Rising Together

“Our student-athletes accomplished this while also staying true to what it means to be a Vassar student,” said Vassar Director of Athletics and Physical Education Michelle Walsh.

The Brewers’ student-athletes posted a 3.63 cumulative GPA and received the Hudson Valley Community Service Award from the Special Olympics New York for their volunteer efforts in the local community.

The department also launched the Vassar Athletics Hall of Fame, inducting eight former student-athletes, three teams, one coach, and former Vassar President Frances Fergusson, under whose leadership Vassar’s athletic programs experienced significant growth, expanding to include 25 varsity teams and varsity clubs.

Fergusson was instrumental in developing an athletics master plan that led to significant improvements in staffing, funding, and facilities. Today, 35 years after Fergusson’s efforts, Vassar is reaffirming its commitment to athletics at a moment when its student-athletes are excelling like never before.

A New Era For Vassar Athletics Facilities

Through the generosity of alums, parents, and friends as part of the Fearlessly Consequential campaign, Vassar has begun revitalizing key athletic spaces, enhancing the experience of today’s student-athletes, and elevating the College’s tennis, rugby, and squash programs.

The Brewers recently celebrated the grand opening of the Richard L. Cretella Tennis Center, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the men’s and women’s tennis teams in fall 2023. This state-of-the-art, eight-court tennis complex was made possible by gifts from alums and Vassar parents.

Built on the former site of Ballentine Field, the center features “post-tension” concrete courts designed for long-term durability, upgraded spectator seating, team equipment storage, and a scoreboard. Student-athletes also have convenient access to their locker rooms, indoor courts, and sports medicine facilities. Since its opening, the facility has already contributed to success: In 2024–25, the women’s team clinched their first conference championship since 2010.

The Richard L. Cretella Tennis Center was made possible by a lead gift from the Richard Cretella Trust, administered by Cretella’s sister, Virginia Mars ’51, P’82, GP’04, ’07 with additional support from:

• Mindy Mayer P’92, in memory of her son Eric M. Smith ’92;
• Chrysoula Dosiou P’22 and Andreas Stavropoulos P’22;
• Georgia Carrington ’58;
• and Peter Frey ’52.

The tennis program is already seeing the impact of the upgrades: The women’s team clinched a DIII championship title this year.

While the tennis program is already seeing the impact of recent upgrades, investments in rugby facilities aim to build on an already impressive record. On the pitch, the women’s rugby team was undefeated in their 2024–25 season, a triumphant redemption after a narrow loss in the national championship game the previous year.

“Credit is due to the whole squad, as each player pushed hard to improve, and all were supportive of each other,” Rugby Coach Tony Brown said. “From a coaching perspective, we felt the team still had a lot more to offer. We focused a lot more on our team defense, and when it mattered, the players gave 100 percent.”

The men’s team also had a stellar season, finishing with a 9–1 record. When both teams return in fall 2025, they’ll be playing and practicing on two brand-new grass fields. The improvements were made possible by a gift from Ann R. White P’25 and Philip H. White P’25, whose child, Danny White ’25, was a rugby player. The upgrades include resurfacing and resodding of the game and practice fields, new irrigation, goal posts, a scoreboard, and a hydration station.

The Whites were introduced to rugby when Danny joined the team as a sophomore. After witnessing Brown’s personal investment in his players, particularly following an injury Danny sustained during the national semifinals, they became increasingly engaged with the program. After meeting the team and learning more about its impact, they were inspired to help realize Brown’s vision for improved playing fields.

“He is the coach we all wanted when we played sports as a kid—a coach that demands excellence and self-sacrifice, fosters a team ethos of selflessness, engages on a human level with each player, and teaches with humor and passion,” Philip White said. “His passion was irresistible, and we left [that meeting] with a clear picture of his vision and our promise to help make his dream a reality.”

