On Tuesday, March 1, the Golden Falcons hosted a Women’s Basketball post season game for the first time since 2012, making their 13th trip to the CACC Tournament seeking a championship. Although bested by Thomas Jefferson University, Coach Steve Fagan and his team were surrounded by nothing but love and support at the Joal & Joseph Job Gymnasium on the Rutherford campus.

About 100 fans came out to watch the game including friends, classmates, and family members. Tasia Henry was there to support her daughter, Taira Mahorn, a Felician Junior currently studying psychology on athletic and academic scholarships. “We were not expecting to finish this far in the season, so for them to step up was very important. It was a great job by the team and the coach as well.” 

The “stepping up” involved much dedication and discipline on the part of the players, coaches and trainers who work to assist the team. Brandon Nakrin, Felician’s Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, helps train athletic teams at Felician and says the Women’s Basketball team has worked hard this year. “Their strength level and vertical jump has increased nicely this year, and I couldn’t be happier for them and Coach Fagan. It says a lot and it was a great accomplishment to get to this point.” 

Carly Cullinane came to root for Destiny Esquilin, a close friend from her hometown. “I am not an athlete myself, but I love watching the games and I try to support them when I can if I don’t have class, and the schedule has been working out fine for me to do that.” Former track team member Jasmine McNeill came to support Briana Lee who she calls a sister, not a blood one but I am close to her, and I know she would have come out to support me.” Ms. Lee is a First-Team All-CACC honoree.  

Members of the Men’s Soccer team turned out in force at the WaRC to cheer on their sisters on the Basketball team. Alvaro Martin, center back on the soccer team said, “I have two friends on the team, they come to our games, and we all support each other.” Joseph Terrones, a student assistant with the Men’s Soccer team added, “We all show love to each other, all the teams from Lacrosse to basketball, we all come to each other’s games. It is a small school, and we are all friends. The inter-team support also extended to the Men’s Basketball team with player Quamain Nelson saying, “They come to all our games.” 

The support is not just limited to students who are members of the athletic community at Felician because faculty and staff also turned out for the championship game including Dr. Stephanie McGowan, Dean of the School of Education. “This is a family, Felician is a family. These are my students who give so much in the classroom and then come here to represent our university. Felician doesn’t lighten the load for them, and these student athletes meet high demands and requirements that we expect of our students. They should be commended for being able to handle the rigor of an athletic training schedule coupled with very strong academic programs. It speaks volumes of who they are as people.” 

Greg Skelley, Executive Director of the Center for Personal and Professional Development, came to support the team saying, “It’s not about win or lose, it’s about how they develop as people. It is awesome to see these students doing what they love, and we want them to know that we want to know them as people as much as students and future graduates.