Meet Rochester’s new softball coach–a seasoned leader with a history of softball success

Abby Hurley-Martin

In July 2023, Abby Hurley-Martin took the reins as the head coach of the Ģą˝´«Ă˝â€™s softball program, bringing four years of coaching experience from Trinity University in Texas and another four from Oswego State. Her arrival closely follows the team’s record-breaking 38 wins in 2023, setting the stage for continued success.

“Abby’s experience has prepared her to lead one of the most successful teams in the country,” says George VanderZwaag, executive director of Athletics. “Her leadership style will add strength to our program, and we are excited to welcome her to Rochester.”

Hurley-Martin’s love of sport began in her youth, having played three sports before focusing on softball. Elevated to the junior varsity team in eighth grade, she discovered her knack for pitching. When college beckoned, Monmouth University on the Jersey Shore became her playing ground, where she earned a full scholarship and played Division 1 softball for three years. Hurley-Martin then transferred to SUNY Cortland for her senior year, earning a bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science and a master’s in sports management.

Softball remained a constant throughout, guided by her mentor and coach, Hall of Famer Julie Lenhart. Winning championships and competing at a national level fueled her coaching ambitions as well. Coaching provided her with the opportunity to combine all of her interests and skills in a career dedicated to helping young people be the best they could be, both in and out of the classroom.

Drawn to Rochester for its strong reputation and proximity to her hometown of Oswego, Hurley-Martin is gearing up for the spring season, building on the dedication she observed during the team’s 24 fall ball training games. The official schedule kicks off in early March with eight games in Kissimmee, Florida, followed by a weekend of games at the University of Salisbury in Maryland later in the month.

“Everything I’ve seen makes it clear that we have exceptional women and an outstanding team,” she says. “They have so much going for them: speed, skill, great pitching, and great hitting. Most importantly, they have the right attitude and a fantastic commitment to the sport, to their studies, and to each other. They have a fire inside them, which excites me as a coach. They are really well-positioned for another banner year.”

.

This alumnus has set running records, earned career-related accolades, and was recently honored by her alma mater

Jackie Blackett ’81

For more than four decades, Jackie Blackett ’81—a Columbia University coach and athletics administrator—has been a driving force in women’s sports and athletics management. In recognition of her achievements, the Ģą˝´«Ă˝ inducted Blackett into its Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2023.

“Throughout her life, Blackett has redefined excellence,” says Terry Gurnett, associate director of Athletics. “When she was a collegiate runner, she set records. As a Rochester cross country and track & field coach, she led the Yellowjackets to their best-ever NCAA track & field finish in 1989. Remarkably, seven of the eight women’s cross country and track & field members of the Rochester Hall of Fame competed under Blackett’s leadership.”

During her 30-year career at columbia, Blackett has played a pivotal role in the athletic department’s senior management, steering the success of more than 5,000 student athletes. Wearing multiple hats as deputy athletics director, senior woman administrator, and deputy Title IX coordinator, she oversees crucial programs and ensures compliance with University policies.

Blackett’s foray into sports started unexpectedly, when a friend invited her to a track and field meeting during the first few weeks of her first year on campus. “Much to my surprise, that meeting was held in the men’s locker room,” she recalls. “That’s the first time I met Coach Hale, who told us that if we were serious about running to come see him the next day.”

Blackett and her friends were serious and did go back to Coach Hale. Encouraged by him and the men’s team, they competed in as many events as they could. Over the years, the number of events increased and, then, in 1978 the women’s varsity team was officially established. “Coach Hale ended up paving the way for us,” she says. “His support truly marked the beginning of an unforeseen path for me and others.”

Here, Blackett talks about her life and career in sports.

What was it like being inducted into Rochester’s Athletics’ Hall of Fame?

It was humbling. Initially, I thought others were more deserving, but a former teammate reminded me that I represented a group of women who may not have the opportunity to be individually inducted into the Hall of Fame. I came to realize that this honor wasn’t just about me; it was about the early days of the sport andĚý the women who sacrificed to build a women’s cross country and track & field program.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in Barbados, which was part of the British educational system. Students earned points for academics, community service, and athletics. That’s when I discovered I had some talent in running and netball. After emigrating to the US at 13, I attended an all-girls high school in Brooklyn, where I didn’t play sports—I did take up dancing though, which I still love.

