Alfred University Athletics

Jasmine Picini '16

Jasmine Picini is a 2016 graduate of Alfred University's communications program and a former AU softball player from 2013-16 where she served primarily as a catcher for the Saxons. Historically speaking, Picini is one of the best hitting catchers in program history ranking third in AU history in career doubles (37), fifth in doubles in a season (12), sixth in career RBIs (103) and ninth in career hits (131). Over the course of her career, Picini and the Saxons won 122 games, including an Empire 8 title in 2015 before AU went on to participate in the 2015 Women's College World Series.

"It's hard to pinpoint one favorite memory, however, all my favorite memories from AU involve my 4 years playing Saxon Softball," Picini said. "Specifically, one of my favorite memories was winning the Empire 8 championship on our home field in front of all our peers and the Alfred community. The comraderie and sense of community support is what helped us to continue on to the D3 World Series. I have too many amazing memories on and off the field."

When asked who the most influential person was during her time on campus, Picini said plain and simple: her teammates. "No matter the year or no matter the season, I have my teammates to thank for pushing me and teaching me so many life lessons that has carried me through into life after school," Picini said. "Perhaps the lessons were sometimes provided inadvertently, however, every individual who I had the privilege to play alongside in that purple and gold has certainly taught me something along the way. Even in the two years I was a graduate assistant for the Saxon Softball team, the team continued to teach me so many impactful things about myself and fostering relationships around me. I am forever grateful for that and it has helped me grow at such a crucial point in my life."

"I support Saxon Nation because one of the best things about Alfred as a town and University is it's community of diverse people," Picini said. "Whether you're a 'hometown kid,' a city kid, or even from the west coast, the sense of community is what defines the "magic" of Alfred. Being a part of Saxon Nation allows me to still be a part of this 'magic.' It also allows me to give back to a place that has given me so much. You leave Alfred with a strong sense of pride for having gone there- "once a Saxon, always a Saxon." Saxon Nation symbolizes Saxons from all over, past and present, and provides an outlet with which we can still be active members of the Alfred community."

Picini, who graduated from West Potomac High School in Alexandria, VA, recently moved to Springfield, VA with her dog Saxon. She still plays fastpitch softball as well as co-ed slowpitch in order to "stay active in the sport she loves." As for the future she said, "I plan to help coach high school softball next spring as well! I've been testing my hand at 'adulting,' but not a day goes by that I don't miss my days at Alfred University with my teammates and best friends."

Peter Bourne '79

Bourne is a 1979 graduate of Alfred University's business administration/marketing program that played men's lacrosse from 1976-79. He currently holds the record for career goalies saves (637) and is a 1993 inductee into the AU Sports Hall of Fame.

Bourne said his favorite memories from his time at AU include the lacrosse trips with the team as well as the friends he made along the way. During his time at AU, the Saxons won 20 games under head coach Leonard Obergfell.

When asked about the most influential person he met on campus, Bourne cited Dr. Lyn Goodridge - the Dean of the Business School. He said Dr. Goodridge instilled the mantra, "Think and create an opportunity. Then process potential outcomes. Then do it!" Bourne followed that advice and now acts as the CEO of Recognition Experts - an imaging production company in Rochester, NY.

When asked why he supports Saxon Nation, Bourne said, "I believe in giving the student-athletes the same opportunities I had. I think it is important to add athletics to a student's experience to help them reach their potential."

When Bourne is not overseeing Recognition Experts, he enjoys traveling to Florida, coaching girls soccer in Rochester and playing golf.

Tami Brown '88

Tami Brown is a 1988 graduate of the mathematics program from Alfred University. Brown played basketball for the Saxons from 1984-88 and was inducted into the AU Sports Hall of Fame as a first-ballot inductee 1998. She currently stands seventh in career scoring (1,084) and third in career assists (285). Brown also stands 10th all-time with 89 assists in a season.

When asked about her favorite memory, Brown said, "I have lots of great memories, but if I have to pick one, I guess it would be the time at our last practice of 1985 prior to heading home for Christmas break, when we were undefeated and Coach Schwartz told us we were ranked #4 in the nation among Division III Women's basketball teams. What a great feeling that was!"

Brown was speaking of the Saxons who finished the season 19-6 overall in the 1985-86 season and started 10-0 overall. She was a sophomore on the team and was on her way to a Hall of Fame career.

When asked who her most influential contact was, Brown cited Roger Douglass - a math professor at AU. "He was an excellent math professor whom I had for many of my classes. He cut out the articles from the local paper from every basketball game we had all 4 years I was at Alfred and brought it in to me the next day. I have a scrapbook with all of those articles to look back at now, because of him, and we remain friends to this day."

"I believe the experience of being involved in a team sport contributes as much to a person's education and maturation as do all of the academics involved in the college experience," Brown said when asked about why she is a member of Saxon Nation. "I feel extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to play basketball for the Saxons, and I am happy to contribute to the experience that young women are having on the team today in any ways that I can."

Today, Brown lives in Midway, UT where she is a business owner.

"I am living in a place that I love, where I can ski, hike, bike, and enjoy the mountains every day. My husband and I, along with our 2 black Labs, take full advantage of that. Life is WONDERFUL, and my experiences at Alfred University, both athletic and academic, were a key part of enabling me to be where I am today."

