Greetings Blue Nation!

Welcome to a new year! Our student-athletes have reinfused the athletics complex with energy; they are ready to #EarnTheW on and off the competition surfaces. Of all of the ways that our students make me proud, the one way that stands out most is their commitment to excellence. Our student leaders, team reps, Athlete Mentors, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members and individual players have asked for and embraced programming around leadership, diversity and inclusion and mental wellness to name a few. We're fortunate to be able to expand our offerings to meet the needs of our students, thanks to generous support from you. 

I hope you enjoy reading about the latest news from the Blue and we hope to see you back on campus on October 12-14 for Wellesley Weekend, which includes, Wellesley Athletics Homecoming and our third Hall of Fame . 


Director of Athletics
Chair of Physical Education and Recreation

NEWS FROM CAMPUS

Join us In October!
Homecoming & Hall of Fame

Join Blue Nation for a weekend of celebration, competition and camaraderie! October 12th-14th activities listed below: 

Congratulations to our 2018 Hall of Fame Class!

CONGRATULATIONS to our 2018 Wellesley Athletics Hall of Fame Class! To purchase tickets to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner on October 13 at Alumnae Hall, please visit: wellesleyblue.com/hoftickets.

Katie Antypas '99: A member of the Blue's 1998 Final Four volleyball team that still holds one of the top records in NCAA history at 37-1, Antypas was an AVCA All-American setter and NCAA All-Tournament honoree in the same year.  Read more here.

Marret Arfsten '03: Arfsten finished her Wellesley field hockey career as a two-time NFHCA All-American, including a selection to the All-America first team in 2002. Read more here.

Sarah Hilgenberg '00: The only NSCAA National All-American in Wellesley soccer program history, Hilgenberg earned the honor in both 1998 and 1999 while helping the Blue to back-to-back NCAA Regional final appearances. Read more here.

Elizabeth T. Jordan '59: Vice President of the Swim Club and a member of the College Government, Jordan represented Freeman Hall in dorm swim meets during her time at Wellesley. Read more here.

Jennifer Kegel '88: A three-time NCAA Championship participant in cross country, Kegel helped the Blue qualify for the national meet in 1985 and 1986 and was an individual qualifier and All-American in 1987. Read more here.

Amy Ayres Parratto '83: A five-time All-American diver at Wellesley, Parratto was captain of the Blue swimming and diving team in both her junior and senior seasons. Read more here.

Louise O'Neal: As Director of Athletics and Department Chair from 1990-2006, O'Neal was instrumental in building and turning Wellesley Athletics into what it is today. Read more here.

Wellesley’s Comprehensive Campaign Supports the Aspirations of Students Like Caitlin Aguirre ’20

As the starting point guard for the Wellesley Blue basketball team, a student leader, and a biochemistry major, Caitlin Aguirre ’20 says her experiences at Wellesley are part of what has pointed her towards a career as a physician in underserved communities. In her video, Aguirre discusses how Wellesley gave her the opportunity to pursue all of her passions equally—on the court, in the lab, and out in the community. She credits Wellesley’s Career Education, especially her involvement with Career Education’s Ministrare Council, for helping her to discover her passion for social justice while pursuing lifelong career aspirations.

Read more here. 

Student-Athletes Dive into LeadBLUE Programming

Designed to facilitate leadership development tools and educational opportunities for all student-athletes, the LeadBLUE Athletic Leadership Academy aims to enhance the quality of team culture, student leadership, and the athletic experience at Wellesley. This fall, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Lauren Haynie and Head Lacrosse Coach, Lauren Schoenberger led team leaders through programming related to:

• Being a Leader on the Field, Court and Course
• Support Resources at Wellesley College 
• Fostering a Healthy, Inclusive Team Culture 
• Communication with Coaches and Teammates
• Conflict Resolution 
• Self-Care/Managing Burnout 

With more programming to come, the LeadBLUE Leadership Academy is off to a good start. The full 2018-19 schedule here. 

PERA Welcomes New Staff for 2018-19

Taylor Hood '18 Named Assistant Fencing Coach

Bridget Belgiovine, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics at Wellesley College announced the hiring of Taylor Hood '18 as Assistant Coach for the Blue fencing program. Hood will work alongside Head Coach Ariana Klinkov, who was Hood's coach during her final three seasons with the Blue. 

Read more here. 

Club Sports and Recreation Update

Recreation By The Numbers!

• 200 student leaders learned about PERA Physical Wellness Opportunities during the Student 2018-19 Leader Training 
• 8 members of College Government learned about Club Sport leadership and operations at “Partners in Resources” Club Sport Presentation 
• 100 Slater International students learned about Health & Wellness in the Presentation by a Health Center, the Stone Center, Office of Religious  and Spiritual Life & Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics
• 300 Recreation shirts were distributed & students learned about the Recreation opportunities available to them at the Family Resource Fair and Wellness Fair as a part of First Year Orientation
• 100+ students enjoyed playing Cornhole at Wellness Fair
• 168 students enjoyed a day on the water at the Butler Boathouse Saturday, September 9th
• 75 students attended the educational workshops co facilitated by Rec & Office of Student Life "How to be Involved on Campus" 
• 777 students are now following Wellesley College Recreation on Facebook

BE BOLD BE BLUE
Our Teams Count on You!