Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Going BIG FOR HWS ATHLETICS

In just 24 hours, the HWS community posted record-breaking stats in support of the Herons and Statesmen. During the Colleges’ single biggest fundraising day ever, thousands of members of the HWS community participated in the annual Athletics Day of Donors, boosting individual teams and the Colleges’ programs in sports medicine and strength and conditioning by nearly $900,000. Once again, ADOD was anchored by the late James F. Caird ’56, L.H.D. ‘12 and Cynthia L. Caird L.H.D. ’12, who generously funded the Caird Challenge, putting up $25,000 in bonus cash for Hobart and William Smith athletic teams. “On behalf of HWS Athletics, we all send our heartfelt thanks to the more than 3,000 alums, parents, student-athletes and friends of our 29 sports and support staffs who made a gift,” says Brian Miller, associate vice president and director of athletics and recreation. “These gifts will allow our programs to prosper and give us the ability to enhance the entire student-athlete experience, while providing the necessary funding to help each sport and individual reach their full potential.”

ADOD: by the numbers

$883,998 donated
327% of the $270,000 goal
3,057 donors

JACOBSEN JOINS NCAA PRESIDENTS COUNCIL

In June, President Joyce P. Jacobsen began her four-year term of service on the NCAA’s Division III Presidents Council, the highest governing body in Division III athletics. The Council establishes and directs the general policy of the Division, while also setting D-III’s strategic plan. “It’s an honor to represent the Colleges, our coaches, staff and student athletes, particularly in this exciting time when our athletics department is expanding,” Jacobsen says.

HOBART LAX SCHOLARSHIPS GET THE OK

Since Hobart lacrosse moved to Division I in 1995, NCAA legislation has prevented the Statesmen from offering athletic scholarships. That changed at this year’s NCAA Convention. In January, the Liberty League proposal to permit multidivisional institutions to award athletics aid to their D-I student-athletes passed by an overwhelming majority. Prior to the vote, Hobart lacrosse was bound by D-I rules except those regarding financial aid, making the program unable to grant scholarships based on athletic ability. Between the efforts of HWS Athletics, NCAA compliance staff and financial aid staff, the Colleges will soon be able to announce the institution’s first athletic scholarship.

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Olivia Parisi ’22 was elected to the 2021–22 Academic All-America Division III Women’s Basketball first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. An economics major, Parisi is a Blackwell Scholar, a three-time Liberty League All-Academic selection and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District pick. She earned Dean's List recognition and was ranked second in the league this season in points per game. She is the fourth Heron basketball player and the 62nd student-athlete in HWS history to be named an Academic All-American.