As family and friends watched from the stands, the Setter’s lacrosse team played against familiar and old faces. The game went to the home team; however all seemed to be cheerful as alumni and current players were able to connect with each other to relish in the program they enjoyed so much.

Pace University hosted the annual Lacrosse Alumni Day on Saturday, Oct. 19. The game brought alumni lacrosse players, faculty, family and students together to meet new Head Coach Tom Mariano and reconnect with their fellow alumni. The day hosted structured activities such as a free youth clinic, an alumni exclusive game, and a small reception; current players were able to see what life looks like after college.

“I thought it was cool to see how a lot of people have gone through the program,” said freshman computer science major Bobby Maddia, who plays as an attacker for Setter’s lacrosse. “It was awesome to see these people who want to come back because they enjoyed their time here.”

Maddia, along with the rest of the team, got the chance to play against the alumni in a friendly game that brought family and friends out to see.

“I think it’s great,” said Lisa Theadoris, parent of mid-fielder Alex Theadoris, who was one of the many parents and family members who attended the event. “It’s good for the current team members so they can learn and catch up, it’s a nice and relaxing time.”

Hosted by the Setter’s Club, the Lacrosse Alumni Day brought out over 50 alumni, many who expressed their anticipation for the upcoming lacrosse season.

“I’m glad to see that the program has more juice, they’ve had tough years but the new coach is changing the attitude and swagger,” said alumnus Brad Wheeler, who played mid-field and graduated in 1995.

Coming all the way from North Carolina, Wheeler, who in his two years on the team set all the mid-field records, enjoyed reminscing with his old teammates on the first time they beat King College in 1994. Now with a degree in political science and minor in history, Wheeler feels a connection with the team and the sport due to his college experience.

“The thing you get with Pace is you make different relationships. Now we all have business and families, but this keeps us together,” Wheeler said. “Pace has all the potential in the world. The team here can go from mediocre to being the best.”

Even former Setters Lacrosse Coach Daniel Mulholland was able to visit and catch up with familiar faces.
“It’s always good to see the older guys. That’s why you coach, to see them grow and develop friendships,” said Mulholland, who coached the Setters lacrosse team for 16 years. “It’s amazing how different things are now, Pace has made a tremendous hire with Mariano.”

One of the purposes of the Lacrosse alumni day is not only to reconnect with past and current players, but it also serves as a way for alumni to see the changes and new directions that are being taken by their alma mater.

“I’m so happy to see they are going to have Women’s Lacrosse. I’m the father of four daughters, so you have to be fair, I know they are heading in a better direction,” Mulholland said.

With a better direction in mind, alumni are now looking towards new head coach Tom Mariano to see what will come next for the current lacrosse team. Lacrosse Alumni Day served as a way for alumni to reach out and meet with the new spearhead of the program.

“I think it’s great anytime you get guys who come back to support the program,” Mariano said. “That’s what this day is about; you can’t have a program without alumni.”

Coach Mariano enjoys seeing his current players meet the alumni and learn from their stories.

“It’s like they’re sitting on the sidelines. They get to see first-hand success,” Mariano said. “I want to see them successful and happy. That’s the point of this, from freshman year to their alumni day.”

Mariano looks forward to the future events with the alumni players.

“The alumni day was great; Zach Dayton did a great job. It is something we want to build on,” Mariano said.
In response to the comments made to the high expectation from alumni for this upcoming lacrosse season, Mariano had a simple reply:

“I think now we have to answer the challenge. The men from day one have been great and are working hard as athletes,” Mariano said.

At the conclusion of Pace Alumni Day, drinks and food were served. Alumni, players, families, and administration gathered to catch up, recall the distinguishing moments of the lacrosse team and connect over the program that brought them together in the first place.