Fairfield University has long been a nurturing ground for student-athletes, fostering not only outstanding athletic talent but also a deep sense of community and lifelong bonds. This past academic year, the efforts of our dedicated alumni volunteers, in partnership with the Athletic Development Office, have spotlighted the strength and vitality of Fairfield Athletics. From baseball to cross-country and rowing, these volunteers have significantly impacted their respective sports by organizing events and raising funds to support current student-athletes. Here, we highlight three alumni whose persistent commitment has made a difference.

Brian Cleary: Leading the Charge for Fairfield Baseball
Brian Cleary, a 1990 graduate, has built an impressive career in baseball, currently serving as a Scout within the Washington Nationals organization. As the President of Friends of Baseball, Brian works with a leadership group to strategize alumni and parent fundraising. His team coordinates a Captains Committee, comprising nearly 30 former players, to engage with over 500 baseball alumni.

Brian's role includes planning and executing various events throughout the year to engage alumni and supporters. These efforts involve close collaboration with the athletic department administration, coaching staff, and the University’s development staff. His work helps ensure that Fairfield Baseball remains well-supported and that alumni stay connected and involved.

Reflecting on his motivation, Brian fondly recalls his time at Fairfield and the profound impact it had on his career in baseball. "I look back on my time at Fairfield fondly for a number of reasons but key among those is the experience I had playing baseball," he said. "It helped to launch me into a long career in baseball that likely would not have happened without my Fairfield Baseball experience."

Volunteering allows him to give back to the program that shaped his life and to maintain strong ties with his former teammates and other alumni. Brian believes that any alumni, regardless of their busy schedules, can find a role to play in supporting Fairfield Athletics. He stresses, "Many hands make light work. We preach that and we’ve had more and more of our people get involved each year and it’s making a difference."

Ernie Lustenring: Bringing Cross-Country Alumni Together
Ernie Lustenring, Class of 2013, played a pivotal role in organizing the Friends of Cross Country Day, which took place on February 25th at the Alumni House, Brennan Room, and the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. The event brought together over 60 alumni, family, and friends, highlighting the deep connections and pride among former cross-country athletes and supporting the current team with valuable resources.

Ernie’s involvement began during his 10-year college reunion, inspired by conversations with fellow alumni and the current coach. He attributes much of his personal success to his time in the Cross-Country program, where he learned critical skills such as hard work, problem-solving, communication, and leadership. "I attribute a tremendous amount of personal success to being a part of the Cross-Country program," he shared. "My main goal with helping put together the Alumni fundraiser was to show the current student-athletes that the alumni have an immense amount of pride in the program."

The fundraiser included a day of activities that started at the Alumni House and ended with an exciting day at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena, providing access to the Diffley. The event was not only a financial success but also a significant morale booster, with enthusiastic participation from alumni, parents, and former team members. Ernie hopes that these efforts will inspire future generations of student-athletes and alumni to stay connected and continue supporting the program. "We had over 60 individuals sign-up and come, including alumni of the school, parents of the student-athletes, and former members of the program," Ernie explained. "Some alumni even brought their children!"

Nicole Karwashan: Supporting Fairfield Rowing with Passion
Since graduating in 2016, Nicole Karwashan has been a steadfast supporter of Fairfield Rowing. As a member of the Friends of Fairfield Rowing, Nicole plays a versatile role, helping to organize events and support the team throughout the year.

Reflecting on her time as a coxswain, Nicole values the academic and athletic support she received, which influenced her decision to give back. "I gained an invaluable amount from my time at Fairfield," she said. "The support I received academically and athletically influenced my decision to stay connected and give back."

Her contributions include planning alumni events that foster connections between current student-athletes, alumni, and parents, ensuring the team has the necessary resources to thrive. Nicole finds the most rewarding part of volunteering to be the connections formed at events, where alumni, current student-athletes, and parents come together. "Working with the Friends of Fairfield Rowing group has been such a rewarding experience," Nicole remarked. "To be able to see the effort you put in turn into a stronger, more financially supported team is incredible!"

A Call to Action: Join Us in Supporting Fairfield Athletics
The success of Fairfield Athletics relies not just on the efforts of current students and staff but also on the unwavering support of our alumni community. Whether through volunteering, fundraising, or other forms of contribution, your involvement can make a significant difference.

As Brian Cleary aptly put it, "many hands make light work." If you're interested in being a part of Friends of Fairfield Athletics, we invite you to reach out and connect with us. Your contributions, whether big or small, help strengthen the legacy of Fairfield Athletics and ensure continued success for future generations.

Email friendsofathletics@fairfield.edu with questions or to express your interest.

We’d love to hear from you and welcome you into our vibrant community of supporters.

Together, we can achieve great things for Fairfield Athletics.