Welcome

A letter from the director of athletics

Dear Friends of Tufts Athletics,

The 2025–2026 academic year was one of the most successful in the history of Tufts Athletics. When I stepped into the role of athletics director in August 2025, my expectations were high. The department’s trajectory has been extraordinary for several years, and this past year only reinforced what makes Tufts Athletics so special. I know all of you share the immense sense of pride that Jumbo Athletics brings to our university community.

The impact our student-athletes have on the Tufts community is immeasurable. They have furthered their ability to perform at an elite level in the classroom, posting a cumulative GPA of 3.596 during the 2025–2026 academic year. Athletically, they continue to rewrite the record books in real time. This report provides a closer look at the incredible success of the past year, but a few highlights include:

  • Second place in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, earning the most points in school history
  • Four national championships, the most of any institution across all NCAA divisions
  • Eight NESCAC Championships, the most in program history
  • Four NCAA Final Four appearances
  • 73 All-Americans

The student-athletes at Tufts are smart, inquisitive, competitive, and driven. Whether in the classroom or on the playing fields, their relentless work ethic and commitment to excellence allow them to achieve remarkable success. Just as impressive, however, is their commitment to serving others. Our teams continually find meaningful ways to engage with the surrounding community, and we should all be incredibly proud of the impact they have. It is another example of what makes Tufts student-athletes so special.

The biggest reason for the sustained success of Tufts Athletics is our people. We are fortunate to have support from the highest levels of the university, an Athletics Board that is deeply committed to our mission, coaches and staff who care passionately about our student-athletes, and alumni and donors who continue to invest in the future of Jumbo Athletics. Never underestimate the power of the herd. When we remain aligned, support one another, and work side by side, there is no limit to what Tufts Athletics can accomplish.

I want to end with a simple thank-you. The Jumbo community welcomed my family and me with open arms a year ago, and we will forever be grateful.

To our coaches, administrators, alumni, donors, and supporters—thank you for your unwavering commitment to this department. Your efforts make it possible for us to provide our student-athletes with a world-class experience while preparing them for life after graduation.

Finally, to our student-athletes, past and present: Thank you for choosing Tufts and for representing the Brown and Blue with integrity and excellence. You are the heart and soul of this department, and I hope you take immense pride in being a Jumbo.

I hope this report leaves you inspired by all that our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have accomplished, and with a clear understanding of why the work we do each day is so important.

Go Jumbos!

Headshot of Tufts Athletics Director Ryan Pisarri

Ryan Pisarri
Director of Athletics

EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT BROWN AND BLUE

Academic Distinction

ELITE FEAT

More than 100 student-athletes from the four best women’s lacrosse teams in the nation gathered in Rochester, New York, for the Final Four, and Tufts’ Nicola Donlan distinguished herself. During the lead-up to the games, Donlan was announced as the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award winner as the individual with the highest cumulative GPA among participants at the finals site. Donlan graduated with summa cum laude honors in May, earning a degree in cognitive brain science studies with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

A Tufts women’s lacrosse player poses for a photo at the team’s media day.

SHINING EXAMPLE

“I've never met somebody like Scott,” teammate Josh Bernstein said—and the accolades back it up. Scott Gyimesi overcame a serious ankle injury to lead Tufts men’s basketball in the postseason,while also earning All-American honors, a first-team Academic All-America award, and a second-straight Jostens Trophy nomination—an award recognizing basketball ability, academics, and community service. All in all, Gyimesi set an exemplary standard not only for overcoming adversity, but also for continuing to earn highly esteemed awards along the way.

A Tufts men’s basketball player grabs the ball during a game.

EXCELLENCE TOGETHER

Once high school rivals, Elsi Aires and Caroline Kelly united at Tufts to reach their second NCAA Final Four together. Aires, a two-time NESCAC Player of the Year, was named United Soccer Coaches National Scholar Player of the Year. Kelly—called “the most skillful college player I have ever coached” by Women’s Soccer Head Coach Martha Whiting—earned a $10,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for her studies in biomedical engineering.

Two Tufts women’s soccer players pose for a photo at the team’s media day.

CHAMPIONS ON THE FIELD AND IN THE CLASSROOM

Six Jumbos helped their teams win NCAA titles in 2025–2026 while also leading the nation academically. Men’s soccer seniors Henry Perkins and Daniel Yanez, field hockey senior Hannah Biccard, men’s lacrosse seniors Garrett Kelly and Jack Regnery, and women’s rowing senior Hannah Jiang all earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors while playing vital roles on Tufts’ four NCAA Championship winning teams.

A Tufts men’s soccer player makes a move against a defender.

HIGH WATER MARKS

Tufts sailing led all programs with 16 honorees on the 2026 ICSA National All-Academic team—a testament to excellence both on the water and in the classroom. Senior Ben Mueller added yet another accolade, receiving the Robert H. Hobbs Sportsmanship Award for his wide-ranging contributions to college sailing: competing with distinction, promoting the sport, fostering camaraderie, and elevating the overall quality of competition.

A Tufts coed sailing team member seated aboard his sailboat on Upper Mystic Lake.

CONFERENCE CALL: 505 JUMBOS DIALED IN

Tufts’ dominant NESCAC year included 505 All-Academic Team honors for student-athletes with GPAs of 3.50 or higher. Three Jumbos swept all three NESCAC awards—All-Academic, All-Sportsmanship, and All-Conference: men’s cross country senior Cullen McCaleb, women’s swimming & diving senior Quinci Wheeler, and men’s track & field senior Cam McLeod.

A Tufts men’s track & field team runner competes at the NCAA Championships.

THE HEIGHT OF JUMBO EXCELLENCE

Tufts graduate and six-time All-American pole vaulter Sarah Firth earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship; she was one of just 21 women nationally selected for spring sports. Firth, who graduated magna cum laude in quantitative economics, will use the $10,000 award toward a master’s in urban planning at Harvard. Beyond athletics, she was deeply involved on campus—writing for the Tufts Daily, guiding campus tours, singing with the Greek Music Ensemble, chairing the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and competing with club gymnastics.