Dr. Peter Ryan '70

Dr. Peter Ryan is a 1970 graduate of Alfred University's biology department and an alumnus of the men's basketball program. Pete played from 1967-1970 for the Saxons and still stands in the top-25 scorers in AU history. He was inducted into the AU Sports Hall of Fame in 1982, recognizing his efforts for breaking the school freshman scoring record in 1967 and being named the ICAC League MVP in 1968.

When asked about his favorite memory from his time at AU, Ryan cited his entire basketball career. From winning the league MVP to leading the team in scoring and assists back-to-back years in 1969 and 1970.

"Bob Baker was not only my basketball coach, but also my academic advisory," Ryan said. "He instilled in me the principles of hard work, self discipline, fair play, teamwork, and leadership. Following these principles helped me succeed not only on the basketball court, but also in the classroom, on campus, in my professional life and family life."

When asked why he supports Saxon Nation, Ryan said, "I consider my times at AU to be some of the very best years of my life in so many ways. Supporting Saxon Nation affords me the opportunity to assist the athletic department in their ongoing efforts to continue improving the athletic facilities and programs and thereby attract the type of student-athlete so important to AU's future success and highly ranked reputation both in the classroom and on the various fields of play."

Today, Ryan spends his days fly fishing, aiding on local medical committees and visiting his grandchildren. To give you an idea of how busy Ryan is - here are the clubs and organizations in which he takes part: Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishers International, God's Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited (Founder and President), Director of the Potter County Conservation District, Director of the Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, Chairman of the Potter County Hospital Authority, UPMC/Cole Memorial Hospital and Senior Warder of the Christ Episcopal Church. A native of Seneca Falls, NY, Ryan now lives in Coudersport, PA.

Laura (Carlin) Loehle '85
Loehle is a 1985 graduate of the world-renowned AU ceramic engineering program, alum of our successful swimming & diving program and an inductee to the AU Sports Hall of Fame. During her time at AU, Loehle made three NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championship appearances while setting school diving records in the 1M and 3M dive. She still currently holds the school record in the 3M dive with a score of 407.2 (11 dives).

"I loved being part of the swimming & diving team family," Loehle said. "Among my most treasured memories is our annual Winter Break training trip to Ft.Lauderdale, Florida. Not only was this an awesome road trip and team bonding event for both the women's and men's teams, but it enabled me to participate in a phenomenal diving coaching experience that was unlike anything I received at AU. If you entered the diving pool as a lone athlete without a coach, any of the coaches would pick you up during that practice period and coach you as their own. I always learned so much during those trips including platform, and I would come back to Alfred with sharpened skills ready to try new dives." The AU men's & women's swimming & diving teams still make an annual trip to Florida during the winter break.

"There so many great and impactful people at Alfred that it is difficult to choose just one," Loehle began. "Coach Mike Schaeberle convinced me to join the women's swimming & diving team during my freshman year. He was the constant adult in my life. He cared about his teams and was like a father to all of the swimmers and divers. He made us feel like a family, hosting many spaghetti dinners for special meets at his home. He pushed me to be both a diver and a swimmer."

"Dr. Bill LaCourse, a fixture at Alfred University's College of Ceramics, was my Academic Advisor," Loehle continued. "He guided me in making the right academic decisions to launch me into a successful future. The research I did under his guidance for my senior thesis was both relevant and useful."

Loehle says she supports Saxon Nation because being part of AU Athletics during her time at AU was a defining part of her life. "The friendships, work ethic and time management skills that you gain by being part of a team stay with you for your entire lifetime," she added. "In addition, the swimming & diving team was my college family. The entire Saxon Athletic experience was something I would never want to be without and the more young student-athletes that can experience that, the better. It takes dedicated coaches, resources and equipment. I can see the difference that Saxon Nation makes at AU every time I visit campus and when I read how great the Athletic program is at AU."

Loehle has been happily married to her husband, Steve, for 25 years. They have two daughters: Victoria is an electrical & computer engineer in the Boston area while Nicole studies chemical engineering while playing Division I Soccer in New Jersey. Laura and Steve spend their weekends on visiting road trips, soccer games, gardening, antiquing and living an active life. Laura still frequently swims, bikes and attends fitness classes.

Mark O'Meara BA '74 & MA '79

Mark O'Meara is a two-time graduate from Alfred University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1974 and in Master of Arts in Counseling in 1979. He began his involvement with AU athletics as a member of the football, track & field and basketball teams. He was also the first Head Coach of the AU women's soccer program in 1980 (pictured below).

O'Meara is an Alfred University legend, known by countless people for various reasons. Some of those reasons include: founding Hot Dog Day; serving as the first on-air DJ for WALF - AU's on-campus radio; leading the Homecoming chant; and so much more.

"I believe college sports are hugely influential for students, teaching them teamwork, values, physical and mental skills, and time management," O'Meara said when asked why he supports Saxon Nation. "Saxon Nation supports all-facets of the athletic program, giving you the best bang for your buck!"

O'Meara currently lives in Fairfax, Virginia where he owns a movie theater. He fondly looks back on his time at AU, remembering the times he had working at the Brick during breakfast as well as all the times playing sports while serving as a member of a fraternity. He says the most influential people in his life while AU were Head Track & Field Coach, Cliff DuBreuil and his best friend "Flash."

O'Meara said, "Cliff was a fantastic track coach as well as a great life coach."

O'Meara is an active member of his local community, playing basketball in both leagues and pick-up games. He has also been a member of his local high school athletic booster board, the national trade association for theatre owners' board while stepping in to help other local county committees. O'Meara is a native of Radnor, Pennsylvania where he attended Radnor High School.