EASTON, Pa. - Carly Riepenhoff, Lafayette's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success and the department's Senior Woman Administrator, received the 2025-26 Maroon Club Staff Achievement Award at the Faculty and Administrative Awards Celebration on Thursday.
The award, which is voted on by the Maroon Club Executive Committee, is given to a full-time athletic department staff member who has demonstrated outstanding service to Lafayette College and its athletics program. It is the highest honor the Maroon Club may bestow upon athletics staff members. Faculty, administrators, and trustees gathered for a celebratory evening to honor the extraordinary achievements of colleagues throughout the academic year during the reception. President Nicole Hurd and the Board of Trustees presented awards to each honoree during a dinner ceremony thereafter in Marquis Hall.
Riepenhoff's impact extends far beyond the scope of her formal responsibilities and her commitment to the student-athletes and sports programs exemplifies the very best of Lafayette Athletics. During a particularly challenging period for the tennis program in the absence of a head coach, she played an indispensable role in ensuring stability and continuity. Her ability to anticipate needs and execute assistance with care ensured that our student-athletes continued to feel supported and prioritized throughout the transition.
Beyond tennis, she was instrumental in supporting the transition that resulted in the addition of our full-time Director of Mental Performance and Leadership, an initiative that will have a lasting impact on the holistic development of College Hill's student-athletes. Riepenoff continually extends her service and joy to our students and her colleagues with grace, energy and positivity.
Riepenhoff is a 2010 graduate of Bowling Green State University where she majored in Exercise Science and was a member of the softball team. She earned her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology while at Kent State and completed a Master's certificate program in College Teaching. A native of Lima, Ohio she resides in Easton, Pa. with her husband, Andrew, and their sons, Beau, Jay and Drew.
Last year, Lafayette's head coach of field hockey, Jennifer Stone, was presented with the laurel. Steve Plunkett, the Director of Strength and Conditioning, was named as the 2023-24 recipient. He is preceded by Andrew Foster, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, in 2023 and
Billie Weiss, Tickets and Promotion Manager, who was granted the laurel in 2022. Director of Sports Medicine
Matt Bayly won the award in 2021 and 2017.
Plunkett and Kaity McKittrick, former Deputy Director of Athletics, received the award in 2019 and 2018, respectively, joining Athletics Business Manager Dave Blasic (2016), retired men's basketball head coach Fran O'Hanlon (2015), former football head coach Frank Tavani (2014) former track and field head coach Julio Piazza (2013) and current women's soccer head coach Mick Statham (2012) as previous recipients.
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