A Tufts women’s track & field team member prepares to launch herself in the pole vault event.

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Seven Tufts University varsity and club sport student-athletes were inducted this year into the Tufts chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States that recognizes excellence in the liberal arts and sciences:

The number seven.

A RECORD CLASS OF SCHOLAR JUMBOS

Tufts topped its record for College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® honorees with 19 throughout 2025–2026.

The number nineteen

JUMBOS GIVE 110%. WHAT THEY GET: IMMEASURABLE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE

Tufts’ Civic Life Ambassador Program continues to grow in strength and impact each year. A partnership between Tufts Athletics and the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, the program is a yearlong leadership and civic engagement initiative designed for student-athletes passionate about public service and community engagement—and committed to translating the leadership skills developed through athletics into meaningful civic action. This year, eight graduating students were inducted into Honos Civicus, the university’s honor society for civic engagement: Sami Haynes, Trevor Hillier, Casey Lambert, Avery Newcomer, Henry Perkins, Lecia Sun, Amelie Wickham, and Paige Zhang.

The Tufts Athletics community gathers with President Sunil Kumar for Tufts Day of Service.

EMBRACE FOR IMPACT

Tufts Athletics has partnered with Team IMPACT since the organization’s founding by six Tufts alumni in 2011. Today, 11 Jumbo teams are matched with children facing serious illness or disability, with 300-plus student-athletes creating life-changing experiences. This year, Tufts also topped the nation in Team IMPACT 5K participation, raising nearly $2,000 for the cause. It’s this kind of collective yearly impact that can last a lifetime.

Head coach and Tufts football team members welcome a new teammate via the Team IMPACT organization.

GOODNESS IS IN THEIR BLOOD

Tufts Athletics is making a real difference through the National Marrow Donor Program. This year, five teams—football, women’s swimming & diving, men’s soccer, softball, and men’s basketball—organized on-campus donor drives, bringing the program’s total to nine matches and donations for patients battling serious blood diseases nationwide. One thing that remains unmatched is the empathy and selflessness demonstrated by the Jumbos.

Tufts softball team members staff a table supporting the National Marrow Donor Program

WITH GRATEFUL APPRECIATION

Tufts Athletics thanks outgoing Civic Life Administrator Frank Roche, who leaves to become head football coach at Belmont Hill School. A proud double Jumbo and record-setting receiver, Roche sets a perfect example of what dedication to civic life can be. Since joining in 2022, he built the Athletics Civic Life program into one of the nation’s best. His impact on Athletics Civic Life will be long-lasting, and we wish him well in his next chapter.

The former Tufts Athletics Civic Life program administrator

ENGAGED A RECORD 6,000 HOURS

Tufts Athletics led all groups at both Tufts Day of Service events, contributing 200 volunteers in the fall and 700 in the spring. Student-athletes logged more than 6,000 hours of civic engagement in 2025–2026—a 122% increase since 2022–2023. Volunteer efforts included:

The number 6K.

A YEAR IN JUMBO HISTORY THAT WILL GO DOWN IN JUMBO HISTORY.

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Jumbo Highlights

FOUR SCORE NCAA CHAMPS

The Tufts Jumbos made history in 2025–2026, capturing four NCAA Championships—the most in a single academic year in program history. Field hockey and men’s soccer both delivered dramatic 2–1 overtime wins in the fall, while men’s lacrosse defeated RIT 17–11 and women’s rowing swept the first and second varsity races in the spring. The four titles bring Tufts to 19 NCAA Championships since 2010, cementing the Jumbos as one of Division III’s premier programs. This is what happens when teams are too immersed in earning laurels to ever rest on them.

Head coaches of Tufts’ four NCAA Championship–winning teams pose with their trophies.

CUMBERLAND KEEPS CLIMBING

Women’s track & field sophomore Elysse Cumberland has an air about her. Midair. She continued her ascent as one of Division III’s premier athletes, defending her NCAA indoor triple jump title and finishing runner-up in the NCAA outdoor long jump. The sophomore sensation added five more All-American honors to her résumé this year and now has a remarkable total of eight All-American honors just two years into her Tufts career. That’s one giant leap for a Jumbo.

A Tufts women’s track & field team member competes in the NCAA triple jump.

MOST POINTS EVER FOR JUMBOS

Tufts capped one of the best athletic years in school history with a runner-up finish in the 2026 Learfield Directors’ Cup, earning a program-record 1,252.50 points—just 14 points behind winner Washington University of St. Louis. The Jumbos led all of Division III with four NCAA Championship victories, claimed by field hockey, men’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, and women’s rowing. It marked the 13th consecutive season Tufts finished in the top 10, and the second-best finish in Jumbo history behind only their 2021–2022 Directors’ Cup championship.

Learfield Directors’ Cup logo.

EIGHT NESCAC CHAMPS

The Jumbos’ historic 2025–2026 season extended beyond the national stage. Tufts also captured eight NESCAC Championships—the most in a single academic year in program history, surpassing the previous high of six set in 2022–2023. In the fall, men’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball all claimed conference crowns. The spring was equally dominant, with baseball, men’s lacrosse, men’s tennis, and women’s track & field each adding NESCAC titles.

The Tufts baseball team celebrates winning the conference championship.

FALL SPORTS

FIELD HOCKEY

BACK ON TOP

For the second consecutive year and sixth time overall, the Tufts field hockey team arrived at the NCAA Championship game—and this time, they left with the trophy. The Jumbos claimed their second national title with a thrilling 2–1 victory over Johns Hopkins at Trinity College in Hartford, ending a 13-year wait since their first championship in 2012. The win capped a 19–3 season that tied the program record for most victories in a single year. All of which sets a new standard of Jumbo excellence in the team’s quest for continued glory.

