Online Giving Form
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 postseason play, as well as the academic success of the Warriors’ student-athletes in the classroom.
Among the highlights over the past several years:
* ESU has had 66 student-athletes selected to the Capital One Academic All-District team in their respective sports over the last six years, second-most in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
* ESU has had 20 Academic All-Americans over the last five years, including a record eight selections in 2012-13.
* ESU has had 21 student-athletes selected to the PSAC Top 10 for academic and athletic achievement over the last six years, also second-most in the PSAC.
* Matt Tholis was named the 2013 PSAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
(See also: ESU Academic Awards history)
* Multiple NCAA Playoff appearances by the baseball and men’s basketball teams in the last four years, with baseball qualifying in 2011 and 2013, and men’s basketball in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
* Additional NCAA Playoff appearances in men’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball and women’s tennis in recent seasons.
* PSAC championships by the baseball team in 2013, men’s basketball in 2012 and men’s soccer in 2006 and 2007 – which won 13 of the 16 conference titles under head coach Jerry Sheska from 1992-2007.
(See also: PSAC championship / NCAA playoff teams)
* Two PSAC East regular season championships and four straight PSAC Final Four appearances by the men’s basketball team from 2010 through 2013 under head coach Jeff Wilson.
* Quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger was the recipient of the Harlon Hill Award in 2005 as the most outstanding player in Division II football and set 18 NCAA Division II records. Linebacker Matt Freed was a Harlon Hill candidate in 2010 and a three-time All-American.
* Forward Ashley Kocis led Division II field hockey with 29 goals and was the recipient of the Honda Broderick Award as the nation’s top player in 2006. Forward Jessica Frantz led Division II with 32 goals and was a first team All-American in 2010.
* Three selections in the Major League Baseball Draft in the last five years – third baseman Mark Angelo (2009), pitcher Jeremy Gigliotti (2011) and second baseman Joe Bennie (2013).
* 25 All-America honors in track & field since 2007, with two additional honors in cross country. The Warriors have had NCAA Division II runner-up finishes in the javelin from Josh Hontz in 2011 and Matt Tholis in 2013.
* All-America status for four wrestlers in ESU’s first four seasons in Division II. Shane Mallory was the national runner-up at 184 pounds in 2010.
* A total of 19 PSAC Athletes of the Year, 15 Freshmen of the Year and 10 Coaches of the Year over the past seven years.
(See also: PSAC major award winners)
Many new athletic initiatives have also taken place, including three major projects at Eiler-Martin Stadium, where our football, soccer and track & field teams compete. In the last four years, the facility has been upgraded with an all-weather track, lights and artificial turf to give ESU one of the premier venues in the PSAC. Other initiatives include the installation of artificial turf at Whitenight Field (field hockey and lacrosse), dugouts at the Mitterling Baseball Field, and the 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 Conference and National Championships is our ultimate goal! As you know, competing and succeeding are very different.
Looking back – ESU has succeeded at a high level of competition as is evident with the 59 conference championships won, 58 NCAA postseason appearances, more than 250 NCAA All-Americans and 600 All-Conference student-athletes.
Looking forward – the cost of success in the competitive PSAC and NCAA Division II 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 consider investing in our future student-athletes by making a financial commitment to the Department of Athletics. Your tax deductible 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.
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 Athletics. I am grateful for your generous support, which will strengthen the East Stroudsburg University athletic program. To contribute to the Warriors, both now and in the future, please click on the following link - Online Giving Form. If you have any questions about ESU Athletics or want to become more involved, please don't hesitate to call me at (570) 422-3642.
Tom Gioglio, Ed.D.
Director of Athletics
