

“For the last two years, Josh Nilson has been a highly influential presence in our gym, and he received an outpouring of support throughout this process from team members, recruits, and others across the national gymnastics community,” Whitman said. “From our first conversation, Josh’s enthusiasm for our program and bold vision for its future were immediately apparent. I want to thank Josh, his wife, Amanda, and their family for trusting us and believing in the University of Illinois.”

“First and foremost, I want to thank Athletics Director Josh Whitman, Chief Sports Officer and Senior Woman Administrator Sara Burton, and Senior Associate Athletics Director Cassie Arner for their trust in me and belief in my vision for this program,” Nilson said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Fighting Illini Women’s Gymnastics team.

“My family and I have fallen in love with this community, and we proudly bleed orange and blue. This program has all the tools to become a national contender and dominant force in the Big Ten. I consider this both a tremendous responsibility and a true honor. I’m energized, motivated, and ready to get to work.”

Nilson arrived in Champaign in May 2023 after serving five years as head women’s gymnastics coach at Temple University. While at Temple, Nilson led the Owls to three straight conference titles – the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championship in 2019 and 2020 and the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) championship in 2021. The lone coach in Temple history to win a conference title in women’s gymnastics, Nilson was named ECAC coach of the year in both 2019 and 2020.

On the heels of its third consecutive league title, and first as a member of the EAGL, Temple qualified for NCAA Regionals in 2021 for the first time in 29 years, achieving its highest ranking in program history at No. 30. For his efforts, Nilson was named 2021 Northeast Region Coach of the Year by the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association. 

Prior to his first head coaching stint at Temple, Nilson spent the 2017-18 season as assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy, helping guide the Falcons to their highest USA Gymnastics Collegiate National finish in seven years. That followed a 2016-17 season at Penn State, where Nilson began as assistant coach before serving as co-interim head coach in the final months of the season. 

He returned to his alma mater in 2013 to begin a three-year term as assistant coach at Utah State. During that time, the Aggies made three consecutive NCAA Regional appearances, and Nilson was recognized as the two-time North Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015.

Nilson spent two seasons from 2011-13 as an assistant coach at Texas Woman’s University, where he was named the 2012 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Assistant of the Year and Midwest Independent Conference Assistant Coach of the Year.

During his time as an undergraduate at Utah State, Nilson was a student coach for women’s gymnastics from 2005-08. He then spent three years as the second assistant coach before heading to Texas.

A native of Cache Valley, Utah, Nilson graduated from Utah State in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in law and constitutional studies with a minor in family finance. He and his wife, Amanda, have five sons: Tristan, Ezekiel, Remington, Liam, and Asher.



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Soffer Named ITA Northeast Region Senior Player of the Year

Story Links BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College senior Olivia Soffer (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) added her awards haul on Monday when she was selected as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III Northeast Region Senior Player of the Year.  The most accomplished player in program history, Soffer is 26-4 on the year in singles […]

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BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College senior Olivia Soffer (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) added her awards haul on Monday when she was selected as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III Northeast Region Senior Player of the Year. 

The most accomplished player in program history, Soffer is 26-4 on the year in singles play and boasts a 25-2 record in doubles. She has won 16 consecutive matches in both singles and doubles and earned her fourth consecutive New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Player of the Year honor earlier this month. 

A three-time ITA All-American in singles and two-time All-America selection in doubles, Soffer is the Beavers’ all-time leader in singles (98), doubles (93) and combined victories (191). She also holds the program’s single-season record for singles wins with 31 back in 2022-23 and paired with junior Matia Cristiani (San Salvador, El Salvador) to go 32-2 on the way to capturing an NCAA national championship in doubles last May. 

Soffer became Babson’s first NCAA Singles Championship qualifier and All-America selection as a rookie during 2021-22 before putting together a historic 2022-23 campaign. She captured the program’s first ITA New England Championships singles crown and advanced to the ITA Cup where she reached the semifinals in singles and finished as the runner-up in doubles alongside Cristiani. 

That spring, Soffer helped lead the Beavers to their first NCAA Tournament regional final before finishing as the runner-up in both the singles and doubles brackets at the individual championships. 

Soffer made more history last season by pairing with Cristiani to earn the program’s first doubles title at the 2023 ITA New England Championships in the fall, which was followed by the duo capturing Babson’s first women’s national championship last May with a three-set victory over Nikolina Batoshvili and Alisha Chulani of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the NCAA doubles final. 

