Winning_Edge_Spring_2026

BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

SPRING 2026

Winning EDGE Matt Bolton and Elisa Allen lead baseball and softball teams to top of the America East

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CONTENTS 3

WINNING EDGE SPRING 2026

A new sport to enjoy Women’s flag football to become the 22nd varsity sport at Binghamton University, starting in spring 2028.

FEATURES

12 16

4

Matt Bolton: Outfielder, whose 2025 debut season

8

Elisa Allen: Softball star is setting school

was full of clutch performances, was first freshman to lead the America East in both hits and runs.

records and earning accolades while leading Binghamton to the NCAA Tournament.

Jessie Rubin ’13: NBC’s Emmy-winning social media strategist learned work ethic and dedication while playing tennis for the Bearcats.

Dora Panteli ’10: Former Bearcat basketball captain has stayed close to the game as one of Europe’s premier hoops analysts and commentators.

20

25 years of Division I athletics: A closer look at the home countries, states, and towns of Bearcat studentathletes from the past quarter-century.

HIGHLIGHTS

22

Women's soccer team wins third regular-season America East title in the past four years. Women's basketball team wins 20 games, including a game in the postseason WNIT. COVER PHOTO BY JONATHAN COHEN

FROM THE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

W

elcome to another edition of Winning Edge. This issue

completes our celebration of 25 years as an NCAA Division I program. I know you will enjoy reading the features on current and former student-athletes plus an interesting

deep-dive into where our student-athletes have come from in this last quarter-century.

We are in the midst of an exciting new era on campus, as new

President Anne D’Alleva begins her tenure. In addition to her strong

reputation in academia and as an innovative leader, President D’Alleva

holds an affinity for athletics and how it can serve as a conduit for pride

and school spirit across campus and among our loyal alumni worldwide.

In athletics, we continuously strive to mirror the president’s

innovation and are excited to announce that we have added women’s

The Binghamton Fund for Athletics directly impacts our studentathletes!

BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

MAKE A GIFT

flag football as our 22nd varsity sport! You can read more about it on

Page 3: This important decision shows the kind of forward-thinking our University has staked its reputation upon.

We also have focused on our future with our decision to “opt in” to the

NCAA House Settlement. This will allow us align with the vast majority

binghamtonbearcats.com /MakeAGift

framework for success in a rapidly changing college athletics landscape.

Stay connected

of NCAA Division I programs (more than 80%) to create financial

opportunities for student-athletes. The decision also helps forge a new From large-scale facility renovations to strategic enhancements for

student-athlete services and sport offerings, Binghamton athletics is

poised to reach new heights. I encourage you to stay connected and join us for the ride.

Thank you for your continued support.

Binghamton Bearcats binghamtonathletics @Bing_Bearcats

Go Bearcats!

BinghamtonAthletics

Sincerely,

Eugene Marshall Jr.

Send us your alumni notes

Director of Athletics

sports@binghamton.edu

SPRING 2026 ATHLETICS DIVISION Director

Eugene Marshall Jr. Senior Deputy Director/ Chief Operating Officer

Dennis Kalina

Deputy Director of Athletics, SWA

Leigh Ann Savidge-Morris

Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer/Divisional Diversity Officer

Senior Associate Director, Financial Operations

Senior Associate Director, Communications

Assistant Provost/Senior Associate Director, Student Services and NCAA Compliance

Senior Associate Director for Business Development

Marisa Colonna-Garrow

David Eagan

Senior Associate Director, Sports Medicine and Performance

Kara Gorgos

Ze D. Zeon

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W I NN IN G ED GE • S PR I N G 2026

John Hartrick

EDITORIAL Magazine Editors

Eric Coker John Hartrick

Pat Murphy

Design and Production

Senior Associate Director, Facilities and Operations

University Photographer

Dave Simek

Vice President for University Communications and Marketing

Greg Delviscio

Senior Director of Creative Services

Gerald Hovancik Jr.

David Skyrca ’85 Jonathan Cohen

HOW TO REACH US Athletics Main Number 607-777-2043 Athletics Tickets Office 607-777-BTIX (2849) Athletics Email athletics@binghamton.edu

Flag football to join roster of D1 sports

B

inghamton University will add

fellow Division I universities Nebraska and

women’s flag football to its

Charleston Southern, among others. In the

varsity sport offerings, with

Northeast, familiar Bearcat sport opponents

the inaugural season kicking

LIU, FDU, Mercyhurst, Sacred Heart, and

off in spring 2028.

The addition of flag will give Binghamton 22 intercollegiate programs (11 men, 11

could join the group with an ECAC conference affiliation.

women). It’s the first sport Binghamton has

Flag football is a 7-on-7

added in 25 years, since the Bearcats added

game played on an 80-yard-

men’s and women’s lacrosse to accompany

by-40-yard field. Games

its 2001 NCAA Division I move and America

consist of four 12-minute

East membership.

quarters. Players wear flag

“With the NCAA’s decision to add women’s

INAUGURAL SEASON TO BEGIN IN SPRING 2028

belts with sockets and two pop-up flags

flag football as an emerging sport, this is

on either side of their hips. Teams score six

the perfect time to provide a wonderful

points for a touchdown and can gain one

opportunity for our talented young ladies

extra point for a conversion from the five-

to compete in the sport,” Athletics Director

yard line or two extra points for a conversion

Eugene Marshall Jr. said at a Feb. 20 news

from the 10-yard line.

conference. “It’s one of the fastest-growing

JONATHAN COHEN

Saint Joseph’s have added flag. Binghamton

Binghamton’s flag team will practice and

sports, and I believe it will be a great

compete at the Bearcats Sports Complex, a

addition to Bearcat athletics. We also look

vast two-field turf space that also houses

forward to exploring a partnership with the

the soccer and lacrosse programs. The East

ECAC as we begin to develop this program.”

Field at the Complex will be lined for flag.

In January, the NCAA announced that flag

The Bearcats will embark on a head coach

football was one of its “Emerging Sports

search and then begin recruiting student-

for Women.” Binghamton will join a rapidly-

athletes. Practice and informal competitions

growing list of schools to add the sport.

could take place as early as spring 2027.

Recent announcements have come from

— John Hartrick

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T

‘Bolt’ delivers

jolt

alk about making a grand entrance.

Feb. 14, 2025: Top of the third in Binghamton’s season-opener at Sun Belt Conference power Texas State. Freshman center fielder Matt Bolton stood at the plate for his first collegiate at-bat, hitting seventh in an upperclassmen-led lineup.

“Bolt” fouled off three pitches, turned a 1–2 count into a 3–2 count and then, on the eighth pitch of the at-bat, he squared up the ball. Fifteen seconds later, he returned to the dugout having done what no other Binghamton player had done before: an inside-the-park home run in his first-ever collegiate at-bat.

BY JOHN HARTRICK Bolton drove the ball to deep rightcenter and the Texas State center fielder dove in vain at the wall. The ball scooted off the bottom of the padding away from two outfielders. By moment. … You just can’t have a crazier story the time the relay came from short center, Bolton beat the in terms of a first career hit and home run.” throw home with a head-first slide. It was Binghamton’s first run during what would become a championship season that Game-saving catch at Missouri culminated in another NCAA tournament appearance in late May. That debut alone would be noteworthy for Bolton’s first hit also was a harbinger for a historic a freshman. But Bolton was just warming up. individual season that featured rewritten records and eyeThree weeks later, Bolton introduced himself opening plays. to Missouri and its rabid SEC fan base with The rarity of Bolton’s first at-bat home run can’t be a highlight-reel, extra-innings catch that overstated. Data reveals that inside-the-park home runs propelled the Bearcats to the first of two represent less than 1% of all homers. Once the qualifier of a stunning victories over the heavily-favored first-ever collegiate at-bat is added in, the odds shrink to 1-inTigers. tens-of-thousands. AI ultimately labels the achievement as In the 10th inning of a 7–7 game, the “extraordinary” and “highly improbable.”