The Tufts field hockey team celebrates a goal.
MEN’S SOCCER

ONE MORE FOR THE AGES

In the most dramatic moment of the year, the Tufts men’s soccer team pulled off a stunning comeback in the NCAA Division III Championship game, equalizing with just four seconds left in regulation before defeating Trinity University (Texas) 2–1 in overtime. The heart-stopping victory delivered the program’s fifth NCAA title since 2014, and along with winning the NESCAC title, capped a remarkable 20–1–3 season that ranks among the finest in Division III history.

The Tufts men’s soccer team celebrates winning the conference championship.
WOMEN’S SOCCER

TRIUMPHANT YEAR. TIME AND AGAIN.

This year, the Jumbos enjoyed one of the finest seasons on record. The team claimed its second NESCAC Championship—and first since 2002—before making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament that carried them all the way to the Final Four for the second time in the past three seasons. Tufts’ 18–2–3 final record tied the program mark for most victories in a single season.

A Tufts women’s soccer player celebrates a goal.
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

MAKING BIG STRIDES NATIONALLY

The Jumbo men’s team earned its best finish at the NCAA Championship race since 2012. Tufts placed seventh at the NCAA Championship, the highest finish by an East Region team. The Jumbos also won their first NESCAC title since 2012. The Jumbos recorded their lowest score ever at the NESCAC meet for a 27-point victory over runner-up Williams College.

A Tufts men’s cross country team member leads a pack of runners.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

NET EARNINGS: NESCAC CHAMPS

The Jumbos saved their best for the biggest moments, surging through the postseason to claim the NESCAC Championship for the fourth time in program history. Tufts then took center stage by hosting an NCAA Regional at Cousens Gymnasium and advancing to the Sweet 16 before dropping a competitive four-set match against #1 in the nation East Texas Baptist. The Jumbos’ 24–6 record represented the most victories for the program since 2019.

A Tufts women’s volleyball team member attacks at the net.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

SECOND TITLE RUNNING

The Jumbos ran their best race of the season at the NCAA East Region Championship, upsetting top-ranked MIT to win the regional title—their second ever—and earning an automatic berth to the NCAA National Championship. At Nationals, the team finished 11th, part of what was described as the best combined men’s and women’s performance at the NCAA Championship in Tufts history. With that kind of showing, the Jumbos’ perseverance will take them way past those who already go the extra mile.

A Tufts women’s cross country team member competes at the NCAA Championship race.
FOOTBALL

FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE

Things are heating up on the gridiron as the Jumbos flashed their potential in a pair of memorable performances. Tufts announced itself as a NESCAC contender early in the season with a hard-fought 22–20 victory over Wesleyan, a squad that would share the conference co-championship. Later in the season, the Jumbos defeated Williams College by a commanding 41–20 score. Though Tufts finished with a 4–5 record, these wins offered a glimpse of what this program is capable of at its best.

The quarterback of the Tufts football team looks for an open receiver.

WINTER SPORTS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

EQUALLING BEST RECORD ON RECORD

Tufts made its fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance—the longest streak since it began competing—advancing all the way to the Elite Eight for just the second time in school history. Including this year’s school-record-tying 23 victories, the senior class wrapped up their careers with a combined 86 wins, the most ever in 112 years of Jumbo basketball.

A Tufts men’s basketball team member controls the ball against a defender.
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

EXCELLENCE INSIDE AND OUT

The Jumbos enjoyed a tremendous 2025–2026 season, capturing two championships and delivering standout performances on the national stage. Tufts claimed the New England Division III Championship indoors and the NESCAC title outdoors—both for the first time since 2013. The team made its presence known at the NCAAs, earning qualifiers across 16 combined events and posting a pair of top-15 team finishes, including a tie for ninth place indoors.

A member of the Tufts women’s track & field team attempts to clear the bar in the high jump.
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING

IMMERSED IN STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

In a fiercely contested NESCAC Championship meet, the Jumbos led heading into the final day before finishing as runner-up. Their stellar performances helped them send 13 individuals to the NCAA Championship meet in Indianapolis, where Tufts delivered an impressive 12th-place finish on the national stage. It was also a record-breaking year for the program, with five new team records established throughout the 2025–2026 season.

A Tufts women’s swimmer competes in the butterfly event.
MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING

ANOTHER STRONG SEASON

The Jumbos mounted a thrilling run at the NESCAC Championship, seizing the lead on the second and third days of the meet before ultimately finishing as runners-up. Ten individuals earned a trip to the NCAA Championship meet in Indianapolis, where the team posted a 25th-place finish, capping another strong season in which five new school records were set.

A Tufts men’s swimmer competes in the butterfly event.
MEN’S SQUASH

FUTURE REMAINS BRIGHT

The Jumbos’ rise on the national stage continued in 2025–2026, as the team captured a victory in the prestigious Potter Cup national championship competition. A commanding 6–3 triumph over Williams College propelled Tufts to a #11 final national ranking. The Jumbos further cemented their status as one of the NESCAC’s elite programs by finishing as the conference runner-up for the third consecutive season.

A Tufts men’s squash player makes a backhand shot.
WOMEN’S SQUASH

FIRMLY ESTABLISHED

A dominant 7–2 victory over Amherst College in Howe Cup competition gave the Jumbos a triumphant exclamation point on yet another elite season, securing a #11 finish in the College Squash Association national rankings and placing Tufts firmly among the top 12 programs in the country. The victory also punctuated a remarkable run of conference excellence, which included claiming the NESCAC runner-up spot for a fifth consecutive season.

A Tufts women’s squash player reaches to make a shot.
MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

RUNNING UP THE RANKINGS

The Jumbos turned in an outstanding season, finishing as runners-up at the NESCAC Championships outdoors and the New England Division III Championships indoors. On the national stage, they qualified six individuals across four events at the NCAA Indoor Championships before an even stronger showing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where six Jumbos competed across seven events and the team scored at the national meet for the first time since 2024.