Soffer, who is currently third in the ITA Division III singles ranking and third alongside Cristiani in doubles, is set to compete in both the NCAA singles and doubles championships beginning Saturday in Claremont, Calif.



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Middlebury Recognizes 12 Panthers At Senior Athletic Award Ceremony

Nine of the 12 recipients were present to accept their awards. Story Links The Middlebury Athletics Department recognized 12 Panthers during the annual Senior Athletic Department Awards ceremony on Tuesday afternoon in Dana Auditorium. Middlebury College Interim President Stephen B. Snyder, Director of Athletics Erin Quinn ’86 and Assistant Athletic Director Katharine […]

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Nine of the 12 recipients were present to accept their awards.

The Middlebury Athletics Department recognized 12 Panthers during the annual Senior Athletic Department Awards ceremony on Tuesday afternoon in Dana Auditorium. Middlebury College Interim President Stephen B. Snyder, Director of Athletics Erin Quinn ’86 and Assistant Athletic Director Katharine DeLorenzo gave remarks at the event. Leah Poorman of the women’s basketball team and Marco Motroni of the football and men’s track and field teams were chosen as the student speakers.

The following were the 2025 award winners:

A. Bayard Russ ’66 Memorial Athletic Award

  • Cece Ziegler (Women’s Ice Hockey, Softball)

    • A two-sport athlete, Ziegler excelled in women’s ice hockey and softball throughout her time at Middlebury.
    • She was a part of the 2022 NCAA Championship team in women’s ice hockey and was a member of two NESCAC Championship teams and four NCAA Tournament squads. 
    • Ziegler earned All-NESCAC Second Team honors and was tabbed a New England Hockey Writers Association (NEHWA) All-Star this winter.  
    • In the classroom, she was a seven-time All-NESCAC Academic and both a two-time Krampade/AHCA All-American Scholar and Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete.

  • Dave Filias (Football, Men’s Track & Field)

    • Filias is a four-year member of the football and men’s track and field teams.
    • On the gridiron, Filias was a two-time All-NESCAC and D3football.com All-Region honoree. He was lauded as the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week three times during his career.
    • Filias was a member of the 2023 squad that claimed the NESCAC Championship.
    • During the spring, the Panther is a three-time NESCAC Champion and a three-time Division III New England Champion in the hammer throw. The school-record holder in the discipline, he has claimed a trio of spots in the NCAA Outdoor Championships, finishing 15th and 13th and garnering All-American laurels last spring. 
    • Filias will compete in the national event later this week.

  • Bradshaw Underhill (Alpine Skiing, Men’s Golf)

    • Underhill was a three-year captain of the alpine skiing program.
    • On the mountain, he was a two-time All-American and four-year NCAA Qualifier.
    • Last winter, he finished in fourth place during the giant slalom (GS) and sixth in the slalom at the NCAA Championships. 
    • Underhill was selected as the EISA Slalom Bib Leader and EISA GS Bib Leader in 2025. 
    • He was a three-time EISA All-East honoree and the EISA Rookie of the Year. He secured 13 podium finishes, including 10 last winter with four event wins (four GS and three slalom). Underhill tallied his first All-NESCAC honor in golf. He posted three top-20 efforts this year.
    • The Panther is a five-time All-NESCAC selection for his academic efforts and a USCSCA All-Academic honoree. 

Deborah Parton ’76 Memorial Award

  • Alexa Mustafaj (Women’s Basketball)

    • Mustafaj rewrote the program record books, becoming the all-time leader in points (2,180), field goals (815) and free throws made (397). 
    • Mustafaj became the first NESCAC women’s basketball player to eclipse 2,000 points and sits among the top-five places across both genders in career points. 
    • The Panther sits second in career scoring average (22.5) and free-throw percentage (79.2), while scoring the third (589 in 2024), fourth (563 in 2023) and fifth-most (552 in 2025) points in a season.
    • A captain this winter, she earned her fourth All-NESCAC honor with a spot on the first team. Mustafaj garnered recognition from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) with an Honorable Mention All-American nod.
    • She was named a New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA) All-Region First Team honoree and tabbed to the D3hoops.com All-Region squad for the fourth time.
    • Mustafaj was named the first College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America selection in the program’s history and a CSC Academic All-District honoree for the third-consecutive season.