Mizzou power-hitting catcher launched a “I will never forget that moment,” Bolton says. “Once I got to would-be game-winning RBI toward the third [base], I thought Coach (Tim) Sinicki was going to hold center field wall with the winning run on me up, but I started to get a second wind when I saw him wave first. On a dead-run in near darkness, Bolton me home.” tracked down the ball and made an over-theBolton was mobbed by teammates at the plate and in the head basket catch that left the broadcasters dugout. (and the entire ballpark) in disbelief. Three “Watching him slide into home was a crazy energy boost innings later, Bolton singled with two outs for the team,” then-senior standout and Colorado Rockies and the Bearcats came away with an 8–7 ninth-round draft pick Zach Rogacki says. “It was an awesome upset win. How good was the catch?

JONATHAN COHEN

Center fielder led America East in hits and runs in 2025

BI NGH A M TO N U NI V E RSI TY AT H L E T IC S

5

“The amount of ground he covered going straight back over his head — which is very difficult for an outfielder — was amazing, and to actually catch the ball speaks to Matt’s athleticism,” says Sinicki, who assuredly has seen enough baseball in 34 years to know great from good.

Rogacki was catching that game and saw the ball leave the bat with a boom.

“I honestly thought the game was over,” he says.

“Considering the magnitude of the game — and if that ball drops, game over — it was one of the best defensive plays I’ve ever seen,” longtime Bearcats associate head coach Ryan Hurba says.

“It was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen in person,” teammate and three-time all-conference catcher Evin Sullivan says. “It made me realize he was truly an elite defender out in center.”

championship game win over topseed Bryant. In the second game of the tournament against NJIT, Bolton went 5-for-6 to tie a Binghamton single-game tournament record for hits.

Bearcat teammates praised their first-team all-conference center fielder.

“He was super mature for his age,” Rogacki says. “He never got too high when he was producing and never got too low in the rare stretches when the ball wasn’t falling for him. He helped me elevate my game a lot because he and I got pitched and shifted nearly the same way every atbat, so I got to do a little homework in the on-deck circle when he

but was drawn to the unpredictability of baseball. By middle school, he was excelling among his peers and started a four-year run with his Next Level baseball summer team. That experience opened his eyes to the potential of reaching NCAA Division I baseball.

“We first saw Matt at one of our Prospect Camps in August following his freshman year in high school,” Sinicki says. “His offensive skillset was obvious to our entire staff. Soon thereafter he verbally committed to us. (Former Bearcat star) Nick Roselli had great things to say about Matt as a player and young man and that helped us decide to offer him.”

“Matt and Nick had a lot of similarities,” Hurba says of the two high-profile recruits from Division High

Beginning with the Missouri series, Bolton embarked on a twoplus–month stretch of making the difficult look routine, especially in center field.

“Fans might not fully appreciate how easy he makes it look getting to balls hit in the gaps or over his head that most outfielders would never get to,” Sinicki says. “And while his time in the 60 is very impressive, his functional speed is game-changing.”

Bolton quickly moved to the leadoff spot in the lineup, hit .367, and became the first freshman in America East history to lead the conference in both hits (a school-record 78) and runs (61). Bolton reached base in 34 straight games and was the catalyst for a Bearcats lineup that obliterated program records for home runs and doubles.

Binghamton then scored 59 runs at the America East Tournament and capped the run with an extra-inning 6

W I NN IN G ED GE • S PR I N G 2026

was at the plate. He was always on base and opening up holes in the infield for me.”

“His at-bats are so mature and you would not have been able to tell he was a freshman,” Sullivan adds. “There was never a moment too big for him.”

The path to Binghamton Bolton began playing baseball at age 5. His dad Paul played in high school and spotted Matt’s potential, even as a T-Ball slugger. Bolton also played football, basketball, soccer, and tennis,

School in Levittown, New York. “Roselli reminded me of a ‘slugger who can hit,’ whereas Bolton reminds me of a ‘hitter who can slug.’”

Sinicki has recruited and developed an abundance of talented players in his NCAA-leading, more than three-decade span as the Bearcats’ head coach. What has he seen from Bolton thus far?

“I can’t say enough about how Matt handled his freshman season,” Sinicki says. “Batting leadoff most of the season with a veteran lineup was so impressive.

And then to be the type of outfielder in center field and do the things he did … well, it’s just not the normal freshman season for most players in the country.

JONATHAN COHEN

Outfield heroics springboard season

And to Matt’s credit, he handled it like a veteran.”

“It was so exciting to be in that lineup,” Bolton says. That star-studded lineup had its first five hitters all named first-team all-conference — an America East record. Bolton blended right in with the seasoned veterans.

“I think what helped the most was just not worrying about anything I can’t control,” Bolton says. “The main goal I had before the season was to try my best to become an everyday player and be someone the coaches could trust. I just went out there and played my game.”

Sophomore season in 2026 With that unprecedented debut season in the books and now midway through season two, how high is Bolton’s career ceiling?

“His abilities have him on a similar projected path as some of our all-time great players,” Sinicki says. “The sky’s the limit for Matt and I can’t wait to see what great moments lie ahead.”

For Bolton, the humble mindset and focus remain.

“I know I can improve every part of my game and being able to work on those

things will help our team try to win another championship,” he says.

Long-term, Bolton wants to explore a professional career and then give back to the sport in a coaching capacity. He is drawn to the endless scenarios and unique circumstances the sport delivers to its participants and fans alike.

“The thing I love the most about baseball is not really knowing what’s going to happen next during the game,” he says.

With Bolton in the game, whether roaming center field or in the batter’s box, that’s certainly the case.

FROM DIVISION HIGH TO DIVISION I Tom Tuttle wasn’t surprised with Matt Bolton’s seamless transition to college baseball.

“I wasn’t shocked at all with the year Matt had,” says Tuttle, his former coach at Division High School in Levittown, New York. “He was a five-tool player in high school and he trains at a level that probably only 10% of athletes reach.”

Tuttle has won 10 conference, six county and two Long Island championships in his 18 years. He also has the distinction of developing two elite Bearcat players from Levittown — Nick Roselli and now Bolton. Before starring three seasons at Binghamton and being drafted in 2024 by the New York Mets, Roselli played his senior season at Division High and led off with then-freshman

Bolton hitting right behind him in Tuttle’s 2021 lineup.

The two lefty hitters (who throw right-handed) share several common threads, including a relentless drive to improve and exceed expectations.

“Both Nick and Matt are amazing players who are coachable and always looking to get better,” Tuttle says. “While Nick has pro bat speed and gets every ounce out of his ability, Matt also can hit, but has the ability to change the game with his legs.”

Roselli’s leadership made an impression on Bolton.

“Nick was the biggest

influence on the power of being a leader,” Bolton says. “He taught me in high school how to be someone your teammates can look up to and trust.”

How does Roselli, architect of his own breakneck pace from high school to professional baseball, evaluate his friend and former teammate?

“Growing up in the same town and at the same high school gave us a very similar approach to the game,” he says of their commonality. “We both enjoy the challenges that baseball brings both physically and mentally. Matt has a tremendous natural ability paired with a strong work ethic. Honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised with what he did last season.”

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elisa allen is

‘electric’

JONATHAN COHEN

E

Softball star’s hitting, work ethic powers Bearcats to top of America East

lisa Allen had just concluded her freshman year at Binghamton University in June 2024. At first glance, Allen appeared to have adjusted well to her new surroundings: She was named

BY DAVID O’BRIAN to the America East Softball All-Rookie Team while balancing her studies as an engineering major.

Allen, however, knew better. There was a lot she still had school, so head coach Jess Bump was able to to learn — both on and off the softball field. She went from see her growth over the years.

Groton High School, with a total enrollment of 400 students, “Elisa was someone who we were watching to Binghamton University, with more than 19,000 students. for a few years prior to her commitment to The distance between the town of Groton and the city of Binghamton,” Bump says. “She had an edge Binghamton is only an hour, but the environments could not to her — and it was an edge that my staff and have been more different.

