We are pleased to present the 2024-25 Stonehill Athletics Annual Donor Impact Report, a capstone narrative of our teams and their exceptional achievements this past season. We are grateful for the opportunity to share with you the tremendous achievements of our coaches and student-athletes on the field, in the classroom, and throughout our community.
Guided by the values of the Congregation of Holy Cross, our student-athletes represent Stonehill in every facet of their lives. Central to their experience is the development of both the mind and the heart, as they become transformational leaders who strive for excellence through academic and competitive success, community engagement, and personal growth.
Now three years into our evolution as an NCAA Division I program, Stonehill athletic teams and student-athletes have risen to the occasion, capturing trendsetting wins, academic success, and milestone achievements.
In June, the NCAA formally approved Stonehill for full Division I membership, allowing us to participate in all NCAA Division I Championships beginning in the 2025-26 season. We also ended the year with the announcement of a generous $15 million gift from Tom ’72 and Kathleen Bogan that will pave the way for the development of a new athletic arena. The planned 120,000-square-foot facility will house a separate basketball court and an ice hockey rink, with seating capacity of approximately 2,500 for each venue.
This 2024-25 Annual Report showcases the huge impact of philanthropy on our athletics programs, including increasing our ability to travel, improving our access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, and serving as a model for our athletes to give back to their community. Your continued connection to Stonehill and your participation in our efforts fuel the success of our student-athletes as we look forward to 2025-26 and beyond. Go Hill!
With gratitude for your support, Dean O'Keefe Director of Athletics
Stonehill Athletics Today
An Overview of Stonehill Student-Athletes
23
NCAA DI Varsity Athletics Programs
575
DI Student-Athletes
3.25
Cumulative GPA
For all athletes
30
U.S. States Represented
315
Students on NEC Honor Roll
29
International Countries Represented
NCAA DI Varsity Women
Basketball
Cross Country
Equestrian
Field Hockey
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field (indoor and outdoor)
Volleyball
NCAA DI Varsity Men
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Ice Hockey
Soccer
Tennis
Track & Field (indoor and outdoor)
We have been able to make huge strides as a new program thanks to donations from our supporters… Our swimmers get to use state-of-the-art film equipment, training aids, and the opportunity to go on yearly training trips.
Matthew DistlerWomen’s Swimming Coach
Transformative Impact of Philanthropy
Because of you, Stonehill Athletics had…
Over 775 total donors
More than $350,000 raised
160 Loyal Skyhawks with 5+ years of consistent giving to Athletics
139 FY25 donors to Athletics for the first time
27 FY25 donors to Athletics greater than $5k
14 FY25 donors to Athletics greater than $10k
3 FY25 donors to Athletics greater than $50k
Academic Year 2024-25 Highlights
Full NCAA Division I Membership
After beginning our Division I journey during the 2022-23 academic year, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved Stonehill College for full membership in June 2025, as recommended by the NCAA Strategic Vision and Planning Committee. This reclassification was confirmed a year earlier than anticipated, allowing our programs to participate in NCAA post-season competition starting in the 2025-26 season.
The move to NCAA Division I is part of the trajectory of Stonehill College. Providing our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics is an important step for us. From expanding our academic and graduate offerings to launching an M.B.A. program next summer, Stonehill is a growing institution. We need to take these courageous steps to position ourselves for the next 75 years.
Rev. John F. Denning, C.S.C.Stonehill College President
National Travel
Our teams have competed against marquee teams at well-known arenas throughout the United States, including Georgetown, Harvard, Boston College, University of Michigan, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Kentucky, and more, elevating the Stonehill College brand.
Men’s Basketball traveled to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
Women’s Basketball traveled to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, and Wisconsin.
Women’s Softball traveled to Kentucky, Ohio, and South Carolina.
Men’s Ice Hockey traveled to Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and New York.
Track and Field and Cross Country traveled to compete in meets in Pennsylvania and New York.
Women’s Volleyball traveled to Illinois.
Your donations make this type of travel and competition possible for our teams.
International Students
Donations to Athletics enhance Stonehill’s ability to recruit and support international students on our DI teams. Including these student-athletes enriches our campus community and offers them new opportunities to compete at an advanced level.
