Tiger Student-Athletes Headline PVC Spring Coaches Luncheon

After a two year wait, Princeton Varsity Club members came together with Corporate Partners and members of the Princeton Athletics “Team Around the Team” to celebrate the return of competition among the spring athletic programs at Princeton. The PVC Spring Coaches Luncheon honored varsity teams on April 19th at the Friend Center on Princeton’s campus.

Featured spring programs included men’s lacrosse, women’s golf, men’s heavyweight rowing and women’s lacrosse. Ford Family Director of Athletics, John Mack ’00 shared his reflections on the overall competitive success of Princeton athletic programs this year before introducing featured head coaches – Matt Madalon (men’s lacrosse), Erika DeSanty (women’s golf), Greg Hughes ’96 (men’s heavyweight rowing) and Chris Sailer (women’s lacrosse). Each coach provided updates on their respective program and their expectations heading into their upcoming postseason competitions. Just a few days following the luncheon, women’s golf claimed their respective Ivy League championship, and women’s lacrosse and men’s heavyweight rowing captured wins over Ivy League rivals to propel them higher in their conference standings.

The Tiger head coaches also expressed their gratitude to PVC supporters which can be heard in the video below.

The four featured spring programs were also represented by a student-athlete leader, who shared perspectives on their time as a Princeton student-athlete, and how their experiences have been shaped by the Department of Athletics’ pillars of Achieve, Serve, Lead and Education Through Athletics.

Featured spring student-athletes included:

  • Erik Peters ’22 (men’s lacrosse)
  • Caris Kim ’24 (women’s golf)
  • Jonas Juel ’22 (men’s heavyweight rowing)
  • Olivia Pugh ’22 (women’s lacrosse)
Ryan Gates (PNC Bank), Lisa Van Ackeren (softball), Serena Starks ’23 (softball), Nathan Phelps ’23 (heavyweight rowing), Greg Hughes (heavyweight rowing), John Mack ’00 (Ford Family Director of Athletics)

The luncheon also celebrated Nathan Phelps ’23 (men’s heavyweight rowing) and Serena Starks ’23 (softball), who were recognized as recipients of the PNC Bank Student-Athlete Achiever Award for the spring season. This award recognizes achievement across academics, athletics and community service and engagement.

Click here for the full feature of this season’s Achiever Award recipients.

Click here to view a complete photo gallery from the PVC Spring Coaches Luncheon.