I believed wasn’t one you could teach. Her “I came to Binghamton being a very shy person, not potential was through the roof.” knowing much about what I needed to be successful,” she When Allen returned home to Groton after says. “I really didn’t go out of my way to talk to people. In high her freshman year, she took matters into her school, I had classes with only 20 students and the teacher own hands. She spent hours researching how knew everyone and we all knew each other. In college, there she could improve both as a student-athlete were 300 strangers in a class and the professors did not know and a teammate. many of us.”

“I used the summer to listen to podcasts On the field, Allen was the primary starting catcher for the and read several books that would help me Bearcats. She homered seven times and finished with 23 RBI. become a better teammate, a better player, Still, there were challenges being new to Division I softball. and to better myself mentally,” she says.

“I had to go through a lot of struggles and learned how to “One of the biggest things I learned was how communicate clearly and effectively with my coaches and to steady myself and realize that I’m not teammates,” she says. “There were also a lot of things about playing for myself: I’m playing for my team, playing softball at the college level that I was not comfortable my coaches, my family, and all of the people with yet.” in the stands. Along with the mental game, Allen may have been struggling, but the coaching staff had I worked on little adjustments, as well as confidence that she would reach her potential. She had been continuing to work on the things I wasn’t coming to camps at Binghamton University throughout high comfortable with yet.”

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A historic season With all of the research she did that summer, Allen transformed herself from a promising freshman into the top offensive player in the America East during her 2025 sophomore season.

She shattered the Binghamton school record with 23 home runs, which also represents the second-highest total in America East history. In addition, Allen broke the Bearcats’ program record with 56 RBI. She was named the 2025 America East Player of the Year, as well as third-team All-Northeast Region.

“In 2025, Elisa really found her groove and it would be what the kids these days would call electric,” Bump says.” Every time she stepped into the batter’s box, we all knew she was going to get it done.”

With Allen leading the way at the plate, Binghamton went 36–14 in 2025. The Bearcats swept the America East regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years. At the conclusion of the season, Binghamton was ranked No. 17 in the D1Softball Mid-Major National Poll. It was a crowning season for a team that had come close in previous years, but fell short of winning the title.

“Winning the America East championship was indescribable,” she says. “We worked so hard throughout the year, 10

WIN NING EDGE • S PR IN G 2026

made several adjustments and went through a lot mentally. We all had that drive and shared the same goal after several years of not making it nearly as far as we should and it all came together. Everyone played with so much passion and it was such a fun game to play. Nobody was playing for themselves and it showed.”

The family factor The chemistry of the softball team, which was on full display in 2025, was something Allen noticed during her recruiting visit. It was one of several reasons she chose to come to Binghamton.

“When I was on my recruiting visit, I loved the team atmosphere and how close everyone was,” Allen says. “The coaching staff was also very knowledgeable and friendly.

Binghamton is a high academic school with a top engineering program and is only an hour away from home, so I knew that my family could continue to watch me or I could come home easily.”

Family has also been a significant part of Allen’s life. She is a triplet, with sister Kate and brother Isaac. When they were younger, the three of them competed in everything from sports to academics.

“Growing up, we all did the same sports, were in the same classes, and we never really were apart,” she says. “We always would have little games on who could get the highest grades in school, who can score on the others or strike them out, or who could lift the most weight, for example.

After getting to high school, we were divided more but we still

had those little competitions going on, especially academically.”

Allen’s first exposure to softball, however, came from watching her mom and aunt play in a Slow Pitch league.

“I used to watch them play every week and became fascinated with the sport,” she says. “Along with watching them, we used to go to our grandparents to play Wiffle ball until it got dark out. My siblings and I used to have home run derbies, full games, running competitions, and see who could throw the best pitches. Everywhere we went, we used to bring a Wiffle ball and bat with us and played every second that we could.”

The three siblings also had a common role model: Sister Jayden, who was six years older.

“I looked up to Jayden,” Allen says.

“We all did. The three of us were watching her go through varsity sports and college and watching the way she carried herself throughout life.”

Jayden’s example proved powerful to Elisa in high school. She was named the class valedictorian at Groton High and was a second-team all-state selection in softball. Kate and Isaac also made the successful transition to college life. Kate is studying business at Alfred State, while Isaac has already earned his business degree from SUNY Brockport.

As for Jadyen, she is now a chiropractor in Atlanta.

Allen’s three siblings were a vital support system during her first year of college when she was still trying to figure things out. Even though each was on a different path, they helped her through the transition to college life.

“I leaned on them quite a bit during that first year at Binghamton,” she says.

“Isaac played club baseball in college, so I was going back and forth with him on his experiences. My sisters and I talked more about adjusting to classes even though we went to different colleges.

They have all been amazing and even though we are not with each other, we are always texting each other with every little update.”

JONATHAN COHEN

Moving forward By the end of Allen’s sophomore year, however, it was the Binghamton softball team that was leaning on her. There was no bigger at-bat for the Bearcats during the season then when Allen came up in the bottom of the eighth inning of the secondround America East Tournament game against Bryant. Binghamton trailed the Bulldogs, 1–0, and was down to its last three outs of the game. Had they lost, the Bearcats would have had a difficult path to winning the championship in the double-elimination tournament.

Against that backdrop, Allen tied the game with a solo home run that went well over the center field fence. That

momentum propelled the Bearcats to a 3–1 victory and put them on their way to winning the title two games later.

“We could see from her presence that she wasn’t making that moment any bigger than it needed to be,” Bump recalls.

“As soon as she hit the

home run to tie the game, I think we all had a sense that we were going to win the game even if it took seven more innings. She was a player who created momentum for us all year.”

Momentum is a theme that Allen and the Bearcats hope flows into the 2026 campaign. Binghamton was the unanimous pick to finish first in the America East preseason poll. Allen, meanwhile, was named preseason all-conference, as well as the 48thbest mid-major conference player

by D1Softball.com.

During the team’s preseason media day, Allen explained that her job isn’t always to deliver the big hit and expressed confidence in her teammates to also get the job done.

“Honestly, I’m not too focused on my outcome when I come to bat because the rest of the lineup has everyone covered,” she says.

“Even if I draw a walk, I know there are great hitters behind me. My job is to focus on what I can hit and to trust the teammates around me.”

Allen’s team-first mentality has won her over to the rest of the players and coaches. They have also seen first-hand all of the

hard work she has put into becoming a standout player.

“Elisa is an amazing teammate who everyone loves to support because she supports everyone else,” Bump says.

“She also has a tremendous work ethic and a demeanor about her that screams confidence. She always had the size and the power, but it took hundreds of hours in the cages, on the field, and in the weight room for her to get to the point where she is at today.”

Although Allen has two more years left before graduating, Bump already

appreciates the mark Allen has made — and will continue to make — on the softball program.

“During your coaching career, you do not get to coach many athletes like Elisa,” Bump says. “I am proud to say that I have gotten the opportunity to coach a future Binghamton Hall of Famer. Elisa is someone that we will talk about for years after graduation and she will leave this program better than she found it.”

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Advantage Former tennis player turns social media talent into Emmy, career with NBC

Rubin

By John Hartrick

“The world is immensely social and getting more so by the day. Leave room for growth

and creativity. … Cultivate your passions. …

Hold tight to this world and take it for a wild ride. … This is our time!”

S

ome 13 years later, the advice seems prophetic.

Women’s tennis student-

athlete Jessie Rubin was at

her Binghamton University

graduation, along with fellow members of the Class of 2013, in an Events Center setting

that was essentially her “home court.” Her

undergraduate career was complete, as was her college tennis career. The words from

the Commencement speaker reverberated throughout the arena.

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Embracing the college experience From freshman to senior year, Rubin certainly cultivated her passions and left no stone unturned. Her list of activities and leadership roles was extensive: Vice president of Hillel-Jewish Student Union.

A member of Alpha Phi sorority. Co-chair of the university’s Chabad Fashion for a Cure. Teaching assistant in the English Department. Honor roll student. All while competing as an NCAA Division I studentathlete, committing more than 20 hours per week to training, travel, and competition.

