Women’s athletics at Fitchburg State University are soaring.
On Monday, the university marked a turning point in its storied history of excellence in women’s athletics with the launch of She Soars, a new initiative for supporters and friends who want to assist student-athletes as they reach for the next level.
“Today, we’re launching She Soars,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge, the 12th president of the university and first woman to lead the institution in its 132-year history. “Not just as a booster club, but as a statement of intent. A new standard for how we support, invest in, and champion our female student-athletes. The history of women’s athletics at Fitchburg State is a story of grit and resolve. It’s a story of women who competed fiercely, led courageously, and built programs without always having equal resources or recognition. They didn’t wait for perfect conditions. They showed up. They worked. They won.
“Now it’s our turn to match their determination with infrastructure,” said Hodge. “With visibility. With sustained investment. When a woman finds her stride, she doesn’t just reach the finish line. She redefines where that line stands. That’s the spirit behind She Soars.”
Three-time Olympic medalist Gigi Marvin delivered the keynote address at the inaugural She Soars luncheon held in Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge. A pioneer for gender equity in professional athletics, Marvin’s appearance epitomized the university’s new initiative.
“I’m already emotional and passionate about the kids and future women who are going to be able to compete here for hockey,” said Marvin, who centered her speech around leadership, humility, commitment to excellence and a championship mindset. “It’s fun to be in a room with people who are so committed to excellence and want to see their incredible women and men succeed at the highest levels that they can be at.”
A flag-raising ceremony that followed in the Main Lounge marked the official start of the university’s Women’s History Month celebrations.
More than a tribute to the university’s storied history, the She Soars luncheon established a bold blueprint for the future of Falcon athletics. By uniting supporters and campus leaders, the event signaled a transformative investment in the next generation of female leaders in sport and academia.
Membership in the She Soars initiative represents a strategic partnership, positioning contributors as foundational pillars of the organization’s mission.
“To our founding members, thank you,” said Hodge. “By joining She Soars, you’re doing more than supporting a program. You’re becoming foundational partners in Falcon history. Your investment strengthens the daily experience of our female student-athletes and ensures that the next generation doesn’t have to push quite as hard just to be seen.
“And as we build that future, we’re guided by women who’ve already shown the world what’s possible,” said Hodge.
The university is dedicated to championing the next generation of female athletes, ensuring that the fire of competition burning within them is matched only by the strength of the community standing behind them.
Sue Lauder, who retired as the athletic director from Fitchburg State in 2018 after 22 years and was inducted in the Fitchburg State Hall of Fame in 2022, was honored to be a part of the She Soars celebration.
“There’s a huge need,” said Lauder, who is an avid golfer in her retirement. “When I got here (as athletic director), what the facilities were, we had part-time coaches, we didn’t have a lacrosse program. I think back, and it was a struggle. I loved it, and it didn’t seem like a struggle at the time. But the ability to do all these things for kids is great.
“To see this kind of interest in women’s sports, it’s so long overdue,” said Lauder.
Through She Soars, the university is committing to: Providing the tools necessary for peak physical and mental performance, connecting athletes with leaders who have paved the way, and ensuring all Falcons have a voice that is heard at every level of the game.
“By investing in these women today, we ensure that the standard of greatness established by those who came before is not only met—but surpassed,” said Fitchburg State Associate Athletics Director Bettiann Peura. “Today isn't just a launch; it’s a promise. A promise that every female athlete who wears the Green and Gold knows she has the wind of this entire university at her back. When she competes, she isn't just playing a game. She is proving that there are no limits to how high she can go. Together, let’s ensure that every Falcon has the wings to reach those heights.”
Fitchburg State sophomore softball catcher Priscilla Dillon, an exercise and sports science major, said that as student-athletes, they learn how to lead, how to push others even when they are exhausted, how to function in adversity, and how to support their team like family.
She said that being a student-athlete means balancing the weight of academic expectations with high athletic standards, all while striving to represent something greater than herself.