A Tufts men’s track & field team member in the midst of the long jump event.
MEN’S ICE HOCKEY

PROGRAM-BEST NESCAC FINISH

The Tufts men’s ice hockey team posted its best NESCAC regular-season finish ever by earning the #3 seed in the conference tournament. The Jumbos notched 12 victories—seven against nationally ranked opponents. Their two losses to eventual NCAA Champion Hamilton were both close battles, highlighting how competitive the Tufts program has become.

The goalie for the Tufts hockey team makes a save.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BUILDING ACCLAIM

A 60–57 victory over #4 in the nation Smith College in January clearly demonstrated the Jumbos’ potential. A young team finished with a winning record (13–12), which included victories against longtime conference rival Amherst College as well as NCAA Tournament–qualifier Emmanuel College.

A Tufts women’s basketball player dribbles past a defender.
WOMEN’S FENCING

FORGING FORWARD

The Jumbos maintained their standing as one of the premier Division III fencing programs in the nation. Stepping up in competition early in the year, Tufts proved it could compete at any level by playing close matches against Division I competition, including a win over UC San Diego. The Jumbos closed out the season with a strong 26–15 overall record and sent 12 fencers to the NCAA Regional meet, a testament to the program’s exceptional depth and talent.

A Tufts women’s fencing team member in action.

SPRING SPORTS

WOMEN’S ROWING

DOMINANT WHEN IT MATTERED MOST

After some inconsistent regular-season results, Tufts delivered when it mattered most, sweeping both the first and second varsity eight races to claim its third consecutive NCAA Championship. A third-straight collegiate eights title at the Head of the Charles and sweeps of the points trophies at both the National Invitational Rowing Championships and the New England Rowing Championships added to Tufts’ status at the top of Division III.

A Tufts women’s rowing team member grips the oar.
MEN’S LACROSSE

DYNASTY DEFINED

The Tufts men’s lacrosse program continued its dynastic run in 2026, capturing its 14th NESCAC title and defeating RIT 17–11 in the NCAA Championship game for the program’s sixth national title and third in a row. Though a 42-game winning streak came to an end during the season, the 2026 senior class closed their careers with a remarkable 85–5 record, a testament to the sustained excellence that has defined the Tufts lacrosse program.

A Tufts men’s lacrosse team member prepares to take a shot.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE

FINAL FOUR RELOAD

The team had big cleats to fill this season. But despite losing several key contributors from the previous year, Tufts women’s lacrosse once again proved it belonged among Division III’s elite. The Jumbos made their fifth NCAA Final Four appearance since 2019, with their run ending heartbreakingly in the national semifinals—a 10–9 overtime loss to rival Middlebury College. A 17–4 record and another deep NCAA run underscored the program’s remarkable ability to reload and compete at the highest level.

A Tufts women’s lacrosse player makes a move with the ball in her stick.
MEN’S TENNIS

PERFECT IN NESCAC, ELITE IN NATION

The Jumbos were simply dominant in conference play, rolling to a perfect 10–0 regular-season record in the highly competitive NESCAC before claiming the program’s first conference title in 36 years. Tufts then continued its NCAA Tournament success by advancing to the Elite Eight for a fifth consecutive season and reaching the national semifinals. The Jumbos closed out one of the finest seasons in program history with a 25–3 record.

A Tufts men’s tennis player celebrates scoring a point.
MEN’S ROWING

A FOND FAREWELL TO COACH MUNGER

The Jumbos earned a fourth-place finish at the IRA National Championship, continuing their streak of competing at every DIII edition of the event since its inception in 2022, and also claimed the points trophy at the New England Rowing Championships. The season carried added significance as Director of Rowing and Men’s Head Coach George Munger guided the program through his final season—a fitting capstone to a distinguished tenure.

The Tufts men’s rowing team works in unison to propel the boat.
WOMEN’S SAILING

ONWARD AND UPWARD

It was a groundbreaking year of progress for the women’s sailing team. The Jumbos reached a program-best third at the New England Team Race Championship before carrying that momentum to a fifth-place finish at the ICSA Team Race National Championship—the program’s best national finish in any event since 2010. The team rounded out the season with an 11th-place finish at the Fleet Race Nationals, placing third in B Division.

A Tufts women’s sailor works hard for her team during a race.
BASEBALL

SHINING ON THE DIAMOND

In Head Coach Bryan Stark’s second season, the Jumbos made more than a statement. They made a lasting impression. The team won 31 games, 15 more than the previous season, and the Jumbos didn’t stop there. Tufts went on to dominate the NESCAC Championship on the team’s way to earning the program’s eighth conference title. The Jumbos capped the year by hosting NCAA Tournament games on campus for the first time in school history.

A Tufts baseball player delivers a pitch.
SOFTBALL

ANOTHER YEAR. ANOTHER NESCAC PENNANT.

Tufts was the #1 team for the NESCAC regular season once again, finishing with a 14–4 conference record. For the seventh time since Spicer Field was refurbished in 2015, the Jumbos hosted an NCAA Tournament Regional on campus. With a young team including many first-year players, Tufts finished with a strong 31–12 overall record and looks ahead to even greater success.

A Tufts softball team member delivers a pitch.
MEN’S GOLF

ON COURSE FOR A NESCAC TITLE

In Head Coach Stephen Doyle’s first season, the Jumbos were tantalizingly close to a NESCAC Championship. They held a lead in the tournament for two days before a late surge by Williams College allowed the Ephs to claim the title. Beyond the near miss, Tufts posted strong team finishes throughout both the fall and spring seasons, including a runner-up showing at Hamilton College’s fall tournament. The drive to attain higher recognition has never been stronger.

A Tufts golfer tees off.
COED SAILING

NAVIGATING NATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Tufts coed sailing team has the wind at its back as it firmly placed itself in the national picture during its spring season, earning berths at the ICSA National Championships in both fleet racing and team racing. The Jumbos posted a 12th-place finish at team race nationals and showed their depth throughout the regular season, claiming wins at the KP Open team race and the Southern New England Team Race in the spring—two very nautically noteworthy accomplishments.