Having Nick from New Zealand on the team has been a great experience for him as well as the other athletes on the team. It has opened up so many opportunities for all of them. I know that a handful of teammates will be traveling to New Zealand during next semester break and staying with Nick's family.Karen Boen, Track and Field and Cross-Country Coach
Karen BoenTrack and Field and Cross-Country Coach
Recruiting and coaching Shira (Israel), Phoena (Ghana/ Jordan), Emma (Italy), and Sharn (Tasmania) has positively affected our staff, American players, and the campus at large. I always enjoy watching the connections made between our regional players as their families ‘adopt’ our international players while here at Stonehill. Just as special, our international players provide our regional players with opportunities to explore the world by hosting players in their home countries outside of the semesters.
Marcus Reilly, Associate Head Coach and Trish Brown, Head Coach Women's Basketball
With tennis being one of the most popular sports played throughout the world, Stonehill has been fortunate to attract talented players from foreign countries, helping to contribute to the diversity at Stonehill. The international makeup of our team fosters a shared team experience where cultural learning takes place between the players with tennis acting as their common language.
Peter MillerMen’s Tennis Head Coach
Winning on the Field
Men’s Ice Hockey bested #9 nationally ranked UMass Lowell, Hockey East opponent Merrimack twice, and Atlantic Hockey America opponent Army.
Women’s Ice Hockey advanced to the 2025 New England Women’s Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Tournament, winning their first game in a thrilling double-overtime victory over rival Saint Anselm College.
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field finished runner up at the 2025 NEC championship, and received NEC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Women’s Indoor Track & Field finished runner-up at NEC Championships.
Women’s Basketball finished runner-up in the NEC Championship and ranked fourth in the regular season NEC rankings. They also received an invitation to the WNIT Tournament, competing at UMass in the first round.
Women’s Soccer earned their first NEC postseason berth after a successful season that included beating Quinnipiac, their first non-conference opponent in this DI era. Four players received post-season awards, including NEC Offensive Player of the Year for Hannah Anselmo.
Women’s Lacrosse secured a spot in the NEC Championship game for the first time in program history after defeating the number 4 seed Saint Francis University. Five student-athletes earned All-NEC honors.
Baseball earned its first NEC postseason berth after finishing fourth in regular season standings, with five student-athletes earning All-NEC honors.
Madeline Ahern, Grace Faddoul, and Rosalie Martin each represented Equestrian competing in the IHSA National Championships.
Winning in the Classroom
Student-Athlete Awards
In addition to our success on the field, Skyhawks excel in the classroom.
In 2024-25, we inducted an inaugural class of 78 student-athletes to the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and 123 student-athletes were named to NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.
A few highlights of our athletes’ academic achievements this year include:
Men’s Ice Hockey: 4 inductees into Chi Alpha Sigma
Women's Tennis: All juniors and seniors were inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma and the team had the highest team GPA with a 3.78
Women’s Soccer: Fall GPA of 3.52 and 18 players on the Dean's List
Women’s Basketball: 2 inductees into Chi Alpha Sigma
Women’s Swimming: 4 inductees into Chi Alpha Sigma and team was honored as a CSCAA All- American Team
Team IMPACT
Through the Team IMPACT program, Stonehill matches local children facing serious illness and disability with a varsity athletic team to offer support and engagement.
Ali Maloof, Women’s Softball Coach, reflected on the value of participating in this program this year:
“Maggie Mendonca is our Team IMPACT player, and she will be part of the Stonehill Softball family for life! Her family, the team, Maggie, and I connected so well the first time we met. We do just about everything we can with Maggie. For the past two years, we have hosted Team IMPACT games to raise awareness for epilepsy, which Maggie lives with, and to help fund renovations for her family's home. During those games, Maggie threw out the first pitch. Her family is amazing, and they often support us at games. We do our best to give back by attending Maggie’s birthday parties and inviting her and her sister to our team-bonding activities.”
Mental Health Initiatives
Nate Evans Jr.
In conjunction with your gifts, the NEC supports an annual speaker series at Stonehill that focuses on improving student-athlete mental health.
In September 2024, speaker Nate Evans Jr. spoke to all Skyhawk athletes in collaboration with the Stonehill College chapter of Hope Happens Here, a student-athlete group working towards fighting the stigma surrounding mental health pertaining to athletes. His lecture focused on building emotional fluency and resilience, tactics to combat stress and anxiety, and balancing the pressures of being a student-athlete.