Hazeltine-Klevenow Memorial Trophy

  • Neel Epstein (Men’s Tennis)

    • Epstein is a two-year captain for the men’s tennis team.
    • He was selected as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American in doubles last year.
    • As a part of a duo, he posted 75 career triumphs.
    • The Panther played primarily at #3 singles throughout this spring, amassing a 13-6 record and concluding his career with 77 victories.
    • He garnered CSC Academic All-District accolades in each of the last two years and was a CSC Third Team Academic All-America honoree last spring.
    • Epstein is a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and has been tabbed NESCAC All-Academic in three-consecutive years.

  • Thomas Perry (Football)

    • Perry was invited to a pair of National Football League (NFL) Rookie Minicamps as an offensive lineman. 
    • He earned All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) with first-team accolades and D3football.com garnering a fourth-team nod. Perry was named to the All-NESCAC First Team Offense for the third-straight campaign.
    • The senior became the first player in program history to be invited and participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl and was named to the inaugural Walter Camp Division III All-America Team.
    • Perry garnered his second-consecutive CSC Academic All-America First Team national honor. The senior was named a NESCAC All-Academic honoree in each of the last three campaigns.

  • Bea Parr (Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Track & Field)

    • Parr served as a captain this year for the women’s cross country and women’s track and field programs.
    • She has earned USTFCCCA All-Region laurels three times in cross country and was an Indoor Division III All-New England award winner in the 3,000 meters.
    • During the cross country seasons, she raced to a trio of All-NESCAC finishes, highlighted by a pair of first-team all-conference efforts.
    • Parr is a six-time NESCAC All-Academic selection and a USTFCCCA Scholar Athlete.

  • Hope Shue (Women’s Lacrosse)

    • Shue is a captain this spring for the women’s lacrosse team.
    • One of the most decorated players in program history, the senior was the 2024 IWLCA National Player and Attacker of the Year. She is a four-time IWLCA All-American, IWLCA All-Region and All-NESCAC recipient with three first-team all-league nods. 
    • She became the first person to earn NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year twice.  
    • The senior paces the conference in points with 107, a single-season program record she established in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal. Shue also became the program’s record holder this spring in career points and goals.
    • The attacker is a two-time CSC Academic All-America At-Large recipient, been the winner of the Elite 90 Award twice and earned NESCAC All-Academic praises three times.

John P. Stabile ’40 Memorial Trophy

  • Kyle McCausland (Baseball)

    • McCausland sprinkled his name throughout the program’s records both in a single season and a career. He became the second player in conference history to earn NESCAC Player of the Year praise twice in their career after winning the award in 2023. The senior tallied his third consecutive All-NESCAC First Team honor. 
    • He ranked first this spring among league peers in total bases (108), runs batted in (RBI) (48) and home runs (13). The Panther also led the team with 52 hits and 30 walks.
    • McCausland became the all-time leader in career hits with 202 and has top marks in runs scored (156) and doubles (45). The outfielder is also the program’s home run leader, blasting 41 in a Panther uniform.
    • He was tabbed just the program’s second All-American honoree with a third-team nod, while he is a three-time ABCA First Team All-Region selection.
    • In the classroom, McCausland has twice been recognized as a CSC Academic All-America and three-time All-NESCAC Academic recipient, respectively.  

Mike Wilson ’57 Trophy

  • Carolyn Kelley (Women’s Soccer)

    • Over her career, Kelley appeared in 24 games in front of the Panther goal with 19 starts.
    • The netminder owned a 1.03 career goals against average (GAA), 81 saves, an 8-6-7 record and five shutouts.
    • She tallied a 4-1-4 mark last fall with eight starts in 11 matches played and ranked third in the conference with a 0.59 GAA to go alongside a trio of clean sheets. 
    • The goalie earned United Soccer Coaches Second-Team All-New England Region praise.
    • Kelley is a four-time NESCAC All-Academic honoree and a CSC Academic All-District award winner last fall. 

