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News Release
Retriever Class of 2008 Shines On and Off Field
6/16/2008
By Jessica Bernheim, UMBC Athletic Communications
On Thursday, May 22, 2008, UMBC celebrated its 50th commencement exercises. Among the nearly 1,200 undergraduates receiving their diplomas at the First Mariner Arena that afternoon were 65 student-athletes who represented the school with class and dignity for the past four or five years.
The Class of 2008 is a very accomplished group, both on and off the playing field. Among those who graduated were:
- Eight America East All-Conference honorees
- Seven America East All-Academic squad members
- Seven school record holders
- Four America East champions
- Two ECAC champions
- Two ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honorees
- The past two presidents of UMBC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council
- The 2008 America East Sportsmanship Award recipient
- A top 30 candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award
- The 2007 America East Women’s Basketball Championships Most Outstanding Player
- The 2005
- The 2007
- The 2008 America East Swimming and Diving Male Coaches’ Award recipient
In addition, 10 student-athletes graduated with honors, including six Cum Laude and four Magna Cum Laude. A total of 35 were recognized on the America East Academic Honor Roll over the last year, with 18 earning Commissioner’s Honor Roll status for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher during their competition season and nine posting a perfect 4.0 during the spring semester.
The real world now awaits these newest Retriever alumni, but what the “real world” means to each differs. Some will work for Fortune 500 companies, while others will continue to play their sports professionally. And still others will postpone their arrivals in the real world for a few more years to further their education in graduate school. Some will stay in
Here, several members of UMBC Athletics’ Class of 2008 reflect on their experiences as a Retriever, both on and off the field, and share what the future has in store for them. (All graduating student-athletes were given the opportunity to be included; only those who responded to the questionnaire are featured below.)
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Sarah Aichele, Women’s Swimming & Diving
B.S. Economics, Magna Cum Laude
Plans: Interning at the Social Security Administration for the summer, then pursuing a Master’s degree in Economic Policy Analysis at UMBC.
A three-year swimmer for the Retrievers, Aichele joined the women’s swimming and diving team as a distance swimmer, but has proven herself in the shorter events over the past two years. She recorded career-best times in the 50 and 100 freestyles in 2007-08. Aichele excelled in the classroom, graduating in three years and earning Dean’s List honors in all six semesters. She served as president of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an economics honor society, and she volunteered with the MS Swim program at the YMCA for two years. In addition, she interned with the Allegis Group and with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC has been my home, a place where I feel comfortable academically, athletically and socially.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“Athletically, the importance of team camaraderie. I never would have made it through all the difficult practices and competitions without my teammates.”
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Tawny Barin, Women’s Cross Country/ Track & Field
B.S. Information Systems
Certificate: Web Development
Plans: Working in General Electric’s Information Management Leadership Program (IMLP) in
A four-year, three-sport athlete, Barin was a 12-time letter-winner for the Retrievers, competing in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. She crossed the line as the third Retriever at the 2006 America East Cross Country Championships and the second Retriever at the regional meet. In addition, she placed ninth in the steeplechase at the 2007 outdoor conference championships, her highest career finish. A Center for Women and Information Technology Scholar, Barin also was a 2008 women’s cross country team captain and was involved with UMBC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council, as well as the Filipino American Student Association. An Undergraduate Research Award Scholar, Barin conducted a variety of research, taking part in a National Science Foundation-funded human-computer interaction program. She also traveled to
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC has helped me to really grow in so many areas – personally, professionally and athletically – through all the various experiences I’ve gotten and people that I’ve met.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“The wide variety of people that I’ve met over the years I spent there, and the many opportunities that I’ve had thanks to the networking I got to do.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“There are so many different options and pathways in which life can take you, you just have to have an open mind and be willing to take risks and try something new.”
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Ashley Benitez, Field Hockey
B.A. English
Certificate: Writing
Plans: Pursuing a Master’s degree in Humanities and a Secondary Education Certificate from
Benitez was a three-year field hockey letter-winner at UMBC. The goalie saw more than 1,400 minutes of action, playing in 32 games with 20 starts and recording 169 saves in her career. Off the field, Benitez was the assistant sports editor for The Retriever Weekly and was very active in UMBC’s Greek community, serving as vice president of the Panhellenic Association Council and holding a number of offices within her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha. She was also an English Conversation Partner in UMBC’s ESL program. In addition, Benitez was recognized on the America East Academic Honor Roll during her junior year.