A skipper and crew for the Tufts sailing team work together in a race.
WOMEN’S TENNIS

IN THE NCAA PICTURE AGAIN

Few programs at Tufts have matched the sustained excellence of women’s tennis—which qualified for the NCAA Tournament for a remarkable 22nd time in 2026. The Jumbos punctuated their season with a statement 5–2 victory over Bowdoin College—a team that finished as the NESCAC runner-up—demonstrating that Tufts remains among the elite of the conference. The Jumbos closed out the year with a solid 13–7 record.

A Tufts women’s tennis player reaches down to keep the point alive.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

73 ALL-AMERICANS

Elsi Aires
Women’s Soccer

Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das
Men’s Soccer

Theo Balavoine
Men’s Rowing

Karen Bei
Women’s Fencing

Chase Beyer
Men’s Lacrosse

Hannah Biccard
Field Hockey

Reese Birch
Women’s Soccer

Asher Boynton
Women’s Fencing

Xavier Canfin
Men’s Soccer

Claire Casey
Field Hockey

Claire Castor
Women’s Volleyball

Isa Chambers
Women’s Swimming & Diving

Arielle Chechile
Women’s Track & Field

Peter Conard
Men’s Rowing

Elysse Cumberland
Women’s Track & Field

Abby Davis
Women’s Swimming & Diving

INDIVIDUAL HONORS

ELSI AIRES, Women’s Soccer, NESCAC Player of the Year; USC National Scholar Player of the Year

KAREN BEI, Women’s Fencing, NFC Fencer of the Year; NIWFA & EWFC Epee Fencer of the Year

HANNAH BICCARD, Field Hockey, DIII Honda Athlete of the Year for Field Hockey; NFHCA National Player of the Year; NFHCA Region 2 Player of the Year

ASHER BOYNTON, Women’s Fencing, NFC Rookie of the Year; EWFC Sabre Fencer of the Year

ELYSSE CUMBERLAND, Women’s Track & Field, USTFCCCA Northeast Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year

CLUB SPORTS

LIGHTING UP THE NATIONAL STAGE

Seventeen Tufts club teams made appearances at their respective national championship events: cheerleading, cycling, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, pickleball, rock climbing, running (fall and spring semesters), squash, swim, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, and women’s ultimate frisbee. Highlights included:

A Tufts club gymnastics team member performs during a meet.

PAINTING THE TOWN BROWN AND BLUE

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee held the Brown & Blues Awards Night at Somerville Theatre for the third year in a row. Now a Tufts Athletics tradition, the event featured a blue carpet entrance, entertaining performances, and annual award presentations. Emcees Camille Clarke and Tade Carman led the event with energy, while the highlight reel captured the year’s most unforgettable moments. Jumbos recognizing Jumbos. It’s more than a pat on the back; it’s a reminder that we're all in this together. United we stand out.

Jumbo and some Tufts student-athletes pose on stage at the Brown & Blues Awards show.

ELEVATING POTENTIAL, BUILDING CHARACTER

LEADERSHIP

LEADER OF THE HERD

Named Director of Athletics at Tufts in the summer of 2025, Ryan Pisarri was at the helm while the Jumbos enjoyed unprecedented success (four NCAA titles, eight NESCAC crowns) in his first year. Pisarri came to Tufts after a long tenure at Rutgers University, including roles as deputy athletic director for competitive excellence and chief of staff before being appointed interim athletic director in August 2024. A former student-athlete himself, Pisarri played football at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 2006. He furthered his academic credentials along the way, earning a master’s in education in 2021 and a master’s in business administration in 2024, both from Rutgers.

Tufts Athletics Director Ryan Pisarri

SHINING BRIGHTLY

What a year it was for Field Hockey Head Coach Tina Mattera. In November, Mattera, Associate Head Coach Megan Caveny, and Assistant Coaches Katie Weber and Troy Zirbel were honored as the NFHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year for the second-straight year after leading Tufts to the NCAA title. In March, Mattera won a bronze medal playing for the United States Over-45 Team at the Masters Indoor World Cup in Nottingham, England. Then, over the summer, it was announced that she will be inducted into the NFHCA Hall of Fame.

The Tufts field hockey head coach instructs her team during a timeout.

A TRIPLE CROWN FOR THE JUMBOS

Three Tufts University coaching staffs earned national recognition as the best in the country this season, a remarkable achievement that underscores the program’s culture of excellence. Head Coach Tina Mattera and her field hockey staff, Head Coach Kyle Dezotell and the men’s soccer assistant coaches, and Women’s Rowing Head Coach Lily Siddall and her staff were honored by their respective national organizations as the premier coaching units in their sports for the 2025–2026 academic year. The accolades come as no surprise—all three programs crowned their seasons with NCAA Championships.

The Tufts women’s rowing head coach poses with all three of the team’s NCAA trophies.

HONORED FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILES

The Tufts Cross Country/Track & Field program is in good hands, as the team’s coaches won regional honors in all three seasons this year. Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jamie Norton was voted as the USTFCCCA East Region Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. For the indoor track & field season, Kristen Morwick was named USTFCCCA Northeast Region Women’s Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year. Then in the spring, Sprints Coach Kat Rafuse earned Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year for the Northeast Region.

The Tufts cross country and track & field full-time coaching staff.

A GREAT EIGHT

The breadth of coaching excellence across Tufts Athletics was on full display in 2025–2026, as leaders of eight Jumbo programs were recognized by NESCAC. In the fall, Men’s Cross Country Head Coach Jamie Norton, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Martha Whiting, and Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Cora Thompson were each honored alongside their respective staffs. The winter brought further recognition, with Joe Raho and his assistants earning Women’s Squash Coaching Staff of the Year honors and Brad Snodgrass claiming Women’s Diving Coach of the Year. In the spring, Bryan Stark was named NESCAC Baseball Coach of the Year in his second season at the helm, while Karl Gregor and his staff were recognized for Men’s Tennis, and Kristen Morwick and the Women’s Track & Field staff earned the honor in their sport.