Why Rochester?

I came to Rochester to be a teacher. I was on track to be one and then, immediately following my senior year, I received a call for the athletic director at RIT who was looking for a part-time coach for their women’s program. I took the job as an opportunity to give back to students what I had gained from the sport.

Did you know you were making history at Rochester?

Absolutely not. Back in the late 1970s, making history was far from my mind. Without a women’s varsity team, I was, along with my teammates, simply track & field athlete who entered several events. It wasn’t until senior year, qualifying for nationals, that I realized the significance of what I was doing.

What might surprise people to know about you?

I never really liked running, but I really loved competing. Ask any of my former coaches, training was never my forte. I did what was necessary to do well in an event.

What are some memories of your time at Rochester?

The lifelong friends that allowed me grow. On the track, I remember deliberately keeping one shoe slightly untied during our daily mile warm-up so I had to strategically stop to re-tie them. Coach would shout, “Can’t you keep your shoes tied?” There was also the perpetual struggle of being fashionably late to practice due to General Hospital ending at the same time that practice started. I remember the bubble chairs in Wilson Commons, too, which, by the way, aren’t there anymore. We spent a lot of time in those chairs solving the world’s problems.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in sports today?

In D1 collegiate sports, we’re at a turning point, grappling with questions about our identity, educational value, and the purpose of athletics. The recent spotlight on NIL—Name, Image, and Likeness—in televised congressional hearings caught my attention. This NCAA rule allows students to earn from their personal brand. Despite its complexity, one thing became clear to me: high school and collegiate sports mattered to every senator who spoke during those hearings. As someone deeply involved in NCAA and Division 1 governance issues, I know that these are conversations that will determine the future of sports.

What are you most proud of?

I take pride in two things. Firstly, the Hall of Fame ceremony, where my great nephews witnessed a different side of me and had the chance to glimpse the value of life’s work. Secondly, when former students bring their own children back to campus, it tells me that they had an experience that was so positive it’s worth sharing with their children.

What makes today’s generation of students and athletes stand out?

Their grit and determination to make a difference. This generation wants to be part of the decision-making process. Even if they don’t have all the info, they want to have a voice if it involves them. They want a say in the process.

What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading by James Kerr, which delves into the story of New Zealand’s All Blacks, the world’s most successful rugby team. I work long and late office hours, so my reading time is limited, but Kerr’s book always accompanies me in my bag. For a more leisurely escape, I turn to Walter Mosley, an American novelist who writes a lot of crime fiction revolving around a Black private investigator—I love his work.

This chemical engineering major and MBA gives her all to her family, workplace, and alma mater

Abby Zabrodsky ’14, ’19S (MBA)

The phrase “family first” means a lot to Abby Zabrodsky ’14, ’19S (MBA). After nine years working at a large consumer products company in Buffalo, NY, she joined Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Inc. as its director of business development. In 1989, Abby’s father, John Zabrodsky ’82Ěýfounded the firm,Ěýan engineering and manufacturing systems company that employs about 20 people, including Abby’s mother, Kristy, who has been the company’s chief financial officer since 2013.

For Abby, deciding to join the family business was a bit like coming home.

“Being a small company, everyone knows each other really well,” she says, who lives in Buffalo and works a hybrid schedule. “There’s a lot of built-in trust, which is such an asset.” This strong foundation is aided by the fact that Abby and her father operate in a similar way and are both Ģą˝´«Ă˝-educated engineers. Working together with her mother, Abby adds, is an extension of their shared history.

Throughout her career, Abby has been dedicated to helping people and organizations thrive. This is evident in the workplace and as a volunteer leader. Since the Women’s Network launch in 2020, she’s been the cochair of its personal and professional development committee.ĚýShe’s also a member of the University’s Alumni Board; a mentor within ; a Reunion volunteer; a member of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society; a champion for Ěýand a former member of the Young Alumni Council. In 2022, she and her father jointly earned the University’s John N. Wilder Award for their commitment to the University and in 2022, she was given the Department of Chemical Engineering’s Young Alumni Award. Abby is also actively involved in her community, for instance, as the president of the ProZoo Board of the Buffalo Zoo.

Here, Abby talks about her career, University experience, volunteer activities, and what makes her run.

What do you enjoy most about working at Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Inc.?

