EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman laid out her vision for Leopard athletics in an Athletics Town Hall on Thursday afternoon in Pfenning Alumni Center.
 
The strategic plan, titled Climb the Hill, outlined her six pillars to building a championship culture at Lafayette: achieving competitive excellence, strengthening academic excellence, providing the most positive student-athlete experience possible, building more community and spirit for Lafayette Athletics, ensuring integrity in everything associated with Lafayette athletics and securing the funding necessary for success.
 
The town hall, which was hosted by the Maroon Club and moderated by Maroon Club President Paulo Coelho '03, began with remarks by Lafayette College President Alison Byerly and Vice President for Campus Life, Annette Diorio.
 
Byerly discussed the role of athletics at Lafayette as contributing to an "engaging campus experience" for current students while "connecting across generations by building spirit and pride in athletic success" along with bringing "national visibility" for the College.
 
"This is a critical time for Lafayette when we are setting our sights high in many ways," Byerly explained. "Our initiative to increase our affordability and distinction through growing the size of the college, for example, is an ambitious and long-term plan that will take years to achieve. Creating a championship culture is also not a goal that will be reached in a year or two. It will take sustained effort and commitment over many seasons."
 
"With the talent and energy of our student-athletes, the commitment of our coaches and staff, and the support of the extended Lafayette community, we will create a championship culture at Lafayette."
 
Diorio discussed the athletics review which began in 2016 and helped determine the course for the College's athletic programs.
 
"Our students come to Lafayette because they know the rigorous academic environment that we provide will be the foundation upon which many future successes can be built. Why should they not expect, and we deliver, the same strong foundation for success in their athletics endeavors?" Diorio said. "We asked ourselves this question almost two years ago, and while the pace of change at institutions can feel slow or deliberate, depending on your perspective, we understood then, and now, that the clock is ticking."
 
A video narrated by Lafayette student-athletes and coaches as well as Joe Maddon '76 and Beth Mowins '89 followed Diorio and preceded Freeman's unveiling of Climb the Hill. A question and answer session with Coelho and Freeman ended the event with Freeman taking questions from those in attendance.
 
"The work has already started, but the future of Lafayette Athletics begins today! We have put our goals into existence for everyone to see. And we must work every day to achieve them,' Freeman said. "Climbing the hill will not be easy! There are people who support Lafayette Athletics and this College wholeheartedly and believe in the vision we have for the program. Together, we will create a championship culture! We will be champions!"