The upgraded championship-level fields—one of which will be named in Brown’s honor at a September dedication—are expected to enhance safety, attract recruits, and create opportunities for Vassar to host competitions, reducing travel and strengthening the rugby program’s visibility. “Rugby has been played at Vassar for 50 years now, and I’m sure alums are beaming with pride seeing how it has flourished,” Brown said.

During the 2024–25 Athletics Season:

Five Brewers teams—women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s rugby, women’s tennis, and men’s soccer—won conference championships.

Seven teams (the five aforementioned as well as men’s volleyball and women’s soccer) advanced to their respective national tournaments.

Men’s rowing won the New York State Championship.

Women’s rugby claimed its fourth Division II national championship.

Haley Schoenegge ’27, a standout in cross country and track and field, won the Division III indoor mile and is now a two-time 1,500M outdoor champion, clocking the ninth fastest time in Division III history.

Six student-athletes were named conference players of the year.

Sixteen student-athletes received All-American honors.

Squash is also entering an exciting new phase. When the men’s and women’s teams return in fall 2025, they’ll be welcomed by new courts and a new head coach. Funded by an anonymous donor, the six existing squash courts in Kenyon Hall are being replaced. The donor also endowed support for the head coaching position and to support program needs, including recruitment, travel, uniforms, and equipment. One of the two new endowments is the first endowed position in the history of the Athletics Department to be named in honor of Betty Richey, an inaugural inductee into the Vassar Athletics Hall of Fame and the first head coach of the squash, tennis, and field hockey teams. She helped shape the growth of collegiate squash both regionally and nationally.

“Heading into my senior year, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this exciting transition—new courts, a new coach, and a renewed sense of momentum that’s clearly carrying us forward,” men’s squash player Kyle Benson ’26 said.

Benson added that he and his teammates “expect to climb significantly in the college rankings in the coming years” and that the upgraded facilities will help strengthen their recruitment and competitiveness.

“There’s a sense of pride and accomplishment in seeing student-athletes and coaches recognized with a facility that reflects their competitive spirit and to make the most of their athletic experience at the College,” Walsh said. “They’re really excited.”

With Vassar Athletics more competitive than ever—and the need to recruit and retain top-tier student-athletes—continued investment in student-athletes and facilities remains a priority.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Each October, the Athletics Department hosts the Brewers Fund Day of Giving. This 24-hour fundraiser brings together alums, families, and friends to support Vassar’s 29 intercollegiate teams and clubs and enhance the student-athlete experience. The funds raised help cover team travel, equipment, student-athlete development programming, and support the athletic trainers and strength and conditioning personnel.

“These are crucial things that help us to get better as well,” Walsh said. “We could not improve without the annual support.”

As teams rise to new levels of competition, the need for improved facilities continues. Walker Field House, for example, requires critical upgrades; some teams are currently unable to host competitions due to changing regulations and standards and the infrastructure’s deterioration. Additional turf at the Prentiss Athletic Complex would also improve practice and gameplay for many outdoor teams.

“We’re so incredibly appreciative of support in whatever form it takes, whether it funds an upgraded facility or it’s outreach from an alum to a current student to tell them how proud they are of what’s happening,” Walsh said. “All of that truly makes a difference.”

Looking ahead, Walsh is optimistic that the teams will continue to grow and compete at higher-levels while staying true to what it means to be a Vassar student-athlete.

“My emphasis will continue to be on providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, one that contributes in a meaningful way to their overall education at the College.”

As Vassar Athletics celebrates many recent accomplishments, it also reaffirms a legacy that began with the College’s founding. Matthew Vassar places physical education at the heart of his vision for a complete education, and that ideal continues today. With over 20 percent of students participating in Vassar’s 25 varsity programs and four varsity club teams, athletics remains a vital part of campus life. Continued investment in student-athletes and facilities has the potential to elevate competition and strengthen the well-being of the College as a whole.

To learn more about Vassar Athletics, please visit vassarathletics.com. To see how our donors are making an impact, visit go.vassar.edu/athletics-impact-report-2025.