After earning the NEC Prime Performer award three times this past season, Women’s Lacrosse player Natalie Coutu ’26 hosted a game in April 2025 dedicated to Morgan’s Message. This ambassador program works to end the stigma around mental health in student-athletes and normalize open communication, ensuring that mental health treatment is equal to physical health treatments. Coutu shared, “Being a collegiate athlete is an honor, and having a voice to advocate for mental health in student-athletes is an even bigger honor.”
Student-Athletes Reflect on Community Engagement
Matthew DeVirgilio, Class of 2025
Football
In September 2024, Stonehill College senior linebacker Matthew DeVirgilio ’25 was one of 22 student-athletes named to the 2024 Allstate Good Works Team® by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). DeVirgilio was selected from a record 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from colleges and universities across the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. He is a Team IMPACT fellow and has expanded his volunteer work to include the nearby House of Possibilities in Easton that provides services to adults and children with disabilities. DeVirgilio's volunteer work is rooted in his hometown with the Dedham Athletics and Pop Warner Football program. He also serves as the football team's representative on the Stonehill Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), organizing events and fundraisers around campus.
Dylan Walsh, Class of 2026
Men's Soccer
“This past year, I’ve dedicated a lot of time to training and playing for the Stonehill soccer team. Looking ahead, I’m eager to get more involved in community service. Giving back to the community is important to me, especially as someone who’s benefited from the support of others.”
Emma Worster, Class of 2025
Equestrian
“If I could accomplish one thing in life, it would be to make a difference in as many people's lives and perspectives as possible. I am so incredibly passionate about environmentalism and equity... I researched [Stonehill’s] current recycling and composting practices, interviewed key stakeholders in the community, and formulated, designed and proposed economically feasible plans to move the College toward a zero-waste institution.”
Philanthropy Brings Us Together
VIP Hospitality Tents at W.B. Mason Stadium
For the first time this year, the Advancement division, in association with the Office of the President and Stonehill Athletics, hosted three VIP Hospitality Tents during home football games at W.B Mason Stadium. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of food, fun, football, and camaraderie with fellow Stonehill alumni, parents, and supporters – including a game viewing area as close to the action as you can possibly get without being tackled! These personal engagement opportunities brought alumni back to campus to interact with coaches, faculty, and senior leaders of the College, while showcasing Stonehill’s rise to NCAA Division I Athletics.
Off-Campus Athletics Receptions
• We shared a preview of our Built to Rise Athletics fundraising initiative at pre-game receptions for hockey at Warrior Ice Arena in Boston, MA, men’s basketball at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA, and women’s basketball at Brown University in Providence, RI.
• We hosted a pre-game reception for baseball alumni, family, and friends at Florida International University in Miami, FL.
• We hosted a pre-game tailgate at Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY for the opening game of the football season.
Attendance
Nearly 1,000 attendees participated in our VIP events this year.
400
Attendees
Joined us at the VIP Hospitality Tents during home football games
250
Attendees
Joined us at Homecoming
120
Attendees
Joined us at Family Weekend
200+
Attendees
Joined us for the off-campus Athletics Receptions across the nation
We can’t wait to see you at our VIP engagement events this season!
Looking Back and Rising to the Future: Athletics Facilities
Celebrating 10 Years : Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex Expansion
Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex
In 2015, with the support of our generous donors and the Yawkey Foundation, we worked with Bond Brothers Construction to add 50,000 square feet to the original Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex building for athletics, health, fitness, and exercise. This comprehensive facility provides room for recreational group exercise and dance areas, as well as weight and fitness facilities and locker rooms.
Over the past 10 years, the expansion has had a tremendous impact on the Stonehill College campus and culture—for both student-athletes and recreational users alike. It allows us to address evolving trends in campus recreation and meet the rising expectations of our students, potential students, faculty and staff, especially through our transition to Division I Athletics. The expansion has breathed new life into one of the most frequently visited non-academic buildings on campus.
The space also includes dedicated areas that pay tribute to Stonehill community members including the James “Lou” Gorman ’53 Pavilion, featuring Gorman’s sports memorabilia, the Rev. Mark T. Cregan ’78, C.S.C. Athletic and Fitness Center, the Rev. John E. McCarthy, C.S.C. Indoor Track, and the Dick Grant Study Area.
