A Message from President Aceves

Dear Colleagues, 

I have been fortunate to spend time with our remarkable student-athletes, who are a vital part of community building by serving as role models and actively engaging in the life of the university. Through their participation in sports, they have developed a strong sense of teamwork, discipline, and servant-leadership qualities, which will positively impact our community and society at large. I have observed how their dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship inspire others and foster unity. Their commitment to their athletic endeavors and community involvement exemplifies the power of sports as a wonderful catalyst for positive change.

I am grateful to our family of coaches and staff who, under the direction of our new Director of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Tommy Gilhooly, are embracing this sense of unity and service to others. I asked Tommy to reflect on our athletic community. Here is what he shared,

"If I were to choose a single word to describe my reflection in these first six months in my new role, it would be gratitude. Gratitude to the coaching staff for their continuous and loving service to our students and each other. Over their four years with us, our students will spend more time with their coaches than with their own families, teachers, and friends combined. Our coaches will be invited to graduations, weddings, and many life events. They are the definition of servant leadership. They do it because they love. After hundreds of hours of training and coaching games, you will see our coaches working the ticket booth, snack bars, playing the game music, and helping their fellow coaches set up and tear down after a match. Magis.

Gratitude to the strength and conditioning/athletic training teams that spend countless hours with our students, helping them get stronger and healthier and providing them the deep emotional support and healing when a season-ending injury occurs. For many injured student-athletes, this support is the first defense against declining mental wellness during a long road to physical recovery. Without this loving support, many students leave school and never return. Cura Personalis.

Gratitude to the administrative, event, facilities, and athletic communications staff. Every game event on campus requires week-long planning and collaboration to pull off a seamless experience not only for the players but also for the fans, parents, and campus visitors. AMDG.

Our team is not big; we all wear many hats, our labor has a purpose, our students are our focus, our love for one another is our guide, our hearts are our strength, and together, we are the battalion. We never stand alone. I love you all. Go Rangers!"

I am immensely proud of our athletic community and all its members for establishing a caring environment and a sense of belonging. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the athletes, coaches, organizers, and supporters for enriching our lives and your commitment to helping build a more just and humane world.

Kindly,

Salvador