The men’s tennis head coach watches his team in action.

HIGH LEVEL ON REGIONAL LEVEL

Six Jumbo coaching staffs were recognized as the best in their respective regions: field hockey, men’s soccer, men’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s track & field, and women’s rowing. Adham Gaber of the men’s tennis staff and Kat Rafuse of women’s track & field were both Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honorees.

The number 6.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Tufts Athletics administrative staff welcomed Mallory Skaggs as assistant athletic director for compliance and administration, and Michael Matt as associate athletic director for business operations. The Jumbos also welcomed Kevin Maxen as director of sports performance/head strength & conditioning coach and Clare Fitzpatrick as head women’s basketball coach. Others joining the Tufts administrative team during the past year were Equipment Manager Holly Erbe and Athletics Administrator/Graduate Fellow Kevin Whittmon. Tufts also bids a fond farewell and best wishes to Director of Rowing George Munger, who earned an IRCA Leadership Award for 2026, as well as Civic Life Administrator for Athletics Frank Roche and Associate Director of Development for Athletics Than Finan, who are all leaving Tufts to pursue other opportunities.

MOURNING OUR LOSSES

Tufts mourned the loss of two former coaches during 2025–2026. Former rowing coach Brian Dawe passed away in July 2025, and former tennis and squash leader Jim Watson died in February 2026. Our deepest sympathies go out to their families.

Former Tufts Rowing Head Coach and former Men’s and Women’s Tennis and Squash Head Coach

CHAMPIONING THE JUMBO CAUSE IS A TEAM SPORT

BOARD OF ADVISORS

The Athletics Board of Advisors serves an invaluable role by partnering with Director of Athletics Ryan Pisarri in support of the department’s strategic objectives. Their counsel, informed by many years of collective experience and wisdom, and their help securing essential program resources were especially appreciated in Pisarri’s first year as AD. Their vital contributions touch on all aspects of the Jumbo Athletics experience. Recent notable examples include the creation of the Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame, leadership of the Women Impact Now! Athletics Initiative, and the growth of the Tufts Athletics Future Leaders Fellowship and the Strength and Conditioning Coaching Development Program. The Athletics Board is one of 10 at the university, including one per school and an international board.

WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE DEDICATED COMMITMENT, SERVICE, AND GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR 31 ADVISORS WHO SERVED IN 2025–2026:

THEODORE R. TYE
A79, A06P, A13P, Chair
Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees
Years of Service: 15 with 10 as chair