I’m grateful I can apply my engineering experience and business school knowledge to the family business. I’m early in my career here and, right now, I’m getting up to speed on the business. I consider myself lucky. Not many children get to work—or maybe even want to work—with their parents, but I do. It’s a unique extension of our time together.

Why did you choose Rochester for two degrees?

When I was growing up, my dad talked about Rochester all the time. So, when it came time to look at colleges, it was top of my list. I knew I could get a chemical engineering degree, run varsity track, and join clubs and groups, even be part of a sorority here. The undergraduate experience was more cooperative than competitive. Classes were hard and running was always challenging but those beside you were always cheering you on.

A few years into my engineering career, I decided to get an MBA, to round out my engineering and technical knowledge with deeper business acumen. Deciding on the University’s was another easy choice. Its rigorous yet flexible weekend-based —which wasn’t too far from where I lived and worked in Buffalo—was ideally suited to me. I could continue working, apply what I was learning every day, and even participate in some very distinctive learning experiences, such as weeklongĚýcourses in China and Switzerland.

Why sign on as co-chair of the Women’s Network?

When Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA)—with whom I had worked on the network’s personal and professional networking committee—asked me to step up, I was ecstatic. Being with women who encourage other women, hearing from people who have faced similar life challenges, and building connections—it’s all been so important in my life and career. I’m excited to serve and support the people who benefit from the network’s programs and community.

Tell us more about mentorship and why it is important to you.

My parents have been great mentors for different and similar reasons. My dad is one because we’ve taken similar steps as engineers, runners, and Ģą˝´«Ă˝ board members. My mom always worked and took care of my sister and me yet always found time to be on boards that mattered to her. Their example has led me to be an active volunteer and prompted me to do such things as become a mentor within The Meliora Collective’s mentorship program.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?

I still run three or four times a week, just not competitively. I spin, too. I love an active lifestyle—it’s my release and what I need to do to reset my mood and clear my head. My husband, Ken Gilbert ’14—whom I met at Rochester—is active, too, and we love to travel together. No matter what, I always have my head in a book—in print or an audio version. I especially like books about sports and overcoming challenges.

Insights from Dr. Michael Recny ’79, business leader and former Rochester football player

Dr. Michael Recny ’79

For 40 years, Dr. Michael Recny ’79 served in various leadership roles in the biotechnology industry, including CEO of Calvert Holdings. Throughout his career, he and his teams have conducted pioneering biomedical research resulting in the development of innovative, life-saving FDA-approved drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, cancer, and anemia.

While Recny is now mostly retired, he continues to serve as the president of Calvert Research, an investment subsidiary of the company he helmed for many years. Reflecting on his career, Recny recognizes the profound impact of the lessons he learned on the football field at Rochester, lessons that helped shape him into a strong leader.

Recny didn’t come to Rochester to play football—he came as the recipient of a Joseph C. Wilson scholarship interested in the University’s rigorous academic program, particularly in the life sciences. “When it came to football, I was unknown,” he says. “During the first week of college, a current player said the football team needed more players. He knew I played one year in high school and suggested I try out.”

Recny took his advice, made the team, and then rode the bench for two years. Unbeknownst to him, his performance—his commitment during practice, the effort he exerted, and his interactions with the team—caught the attention of his late coach, the legendary Pat Stark.

In Recny’s junior year, Coach Stark gave him a shot to start. By the end of his senior season, Recny had earned the team award for Outstanding Back on Defense. At the same time, Recny had also designed his own interdisciplinary scientific major, enabling him to pursue unique coursework and independent laboratory research opportunities at both the River Campus and the Medical School.

Recny’s innovative approach to his education led him to create a distinctive, interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program. This paved the way for his admission to a top-ranked PhD biochemistry program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His academic journey continued to flourish as he earned a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and eventually became instrumental in launching and assuming leadership roles in multiple successful start-up biotech companies.

“In our lives and careers, each of us has an opportunity to play a vital role in every team we are part of. Football taught me invaluable lessons about the significance of always giving 100 percent—both on the field, and in professional settings.”

Sports, the military, and a career full of milestones have marked this alumna’s life

Rear Admiral Gretchen Herbert ’84

When Gretchen Herbert was a teenager, her parents were very realistic with her about the cost of college: They could afford to support four years at a state school or two at a private one. That’s when Herbert’s father started handing her Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) brochures—a timely move because he knew how much his daughter wanted to go to the URochester, her dream school.

