A note from the Athletic Director

Dear Alumni and Friends of ESU Athletics,

Please allow me to take a few moments to let you know about some of the great things that are going on in the East Stroudsburg University Department of Athletics. Our program is succeeding academically, athletically and financially thanks to the work of our administrators, coaches and student-athletes, and also due to the commitment and loyalty of our alumni, friends and parents.

The success of East Stroudsburg's athletic program can be partially measured by its extensive participation in both PSAC and NCAA post-season play. In the 2006-07 academic year, ESU sent its men's soccer and softball teams to the NCAA tournament and claimed two PSAC championships. The men's soccer team, led by All-American Ryan Love, won its 14th PSAC championship in 25 years and made the 20th NCAA tournament appearance in school history, and the Warriors' women's basketball team earned its second straight PSAC East title. Wrestler Scott Heckman won an individual PSAC championship at 149 pounds.

Four other teams made PSAC postseason appearances. The baseball team qualified for the PSAC tournament for the first time since 1985, while the softball team went for the first time since 1981. The softball team placed third in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the NCAA tournament. The women's volleyball and men's tennis programs also competed in postseason conference tournaments.

The track & field programs continued their tradition of excellence, as both teams were fourth in the PSAC during the outdoor season, while the men were third and the women were fourth in the indoor season. Leslie Martin was an All-American in both seasons (indoors - high jump, outdoors - heptathlon), and Kenny Cardullo and Iuri Pinto also competed at the outdoor national championships for the Warriors.

The football program recorded its seventh straight winning season, finishing 7-3 in 2006 following a season in which they were the Northeast Region champions and advanced to the national semifinals for the first time in school history. Quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger concluded his record-setting career in which he set new Division II standards for passing touchdowns (148), passing yards (14,350) and total offense (16,064). Terwilliger was awarded the Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II Player of the Year in 2005. Evan Prall joined Terwilliger on the All-America team at wide receiver and return specialist.

Field hockey standout Ashley Kocis also received individual hardware, earning the Honda Broderick Award as the most outstanding player in Division II last season. Kocis led the nation with 29 goals and 59 points and was also the first ESU player to be named PSAC Field Hockey Athlete of the Year. Teammates Erin Due, Katie Ord and Cara Senese were also All-Americans for the field hockey program, which achieved its 20th consecutive season with at least a .500 record.

Many new athletic initiatives have also taken place. These initiatives include the installation of dugouts at Mitterling Baseball Field and the complete renovation of the athletic training room. The coaches and I feel very strongly that the student athlete's achievements and facility upgrades could not be possible without your support and generosity.

Winning National and Conference Championships is our ultimate goal! As you all know, competing and succeeding are very different.

Looking back...ESU has succeeded at a high level of competition as is evident with the 65 conference championships won, 28 NCAA postseason appearances, more than 220 NCAA All Americans and 450 All- Conference student athletes.

Looking Forward...the cost of success in the competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and NCAA will create challenges for ESU athletic teams unless scholarships and facilities continue to be enhanced.

At this time I would like to invite you to join the Warrior Athletic Club or renew your existing membership. The Warrior Athletic Club, now in its 4th year, is one of the largest annual fundraising programs for men's and women's intercollegiate athletics at ESU. There are many benefits to joining the club including receiving season tickets, Warrior sports wear, name recognition in sport publications, tax deduction and much more.

As a Warrior Athletic Club member, your contribution will provide the student-athletes with "the gift of education" by supplementing their cost for tuition, fees, textbooks and room and board as they earn a degree from a nationally recognized university. You also give the student athlete the opportunity to participate in the highly competitive PSAC, NCAA Division II and Division I in wrestling and men's volleyball.

The climb to be the best always seems to come with sacrifice and a sincere commitment. Please join "the team behind the team" and help the Warriors continue to build on the achievements of the past while adding momentum to the future.

Thank you in advance for your investment in ESU through The Warrior Athletic Club. I am grateful for your generous support, which will strengthen the East Stroudsburg University athletic program. If you have any questions about The Warrior Athletic Club, ESU Athletics or want to become more involved please don't hesitate to call me at 570-422-3642.

Yours in Championship Athletics,
Tom Gioglio, Ed.D.
Director of Athletics