APRIL S. ANDERSON
J92, A27P, A27P
Years of Service: 2

ANDRE T. BAYNES
A91, Trustee
Years of Service: 3

JOHN J. BELLO
A68, A13P, Trustee Emeritus
Years of Service: 33

CYNTHIA L. BORGER
J87, A19P
Years of Service: 9

DAVID J. CUNNINGHAM
A98
Years of Service: 18

GREGORY C. DAVIS
A86, A19P
Years of Service: 9

JOHN DE JONG
A78, V85, Trustee Emeritus
Years of Service: 5

CATHERINE BELDOTTI DONLAN
J90, A26P
Years of Service: 6

DANIEL J. FARREN
A86
Years of Service: 2

MICHAEL R. FRISOLI
A93, A25P, A26P
Years of Service: 11

JEFFREY B. GEWIRTZ
A91
Years of Service: 11

LISA R. GORMAN
J81
Years of Service: 6

DOUG HARRIS
A81, Trustee
Years of Service: 4

MICHAEL A. HAYNES
A96, A26P
Years of Service: 13

ROBERT A. KELLER
A83
Years of Service: 10

DANIEL A. KRAFT
A87, A25P, Trustee Emeritus
Years of Service: 29

LISA A. LAX
J86
Years of Service: 24

KARA A. MURPHY
J97
Years of Service: 10

RORY O. MURRAY
J93
Years of Service: 2

DANA NIELSEN
A96
Years of Service: 1

TRECIA PESSOA
J96, TRUSTEE
Years of Service: 1

JOHN J. REGAN
A90, A27P
Years of Service: 21

DAVID B. RONE
A84, A25P, Trustee Emeritus
Years of Service: 6

EYTAN N. SAPERSTEIN
A10
Years of Service: 2

ANTHONY B. SHROPSHIRE
A04
Years of Service: 6

V. HEATHER SIBBISON
J83, A13P, A16P
Years of Service: 16

ROBERT W. TISHMAN
A86
Years of Service: 28

JENNIFER M. TRAMONTANA
E99
Years of Service: 13

JANICE SAVIN WILLIAMS
J79, Trustee Emerita
Years of Service: 7

NANCY STERN WINTERS
J86, A26P
Years of Service: 24

MOVING OUR GOALS FORWARD WITH THE STRENGTH OF GENEROSITY

Fundraising

BY THE NUMBERS: OUR YEAR IN REVIEW

OUR JUMBO SUPPORT CHARGES AHEADTeam Alumni38.6%Friend/Organization21.3%CurrentParent20.3%PERCENTAGE OFALL DONORSCurrent Student-Athlete 9.1%Past Parent 7.2%General Alumni 3.5%
OUR JUMBO SUPPORT CHARGES AHEAD Team Alumni18.3%General Alumni56.0%Friend/Organization12.7%Past Parent8.7%Current Student-Athlete >1%Current Parent 4.2%PERCENTAGEOF TOTALFUNDS RAISED
01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,000FY26FY25FY24FY23VALUING THE DONORTotal DonorsAnnual GiftsCapital Gifts2982253514044,0734,2614,6705,2154,3714,4865,0215,619
020,000,00015,000,00010,000,0005,000,000FY26FY25FY24FY23VALUING THE DOLLAR$9,012,179$2,259,428$6,752,751$3,891,681$2,382,826$1,508,855$3,782,388$2,733,646$6,516,034$12,615,728$2,847,256$15,462,984Total DollarsAnnual GiftsCapital Gifts
0350,000300,000250,000200,000150,000100,00050,000FY26FY25FY24FY23$85,635$107,440$154,007ALL IN FOR CLUB SPORTS$308,970Donors1,027Donors1,250Donors1,733Donors2,179
02,000,0001,500,0001,000,000500,000FY26FY25FY24FY23#GIVING TUESDAY1 DAY OF GIVING.365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE.47% ofuniversitygifts31% ofuniversitydollars56% ofuniversitygifts33% ofuniversitydollars53% ofuniversitydonors31% ofuniversitydollars51% ofuniversitydonors31% ofuniversitydollars$1,206,662$1,233,626$1,555,512$1,725,953Total Donors4,700Total Donors4,701Total Donors4,115Total Donors4,961
LEADING BY EXAMPLE FOR STRENGTH AND SUPPORT96.7%$1,233,849total amount in gifts and pledgesin FY26 from advisorsof Athletics Board of Advisorsmade either an annual fund orcapital gift to support current-use or long-term needs forTufts Athletics programs.

A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR THE RACHLIN AQUATICS CENTER

Rendering of main entrance of Rachlin Aquatics Center at Tufts University This was a defining year for the much-anticipated aquatics center as the project was formally approved by President Kumar, the Board of Trustees, and the City of Medford. The final design and scope for the building and associated exterior landscaping were solidified as fundraising neared completion. At the end of fiscal year 2026, nearly $22.4 million had been raised from key university donors and the swimming and diving alumni and parent community. The leadership council of the Friends of Tufts Swimming & Diving continues to play a critical role in the execution of the public phase of the campaign—a phase that includes a $5 million challenge match to help close out the fundraising. Meanwhile, plans are underway for a construction opening celebration, slated for Homecoming Weekend 2026.

ADVANTAGE TUFTS

Rendering of the Tufts Tennis Center with view of the team pavilion and two courts The Tennis Team Pavilion at the Tufts Tennis Center was approved by the Board of Trustees and City of Medford at the same time as the Rachlin Aquatics Center, and it will significantly elevate the tennis center with a dedicated varsity team room—the first of its kind in program history—providing a much-needed private space to gather, prepare for competition, and build community. As of the end of fiscal year 2026, $1.3 million had been raised for this $2.25 million project, as a $200,000 challenge match helped drive the final fundraising effort over the summer.

GLORY HAS ITS PLACE

Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame listing of inductees on a wall The Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame, created in 2018, now has a physical home on the third floor of the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center. Dedicated to former Director of Athletics John Morris, who served as the athletics director from 2015 to 2025 and oversaw the creation of the hall of fame, the transformation of the third-floor space was funded by 100% participation from the Athletics Board of Advisors. Over $100,000 was raised to cover the costs of the newly revamped space, which includes wall-mounted listings of each induction class and Brown & Blue Award winners, an individual inductee Jumbo statuette and team inductee medal, and a touchscreen monitor with the biographies and photos of all inductees and all induction dinners and ceremonies. So now, when Jumbos are enshrined, they'll go down in history—and their accomplishments will go up on the third floor of Tisch for all to see.

ADD ANOTHER ONE TO THE WIN! COLUMN

Attendees at the Women’s Impact Now! Athletics Leadership Forum at Tufts University The second year of the Women Impact Now! (WIN!) Athletics Initiative was highlighted by the inaugural WIN! Athletics Leadership Forum held in September 2025. The leadership forum brought together 40 alumni across 11 industries and more than 225 varsity and club sport women student-athletes. The evening was a resounding success and featured a moderated panel discussion with alumni industry leaders, Tufts lightning talks presentations, and networking breakout tables across a broad array of career fields. It was also an opportunity for the student-athletes to connect with accomplished alumni, explore career paths, and gain confidence in translating their athletic leadership into professional success.

Marketing and visibility increased with the creation of a dedicated WIN! website, a featured story in One Tufts in January 2026, and partnership with the Tufts Athletics Alumni Group on LinkedIn. The latter provides a forum for Tufts Athletics alumni across all class years to network. To improve student-athlete awareness, four WIN! Student Ambassadors were selected to serve as liaisons between the WIN! Committee and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

The WIN! Athletics Initiative includes the overarching WIN! Athletics Endowment that broadly supports all women's teams and the WIN! Athletics Family of Endowments, composed of sport-specific women's and combined team endowments. To date, nearly $1.5 million has been raised for the WIN! Athletics Endowment and nearly $1.95 million for the overall WIN! Initiative.

As of June 30, 2026, pledges and gifts to the WIN! Athletics Initiative totaled $1,949,690:

  • WIN! Athletics Endowment: $1,469,587

  • Bill Gehling Women's Soccer Endowment: $41,000

  • Friends of Tufts Rowing Endowment: $7,502

  • Friends of Tufts Sailing Endowment: $5,703

  • “Give Right, Give Left” Women's Lacrosse Endowment: $210,221

  • Nancy Bigelow Women's Swimming and Diving Endowment: $141,272

  • Tufts Ultimate Frisbee Teams Support Fund: $53,355

#GIVINGTUESDAY

Tufts Giving Tuesday signature art for Tufts Athletics

We raised $1,725,953 in donations, once again setting a new #GivingTuesday record. For the fourth-straight year, we surpassed $1.2 million, and it was our second year in a row raising over $1.5 million, representing 31% of all dollars raised across the university. Our 4,961 donors were 51% of all Giving Tuesday donors university-wide. Incentives for the top three teams in each leader board totaling $27,000 helped drive friendly competition throughout the day.