“As a high school student, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about NROTC at first, but I knew a scholarship would make it possible for me to go to Rochester,” says Herbert. “So, I filled out the paperwork, was accepted into the program and the University, and looked forward to all the opportunities ahead of me—academically, athletically, and in the Navy.”

Herbert’s experience at the University turned out to be everything she hoped it would be. She loved science and majored in geology. She played soccer as a defender for three years and basketball as a power forward for all four years. NROTC filled her days, too, as she woke up early for training, participated in drills, and completed other Navy coursework throughout the week. She thrived amidst all the hard work.

At Rochester

Herbert’s soccer coach, Terry Gurnett ’77, and her NROTC commanding officer, Colonel Larry Ogle (USMC), provided steady inspiration throughout her college years and beyond. “They were major influencers in my life,” she says. “I learned so much from them and from sports and NROTC—I enjoyed all the training, competition, and studying with my teammates and colleagues, too. We always had each other’s backs, and many of us have become lifelong friends.”

Herbert’s plan was to graduate, serve her required four years in the Navy, and then pursue a civilian career. She didn’t expect to love the Navy, but she did. Those early days in the NROTC formed the bedrock of what would evolve into a 30-year naval career. She retired in 2014 as a rear admiral—one of the military’s higher-ranking positions. Only about six percent of active duty and retired Navy admirals are women.

“Gretchen was always prepared to practice and play,” Gurnett says. “She was the consummate teammate, a joy to coach, and a natural-born leader—everyone loved and respected her. It’s no surprise to me that she went on to have such a successful career.”

Being a Navy Woman

When Herbert graduated in 1984, the U.S. Department of Defense’s combat exclusion policy was still in effect, part of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. Passed in 1948, it gave women the ability to join the armed forces during times of peace, but they were not permitted to serve in combat positions. This policy meant that Herbert’s assignment options were more limited than those available to men.

As graduation neared, Herbert sat down with Col. Ogle to talk about what kind of naval assignment she—and any woman—could pursue.

“It was a fortuitous conversation that led to my first assignment, an operational role in an important anti-submarine warfare program that was established during the Cold War,” says Herbert, who spent her first five years in the Navy engaged in anti-submarine warfare, tracking Soviet submarines throughout the Atlantic Ocean.

After repeal of the combat exclusion policy in 1993, Herbert served as a satellite communications officer in London. A few years later, she embarked on her first shipboard tour as the combat systems officer on the USS George Washington, a nuclear aircraft carrier that still operates today with 5,000 service members on board. “That post ended up being the best experience of my career—exciting work, great people, and a mission that was critical to our country’s national security,” she says.

During the early years of her career, Herbert notes, women made up just more than 10 percent of the Navy’s active duty force. Even before the combat exclusion law was rescinded, all of her junior officer assignments were at commands that were well integrated with women. “I never felt like a minority during those tours,” she says. “The gender demographics were similar to what I experienced in the NROTC program at Rochester.”

Being a woman in the Navy continued to be a non-issue for Herbert when she was assigned to commands where women were disproportionately outnumbered by men. “Throughout my career, I have always been encouraged, supported, motivated, and respected,” she adds. “The Navy afforded me tremendous opportunities. I couldn’t ask for a better career.”

Pursuing Excellence

Herbert then spent four years working at the Pentagon until 2011, when she was selected to lead the Navy’s Cyber Forces Command. Its mission was to staff, train, equip, and certify combat-ready cyber forces throughout the Navy. The command was created in recognition of the growing importance of cybersecurity and the need for skilled individuals to protect the country’s intellectual property, operational plans, and military capabilities.

Herbert will tell you that she served alongside those with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including engineering, history, English, and more. She also underscores that the specific degree is not as important as the pursuit of excellence through the educational experience.

Finding Opportunity

Herbert’s career advice for young people? Bloom where you are planted. “In the Navy, you don’t apply for a job because you think it sounds interesting; you are assigned based on your skills, experience, and the military’s needs,” she says. “Every opportunity, no matter how challenging or unplanned, offers something to learn and grow from.”

Upon retirement, Herbert wasn’t interested in continuing in a technical or defense contracting field. Although consulting was an option, she decided to pursue other opportunities.