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC was a good place to meet new people and do many things that otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to do.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“What I will miss the most about UMBC will probably be all the activities I have to leave behind. Through everything that I was a part of, I was able to do a lot of things, like being courtside at various basketball games I went to or hanging out with my teammates. I’ll probably also miss the late-night trips to get food, as well.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“I will take away all the knowledge and insight that I gathered over the years. The experiences I had with varsity field hockey will enable me to be a better coach in the future, as well as understanding the dynamics of a very close team. I feel that all of my experiences here at UMBC will enable me to be a better leader and a stronger person.”
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Conor Devlin, Men’s Lacrosse
B.A. Economics
Plans: Working for Wells
Devlin competed in 32 games in his four-year tenure as an attackman for the men’s lacrosse team. He was part of two America East Championship squads (2006, 2008) and three teams that competed in the NCAA Tournament (2006-08). Devlin scored two goals and added five assists in his career and was named co-Unsung Hero for the 2008 Retriever squad. Off the field, Devlin volunteered at the
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC has been a great learning experience for me, not only in the classroom, but on the athletic field and in general. I leave here ready to enter the real world. UMBC has also provided me with many lasting friendships.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“I will miss being a part of a team and being able to represent the school on Saturdays in the spring.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“I will take my friendships first, my connections second, and all of the characteristics it takes to be a Division I athlete with me. The work ethic I put into lacrosse, as well as the mentality to never give up will help me in whatever path I take from here.”
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Kristin Drabyn, Women’s Basketball
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies – Exercise Physiology & Communications
Plans: Working as a Graduate Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at
A team captain on UMBC's women's basketball team and a key player on the Retrievers' 2007 America East Championship squad, Drabyn's four-year career culminated with All-Conference Third Team honors and the school record for career three-point field goals and career free throw percentage. She served as president of UMBC's Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was invited to speak at UMBC’s Convocation in August 2007. An active member of the UMBC community, Drabyn spent spring break 2006 with three teammates in
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC gave me a chance to play basketball for four years at the Division I level. There were many tears along with laughs and triumphs. I learned more than anyone can imagine. Many times life throws curves and you make mistakes; it is how you respond to those struggles that makes you who you are. UMBC gave me a place to find out who I am and who I want to be.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“What I will miss most about UMBC is some of the people I met and the relationships I made that will be there forever. I will also miss being a student-athlete. There will always be a piece of my heart missing without playing basketball, but that is what is great about basketball – if you truly enjoy the game, it will always be there.”
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Lindsey Engler, Women’s Swimming & Diving
B.A. History
Plans: Considering a job with the government, and potentially pursuing a Master’s degree in history.
A four-year member of UMBC’s women’s swimming and diving team, Engler claimed individual gold for the first time in her career at the 2008 America East Championships, winning the 50 and 100 freestyles and setting a new school record in the 50 free. The sprinter has also played an integral role on a number of relays, helping lead the Retrievers to back-to-back conference titles. In her last two seasons, she was part of six school record-setting relays and three teams that broke America East Championship marks, earning four gold medals and two silvers. Out of the pool, Engler volunteered as a mentor at
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC has been a place where I was able to grow as a person and as an athlete. I found an escape from school and other stressors at the pool. At UMBC I made some amazing friends that I will never forget. We have some incredible coaches who were always there to listen when we were going through tough times.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“My friends and teammates. It has always been so easy to get together; all we had to do was walk across campus to see each other. Now that everyone has moved back home, it is going to be at least a couple hours’ drive.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“From my experience at UMBC, I think that I can walk away knowing that I did my best and improved myself in many ways. I came here with several goals – to swim faster and improve my times, which I was finally able to do my last year. I also learned along the way to balance my life with academics, swim practice, work and time with friends. I think that being a student-athlete helps individuals learn how to be well-rounded, good people.”
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Carly Fitzpatrick, Women’s Swimming & Diving
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies – Media Marketing
Plans: Studying Integrated Marketing Communications in graduate school at
Fitzpatrick became an integral part of the Retrievers' relay teams during her junior season and continued her success into her final year with UMBC, as the Retrievers won back-to-back America East titles. She was part of the Retrievers’ 200 freestyle relay which set new school records in each of the last two seasons, taking silver at the 2007 America East Championships and winning gold in 2008. On the individual front, Fitzpatrick won the consolation heat of the 50 free and finished 10th in the 100 free as a senior. In addition, she earned America East All-Academic team honors and recognition on the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll in each of the last two seasons, and she was named the 2008 Mikki Blakely Unsung Hero of the women’s swimming and diving team.
What has UMBC meant to you?
“I truly believe if I were to have gone to another university, I would not have excelled in my sport of swimming like I did here at UMBC. My coaches and teammates pushed me to do my personal best on more than one occasion. The hard work that we live by has shown me that I am capable of doing things that even I thought were not possible. I will take this and apply it to my plans after graduation and know that I am capable of anything if I work hard at it. This was not only an athletic achievement, but also a lifelong lesson.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“My swim team. Over the past four years, they have given me championships, dedication, determination and most importantly friendship, memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.”