FRIENDS GROUPS/ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

The Tufts field hockey team celebrates on the field after their NCAA Championship win. Once again, numerous game day tailgates, team alumni games, and other events that focused on alumni and parent engagement dotted the calendar across all three athletics seasons. There was the annual Friends of Tufts Football and Oval Club Tailgate hospitality tent in the College Avenue endzone for the annual Football Kickoff Event and Homecoming game. At the same time, the Friends of Tufts Track & Field/Cross Country welcomed alums back for a rousing BBQ tailgate, while seven other programs had branded tents to welcome their alums and families back for a great day of camaraderie.

The Friends of Tufts Men’s Soccer hosted social gatherings in New York City and at home matches before turning out in force to cheer on the Jumbos’ incredible national championship win. Over 1,000 Jumbos across five decades of class years traveled to Trinity College to see the field hockey Jumbos defeat Johns Hopkins in overtime to capture the national championship. The Friends of Tufts Squash hosted the annual squash alumni matches and alumni/parent reception in Davis Square. The Friends of Tufts Sailing welcomed more than 100 sailing alumni for their alumni regatta and held another successful alumni networking dinner and panel discussion.

Over 50 women’s lacrosse alums returned for the annual Madie Nicpon Game in the spring and then raised funds for the “Give Right, Give Left” WLAX Endowment with a pledge per goal campaign throughout the NCAA Tournament. Over 1,000 men’s lacrosse alumni and parents traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia, for the NCAA DIII National Championship game to cheer on the Jumbos and their third-straight championship trophy. Nearly 75 alumni rowers enjoyed a reception in the William Shoemaker Boathouse and got back on the water at this year’s second annual Alumni Row before many of them moved on to the banks of the NCAA Rowing Championship where the Jumbos won their third championship in a row.

Three hundred guests gathered to honor our newest Athletics Hall of Fame inductees at Gillette Stadium, and numerous alumni and families enjoyed social gatherings and tours of the Tisch Sports and Fitness Center and other athletics facilities across two reunion weekends.

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS

Tufts men’s basketball team members pose with a children’s basketball team in Japan. A successful micro-campaign raised over $60,000 for the men’s basketball team trip to compete in Japan in early August.

FACILITY SOUND SYSTEMS

Through the generosity of a key donor, over $150,000 was designated for new and upgraded sound systems at Ellis Oval and Bello Field, and in Cousens Gym. These new audio systems will significantly enhance the sound quality in these venues and elevate the overall student-athlete and spectator game-day experience.

CHALLENGE MATCHES

Challenge matches continue to serve as a key motivator for donors to double the impact of their giving. On Giving Tuesday, the combined total of challenges and dollars raised surpassed $1.3 million. All 30 varsity teams and one club sport team raised this amount from alumni, parents, and friends in 26 separate challenge matches, surpassing the $675,011 in available matching dollars.

WIN! ATHLETICS INITIATIVE COMMITTEE

The Women Impact Now! (WIN!) Athletics Initiative Committee is composed of athletics advisors; key alumnae volunteers across an expanding number of sport-specific endowments; and the WIN! Athletics Leadership Forum planning subcommittee. It is supported by key staff from University Advancement and the Department of Athletics. It is the responsibility of the committee to set the strategic direction for the three-year initiative supporting fundraising and networking opportunities. Committee members include:

Cynthia L. Borger, J87, A19P

Mindy Jaffe Chilstrom, J97

Caitlin A. Dealy, A09

Catherine Beldotti Donlan, J90, A26P, Co-chair

Lisa R. Gorman, J81, Co-chair

Michael Haynes, A96, A26P, A29P

Antonia Knoth, A24

Lisa A. Lax, J86

Dr. Lauren Ratner Lazar, J94, D98

Kara A. Murphy, J97

Rory O. Murray, J93, Co-chair

David B. Rone, A84, A25P

V. Heather Sibbison, J83, A13P, A16P

Mia E. Steinberg, A21

Pamela Swidler, A04

Jennifer M. Tramontana, E99

Nancy Stern Winters, J86, A26P

Image of fundraising collateral created for the Women Impact Now! (WIN!) Athletics Initiative at Tufts

ENVISIONING TOMORROW. SUPPORTING DREAMS TODAY.

The long-term positive impact on Tufts Athletics through operating and coaching endowments and bequest intentions created to support individual teams or programmatic areas, combined teams, and the overall student-athlete experience ensure critical resources will be available in perpetuity. The thoughtful philanthropy engendered by these forward-looking funds, with a combined market and overall value of more than $8.79 million, provide essential ongoing and future support for our varsity and club sports programs.* The generosity of our loyal donors contributes to our programs’ fiscal health now and will extend into the future for generations.

Bequest for Athletics at the School of Arts and Sciences

Bill Gehling Women's Soccer Endowment

Emma D. Blumstein Endowed Fund for Women's Rugby

Friends of Tufts Men’s Soccer Endowment

Friends of Tufts Rowing Endowment

Friends of Tufts Sailing Endowment

“Give Right, Give Left” Tufts Women’s Lacrosse Endowment

Ice Hockey Endowment

John C. Richmond, M.D. Athletic Trainer Endowment

Jumbo Baseball Endowed Fund

Jumbo Student-Athletes Endowed Fund

Kay and Bill Duryea Endowed Men’s Lacrosse Fund

Mike Daly Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Endowed Fund

Moslow Family Men’s and Women’s Rowing Endowment

Nancy Bigelow Women’s Swimming and Diving Endowment

Paige Family Endowed Fund

Richard A. Reines, M.D., A71, M76 Endowed Fund for Men’s Swimming

Richard “Dick” Hansen, E72 Men’s and Women’s Soccer Endowment

Squash Center Endowment

Trevor Azmy Russo ’21 JumboCast Endowed Fund

Tufts Ultimate Frisbee Teams Support Fund

William “Bill” B. Richardson, Jr., A70, F71, H97 Baseball Endowment

Women Impact Now! (WIN!) Athletics Endowment

* Aggregate market value as of May 31, 2026

Back to top