“I wanted to dig in the dirt, hike every day, and try my hand at more artistic pursuits like refinishing furniture,” she says. “So that’s what I do—I’ve commandeered our garage and have a brush sitting in a bucket of water on most days, ready to bring new life to an old dresser. I also serve on a few boards, including the National Outdoor Leadership School with my husband, Roger, a retired Navy Seal, and I volunteer at our local animal shelter, walking rescue dogs three times a week. Life continues to be an adventure.”

Veterinarian and former Olympic-level bobsledder John Cogar ’71 offers his help during a two-week volunteer trip to Ukraine.

STAFF SUPPORT: The staff of a Ukrainian clinic presented Cogar with a flag to thank him for his service treating abandoned dogs and cats as a volunteer veterinarian near the capital of Kyiv.

John Cogar ’71 became a veterinarian to help animals in need. He never expected he’d be doing it in a war zone, in his 70s, more than 4,500 miles from his regular practice in Ray Brook, New York.

“It was the experience of a lifetime for sure,” he says of a two-week volunteer trip to Ukraine last October.

The trip was organized through Cogar’s connections as an Olympic-level bobsledder, a sport he undertook after graduation. As a member of the US team, he befriended former US luge coach Dmitry Feld, who eventually moved to nearby Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, Cogar offered his help to the former coach, who had been raising money and support for Ukrainians. Feld told him that many of the nation’s pets needed medical attention because their owners had been killed, some had fled the country, and some were incapacitated. He and Feld flew to Ukraine to set up clinics.

From an operating room in Irpin, northwest of the capital city of Kyiv—about 50 miles from the front lines—he performed surgeries, treated injured animals, gave vaccinations, and conducted physical examinations. Over the course of 10 days, he performed roughly 80 operations, often working by flashlight when the electricity was knocked out.

Starting at Rochester as a mechanical engineering major, Cogar switched to biology. A standout running back in football and a sprinter in track, he was elected to the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

After graduating from Cornell Veterinary School, he bought a practice near his home in Saranac Lake and operated it until 2008. He now works at the business part time.

From his home this winter, Cogar says his work in Ukraine isn’t finished. “When you lose everything and have nothing left, your pets mean everything. This experience is something I’ll cherish forever.”

“I intend to go back and perform more surgeries when the war ends. I know they’ll be desperate for the help, and I’ll be there.”

The Friends of Rochester Athletics support the University’s students, alumni, and sports teams.

George VanderZwaag, Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation

Ģą˝´«Ă˝ 20 years ago, George VanderZwaag—new in his position as Rochester’s director of Athletics and Recreation—had an idea. He wanted to find a way to recognize the significant contributions of former Yellowjacket athletes while engaging others and advancing the mission of the department: to provide Rochester students with exemplary educational as well as athletic experiences.

That was the beginning of the Friends of Rochester Athletics (FORA), a group that started with about 20 people, mostly alumni, and today includes about 15,000 alumni, parents, friends, and fans. All those who support the department in any way are counted as members. “Every kind of support matters—from dollars given to attendance at our games and events,” says VanderZwaag. “The Friends network is strong and well-connected, too, which benefits everyone.”

John Mattioli ’79 and Theresa Mattioli

John Mattioli ’79, a founding member of the FORA who played basketball throughout college, says he got involved because many of the important people in his life came from Rochester, including Theresa, his wife of 42 years (also a founding Friend), and the late Jim Klimschot ’78 who was his business partner until his death in 2001.

Being a Friend, Mattioli says, has been a great way to stay in touch with former teammates and remain connected with his alma mater. Four times a year, Mattioli and former teammates get together to play golf and whenever Rochester plays a game in Atlanta—Mattioli’s hometown—he’s there. Last January, Mattioli, Tom DiChristina ’82, David Bence ’81, and their former coach, Mike Neer ’88W (MS), cheered on Rochester in a game against Emory. “The ’Jackets didn’t win but getting together gave us yet another great Rochester memory,” says Mattioli.

Dennis Braniecki ’91

Friends often become part of a student’s professional network, too. For instance, Dennis Braniecki ’91—another founding member, former football player, Hall of Fame inductee, and parent of an alumnus—has talked with dozens of prospective students and introduced alumni to people in his network over the last 30 years.

