As I reflect on the 2025–26 academic year, I am once again grateful for the opportunity to serve our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the entire Lewis University community. This past year brought another collection of accomplishments that demonstrate the continued strength and growth of Lewis Athletics.
Our success continues to be driven by the commitment of our student-athletes and coaches, the work of our staff, and the tremendous support we receive from our university leadership, campus partners, alumni, donors, corporate partners and Flyer faithful. Together, we continue to build a department committed to excellence in competition and in the classroom, while developing our student-athletes as leaders and people of character in support of Lewis University's Catholic and Lasallian mission.
Among the highlights from 2025–26:
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Four Lewis teams captured conference championships, with men's and women's cross country, men's lacrosse and women's outdoor track and field bringing home titles. Our coaches were also recognized for their leadership, with James Kearney earning GLVC Coach of the Year honors in both men's and women's cross country, Joe Perruzzi collecting the accolade in men's lacrosse and Dana Schwarting earning the honor in women's outdoor track and field.
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Our student-athletes continued to achieve at the national level, with 26 Flyers earning All-American honors across their respective sports. Five student-athletes also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors, recognizing their excellence both in competition and in the classroom. Amelia Marsicek (women's swimming), Denise Hernandez (women's track and field), Abraham Christian (men's track and field), Nico Paula (men's volleyball) and Tyler Davis (men's lacrosse) were the five Flyers to receive the prestigious honor.
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Men's Lacrosse continued its rise on the national stage, winning the GLVC regular-season and tournament championships and hosting and winning an NCAA Tournament game with their thrilling 15-14 win over Newberry. The team also ended the year ranked fourth nationally in the final USILA Division II Top-25 Poll, marking the highest poll rank in program history.
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Our student-athletes continued to excel academically, with 363 Flyers earning Academic All-GLVC or Academic All-MIVA recognition. As a department, we posted an overall spring GPA of 3.475, and every team recorded an average GPA of 3.0 or higher, continuing our strong tradition of academic excellence.
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Our student-athletes, coaches and staff continued to make an impact beyond competition, participating in numerous community service and engagement activities throughout the year. Through these efforts, our teams strengthened their connection with the local community while continuing to live out the Catholic and Lasallian values of service and giving back.
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We continued investing in our facilities and the student-athlete experience, installing a new competition court in Neil Carey Arena, completing the next phase of our Hall of Fame renovation and investing approximately $250,000 to renovate the Women's Basketball and Women's Volleyball locker rooms, with each of these projects made possible through donor support.
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Lewis Athletics generated more than $1 million in external revenue through fundraising, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, special events, licensing, NCAA grants and other initiatives, providing additional resources to support our student-athletes and programs.
As we celebrate our many accomplishments, we also continue to look ahead. College athletics is changing rapidly, and our responsibility is to ensure Lewis Athletics continues to move forward while remaining focused on what matters most: providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes and positioning them to succeed academically, athletically and personally.
We remain committed to the continued implementation of our Athletics Strategic Plan and to building a department that represents Lewis University with excellence, while remaining grounded in our Catholic and Lasallian values. Our "Fly As One" philosophy continues to guide that work, bringing together a coach-led, student-athlete-centered and administrator-supported department in pursuit of excellence. That means investing in our people and facilities, strengthening our resources, serving others, expanding our connection to the community and creating opportunities that help our student-athletes grow academically, athletically and personally.
As we enter 2026–27, we are also preparing several new initiatives designed to strengthen the future of Lewis Athletics. We are expanding opportunities for our student-athletes through Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), including the development of an NIL marketplace and a collective that will connect Flyers with businesses, supporters and community partners.
We are also preparing to launch the Flyer Club, a new annual giving and engagement program that will connect alumni, families, fans and friends of Lewis Athletics more closely to our programs while generating additional resources that directly enhance the student-athlete experience.
This year was also personally meaningful to me, as I was honored to be named the NACDA Division II Athletic Director of the Year and appointed to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee. While I am grateful for both opportunities, I view them as a reflection of the work of our student-athletes, coaches and staff and the continued growth of Lewis Athletics.
I am incredibly thankful for everyone who continues to invest their time, energy and resources into Lewis Athletics. Whether you support us by attending a game, making a gift, becoming a corporate partner or simply sharing your Flyer pride, you play an important role in what we are building.
Most importantly, we will continue striving to ensure that Lewis Athletics is a place where competitive excellence, academic achievement, service, faith and the development of young people remain at the center of who we are.
There is much to be proud of, and even more to look forward to.
Go Flyers! Fly As One!