“The expansion has allowed our student-athletes to train in a state-of-the-art weight room that complements our move to Division I. Our student-athletes also have a training facility that allows them to get first class medical treatment when needed.” -David Berard, Men’s Hockey Coach
“I experienced the SpoCo as a student (’04-’08) and this building has been an amazing upgrade for student-athletes pre, during, and post-game. I remember the first ‘Varsity Weight Room’ (when two racquet ball courts were converted) and we had two squat racks ... now the Varsity Weight Room is a highlight of the building with 14 racks!” - Alexandra Wilson ’08, Women’s Soccer Coach
Celebrating 20 Years: W.B. Mason Stadium
W.B. Mason Stadium
One of the premier athletic facilities in the Northeast, W.B. Mason Stadium is home to Stonehill field hockey, football, lacrosse, and track and field. Formally dedicated on September 10, 2005, the 2,400-seat stadium features a FieldTurf playing surface, a 400-meter eight-lane track, specialty areas for track and field events and lighting for evening events. The playing field is dedicated in honor of Tim “Cogs” Coughlin ’80, a member of the Stonehill football team, who lost his life in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. W.B. Mason president and CEO Leo Meehan ’75, a Stonehill trustee, announced prior to development of the facility that the company and its alumni employees would contribute $1.5 million of the $4 million cost of the project. We are so grateful for your support, which has made the past 20 years of competition in our amazing stadium truly special!
W.B. Mason Stadium has hosted nationally televised football games, NCAA Championship events in field hockey and lacrosse, and New England Championships, and conferences in track and field, field hockey, and lacrosse. Since our move to Division I in 2022, every Saturday fall game at W.B. Mason Stadium has filled at least 75% capacity, with tailgaters arriving as early as 7 a.m.
We’ve added some crucial improvements to the game-day experience for fans and players alike, including a new sound system at W.B. Mason Stadium, new concessions, and the Shovel Town beer garden, with much more to come!
Rising to the Future
Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena
At the end of FY25, we announced a landmark $15 million gift from Tom ’72 and Kathleen Bogan, kickstarting a fundraising campaign that will support the construction of a new basketball court and ice hockey rink. In recognition of their philanthropy, the facility will be named the Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena.
A pillar of Stonehill’s forthcoming strategic plan for 2026-2030, the Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena is part of an overall goal to upgrade and enhance the College’s athletic facilities. The building will be constructed on Washington Street, extending the west side of campus. With an estimated total cost of $65 million, the facility will be made possible by the generous support of donors and college investment.
This generous gift—the largest in the College’s history—will transform Stonehill by enabling us to expand our campus, foster community spirit and support our Division I athletic teams with state-of-the-art training and competition spaces. Over the years, Tom has been a thoughtful and loyal alumnus. He and Kathleen continually demonstrate their philanthropic spirit through the many ways they support Stonehill’s mission, as well as its bright future.
Rev. John Denning, C.S.C.President
Chip Salyards '88 Memorial Pavilion
Chip Salyards ’88 was a friend, leader, coach, and confidant to many. As a former student-athlete for Stonehill’s football team and a fierce competitor with an unmatched zest for life, he believed in paying it forward and always kept his alma mater close at heart.
After Chip’s life was tragically cut short in 2023, his family and friends came together to find a way to honor him. The Chip Salyards ’88 Memorial Pavilion will be a tribute to Chip’s commitment and generosity, memorializing his life, legacy, and love for Stonehill on campus forever. Located between the football stadium and the athletic fields complex, the Pavilion will be a perfect place to gather with friends, family, and alumni to share stories and create unforgettable memories. In October 2024, we hosted an event to kick off fundraising for the Chip Salyards ’88 Memorial Pavilion where 70 alumni, supporters, and friends gathered to celebrate and remember Chip.
To date, thanks to your support, we’ve crossed the 50- yard line toward our fundraising goal! Learn More
Thank You for Your Support!
Thank you for investing in champions on and off the field.
We are built to rise – now rise with us!
Your support of Athletics at Stonehill allows us to:
Compete and succeed at the highest level in each of our 23 varsity sports.
Uphold the highest standards of academic and athletic integrity.
Provide a transformative experience for our student-athletes.
Support our mission to educate the whole person so that each Stonehill graduate thinks, acts, and leads with courage toward a more just and compassionate world.
We are just getting started, and we can’t wait to see you at a game or event this year.
Support the GoHill Fund
Thank you for your support of the GoHill Fund for Stonehill Athletics
