Sports News 247

River Hawks Host Annual Sunset Social

0


LOWELL, Mass. — UMass Lowell Athletics hosted its annual United In Blue Fund Sunset Social on Thursday evening at the Bellegarde Boathouse, along the Merrimack River.
 
The sold-out event, which celebrates the department’s top donors, had over 100 River Hawk supporters in attendance for a night of dinner, drinks and live music.
 
“It is always a great opportunity when we can get our donor base together with our athletic staff, head coaches and student-athletes to share our success stories with them,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director Eric Allen. “UMass Lowell is a special place and it is special because of our passionate donors, who continue to invest in our student-athletes. Our student-athletes recognize and appreciate the support they receive, and they continue to represent River Hawk Nation at the highest level on the playing surface, in the classroom and in the community.”
 
The Sunset Social included a speaking program that featured UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, Director of Athletics Peter Casey and Women’s Soccer Head Coach Mira Novak. The program was highlighted by a speech from Student-Athlete Advisory Committee co-presidents, Megan Salsinha and Grace Hansen, members of the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams, respectively.
 
“Athletics was a huge part of my life and career,” explained field hockey alum Stacey Pincus Kraft ’05 during the social. “The program here gave me all the tools I needed to go out into the world and be successful. To see what’s happened in Lowell over the past two decades is such a gift. It’s so exciting to see the community come together and be so supportive of the athletic department and the university as a whole. This is a part of my yearly giving and I’m happy to do it. What keeps me coming back is meeting all the women who are part of this program, seeing who I’m giving back to, and watching them flourish and grow in their careers.”
 
Two special presentations were also made at the event. First, Taylor (Kloss) Pittsinger was awarded a UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame Blue Blazer as part of the 2005 Field Hockey National Championship Team. Additionally, Dean Jenkins, who played on the River Hawk ice hockey team from 1977-81, was awarded his diploma after completing his degree through the Degree Completion Program this past year.
 
“What Lowell does well is building culture and bringing you into the family,” added ice hockey alum Craig Brown ’00. “Donors have a lot of different choices as to what causes to support each year, but the university does a tremendous job connecting with individuals and instilling in you that appreciation and pride to say that you are a River Hawk. Events like this enhance that connectivity with the teams and student-athletes, and further our relationships to enrich not only our lives as alumni, but also that of the current student-athletes.”
 
The Sunset Social is one of two annual stewardship events hosted by the United In Blue Fund. The United In Blue Fund is a key component to the success of UMass Lowell’s Division I Athletics. It provides a way for alumni, donors, families and friends to partner with coaches and student-athletes to provide the necessary resources to succeed through scholarships, facility upgrades and academic and athletic support. By contributing to the United In Blue Fund, donors invest in over 450 student-athletes and 14 Division I programs.
 



Source link

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.