“Jessie had a vision of what she wanted out of her college experience and she made it happen,” former Bearcat tennis coach Libby McGovern says. “I used to tell recruits about her … how if something is important to you, you will make time for it.”

Rubin’s ties to tennis were strong, having first held a racket in her hands as a toddler. She and younger brother Noah (former nationally-ranked professional and Wimbledon junior champion) grew up in Nassau County, New York, and tennis was a focal point of their childhoods. Jessie was an all-state player at JFK High in Merrick and when she arrived on campus in fall 2009, the Bearcats were one of the best programs in the America East, behind only better-funded

Emmy Award winner Jessie Rubin played four seasons of tennis (2010–13) for the Bearcats.

“Jessie involved her teammates in events and broadened their horizons as well,” McGovern says. “Her enthusiasm and the way she embraced opportunities … she made me a better person, trying to match her outlook and character.”

For Rubin, however, “character” soon took on another meaning. Twitter, then a rapidly growing platform with a 140-character limit, demanded clarity and precision. Rubin’s strong foundation in writing, developed in classes with longtime journalism instructor Mary Haupt, proved invaluable. “[She] helped foster my love of writing and started to translate it to a digital world,” Rubin says.

Haupt immediately saw Rubin’s drive and attention to detail.

“Jessie was a standout from the first class,” she says. “She was highly motivated to not only do well, but excel. She had the vision to embrace social media when it was in its infancy, and the skills she developed as a result contributed to her success.”

PROVIDED

Ready for the social movement Boston University. Binghamton became 2011 America East runner-up and the student-athlete experience is one Rubin cherishes.

“Being an NCAA Division I athlete is such a point of pride for me,” says Rubin, who now oversees social strategy and fan engagement across some of NBC’s most iconic franchises and live events. “I learned so much about dedication, perseverance, teamwork and leadership. It was such an honor and a privilege to be part of such an incredibly successful team. Anna Edelman, Jill Santos, Yulia Smirnova, Lauren Bates, Danyelle Shapiro, and so many more. … I learned so much from them about hard work and dedication to your team and teammates.”

Teammates, in turn, learned just as much from Rubin, who later served as team captain. Among those teammates was Melissa Edelblum ’15, now supervisor of social media and content strategy at Digital Media Management, a longtime agency partner of NBC. Their relationship has come full circle, evolving from teammates to close friends as well as professional collaborators.

“Jessie showed up fully, both on and off the court with her focus, effort, positivity, and encouragement,” Edelblum says. “She would take Post-it notes and write words of encouragement on teammates’ lockers. Jessie has a rare ability to make everyone around her feel seen, valued, and supported.”

This new platform was just another way for Rubin to expand her circle of relationships and broaden the range of knowledge-sharing and communication. She embraced the connection that social media offered and pulled her coach and teammates into her newly-expanding orbit.

“Jessie was always intrigued by social media and was on the cutting edge of what was happening,” McGovern says.

Rubin’s path into social media began with an internship at VH1 the summer before her senior year. Her internship manager, Lauren Olson, became an early mentor and champion of Rubin’s work, later recommending her for a role at NBCUniversal, where Olson was part of the digital team supporting Saturday Night Live.

“Sam Hofstetter, the director of social at the time, explained how his team was using social as a tool for marketing, engagement, and editorial,” Rubin says. “He BI NGH A M TO N U NI V E RSI TY AT H L E T IC S

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helped crystallize the power of social media in entertainment. I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.”

Just two days after Commencement, she returned to interview for a full-time role at VH1, officially launching her professional career.

Within her first month working at VH1 full time, Rubin was immersed in community management, applying her growing expertise on emerging social platforms that were rapidly transforming how television connected with audiences. As real-time fan engagement became an essential part of the entertainment ecosystem, Rubin live-tweeted and managed social for VH1’s popular Love & Hip Hop and Mob Wives franchises and was soon entrusted with running the network’s core social accounts.

As Rubin began considering her next step, she sought guidance through the Binghamton alumni network. Chris Epple ’97, also a fellow Bearcat tennis alum, became a trusted mentor after being introduced through the University’s Office of Alumni Relations, providing perspective and encouragement that helped her confidently navigate the transition to NBCUniversal. In the years that followed, Rubin continued to lean on Epple for guidance and remains grateful for his mentorship, advocacy, and support at critical moments in her career.

After two years with VH1, Rubin joined NBCUniversal in 2015, and she now has more than a decade at Rockefeller Center, the iconic home of NBC. She began as a social manager supporting Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live.

“Working on such legendary shows and 14

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contributing to their digital success has been an incredible experience,” she says.

Three years later, Rubin joined NBC’s primetime team, helping shape social strategy for major live broadcasts such as the Billboard Music Awards, the Emmys, and the Golden Globes. She later took on leadership responsibilities supporting the network’s cornerstone franchise, Law & Order.

In 2024, Rubin was promoted to senior director of social marketing, where she led social strategy for major initiatives including NBC’s 2024 Paris Olympics and interactive fan experiences celebrating the SNL50 Anniversary Special and Law & Order: SVU’s 25th anniversary.

Olympics and an Emmy Her work with NBC Sports’ Olympics social team, supporting one of the largest global sporting events in the world, earned one of the industry’s highest honors — an Emmy Award.

Rubin was credited as a producer for NBC’s social coverage, which won for “Outstanding Interactive Program.” She proudly displays her iconic gold-plated statuette at home.

“I was working remotely for the Games, but what an absolute dream to be part of our marketing team,” she says. “Not only to build and execute our social strategy, but to then see the athletes come home and go through 30 Rock for press appearances.”

Her roles in launching the two experiential marketing campaigns for SNL and Law & Order offered Rubin more ways to share her creativity with diehard fans of each show. While experiential activations often sit

THE RUBIN FILE Married to Jake McNally ’11, vice president of planning and capital projects at Hudson Square Business Improvement District in New York City.

Lives in Queens with her husband and their 3-year-old son, Eli. Enjoys taking advantage of everything New York City has to offer, from museums to live music.

A lifelong tennis player who has recently dabbled in pickleball, though chasing after her toddler is currently her most frequent activity.

INS AND OUTS

PROVIDED

Favorite Classes at Binghamton: “All of Mary Haupt’s rhetoric classes.”

off. You are building strength, physically and mentally, that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.”

Favorite NBC show: “Hands down, Parks and Recreation.”

Future plans: “To continue finding joy, challenge, and success in everything I do, both for myself and my family.”

Favorite social media app: “Currently TikTok. The fact that anyone, big or small, can find virality is so refreshing.

The best content wins, no matter where it comes from.”

Last time back to campus: “I returned in 2021 as a guest lecturer for Keith Hurd’s marketing class.”

Thing you love most about tennis: “It’s both an outlet and a way to connect with people.”

Advice for current student-athletes: “Know that all the hard work and dedication you’re putting in will pay

Favorite pro tennis player: “Noah Rubin … and no, I’m not biased!”

outside social marketing, Rubin’s career building and fostering fan communities online uniquely positioned her to help shape these real-world fan experiences.

For SNL, it was “Live From New York: The SNL50 Experience”: a four-day pop-up at Rockefeller Center that enabled the public to step inside a replica of the set, sit at the Weekend Update desk, and experience the behind-the-scenes world of Studio 8H. The experience reflected Rubin’s broader approach, translating the fan connection she had long cultivated online into meaningful, in-person engagement. Rubin credits mentors such as Katie Trainor, Guy Ram, and Kevin Polizzotto for championing her growth and creating opportunities that expanded her leadership beyond traditional social marketing.

In October, Rubin and her team launched NBC’s Law & Order Dun Dun Diner, a three-day pop-up experience at Rockefeller Center whose clever name paid homage to the show’s distinctive sound effect that has become one of the most recognizable in television and pop culture. The experience sold out in under a minute once reservations opened online.

Rubin’s team also created NBC’s most successful TikTok of all time.

TikTok creator Stephon Vann choreographed a viral dance to the SVU theme song, which Rubin’s team recreated with stars Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish. To date, it’s garnered more than 68 million views on TikTok and 11 million views on Instagram. The moment exemplified Rubin’s approach to social marketing, staying attuned to fan culture and elevating the creativity of the community.