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Meghan Keelan, Women’s Lacrosse
B.A. Psychology
Plans: Considering a job at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
A women’s lacrosse team captain, Keelan led the Retrievers in 2008 with 21 assists, the fifth-highest single-season total in school history. She finished her four-year career with 46 helpers, ranking 10th all-time at UMBC. Keelan started 35 games in her career, including all 16 as a senior, when she tied for second on the team with 27 points. She scored 26 goals in her career and amassed 71 points, with career bests of 13 goals and 31 points as a sophomore in 2006. Keelan was also very involved in the community during her tenure at UMBC. She and her team sponsored Lee National Denim Day, selling pins to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition, she worked with autistic children at the
What has UMBC meant to you?
“I fell in love with UMBC on my recruiting trip. Playing on my team has made me such a strong person and has taught me incredible discipline, leadership and drive to accomplish goals. It’s been my home away from home. I love knowing that I’m walking away with a great education and tons of great friends.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“The atmosphere. It’s nice to walk around campus and without a doubt pass someone you know and exchange hellos. My team is also irreplaceable. I don’t think I will ever feel as close to another group of people in my life. We went through everything together, ups and downs, and we always had each other’s backs.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“I’ve learned that nothing is given to you; you have to work for it, and if you want it bad enough, you’ll do anything and everything it takes to get it. This discipline I’ve learned in regard to managing my time and focusing myself is amazing. I’ve learned not only to be a good leader, but to lead in a way that makes people want to follow, not follow because they have to. Most importantly, I’m taking away the feeling of being a part of something great in being an athletic alum. Supporting other teams and being supported back, on and off the field, and watching teams win championships and make history – it’s something I’ll never forget and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.”
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Erin Mathews, Women’s Swimming & Diving
B.A. American Studies
Plans: Attending law school at the
A four-year member of the women’s swimming and diving team, Mathews achieved her best career finishes at the 2007 America East Championships, placing 12th in the 1650 freestyle and 15th in the 500 freestyle, and she recorded a career-best time in the 200 free in 2008. A two-year member of UMBC’s Student Athlete Advisory Council executive board, serving as president as a junior and vice president as a senior, Mathews brought out the best of the Retrievers with various community service projects and fundraisers and her overall support of athletics and the university. She excelled in the classroom as well, as she was a member of the
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC has been my home where I had a family of friends and people who supported me.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“The atmosphere and my team.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“A strong sense of leadership and accomplishment.”
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Bryan Moffa, Men’s Soccer
B.A. Psychology
Plans: Playing soccer for the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League and working for Bass Machining.
A two-time men’s soccer team captain, Moffa earned four letters for the Retrievers and competed in 64 contests. After playing primarily at fullback in his first three seasons, he solidified the UMBC midfield during his senior campaign, when he was named team MVP and earned America East All-Conference Second-Team accolades. Moffa finished his career with 14 assists, including five in each of his last two seasons, leading the league in helpers in 2006. He garnered America East All-Rookie Team honors as a freshman in 2004, and he was named the team’s 2005 Unsung Hero.
What has UMBC meant to you?
“It has allowed me to progress on to the professional level in soccer.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“I will miss the freedom of being able to do what I want and sleep in as late as I want.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“All the hard work that I put in paid off and I know I need to keep working hard at whatever I do to be successful.”
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Carla O’Rourke, Softball
B.A. Visual Arts
Plans: Playing softball in
A four-year member of UMBC’s softball team, O’Rourke played in 151 games and compiled career totals of 41 hits, 48 runs scored, nine doubles, three triples, two home runs and 21 RBI. The outfielder hit a career-best .333 with 10 extra-base hits as a sophomore in 2006. Off the field, O’Rourke served on the Commons Advisory Board and worked with the
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC was a way for me to be exposed to way more opportunities than I had in my hometown. My ideals and perspectives have shifted in what I would consider to be a great way because of all of the different people I’ve gotten to know, and sometimes even the classes I’ve taken. Athletics has taught me that the hard work you put into what you care about doesn’t always come back to you in the way that you originally think or hope, but that it does indeed come back one way or another, so it’s still worth it to work hard.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“I’ll miss having so many groups of friends all in one spot – I got to hang out with fun art kids in class, and then my team full of my best friends, and all of the great people in the Commons.”
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Alexis Rogowsky, Women’s Soccer
B.A. Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Plans: Taking a year off to travel, then studying Industrial and Organizational Psychology in graduate school.