  • Jake Oblak (Men’s Ice Hockey)

    • Oblak concluded his career serving as an assistant captain last winter for Middlebury.
    • He skated in 68 games in the navy and white uniform with six goals and five assists, including three tallies and two helpers in 26 contests as a senior.
    • The forward tallied the game-winning goal during a 2-0 triumph over in-state foe Norwich.  
    • Oblak earned NESCAC All-Academic accolades twice, garnered a Krampade/American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar award and was named to the NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Murphy Roberts ’17 Memorial Award

  • Isaiah Izzo Lizardi (Football, Men’s Track & Field)

    • Lizardi is a four-year member of the football and track and field teams.
    • On the football field, the running back appeared in 15 career games. He carried the ball 58 times for 165 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown last fall against Hamilton.
    • Lizardi was a member of the NESCAC Championship team during his junior year and a contributor on the track and field team that claimed the league title this spring.
    • He ran a leg of the USTFCCCA All-Region 4×400 Relay quartet and earned outdoor All-NESCAC praises.
    • Lizardi has been selected to the All-NESCAC Sportsmanship teams in football and track and field.
    • He is a four-time NESCAC All-Academic recipient, garnering the praise twice in each sport.

 A full description of each award, including previous winners, can be found here.



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New Arena at St. Thomas Will Welcome First Fans with Fall Hockey – Newsroom

After nearly a year of construction and years of planning, the University of St. Thomas is set to open the highly anticipated Lee & Penny Anderson Arena this fall. The state-of-the-art facility will welcome fans for the first time on Friday, Oct. 24, when the Tommie men’s and women’s hockey teams face off against the […]

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After nearly a year of construction and years of planning, the University of St. Thomas is set to open the highly anticipated Lee & Penny Anderson Arena this fall. The state-of-the-art facility will welcome fans for the first time on Friday, Oct. 24, when the Tommie men’s and women’s hockey teams face off against the Providence Friars in a historic opening night doubleheader. Game times will be announced later this summer.

“This is a monumental day for the University of St. Thomas and Tommie Athletics, and we are excited to welcome one of college hockey’s well-established programs in Providence College to open the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten. “This opening series is a culmination of four years of hard work by many and a seminal moment as we continue our Division I journey. So many in our community have dedicated time and energy to get to this point, one which will be celebrated as we usher in a new era of Tommie Athletics. Once again, I want to thank the Andersons, other arena donors, and all parties involved who have contributed to what I’m sure will be a celebration of Tommie past, present, and future!”

St. Thomas hockey programs will be the first to compete in Lee & Penny Anderson Arena and will square off against Providence for the first time in either programs’ history. The home of St. Thomas basketball and hockey, construction on Lee & Penny Anderson Arena began in January 2024 and will be concluded prior to the facility’s opening on Oct. 24.

The Tommie Men's Hockey team prepares to play in the Mason Cup final against the Minnesota State Mavericks.
The Tommie Men’s Hockey team at the start of the Mason Cup final against the Minnesota State Mavericks.

The Tommie hockey programs are both coming off impressive seasons, making plenty of headlines throughout the 2024-25 campaign. The St. Thomas men’s hockey team concluded the 2024-25 season as one of the hottest in college history, posting a 15-3-1 record in the second half of the season and advancing to the Mason Cup Championship for the first time in program history. The women made statements under first year head coach Bethany Brausen, sweeping #4 Minnesota-Duluth in late January and taking national runner up Ohio State to overtime twice during the regular season.

Providence men’s and women’s hockey teams were both equally successful in 2024-25, as both teams won 20+ games last season and carded winning records in Hockey East play. The Friars men’s program earned an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament, losing to national semifinalist Denver in the opening round 5-1, after posting an overall record of 21-11-3 with a 11-8-5 mark in conference play. The women closed the season with a 20-12-3 record, which included a 16-9-2 mark in Hockey East play and a trip to the Hockey East quarterfinals.

Fans can purchase season tickets for the inaugural season at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena at tommiesports.com/tickets, with several premium seating options still available. Ticket packages include seats to the grand opening of Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, along with other high-profile games throughout the 2025-26 men’s and women’s hockey season.

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Construction progress on the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena



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Alex Chiasson graduates from Boston University shortly after retiring from the NHL

Alex Chiasson, a member of the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, achieved another incredible milestone this past weekend. The former NHL forward graduated from college, and he did so 15 years after first attending Boston University. The Terrier hockey team account posted a photo of a smiling Chiasson in his cap and gown, […]

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Alex Chiasson, a member of the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, achieved another incredible milestone this past weekend.

The former NHL forward graduated from college, and he did so 15 years after first attending Boston University. The Terrier hockey team account posted a photo of a smiling Chiasson in his cap and gown, posing with his family.

“Congrats to Stanley Cup champion Alex Chiasson on graduating this weekend!,” the X account wrote.