“We are all fans of the shows and franchises we work on, so it’s easy for us to imagine what a fan would appreciate,” Rubin says.

Former teammates Rubin and Edelblum also worked together on Law & Order, and Edelblum helps explain Rubin’s unique abilities.

“Something Jessie has consistently reminded me of is that social media is exactly that — social,” Edelblum says. “As social and marketing have evolved over time, she has embraced change and growth, making her deeply attuned to what consumers and fan bases want. This allows her to keep innovation at the forefront of the strategies she develops.

“Whether for social campaigns or brand activations, she’s acutely aware of how all elements ladder into each other and deepen the impact

of a campaign.”

So how does Rubin explain her ability to stay so closely connected to these shows’ loyal fan bases?

“I’m always paying attention,” she says. “Our fans care deeply about these characters and stories, and it’s our responsibility to meet them with that same level of care and respect.

When we see something resonating, whether it’s a trend or a fan-led moment, we look for ways to authentically bring our shows into it and build on that momentum. At its core, social is about listening first. It’s about creating moments that make fans feel seen, valued, and part of the story we’re telling together.”

At Rockefeller Center, Rubin works alongside some of the industry’s most creative minds, an environment that continues to fuel her passion for innovation and storytelling.

“The people, hands down, are the most rewarding part of my job,” she says. “I’ve gotten to work with some of the smartest and most creative people internally at NBC, on set with talent, and externally with our agency partners.”

Those around the table would no doubt say the same about Rubin, who clearly took the advice of that Commencement speaker years ago — the one who urged her audience to “show the world what you’ve got.”

That charming, engaging, and confident speaker on May 22, 2013: Jessie Rubin.

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Eurosensation Former Bearcat basketball captain Dora Panteli is now one of the top international hoops analysts

By Eric Coker

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WHEN DORA PANTELI ’10 arrived at Binghamton University in fall 2007 to play basketball, she was the first Greek female student-athlete to receive a full Division I scholarship.

But two decades later, it’s the value of education that resonates with her.

“It’s not just about getting a degree,” she says.

“Education enabled me to open doors for myself, to believe that my potential is limitless, and to understand that learning never stops. Today, I have the same hunger for learning, the same enthusiasm for basketball, and the same desire to grow and

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evolve. That is what education truly gave me.”

Panteli used her educational explorations to become one of Europe’s most prominent and recognizable sports TV analysts. She now works for NOVASPORTS Channels (based in Athens, Greece), covering Europe’s pre-eminent basketball league, EuroLeague. Panteli has also served as a commentator for events such as FIBA Europe, FIBA World Cup, NBA Europe, and the NBA Summer League.

“I’ve done things that many women in Europe haven’t had the opportunity to do,” she says. “I’ve been able to open doors for girls like I did when I came to the U.S. to play basketball.”

PROVIDED

As a basketball commentator

BORN AND RAISED in Athens, Panteli started playing basketball as a 13-year-old while her parents were getting a divorce.

“I wanted to be in a place where I felt safe and belonged to a team,” she recalls. “[Basketball] gave me the security I needed at a time where there were a lot of things going on in my life.”

Panteli was a fast learner of the game: She was already a member of the Greek national team at age 14. Panteli continued playing in Greece as a teen, but had not considered taking her game to the United States.

“There was no YouTube or Instagram for us to advertise our talents,” she says. “It took luck because there weren’t college scouts going abroad to search for players. You needed a good connection.”

For Panteli, that connection was Greek teammate Erin Buescher, a former WNBA player. Buescher encouraged Panteli to go to the U.S. and sent a VHS highlights tape to her alma mater, University of California-Santa Barbara. The coaches there were impressed, but Panteli then tore her ACL while playing with the Greek national team.

Undeterred, Panteli set her sights on attending Penn State, but missed a test-score deadline and enrolled for a year at Jacksonville College, a private junior college in east Texas. Watching Jacksonville basketball games was then-Binghamton assistant coach Bernitha Johnson, who was scouting the sister

and analyst, Dora Panteli has interviewed players such as EuroLeague star Kendrick Nunn (above left) and has met legends such as the late Jerry West (top right). Panteli played three seasons for the Bearcats (left, against the University of Miami in 2009), starting 20 games as a senior.

of her friend Kara Lawson (a basketball great now coaching Duke University).

“Bernitha took the film back to Binghamton and the coach (Rich Conover) said he wanted me!” says Panteli, who was considering a new school after Penn State went through a coaching change.

Panteli visited Binghamton and enjoyed the environment so much that she said: “I’m coming here.”

“I’m from a place where it’s sunny with beaches,” she says. “We don’t get a lot of snow. We don’t have a lot of forests and trees. We don’t have the nature.

I felt like I could focus on basketball and academics at Binghamton. I didn’t want to be distracted.

Binghamton was the perfect destination.”

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Dora Panteli, who played professionally in Greece for much of the 2010s (right), graduated from Harvard Business School’s entertainment, media, and sports program in 2024 (above). Besides her basketball work in Europe, Panteli has been part of the NBA Summer League coverage in the U.S. (top right, with basketball great Isiah Thomas).

PANTELI CALLS HER TIME at Binghamton “a life-changing experience.” She majored in English, minored in theatre and philosophy, politics, and law (PPL), and played three seasons for the Bearcats. As a senior in 2009–10, Panteli was a team captain and started 20 games, averaging more than five rebounds a game. She also served as president of Binghamton’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Panteli used theatre classes to develop her English speaking and to showcase her communication skills.

She recalls key encouragement from then-faculty members Carol Hanscom and Tom Kremer. “[Carol] told me: You need to remember that you have a talent. People want to watch you perform, no matter what your career is,” Panteli says. “Even though I ended up switching careers — I was a teacher and a psychologist — I ended up on TV. She was right: I am performing and using my talents.”

After graduation, Panteli played professionally in Greece’s top league for six years, received a master’s degree in clinical psychology, worked as a counselor at the American Community Schools of Athens, and established her own psychology practice.

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She was also urged to pursue TV sports after appearing as a guest. After a couple of years as a basketball player/psychologist/counselor/ commentator, Panteli decided to dedicate her full attention to the game she loves.

“When I was playing, I thought: When I stop, I’m not going to be around basketball,” she recalls. “I was lying to myself. I just want to be around basketball.”

Panteli soon added more “firsts” to her list of accomplishments: In 2019, she became the first Greek female— and only the fourth European female commentator — to commentate on a EuroLeague game. In 2023, she became the first Greek female to commentate on a FIBA Basketball World Cup game.

She worked hard (and fearlessly) to convince skeptics that a young woman can cover a man’s game on television.

“There will always be doubters when you’re a woman in sports,” she says. “Even if you are knowledgeable and played the game, it doesn’t mean you can analyze the game. So, I studied the game — attending coaching seminars and getting a coaching degree from the EuroLeague Head Coaches Board. I added to my résumé so I could have a strong presence and be credible.

“I’m also young for this industry,” the 38-yearold says. “I entered the job in my 30s and many colleagues were in their 50s. I’ve never been afraid of doing new things and taking risks. It’s a constant struggle and fight, but we’re getting there” PANTELI IS NOW branching out beyond her sportstelevision work. She founded a production company called Panda Media; graduated from Harvard Business School’s entertainment, media and sports program; serves as an ambassador and creative director for many brands and companies; speaks about leadership, women empowerment, and other

topics; and hosts a YouTube vidcast (based on the late-night television format) that is starting its second season this spring.

A household name and face in Greece, Panteli and her husband welcomed their first child, a son, in July 2025.

Despite the busy schedule and lifestyle, Panteli says she can see herself adding late-night or morning television to her mix. But she has another “first” she hopes to pursue: being a woman in basketball administration.

“I know how the game is played, and the structure and marketing of leagues” she says. “I have the

360-degree knowledge that is required. I don’t know that I’m ready to leave what I’m doing, but that’s the next step.”