A women’s soccer team captain, Rogowsky started 44 games in her four-year career at UMBC. The defender scored her lone collegiate goal against
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC has turned into my home, and my teammates have turned into my family. I will be very sad to leave, but I am very excited to start the next chapter of my life.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“I will miss my teammates most of all.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“I learned so much during these four years of college. I have grown so much as a person, and I will take everything I learned and apply it to the rest of my life.”
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Morgan Sacchetti, Women’s Soccer
B.A. History & Political Science, Cum Laude
Plans: Studying public policy in graduate school at UMBC.
Sacchetti played in 36 games in her four-year tenure as a defender at UMBC and earned five starts over her last two seasons. The team co-captain recorded the lone point of her career on an assist against
What has UMBC meant to you?
“It’s the place where I met my best friends.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“My teammates!”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“I’ll take some great memories, some great friendships and the knowledge that all I ever wanted to do growing up was play Division I soccer, and I did, which is nice to have accomplished.”
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Dana Shepherd, Softball
B.S. Economics, Cum Laude
Certificate: Management Science
Plans: Working for Morgan Stanley in the operations division.
A 2008 softball team captain, Shepherd ranks in UMBC’s top 10 in a number of career categories, including hits, home runs and RBI, and she holds the school record for extra-base hits. In addition, her 19 doubles as a junior set a new single-season mark. An America East All-Conference Second Team selection in 2006, Shepherd led the Retrievers to the conference tournament in each of her last three seasons, and she was named co-Outstanding Senior Female Athlete at UMBC’s varsity awards banquet. Shepherd has been recognized for her athletic and academic prowess in each of the last three seasons with ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team honors, and in March she was selected as one of 30 candidates nationally for the prestigious Lowe’s Senior CLASS Softball award. Shepherd was also a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international economics honor society.
What has UMBC meant to you?
“I came to UMBC for the chance to continue my athletic career, not knowing too much about the school itself. Four years later, my time at UMBC has expired and I feel as though I have a special bond with this school and will forever be a part of the Retriever community. This community includes coaches that pushed me to be better, teachers who challenged me intellectually, and my friends who were always there for me. I was fortunate to have very talented and kind teammates. I am proud of what we accomplished and am lucky enough to call them my best friends.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“Playing competitive softball with my best friends and being able to go grab some food and relax with them after games or practice.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“All the great relationships and bonds I have built with people. This includes my teammates, alumni, other athletes and students, my professors and the administration.”
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Kristi Troster, Field Hockey/Softball
B.A. Biological Sciences, Cum Laude
Minor: History
Certificate: Education
Plans: Teaching high school biology.
A two-sport athlete, Troster is UMBC’s fourth all-time leading scorer in field hockey with 14 goals and 36 points, and she started every game in her career. A two-time team captain and MVP, she earned America East All-Rookie Team honors in 2003 and All-Conference second-team accolades in 2005 and 2006. Troster also played softball during her freshman and senior seasons at UMBC, and she was a regular presence in the Retriever outfield in 2007, batting .308 with four doubles and 17 runs scored. An excellent student, Troster received semester honors seven times. She was recognized on the America East Academic Honor Roll during all six competitive seasons, on the America East All-Academic Field Hockey Team twice and on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad all four years.
What has UMBC meant to you?
“It has just been a great experience and has provided me with great opportunities in regards to athletics and a great education.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“All of my friends.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“The work ethic, commitment and my education.”
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Jessica Young, Women’s Soccer
B.A. Political Science, Magna Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa
Minor: History
Plans: Pursuing a Master’s degree in Health Promotion at
As a forward on UMBC's women's soccer team, Young scored 24 goals in four years in a Retriever uniform and was named to the America East All-Conference First Team in 2005. She was recognized for her athletic and academic prowess that year, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team honors. A Rhodes Scholarship nominee in 2007, Young was involved with the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar Program and studied at
What has UMBC meant to you?
“UMBC means ‘the future’ to me because UMBC is where future leaders are educated, nurtured and formed. I give a lot of credit to UMBC for my current and future successes because I was well-prepared and mentored to achieve not only my academic goals, but my career and societal goals as well. UMBC has set the foundation for my success in the future and has taught me invaluable skills that I will take with me as I journey through my career.”
What will you miss most about UMBC?
“I will miss the community and the feeling of being a part of the family, both athletically and with my academic mentors.”
What will you take away from your experience at UMBC?
“I will take the love of knowledge and learning, as well as the desire for self-improvement, from UMBC wherever I end up. From my academic experiences, I learned to never stop learning and questioning. From athletics, I will take with me the desire for self-improvement, to always get better at what I am doing in order to become the best I can be.”