The Regis College athletic department is proud to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, this year taking place Wednesday, Feb. 2. In anticipation of that day, Pride student-athletes, coaches, and staff members were invited to submit a statement about how sport has impacted their lives and/or what celebrating NGWSD means to them.
In the first of three stories to be posted on GoRegisPride.com this week, six Regis College coaches express their sentiments about their experiences as a female participating in athletics.
Samantha Crough - Head Women's Basketball Coach - First Year at Regis College
Before coming to Regis, Crough was an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon University, Williams College, and Emerson College. She was an accomplished collegiate player at Endicott College, scoring 1,284 career points and earning All-Commonwealth Coast Conference honors three times.
"NGWSD is a reminder of how far and how hard women have had to persevere to earn a right to be included in the athletics world. It is also a reminder of how much farther we have to go. Athletics have impacted my life more than anything. It has taught me the power of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication to something larger than yourself."
Courtney Duggan - Head Women's Lacrosse Coach - Ninth Year at Regis College
Duggan currently holds a career record of 85-29 (.746), including a 44-4 (.917) mark in conference play. She was an assistant coach at Tufts University for six years and played at Stonehill College, where she was part of NCAA Division II National Championship teams in 2003 and 2005.
"At every turn, sports gave my life direction. Without the opportunity to participate in athletics, I would not have the space to get to know myself, grow as a person, meet new people, and experience the world. Celebrating NGWSD is a way to recognize the inherent value sports can have on not only an individual female's experience, but is also a way to note the impact on anyone who sees us play, coach, administer, commentate, and support. I'm passionate about working in athletics because everyone deserves the opportunity to participate and compete in sports and reap the benefits from that experience."
Amy Feltz - Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach - First Year at Regis College
Feltz came to Regis after graduating from North Central College in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and minors in psychology and wellness. As a two-sport athlete, she earned three Academic All-CCIW titles in swimming and an Academic All-American award in triathlon. She was also inducted into the national athlete honor society Chi Alpha Sigma.
"Being an athlete has boosted my confidence, allowing me to push past the barriers in my head and prove that I can accomplish things I never thought were possible. I would not be the person that I am today if athletics were not a part of my life."
Riley McMahon - Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach - First Year at Regis College
McMahon was a member of the cross country and track & field teams at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn. She received track & field team MVP honors three times during her collegiate career as well as All-MIAC recognition in both the one mile run and 3000 meter steeplechase. She won the 3000 meter steeplechase at the 2021 MIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
"Being a woman in sports has given me the chance to be included in female-only spaces that have enriched my life and inspired me not only to be a better athlete but also a better student, coach, and friend. Athletics opened my eyes to what it looks like to have women supporting women in pursuit of accomplishing a common goal. This was a perspective I lacked outside of sports. As a coach, I hope to help foster these positive female relationships and support my female athletes in achieving goals they never thought possible!"
Mary Nee - Head Field Hockey Coach - First Year at Regis College
Nee served as the assistant field hockey coach at Regis for the 2021 season, taking on the responsibility of on-field coaching during practices and matches upon a leadership change at the start of competition. She was a four-year letterwinner at Saint Anselm College, helping the Hawks win the NE-10 Championship and advance to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2019.
"My experiences as a female athlete have empowered me to give young women the same skills, confidence, and opportunity to grow as people and athletes. Athletics have had a major impact on who I am as a person, and I would not be the person I am today without my experiences in playing or the people I have met along the way. I feel very fortunate that I get to teach the sport that I love as well as be a part of the college experience for young women in a fun and formative way."
Tara Petrocelli-McGloin - Head Softball Coach - Fifth Year at Regis College
Petrocelli-McGloin was an assistant coach at Merrimack College as well as a highly successful head coach at Danvers High School in Danvers, Mass., amassing an impressive 198-42 record. She was twice named Salem News Coach of the Year and was a four-time conference coach of the year selection. In May 2020, Salem News selected her as the coach of the North Shore All-Decade Team.
"Ever since I grew up I've always been around sports. It's really what my life is built around. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for sports. The lessons that I've learned while playing sports have shaped my characteristics as a person. Loyalty, discipline, and hard work are ingrained in my daily routine. My teammates aren't just my teammates - they really are my second family."