Panteli can trace the balance, skills, and desire required in her life and career to her time at Binghamton University: Getting up at 6 a.m., practicing basketball, studying, and thriving on the court and in the classroom helped lay the foundation for success.

“Discipline is the daily commitment required to turn opportunity into achievement. And I learned it at Binghamton. … Binghamton prepared me, and when the opportunity came, I was ready.”

PROVIDED

What is EuroLeague?

TWENTY TEAMS FROM countries ranging from Spain to Lithuania vie each season for European hardwood supremacy.

EuroLeague is the continent’s top-tier basketball league, and one of the most popular indoor sports leagues in the world.

Its play and reputation stand second only to the National Basketball Association (NBA) among basketball leagues.

The most prominent teams from Europe’s national leagues (such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich) play each other twice (once home, once away), with the top eight advancing to the playoffs. The final four meet in a format similar to the American college version, with all games at one site. The 2026 final four will be held in Athens, Greece, home of EuroLeague TV analyst Dora Panteli ’10.

“Every city has a team with its own history,” Panteli says. “These teams are powerhouses in European basketball because they have invested in culture. People in Europe know their basketball.”

EuroLeague features four, 10-minute quarters, as opposed to four, 12-minute quarters in the NBA. The three-point line is shorter in EuroLeague, a more tactical game that generally showcases ball movement and mid-range shooting.

The league also features many recognizable names for U.S. basketball fans, such as former New York Knicks Frank Ntilikina, Shane Larkin, and Evan Fournier, along with Cory Joseph, Armando Bacot, and Kendrick Nunn.

The EuroLeague’s impact is evident in today’s NBA: The great Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers was the league’s 2018 MVP at age 19 for Real Madrid before joining the Dallas Mavericks. NBA 2026 all-star Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers also started in EuroLeague, playing two seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2018–20.

For current EuroLeague teams, results and statistics, go to www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ euroleague/.

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Near and far

A

Student-athlete roots over 25 years extend across the globe

By John Hartrick

AS BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY continues to celebrate its 25-year anniversary as an NCAA Division I program, Winning Edge takes a deeper dive into the student-athletes who have filled the 525 rosters since Fall 2001. The total number of Division I student-athletes who have represented Binghamton University to date: 3,424 across 21 sports.

But where did they come from?

It’s no great surprise that more than 70% of Binghamton’s student-athletes hail from New York state (2,536, 74%), where Binghamton’s academic and “best buy” reputation is well-established. The state that produces the second-most Bearcat athletes is New Jersey (153), followed by Pennsylvania (114), California (38), Massachusetts (33), Connecticut (31), Virginia (31), Illinois (30), Maryland (29), and Florida (26).

Binghamton has never had a studentathlete from Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho,

Louisiana, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Within New York, Binghamton athletics has continued a stronghold on its local athletes, a trend that began during the University’s lengthy Division III era. The top two NYS hometowns to produce Bearcat student-athletes are Binghamton (67) and Vestal (59).

After Binghamton and Vestal, No. 3 on the most popular hometown list is Brooklyn with 40. The remainder of the top 10 includes Rochester (38), Syracuse (37), Staten Island (35), Long Island hotbeds Smithtown (26) and Massapequa (24), and local Endwell (25) and Endicott (24).

Brooklyn athletes have achieved success on the Binghamton courts.

Three-time all-conference women’s tennis standout Katia Medianik ’15 hails from Brooklyn, as does fellow scholar-athlete and tennis player Lya Kushnirovich ’07. On the hardwood, center Kyrie Sutton ’12 came from Brooklyn and helped lead the 2008–09

Bearcats to their only conference title and NCAA Tournament berth. Current men’s basketball coach Levell Sanders grew up in Brooklyn before starring at Seton Hall and overseas.

“Bestal” High has churned out big-time Bearcats

As for high schools, local Vestal has bragging rights, with 65 graduates who traded nicknames from high school “Bears” to college “Bearcats.”

Among the “Mount Rushmore” candidates from Vestal High are Hall of Fame baseball player Corey Taylor ’11 and the soccer-playing McKnight family, which offered Connor ’19 and Parker ’22 and twins Olivia and Victoria ’23. The Gaube brothers — baseball ace Tom ’05, MA ’07, and elite distancerunner Chris ’09, MBA ’11, made their trek to Bing a quick one from their neighborhood just off campus. Tanner Sinicki ’23 completed his journey from years-long bat boy to relief pitcher to

TOP 10 HOMETOWNS IN NYS

TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOLS IN NYS

Binghamton 67

Vestal 65

Vestal 59

Maine-Endwell 29

Brooklyn 40

Shenendehowa 28

Rochester 38

St. Anthony’s 27

Syracuse 37

Massapequa 25

Staten Island 35

John Jay 25

Smithtown 26

Syosset 22

Endwell 25

Cicero-North Syracuse 21

Endicott 24

Monroe-Woodbury 21

Massapequa 24

Horseheads 20 Northport 20 Union-Endicott 20

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TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES Canada 47 England 21 Scotland 11 China 9 Germany 9 Turkey 8 Brazil 7 Sweden 7 India 7 Spain 7

MOST COMMON FIRST NAMES

MOST COMMON LAST NAMES

Mike/Michael 57

Smith 19

Matt/Matthew 50

Brown 12

Ryan 46

Williams 11

Chris/Christopher 37

Martin 10

Lauren 34

Thomas 9

Sarah/Sara 33

Moore 8

Thomas/Tom/Tommy 33

Miller 8

Alex/Alexandra/Alexander/

Lee 7

Alexandre 32

Anderson 7

Jessica/Jessie/Jess 32

Davis 6

Emily/Emelie 28

Lewis 6

Brian 28

Taylor 6

Data research by Lukas Dalfonso

At a glance

The home states WA

11

MT

2

OR

3

ME

4

ND

1

ID

MN

0

2

CO

11

38 AZ

6

10

1

O

UT

IL

30 KA

2

NM

1

18

HI

1

WV

VA

1

31

LA

1

AL

0

RI 2 CT 31 DE 8 MD 29

8

4

0

MA 33

NC

TN AR

NH 5

NJ 153

3

SC GA

2

6

0

AK

FL

2

assistant coach, all while growing up just a long toss from campus.

Baseball head coach Tim Sinicki, himself owning local roots (Johnson City), has tapped Vestal quite a bit in his 34-year tenure. Cousins and all-conference selections Matt Simek ’07 and Mike Van Gorder ’07 swapped shades of green baseball hats from high school to college. Hoopster Jeff Daws ’04, who nearly took down North Carolina with his 3-point shooting in 2001, was a Vestal Golden Bear, as were America East swim champion Corrine Zotter ’15, MAT ’17, and lacrosse recordholder Jeff Rurey ’10.

Massive Shenendehowa High in Clifton Park, boasting an enrollment (3,000-plus) that exceeds many colleges, has produced 28 Bearcat studentathletes. Notable Shen alums include MLB pitcher Murphy Smith and his brother Morgan ’11 MBA ’12, along with fellow elite MLB draft picks Justin Yurchak ’21 and Ben Anderson. First-team all-conference midfielder Deli Plourde ’05, who led the women’s soccer team

15

KY

MS TX

114

OH

5

3

OK

PA

IN

MO

6

2,536

MI

IA

NE

NV

NY

12

1

CA

WI

O

WY

2

VT 5

6

SD

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to the NCAAs in 2004, began at Shen.

Long Island Catholic school St. Anthony’s has steered 27 students to Binghamton spread across 11 sports. The high school has churned out talented Bearcats in men’s and women’s lacrosse, swim and soccer among others. Women’s lacrosse coach Stephanie Allen has four players from St. Anthony’s on her 2026 roster.

Bearcats around the world

International students have accounted for 7% of Bearcat Division I athletes (239), led by Canada (47), England (21), Scotland (11), China (9), and Germany (9) Former women’s tennis captain Lara Kaplan ’23, MBA ’24 and her handful of fellow Australian compatriots can lay claim to traveling the longest distance from home to campus. Door to door, Kaplan had a 30-hour trek when she competed for the Bearcats between 2020–23.

