Spring 2005

Greetings from the Mulcahy Center!

Much has occurred since the last time I wrote to you about Iona College Athletics and there is plenty of good news that I am excited to share. Our student-athlete centered vision is beginning to take shape and each day we are making progress towards achieving our mission here at Iona.

It has been quite a successful year thus far and the Spring sports season looks to be very exciting. According to the latest standings, Iona ranks third in the MAAC Commissioner's Cup standings, which rewards overall athletic success. Iona's 400+ student-athletes have made their mark in both the classroom and the community. During the 2004 fall semester, student-athletes earned better than a cumulative 3.1 GPA. And outside the walls of campus, student-athletes have participated in a comprehensive community service program that has seen all of our teams giving back to the community. These three accomplishments once again highlight what being an Iona Student-Athlete is all about.

As the winter season wraps up, there is excitement in the air as our spring sports are already practicing and competing.

On March 3, an important event in Iona College Athletic history took place with the playing of the inaugural women's lacrosse match. Hired last year, head coach Lauren Rywak had spent the past two years preparing for this date to start the tradition of women's lacrosse at Iona. Although Iona lost, 15-10, it was a momentous occasion and a great start to a new tradition!

Our other spring sports are in full swing and I encourage you to come by and take in the action.

Off the Field

As we head into the spring season, we are also gearing up for our annual Goal Club Hall of Fame Golf Outing. This year's outing will feature three inductees who have accomplished tremendous things in their time as Ionians. Don Walsh, Brian Roche, and Jeff Spilsbury are three individuals that have all played an important role in shaping Iona Athletics into what it is today.

Don Walsh has dedicated his life towards bettering Iona Athletics. From being the Chair of the Goal Club committee since 1992, to chairing the Goal Club Golf Outing since its inception, Don has been with the Goal Club every step of the way. The success of the Goal Club is due in large part to Don and because of these years of dedication, service and commitment, we salute him.

Brian Roche was one of the finest cross country and track athletes in Iona history. In his time here, Brian recorded the fastest time on the five-mile course at fabled Van Cortlandt Park - a record which still stands today. He was also a two-time MAAC Cross Country Individual Champion and was a member of three MAAC Championship teams in 1982, 1983, and 1985.

Jeff Spilsbury will always be remembered as one of the greatest baseball players in the history of Iona. When Jeff's career wrapped up, he left Iona ranking third on the all-time hits list and sixth in doubles. The MAAC South Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992, Spilsbury was a member of the 1992 MAAC Championship team.

This year's Goal Club Hall of Fame Golf Outing will take place on June 6, 2005 at Wykagyl Country Club and is sure to be another fantastic event. Please contact Ryan Satalin at 914-633-2071 or rsatalin@iona.edu for more information.

Thank you for your continued support and please come out and support your Gaels!

Go Gaels!

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please click here to e-mail
Athletics Director Patrick Lyons