“As for women in athletics, this responsibility seems to carry a significant meaning,” said Dillon. “Women’s sports have grown in outstanding numbers over the years, but there is still a fight for equal visibility, funding, and resources at any level of schooling. Behind every women’s team, there is a group of girls who train just as hard, sacrifice just as much, and who dream just as loud as anyone else. Being at Fitchburg State has broadened my perspective and has brought about some honest, and sometimes hard truths regarding women's sports.”
But changes happen in moments like the She Soars initiative, said Dillon.
“When there are people who are here to support women’s sports, that is where the change starts to take shape,” said Dillon. “As funding discrepancies will always be present, the importance of donor support becomes more evident, and then that donor support becomes transformational. You all who donate are not just helping pay for equipment or uniforms, but you are helping build confidence, leadership, and a future for young female athletes.”
Sydney Nortelus, a senior health science major, is a member of the volleyball team and a Presidential Ambassador. She admitted that she had to start over, make new friends, and form bonds with new teammates when she stepped foot on campus at Fitchburg State.
“At Fitchburg State, I didn’t just grow as an athlete, but as a person,” said Nortelus. “Being a part of women’s athletics makes that journey even more meaningful. Women’s sports are built on perseverance and a community.
“Investing in women’s athletics, you are investing in leaders,” said Nortelus.
Women’s sports are no longer just rising—they are soaring. At the Winter Games in Italy, the world watched as U.S. athletes shattered expectations and claimed their place at the forefront of history. From the U.S. women’s ice hockey team’s heart-stopping 2–1 overtime triumph over Canada to Alysa Liu’s masterful gold-medal figure skating performance, these athletes aren't just winning medals; they are leading a revolution in women’s athletics.
In the 2027-2028 season, Fitchburg State will field its first-ever women’s varsity ice hockey team – the 18th varsity sport at the university.
“This isn't just about adding a team; it’s about meeting the moment,” said Fitchburg State Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation Matt Burke. “Women’s hockey is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. By 2027, the Wallace Civic Center won't just be the home of the Falcons; it will be a powerhouse for women’s hockey in New England. We are currently conducting a nationwide search for a head coach who will build this program from the ground up, and the funds raised through this effort will ensure they have the ‘ice-ready’ resources to compete for a MASCAC title from day one.”
Marvin joined 10 student-athletes, along with faculty and staff, for a collaborative roundtable exchange at Miller Oval.
Marvin fielded questions from the students and also talked in depth about her competitive drive.
“My internal drive is crazy,” said Marvin. “I’m competitive in everything I do. My ‘why’ is that I wanted to be an Olympic champion. I refused to be complacent; I demanded excellence.”
Senior field hockey and club ice hockey player Sophia Yates said she really took to heart Marvin’s take on how to motivate teammates.
“As a captain of multiple teams here, I think about that a lot on how to motivate my team to want to give 100 percent,” said Yates. “(Marvin) talked about how each individual person has their own different way of motivating themselves. That has to come from within, but you have to work with each person and try to build up their confidence to create that inner motivation to do better. That was really interesting.”
Five Fitchburg State club ice hockey skaters and one goaltender experienced a career-defining moment at the Wallace Civic Center, where Marvin led the squad through a skills and drills clinic during the afternoon.
“(Marvin) has an energy that is contagious,” said senior field hockey and ice hockey player Sami Yates. “She got us and said, ‘are you guys ready to work?’ It was surreal to skate with her and with someone who loves ice hockey as much as we do.
“I’ll remember this for the rest of my life,” said Sami Yates. “As it gets closer to closing my Fitchburg State career, I’m going to remember this and I can’t wait to tell everyone I know about it.”
Sophia Yates said that skating with Marvin, doing one-one-one drills with her and learning different techniques is something she’ll remember for the rest of her life.
Being a part of the She Soars initiative is also a life-changing moment.
“This captures my little inner child,” said Sophia Yates. “I’ve grown up playing ice hockey and I’ve always wanted to be a strong athlete. I think that this goes to show that your dreams can come true and that you can become an athlete and you can do things greater than you ever thought that you were going to do.”