Dear Friend of Saint Peter's Athletics,
I hope you and your families are continuing to stay safe and healthy during this time. It's hard to believe it is already February, and that we are in the final stretch of the men's and women's basketball seasons! Both teams continue to work their way through the MAAC schedule, and the 2021 Hercules Tires MAAC Basketball Championships are right around the corner. Don't forget, while fans are still not permitted at the games or the tournament, you can catch all of the action on ESPN3 or ESPN+.
We are so excited to have all of our teams back on campus for the spring semester! The MAAC Council of Presidents has approved spring competition schedules for the sports of cross country, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball, with competition to start no sooner than March 6. We're looking forward to cheering on our student-athletes as they return to the field. While schedules remain fluid, you can stay up to date with our composite schedule here.
Peacock Nation Day is quickly approaching, happening this year on Saturday, February 27. Loyal alumni and fans Rich '67 and Bob '75 Donnelly have stepped up to issue a special matching gift challenge, and will match the first $5,000 in gifts. We are honored by the Donnelly's leadership and commitment to Saint Peter's Athletics and hope that their generosity inspires you to do more. You can get a head start on Peacock Nation Day by making a gift here.
Registration is now open for the 2021 William J. Murray Peacock Athletics Golf Outing, set for June 14 at Maplewood Country Club. The golf outing serves as the department's largest annual fundraiser, with funds raised benefiting all 16 athletic programs. I hope you can join us as we enjoy a day on the course while raising critical funds for our department. You can register for the golf outing here.
On February 3, we celebrated our current, former and future female student-athletes on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, a nationwide campaign, which recognizes the achievements of female athletes at all levels of competition. Women's basketball redshirt-senior Taiah Thornton was named the 2021 Saint Peter's University Woman of the Year award recipient, as presented by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW). We are so proud of Taiah and all of our female student-athletes who represent Saint Peter's with distinction and pride!
As we continue to overcome the challenges of this COVID-19 pandemic and look to better days ahead, your steadfast commitment to our student-athletes is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all of Peacock Nation for your continued support of our programs and student-athletes. I look forward to the day when we can all be together again!
Thank you, and GO PEACOCKS!
Rachelle Paul
Director of Athletics