For 30 of those years, Braniecki owned a moving company and gave summer jobs to many Rochester students, alumni, and assistant coaches. He’s even physically moved a number of people to Rochester, including Rochester’s football coach, Chad Martinovich, and his family, who came from Boston five years ago.

“So many of the best parts of my life tie back to my time at Rochester,” says Braniecki. “Being a Friend has provided a framework to pay it forward in whatever ways I can.”

This story also appears in the spring 2023 issue of Rochester Review.

This collegiate swimmer, business leader, competitive athlete, and mom of six loves to learn, play, and compete—and support men’s golf

Declan Hickton ’21 and Dawne Sepanski Hickton ’79

Dawne Sepanski Hickton ’79 learned to swim by jumping off the dock in her family’s backyard. “We lived right on the Niagara River so that’s what my brothers, sisters, and I did all summer long,” she says. Hickton spent her youth playing with her five siblings and participating in various sports, including swimming. Her peers even named her captain of their high school swim team—an early indicator of her leadership skills.

When it came time for college, Hickton was excited to go to Rochester and join the swim team. That team went on to great success, too. It became the first women’s swimming team to ever score an undefeated season.

After graduating from Rochester with degrees in English and political science, Hickton earned a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, she has become a successful business leader in the aerospace industry. Hickton is also the mom of six children. She and David, her husband of 38 years, both come from large families. They planted roots in the Pittsburgh area and raised their family there. Each one of their children is an athlete, too, including Declan, a Class of 2021 mechanical engineering major who excelled in the classroom and on the golf team.

In appreciation of the experience their son had at Rochester, the Hicktons recently made a significant gift to support the golf team. The couple’s gift, Hickton says, recognizes the importance of higher education, coaching excellence, and the impact of collegiate sports on young lives. It also names the Hickton Family Golf Training Center

“Declan thrived at Rochester during a very difficult time,” she adds, noting that two years of his collegiate experience ran parallel with the pandemic. “Coach Dan Wesley was always there for him and the other students. He provided support, inspiration, and mentorship. We wanted to acknowledge and celebrate that with this gift, which for me is also a way to thank Rochester for the wonderful experiences I had there.”

Hickton adds that great coaches, like great leaders, bring out the best in people and recognize that each person has something that can help the team be successful. She credits Coach Jane Gibbons and the late Bill Boomer with her success during college.

Declan Hickton ’21 and Dawne Sepanski Hickton ’79

“Coach Gibbons trained us hard—six days a week, twice a day, including wet and dry land workouts,” she says. “And Coach Boomer’s bucket workouts were some of the most memorable. We each wore a contraption in the water that connected us to a weighted bucket. If we didn’t swim in constant motion, we’d get pulled backward. I’m sure we hated it at the time, but those experiences made us stronger and more resilient. They also made us a tighter team.”

Hickton’s transferred what she’s learned in the pool to her career. Today, she is the CEO and chair of Cumberland Additive, Inc., a titanium 3-D printing start-up. Formerly, she was the executive vice president and chief executive officer at Jacobs, NASA’s largest services contractor. Before that, Hickton was the CEO of RTI International Metals and one of the few women business leaders to manage a publicly traded firm. In 2020, she served as the first woman chair of the Federal Reserve of Cleveland.

The Hickton Family Golf Training Center

Throughout the years, Hickton has remained an athlete. She credits David and their children for continually challenging her and providing new opportunities to learn, play, and compete. “My kids have always been into sports, and I’ve picked up whatever they enjoy,” she adds. For instance, her sons, Conor and Dan, played ice hockey, so she learned to skate. Her daughter, Bridget, is an equestrian, so now Hickton rides. And her sons, Keenan and Declan loved golf, so she picked that up , too.

When Hickton turned 50, she set a new goal for herself: to run a marathon. Two years later, she’s met that goal and then some, having also raced in two full and 13 half marathons. And, right now, she and Declan are training for the Miami half marathon in March of 2023.

“My mom is the most competitive person you’ll ever meet,” says Declan, who is now pursuing a career as a pilot in the aerospace industry. “That’s why each of us in the family got into sports and why she’s had such a successful career. She has a motor in her and a contagious drive. It’s what has pushed all of us to be our best.”

Five former Yellowjackets were recognized by the Department of Athletics and Recreation during Meliora Weekend as the 2022 inductees into the Hall of Fame.