The men’s tennis program holds the mark for most conference champion-

ships and recruiting mileage over 25 years. The 12-time conference champion Bearcats have plucked talented studentathletes from countries such as China, India, Morocco, Brazil, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. The most unique home country requires a scan of the globe to find Reunion Island, where brothers Alex ’12 and Ruben Haggai ’14 grew up.

The island is located some 9,100 miles away (second-furthest to Kaplan’s Australia at 9,900) in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. In all, Binghamton men’s tennis coaches Michael Starke (1987– 2006), Adam Cohen (2006–14) and current coach Nick Zieziula have covered six of the seven continents and 29 countries to successfully seek out student-athletes.

Closer to home, Marathon, located 30 miles north of campus, has produced just two Bearcat athletes. But they happened to be two of the finest in school history. Wrestler Donnie Vinson ’12, MS ’14, and distance runner Erik van Ingen ’12, who played youth sports together, became All-Americans and Hall of Fame inductees.

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FALL/WINTER

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Women’s Soccer Tenth-year head coach Neel Bhattacharjee and his staff orchestrated a dominating regular season that ended with a 13-game unbeaten streak, the fewest losses in program history (one), an unbeaten conference record, and a third regular-season title in the last four years. Binghamton garnered America East Coaching Staff of the Year for the second time in four years. Junior Sophia Garofalo was named Defender of the Year, USC All-Atlantic Region, and All-ECAC; and classmate Anna Buckwalter was the conference Co-Midfielder of the Year and an All-ECAC pick. Junior forward Paige Luke joined Garofalo

on the All-Region team. A program-record six players were all-conference, and two were named to the All-Rookie Team, and three to the All-Academic Team.

The team’s postseason run was derailed by two-time reigning champion Maine in a 1–0 double-overtime home heartbreaker. Under Bhattacharjee’s charge, the Bearcats have lost just three America East games in their last four seasons (20–3–9, 77%) — the best combined mark in the conference.

The women’s basketball team improved its win total for a fifth straight year and notched its third 20-plus win season in the last nine years. The season extended into late March with two games in the WNIT — just the second national postseason bid in the program’s Division I history.

The Bearcats stormed out to an 8–1 conference start and matched the program’s best America East mark in 15 years with a 10–6 finish, good for a share of third place. Mary Grimes’ team went 13–2 at the Events Center and led the league in attendance for the sixth consecutive year.

Bella Pucci and Kendall Bennett were named all-conference after exceptional seasons. Bennett compiled a school-record 16 point-rebound “double-doubles” and was named to the America East All-Defensive Team. Pucci torched opponents with her scoring and late-game heroics. She totaled 29 points in a double-overtime win at Akron and hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Bryant in the America East quarterfinals in front of 2,030 fans at the Events Center.

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JONATHAN COHEN/PROVIDED

Women’s basketball

Men’s Basketball Despite enduring an unprecedented volume of injuries that wiped out nearly half its roster, the Bearcats won three of their final four games in a late postseason push and showcased the elite talent of junior point guard Jeremiah Quigley, an America East all-conference selection. Quigley led the conference and ranked among the NCAA Top 20 in assists. He also was among the league leaders in scoring (14.5 ppg.), becoming the first America East player in 21 years to average more than 14 points and six assists in a season — the first since former NBA champion JJ Barea did it for Northeastern in 2004–05.

Quigley totaled 192 assists to establish the program’s Division I-era record. Despite his 5-foot-10 stature, he compiled six double-doubles, including two games with 10-plus rebounds. His six “doubles” were the most of any player in the country under 6-feet tall.

Volleyball The volleyball team ushered in 11 newcomers, but established itself by midseason and earned a postseason spot for the fourth straight year. Head Coach Allie Yaeger worked around several crucial injuries and the graduation of two-time All-American Tsvetelina Ilieva to go 6–4 in America East play, good for a share of third place and just one win shy of first place. The Bearcats took top seed and eventual champion UMBC to five sets before falling in the semifinals to finish their season at 12–14. Both Viktoria Dimitrova and Merima Smajlovic received first team all-conference honors — the first time Binghamton received at least two first-team selections in back-to-back seasons since 2006.

JONATHAN COHEN/PROVIDED

Men’s Soccer The men’s soccer team (4-13) suffered through a rash of injuries during the 2025 campaign. The team also ran up against stiff competition, facing a pair of Top 5 teams in the nation late in the season (Bryant and Vermont).

Senior back Will Mahoney — the team captain — was named to the America East All-Academic Team. In January, men’s soccer coach Paul Marco announced his retirement after 24 years at the helm.

Associate head coach Tommy Moon, former Bearcat standout and 12-year assistant, will take over as interim head coach for the 2026 season. Marco led the Bearcats to four combined America East regular season and tournament titles

and lifted Binghamton to immediate relevance in its infancy as an NCAA Division I program. He coached one AllAmerican and 16 all-region players.

Cross Country

at the America East Championships. He swept both the 500 free and 200 free races and was the runner-up in the 200 back. For the women, freshman Julia Iwanow was named the Most Outstanding Rookie, headlining Binghamton’s fifth-place performance.

Wrestling

The men’s team finished a close second at the America East Championships and a program-best five runners earned all-conference honors, led by sophomores Bobby Mayclim (fourth) and Nick Thomas (sixth) and junior Liam Cody (seventh). The Bearcats then capped the season with a 13th-place finish at the NCAA Northeast Region Meet. The women’s team earned a third-place finish at the America East Championships, marking its fourth straight Top 3 finish at the conference meet. Senior Sydney Leitner was fourth overall in that race — the fourth-straight season she has earned first-team all-conference honors.

Swimming and Diving Sophomore Evan Peters was named the Co-Swimmer of the Meet, highlighting the men’s runner-up performance

In Ryan LeBlanc’s first season at the helm of the wrestling program, both Carter Baer (174 lbs.) and Mikey Squires (197 lbs.) placed second at the EIWA Championships. With their runner-up finishes, Baer and Squires each secured his first bid to the NCAA Championships in Cleveland. Baer won two matches at nationals, while Squires came away with one victory.

Track and Field Junior heptathlete Brennan Delany highlighted the indoor season by breaking the America East championship record with 5,776 points. Delany was named the Most Outstanding Men’s Field Performer and his performance ranked No. 19 in the nation. He was one of four Bearcat men to win an individual conference title. The women’s team won three individual conference titles, led by senior pole vaulter Alyssa Armitage, who became the first Bearcat woman to win the same America East championship event four consecutive years. Both the men and women placed fourth out of nine teams.

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BRIEFS Four selected for Athletics Hall of Fame Former University President Lois B. DeFleur heads the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Joining DeFleur are women’s soccer midfielder Amanda Casares ’10, MA ’12; baseball first baseman Dave Ciocchi ’12; and softball outfielder Jessica Phillips ’13. The quartet will be enshrined Oct. 3 during Homecoming Weekend on campus.

During DeFleur’s 19-year tenure, the University made its historic move from NCAA Division III to Division I and gained membership in the America East Conference. The school also changed its nickname to “Bearcats” during her leadership.

Casares was a three-time all-conference and two-time all-region selection who totaled seven goals and six assists for a women’s soccer team that advanced to the conference semifinals in each of her final three seasons,.

A four-year starter, Ciocchi is the baseball program’s alltime doubles leader and ranks second in career hits (245) and RBI (162).

Phillips was a three-time all-America East member, the 2010 America East Rookie of the Year, the 2011 America East Player of the Year, and hit 44 career home runs with 122 RBI.

DEFLEUR

CASARES

CIOCCHI

PHILLIPS

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WINN IN G ED GE • S PR IN G 2026

Mackay wins USATF indoor title For the first time in her career — collegiate or professional — Emily Mackay is a national champion.

The 2021 alumna and 2024 Olympian captured the women's 3,000 at the United States Track & Field (USATF) Indoor Championships in Staten Island on Feb. 28. She posted a first-place and meet-record time of 8:30.01.

