The Vital Role of Intercollegiate Athletics: Fostering Student Growth and Community Spirit

Thought Leadership from President Anne Prisco

Now in my third year as president, I have been privileged to experience firsthand the tremendous growth and transformative power of intercollegiate athletics within our campus community. As this special edition of the alumni magazine demonstrates, beyond the realm of competition, athletics serve as an important part of Holy Family's story, shaping the holistic development of our student-athletes and fostering a vibrant sense of unity among all members of the community.

Intercollegiate athletics are not simply extracurricular activities; they are integral components of a comprehensive educational experience. Through rigorous training, disciplined practice, and competitive events, student-athletes cultivate invaluable life skills that extend far beyond the confines of the playing field. They learn the virtues of teamwork, perseverance, and time management—qualities that are indispensable in both academic and professional realms.

With the expansion of our program, our largest contingent of now 330 student-athletes is representing the University through their dedicated efforts, and are doing so as both scholars and competitors across 18 sports. Holy Family Athletics recently was named among 44 Division II programs to receive the NCAA's Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence. The award is presented annually to member institutions that achieve a four-year Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 90 percent or higher, showcasing the University's efforts on results in the classroom and the playing fields.

Moreover, intercollegiate athletics catalyze a sense of belonging and pride within the campus community. When our teams take to the field or court, they do not just represent themselves; they embody the collective spirit of our institution. As fans cheer from the sidelines and alumni rally behind their alma mater, a palpable camaraderie permeates the atmosphere, transcending differences and uniting the community for a common purpose.

As noted in the book Baseball As a Road  To God - Seeing Beyond The Game, "The sense that one is joined with one's fellow human beings in the celebration of something great reinforces the sense that what one is celebrating really is great. Moments like this take on greater meaning when they are shared with a community of like-minded folks who are experiencing the same kind of awe. Whether it is in the church or in the baseball stadium, the awesomeness of the moment is reinforced when it is felt as shared by others. When you all recognize together that you are sharing in the celebration of this great thing–then the awesomeness of the moment itself bursts forth and shines."

At Holy Family University, we are committed to nurturing a culture of excellence. Our student-athletes are held to the highest standards of sportsmanship and integrity, serving as ambassadors of our core values both on and off the field. As NCAA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Hainline aptly stated, "The purpose of college sports is to provide transformative experiences for student-athletes—not just for a few years, but for their entire lives."

Indeed, the impact of intercollegiate athletics extends far beyond the college years, shaping the character and resilience of our student-athletes for years to come. Like the rest of our student population, our student-athletes reap the benefits of the University's 100% internship placement, our ranking by NPR as one of its Top 50 "Schools that Emphasize Upward Mobility," and our rating by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a Top 10 school nationally for salary outcomes. Rewarding employment opportunities are possible for all students thanks to career-development partnerships with more than 1,300 employers.

As you will see from the stories in this issue, Holy Family alumni place their Holy Family degrees in a coveted place of honor, alongside their athletic trophies, medals and accolades.  Whether they go on to pursue careers in their respective fields or become leaders in their communities, the lessons learned through athletics—perseverance in the face of adversity, grace in victory and defeat, and a commitment to excellence— continue to guide them throughout their lives.    

Onward & upward together in faith & family,

Anne Prisco, Ph.D. 
President

References

Hainline, B. (2016). Transformation Through Sports. NCAA.

NCAA. (2019). NCAA Graduation Success Rate. Retrieved from https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/graduation-success-rate.

NCAA. (2022). NCAA Sports Science Institute. Retrieved from https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute.

Sexton, J. with Oliphant, T. and Schwartz, P. J. (2013), Baseball As a Road  To God - Seeing Beyond The Game, Gotham Books.