HONOREES: The 2022 Hall of Fame inductees include (left to right) Kelly Wescott Mick ’05, Marcus Gage ’94, ’96M (MS), Leslie Wilmert Donato ’99, Kirk Dietrich ’98, and Aria Garsys Goodberlet ’00.

Kirk Dietrich ’98: A four-year starter in soccer who went on to a career as a professional soccer player in Rochester and Cleveland, he helped lead the Yellowjackets to two NCAA Division III tournaments, a UAA conference title, and an ECAC Northeast tournament championship.

Leslie Wilmert Donato ’99: An All-American hammer thrower who set Rochester records in the event as a senior, she is now a board-certified clinical chemist. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Marcus Gage ’94, ’96M (MS): A two-time All-American and four-time Academic All-American in track, Gage was a member of Rochester’s 1991 national champion cross-country team. Making his career as an engineer, he competed in races and endurance events, earning honors as Rochester Runner of the Year in 1999.

Aria Garsys Goodberlet ’00: A four-year soccer starter, she earned All-American honors as a senior as part of a Rochester career that included three NCAA tournaments. She teaches AP and global history at Rochester-area Rush-Henrietta schools, and in 2007 she received the Bernard Cohen New York State Young Teacher Award.

Kelly Wescott Mick ’05: A four-year starter on a basketball team that advanced twice to the NCCA’s Division III Final Four, she was ranked among the top 10 in points, field goals, and other categories during her career. She is a business support manager for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Carderock, Maryland.

The annual ceremony was suspended during the pandemic and returned to campus this fall for the first time since 2019.

This seasoned coach focuses on motivation, team culture, and positively influencing young lives

Coach Carly Ritchlin

Carly Ritchlin became head coach for women’s lacrosse in August 2021, leading a roster of 30 athletes. “I’m excited to build a program around such strong women,” she says. “My focus is on developing a foundation for success—building a team culture, motivating the players, and being a positive influence in their lives.”

Over the course of her 20-year coaching career, including 18 at nearby SUNY Geneseo, Ritchlin has stacked up more than 200 victories. She ranks among the top 20 active coaches in Division III in career wins.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the growth of our program and our players, on and off the field,” she says. “Rochester is so full of opportunity, and I am impressed with its commitment to students, academics, and athletics.”

Eyeing opportunity

Ritchlin is motivated by the potential she sees, the passion of the team, and the way the Ģą˝´«Ă˝ community has welcomed her. Joining the Rochester Athletics coaching staff was a bit of a surprise to her. The former head lacrosse coach, Sue Behme, told Ritchlin of her plans to take another job and invited her to campus, thinking that this could be a great fit for her.

“She showed me all of the tremendous resources, including how the team gets the support of an assistant, a strength and conditioning coach, a sports psychologist, and a nutritionist,” says Ritchlin. “I was energized, and something clicked in me. I believed in what I saw happening here and knew I could add value and be successful here.”

Getting in the game

Ritchlin has always loved sports. In high school, she played both soccer and lacrosse. A knee injury took her out of one soccer season and prompted her to focus on lacrosse. As a 2001 Cortland graduate, Ritchlin was a four-year letter-winner, a two-year starter, and captain during her senior campaign for the Red Dragons. She majored in exercise science and aspired to become a strength conditioning coach at a Division I school.

An internship at RIT changed that. She worked with several teams, designing strength programs and developing agility workouts. Administration noticed her and offered her a part-time lacrosse coaching position. Ritchlin loved it. They then asked her to take on the head coach position for the spring season. “That job set me on the course of my career,” she says. “It gave me the experience to get the Geneseo coaching position.”

Enjoying the wins

Winning, to Ritchlin, comes in all forms, big and small. For instance, it comes when making connections with the team. “In one of our first workouts, I think I surprised the team with how enthusiastically I jumped into the motivational speaker role,” says Ritchlin. “They fed off of it, and still do. I like to tell them that they have another gear in them—they just need to find it and cultivate it. We all do.”

Her favorite part of the job? The relationships. “When I was 24 and coaching, my favorite part was winning,” she says. “But now, at 44, it’s about having a positive impact on these women. I take that seriously. If you take lacrosse out of the equation, I want them to leave here after four years as better people. If I can help them hone their strengths and great qualities while challenging them in the process, we’re all better off, as a team and as people.”