In March, Mackay added a silver medal in the women's 3,000 at the World Indoor Track & Field Championships in Torun, Poland. It marked her highest career finish at a world-championship meet.

JONATHAN COHEN/PROVIDED

Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Alix Klineman headlined the Binghamton Division of Athletics’ 21st Annual Celebrating Women’s Athletics Luncheon (CWAL) — presented by M&T Bank — on Feb. 23 at the Events Center. The event, which is geared toward raising money for the Binghamton Bearcats Athletic Association (BBAA) Scholarship Fund, drew more than 900 attendees.

Klineman, who won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games with April Ross, challenged attendees with some key principles that she has followed over the years.

“As you all move forward in your own personal journey, remember that just because you have failed, it doesn’t mean you won’t have success,” she said. “Whatever you do, make sure you understand your purpose and what drives you. Cultivate a positive work environment, work hard, and realize there is always room for improvement.”

JAN FIGUEROA

Beach volleyball great speaks at luncheon

AT A GLANCE

Why Join a Giving Society?

Binghamton University’s Division of Athletics is proud to introduce two new philanthropic giving societies: the 1946 Legacy Society and the Bearcat Society.

These societies honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future of student-athletes.

1946 LEGACY SOCIETY

Annual giving level: $10,000-plus The 1946 Legacy Society honors a pivotal year in Binghamton University history. In 1946, Triple Cities College (now Binghamton University) fielded its first intercollegiate athletic teams, marking the beginning of a rich athletic tradition. Benefactors of the 1946 Legacy Society are the most generous supporters, whose contributions have a significant impact on Binghamton’s ability to compete at the highest levels of NCAA Division I athletics.

BEARCAT SOCIETY

Annual giving level: $1,000-$9,999 Named after beloved mascot Baxter the Bearcat, the Bearcat Society recognizes donors who demonstrate a strong commitment to Binghamton athletics. Benefactors of this society play a vital role in enhancing the experiences of student-athletes, providing resources that support their academic and athletic endeavors.

1946 Legacy Society Members

William Baldwin ’85 and Chynna Phillips Robert I Bodian ’77 Susan and Dr. Charlie Carpenter Tayrn and Colby Clark Lisa Colacioppo ’96 and Mark A Colacioppo ’94 Estate of Wlliam H. Cornell Christopher D. Darling ’05 Dr. Jo C. Desantis ’84 and Salvatore Desantis ’82 Cathleen M. Ellsworth ’86 Wendi Gallagher ’92 ’94 and Terence Gallagher Joseph Haleski ’88 and Kathleen C. Haleski ’88 Dr. Michael T. Harter ’64 Eric Hausler ’92 and Sari Hausler Ruthanne Koffman ’82, ’84 Steven B. Kreinik ’97 Michael F. Lane ’89 and Lisa Marie Lane ’89,MA ’92 Dr. Bai O. Lee and Dr. Jung Yum M&T Bank Linda Luciano Justin Marchuska II Marianne Matties and Richard N. Matties Tyrone E. Muse, LHD ’25, and Crystal Muse Dr. Patricia A. Saunders ’65, LHD ’19 Dr. Gary Truce Visions Federal Credit Union Maureen Ziebarth and David Ziebarth

Bearcat Society Members

Nicole M. Abbott and Matthew J. Abbott Jonathan M. Acquafredda ’95 Ellen Agresti and Joseph Agresti Kyle Antos ’07 Arctic Bear Temitope O. Bajulaiye ’16 Andrew Blank ’92 Luminita Blloshmi and Kastriot Blloshmi Ann and Joe Brady ’80 Susan Brierley

When joining the 1946 Legacy or Bearcat Society, it is more than a gift; it’s a partnership in a mission to provide exceptional opportunities for student-athletes. Your support helps fund what is most important to you, whether it be scholarships, team support accounts, state-of-the-art facilities, or comprehensive programs that foster success on the fields of competition and in the classroom.

Benefits: • Exclusive updates and communications from Binghamton Athletics • Recognition on the athletics official website and in select publications • Invitations to special events and behind-the-scenes experiences • Opportunities to connect with coaches, student-athletes and fellow supporters

Join Us in Shaping the Future

By joining the 1946 Legacy or Bearcat Society, you become an integral part of our journey toward excellence. Your investment ensures that Binghamton athletics continues to thrive, honoring our history while building a promising future for our student-athletes.

To learn more or to become a member, contact the Binghamton University Athletics Development office at 607-777-3627.

Together, we can elevate Binghamton University Athletics to new heights.

Susan Bump ’75 Dylan A. Caruana ’16 Michael W. Chisdak Cleve E. Cleveland ’75 Walter Collins Jennifer Congdon and Kevin Congdon Laura Conner and Brad Conner Ronnie Constable George W. Curth Jr. ’90 Richard A. Denmon ’79 and Paula A. Denmon David L. Dini ’85 Diane L. Emmi ’76 and Dr. Francis Emmi, PhD ’83 Noreen Feldmann Anita Frank ’70 and Allen Frank ’67 Debra Ellen Friedman ’77 and Martin D. Friedman ’75 Amy Garofalo and Anthony Garofalo Kimberly Gaube ’07, ’14 and Christopher P. Gaube ’09, MBA ’11 Elyse Gibb ’09, MAT ’10, and Robert P. Gibb ’04 Dr. Phillip J. Goldstein ’00 J. Keith Gorham ’73, MA ’75 Peter S. Groves ’84 Rick and Nancy Heichemer Robert Herber Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP Andrew Hutchings ’05 and Sarah Hutchings Michelle Burrell Johnston and Daniel Johnston Stanley R. Jones Dina and Dennis Kalina Elizabeth B. Kerr and Dr. Douglas R. Kerr Joseph D. King ’96 Christopher Koehler Andrea D. Kreinik and Neil F. Kreinik David Lambert Christopher J. Lauro ’89 and Sharon Lauro Elizabeth and Paul LeSueur Heather Lenseth ’07 Jared Levine Bernie J. Marchuska Eugene Marshall Jr. and Phyllis Marshall Raul K. Martynek ’88

Dr. Meghan A. McGuinness ’98, MA ’00, and Jay Duseau ’98, MBA ’11 Claudia Miller and Kevin Miller Sherri Montenegro ’96 and Melanie Montenegro ’97 Robert J. Moss ’75 and Michela F. Nonis Patrick Murphy Kim Myers Anthony Paniccia Ronald R. Reedy ’80 Adele Reester ’94 Dan Rootenberg ’94 Todd Rothman ’99 Janet Scarano and Anthony J. Scarano Kathleen M. Schauer ’08 Jay A. Schwartz ’85 Mrs. Patty Sharkey & Mr. TJ Sharkey Dr. Jamie Shutter ’97 David Simek, MBA ’88 and Sally Simek Scott D. Soussa ’98 Michael J. Starke Theresa M. Steflik and Joseph J. Steflik Jr James G. Stehli ’88 Maria Tarsia and Eric Tarsia David F. Tauber Julie M. Thomas ’00 Patti Tillman ’04 and Nicholas W. Tillman ’06 Gary M. Tischler ’84 James J. Toya ’86 Roy S. Tumpowsky ’64 Geralyn Van Gorder ’81 and Dr. Thomas R. Van Gorder Leslie Vesper and Keith Vesper Vision Contracting Corp.

Anthony J. Vitulli ’78 and Ellisa H. Vitulli Monisha C. Walters ’05, MA ’06, and Bryan Walters Janice Waters Joseph I. Weiss ’96 and Roxanne Turley Gail Wichler ’81 and Ranan J. Wichler ’80 Ze Zeon and Sarah Zeon * deceased

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Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Binghamton, NY Permit No. 61 Binghamton University Athletics PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

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JONATHAN COHEN

The defending champion baseball team will host the six-team America East tournament May 20–23 at the expansive Bearcats Baseball Complex. Under head coach Tim Sinicki, the Bearcats have won two conference titles in the last four years and lead the America East with 12 combined regular season and tournament titles in the last two decades. It will mark the second time in the last three years that the America East has selected Binghamton to host the baseball championship.

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