More than a game: Seahawks Take Flight strengthens the Salve student-athlete experience

At Salve Regina University, athletics means more than the score at the end of a game. It’s about teamwork, discipline and pride in representing something larger than yourself. For the University’s nearly 700 student-athletes, that commitment is supported each year through Seahawks Take Flight, an annual campaign that raises vital funding for every Division III team on campus.

“The Seahawks Take Flight campaign provides our community with a unique moment to help further provide its athletics program with increased financial stability and opportunities that make playing at Salve all the more special,” said Sean Sullivan, director of athletics. “We continue to be deeply appreciative of the generosity of our athletics donors – each of you is making a critical difference for our Seahawks.”

Now in full swing, the campaign has already brought in over $100,000, powering everything from new equipment to travel, enhanced training opportunities and the resources that keep Salve athletes competing at their best. Thirteen teams are currently hosting call nights, connecting directly with alumni and friends to keep the momentum going.

Every team benefits, and every dollar makes a difference.

A community effort

Seahawks Take Flight bridges the gap between what’s essential and what’s possible for our student-athletes.

Unlike Division I and II programs, Division III programs don’t offer athletic scholarships. Instead, student-athletes choose their sport because they love it – balancing long practices, demanding travel schedules and academic workloads out of pure commitment. Seahawks Take Flight ensures that dedication is met with the resources it deserves.

“Without this help, my journey throughout the hockey season would look significantly different,” shared Aidan Connolly ’26, a member of the men’s ice hockey team. “We wouldn’t have the opportunities we have or be able to compete at the highest level possible without the generous donations made by everyone.”

Connolly, who transferred to Salve last year, said being part of Salve athletics gave him an immediate sense of belonging. “It connected me instantly – to teammates, to professors and the community,” he said.

Lasting lessons

Funding raised through Seahawks Take Flight sustains experiences that shape students well beyond their college years. According to NCAA Division III research, over 90% of student-athletes say their experience improved their leadership, teamwork and time management skills, traits they carry into their professional lives.

For football player Michael Rutstein ’26, those lessons have already taken root. Rutstein hopes to use the skills he’s built on the field in his future career in finance.

“Being a student-athlete at Salve has taught me resilience and preparation,” Rutstein said. “On the field, things will never be perfect. You have to learn from mistakes, and I want to show future Salve athletes that the skills you learn playing for Salve can be used in a successful career after sports.”

Across Salve’s 20 athletic programs, Seahawks Take Flight provides resources that help athletes train, compete and travel – but also grow as people.

For women’s soccer player Taylor Barnaby ’26 and volleyball player Lauren Hoyle ’26, those opportunities have defined their college experience.

“Being a student-athlete at Salve has taught me discipline and hard work, not only on the field but in the classroom,” Barnaby said. “The support of my teammates has pushed me to become the best version of myself.”

Hoyle has seen firsthand how funding through Seahawks Take Flight elevates her team.

“The campaign has made a great difference in my athletic career. My first year, we were able to travel to Seattle, Washington for a tournament,” said Hoyle. “It was awesome to see the different level of play on the West Coast. This was such an incredible experience that we wouldn’t have been able to do without fundraising.”

Homecoming Weekend

This year’s campaign also coincided with Fall Festival and Homecoming Weekend, when alumni, families and friends returned to campus for a slate of activities and gathered on the sidelines of athletic events – including six games on Oct. 17, that showcased Salve’s competitive spirit and community pride.

Athletics has long been an integral part of the Salve experience, not just for athletes, but for everyone who cheers them on.  

As Salve’s athletic programs continue to grow with both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams rejoining the Conference of New England in 2026–27, the campaign’s impact extends beyond the present season. It helps teams prepare for new levels of competition, visibility and success.

More than a season

For Connolly, Rutstein, Hoyle, Barnaby and countless other student-athletes, being a Seahawk is about carrying a legacy forward – one built on hard work, gratitude and connection.

“Being a student-athlete at Salve has truly shaped me into the person I am today.” Barnaby said. “I hope to serve as a role model for future Seahawks, encouraging them to embrace the challenges that come with being a student-athlete, because it’s worth it.”

“I hope to contribute and inspire the current and future Seahawks by setting a good example of what it means to be a student-athlete,” added Connolly. “After graduation, I hope to stay connected to the programs I am a part of and help them grow to achieve their highest potential.”

Every gift to Seahawks Take Flight helps make those stories possible – on the field, in the classroom and far beyond both. To make your gift today, go here.