Chiasson first attended BU as a freshman in the fall of 2009 and was a member of their hockey team. Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, Chiasson immediately showed that he was a star player, scoring two goals in his NCAA debut on October 16 against Massachusetts. The six-foot-three winger played 35 games in his freshman season, notching seven goals and 12 assists. Over the summer, he was selected by the Dallas Stars in the second round 2009 NHL Draft, 38th overall.

The St. Augustin, Quebec native would remain at Boston University through his junior season before signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Stars on March 26, 2012. The contract officially began his professional career in hockey.

Chiasson would play parts of 11 seasons in the NHL from 2012 through 2023, suiting up for seven different teams. Chiasson notched 233 points (120g, 113a) in 651 career NHL games with the Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Detroit Red Wings. He’d win his first and only championship with the Capitals as a reserve and checking line forward in 2018.

Chiasson officially announced his retirement in January of this past year, and it appears he remained busy after that. Focusing on accumulating the final college credits he needed to graduate, Chiasson continued his schooling at Boston University Metropolitan College, which offers “offers flexible graduate and undergraduate programs that help you transform your future.”

Five months later, he walked with his fellow graduates at age 34.

From everyone at RMNB, congratulations Chaser on your latest accomplishment.





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Obituary For Richard “Dick” Henry Kustin | State College, PA

Richard Henry Kustin, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on May 14, 2025, at the age of 101. Richard (Dick) was born on January 3, 1924, in Philadelphia, later attending Central High School. After high school, Dick obtained a degree in Poultry Husbandry from The National Farm School […]

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Richard Henry Kustin, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on May 14, 2025, at the age of 101. Richard (Dick) was born on January 3, 1924, in Philadelphia, later attending Central High School. After high school, Dick obtained a degree in Poultry Husbandry from The National Farm School and then worked a number of years on Cape Cod raising turkeys. He then earned an Electrical Engineering degree from the Pennsylvania State University. After graduating from Penn State, Dick joined Henkels & McCoy, a large utility construction company. Initially, he was a line crew foreman but then advanced to a position in the purchasing department. Eventually he became the purchasing director and an officer of the company. His career at Henkels & McCoy spanned over 40 years. It was just after Dick started working at Henkels & McCoy that he met Helen Clay, the love of his life and wife of nearly 60 years, on a blind date. Dick and Helen shared a loving, memorable life together enjoying their family, camping, traveling, gardening and Penn State sports.

Dick was a natural born leader and very gregarious. When he met someone new, he would remember their name. He always greeted everyone and would describe people as “a good friend of mine.” He had strong opinions on the right way to do something and was always available to help someone in time of need. Dick was a scoutmaster and active in boy scouts for most of his life. One of Dick’s proudest moments with scouts was when he met President Truman & General Eisenhower at the 1950 National Jamboree at Valley Forge. 

Dick retired to State College and this is when he really started to get busy. He was an avid Penn State sports fan, known by some of his neighbors as Mr. Penn State. Football and women’s volleyball were his favorites but at one time he also had season tickets for women’s basketball and softball, as well as men’s ice hockey, volleyball and basketball. He traveled abroad as a chaperone for the women’s volleyball and rugby teams. For 18 years, Dick led the Tailback Club, a club for fans of Penn State athletic programs. He was deeply involved with many groups and organizations in and around Penn State such as the Center County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, the 55 Club at Good Shepherd Church, the Triad organization, the Boal Barn Theatre and various committees at The Village of Penn State, just to name a few. In 2007, the Penn State Alumni Association awarded Dick the Philip Philip Mitchell Alumni Service Award recognizing his significant service contributions on behalf of the University.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Clay Kustin. He is survived by his 7 children, Andrew Kustin (Kathy), Elizabeth “Betsy” Kustin (Caryle), Catherine “Cathy” Ganter (Ralph), David Kustin (Julie), Esther Cordell (Jim), Francine Vido (Joe) and Genevieve Grube; his 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

We would like to thank the staff and everyone at The Village of Penn State for their ongoing loving care and kindness towards Dad.

Rest in peace, Dad, you are now with Mom.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Church, 867 Grays Woods Blvd, Port Matilda, PA 16870. 

A Celebration of Life Mass will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Good Shepherd Church with a Visitation held prior to mass from 9:30am – 10:45am. Private inurnment will take place at Centre County Memorial Park.

Arrangements are entrusted to Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com.



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