Former Lady Raider standout Jen Scaffidi is joining the team again – this time as assistant coach to Head Coach Kristy Trn. Jen is ranked sixth on the school career scoring list with 1,583 points and holds the school records for career and season free-throw percentage. She was the only player to have over 100 assists in four-straight seasons and the only player since Trn to lead the team in both scoring and assists, a feat she accomplished twice.

Pete Lee, Mike Burket, J.C. Morgan, Chance Powell, and Frank Duffy volunteered at the fourth annual Lauren’s First and Goal Football Camp on June 3 in Easton. The one-day instructional clinic raised $125,000 for Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation. Proceeds support pediatric brain tumor research, local pediatric cancer support services, and public awareness programs regarding pediatric brain tumors. Lauren is a 10-year old brain tumor survivor and the daughter of Lafayette defensive coordinator John Loose.

Lady Raider freshman Mary Dell and senior Megan Schweighofer were named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Women’s Div. II All-Academic Track and Field Team. They were part of 180 student-athletes representing 57 Div. II colleges and universities on the All-Academic team.

The SU women’s track and field team was recognized by the association as All-Academic for having a team GPA greater than 3.0. Mary, a secondary education biology major, finished her first collegiate season with a 3.932 GPA.

Megan graduated in May with a 3.644 GPA in elementary education. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic team, a student-athlete needs a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and attain a NCAA qualifying mark in their respective event.

Lady Raider freshman sensation Lauren Beckley attended the NCAA National Leadership Conference this May, held in Florida, with 355 of her peers. The student-athletes enhanced their leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills while also enjoying an open forum to discuss those issues facing them or their campuses. The conference also promoted better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, and communities.

The PSAC added three universities to its ranks, the first expansion since its inception in 1951. Gannon University and Mercyhurst College, both based in Erie, joined as full-time members. C.W. Post campus of Long Island University accepted associate membership in the conference in field hockey and football. The PSAC is the second largest in Div. II and still retains the claim of largest conference on any Div. II level with all of its full-time members in the same state. The Conference also amended its scholarship policy allowing members to grant 125 equivalencies (up from 70) and will no longer impose any sport-specific caps outside NCAA requirements.

Ross Buckwalter and Eric Perlozzo (left) were second day selections of the Major League Baseball Draft early this summer. Ross was selected in the 26th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He led the PSAC in innings pitched and games started. He totaled a 5-3 record with a 2.85 ERA, five complete games, and 60 strikeouts.

Eric, a second baseman, was picked up by the Baltimore Orioles in the 35th round. The son of Orioles’ manager Sam Perlozzo, Eric finished his senior year with a .989 fielding percentage and only two errors. He was on fire in the postseason, hitting .469, stole five bases, scored eight times, and drove in three runs.

Two Lady Raiders were selected ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II. For both Kendra Emery (Field Hockey) and Jill Synder (swimming) it was the second consecutive year they achieved the honor. Kendra, a senior finance major, has a 3.879 GPA. She was named to the NFHCA Div. II National Academic Squad in 2006 and 2007. Her 29 assists ranks her 18th in Div. II history.

Jill, an elementary education major, graduated in May with a 3.883 GPA. She was a member of the 200-medley relay team that set a new school record at the conference championships. She owns the school records for both 100 and 200m breaststroke. Earlier this year she was the first Div. II swimmer to write an on-line diary for Swimming World Magazine.