Herm was missing. The crowd of faculty, staff, students, and alumni at Yoder Arena for Wednesday morning’s Lov91����Ƶ Pep Rally called out his name. They searched high and low. But he was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle engine filled the gymnasium. Moments later, everyone’s favorite friendly blue lion glided onto the hardwood on a sleek new e-bike.

The e-bike, announced Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), Lov91����Ƶ organizer and pep rally emcee, was a new addition to the Sadie Hartzler Library, thanks to a generous donation from an 91����Ƶ alum, the diligent work of senior Joshua Stucky, and a partnership between library staff and the Shenandoah Bicycle Company. 

Starting Monday, students can check out the bike from the library at any time and “easily bike all over campus and Harrisonburg,” she said.

Herm’s dramatic entrance was just one of many memorable moments that energized the crowd with the Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day spirit. Wednesday’s pep rally had it all: a current student exclaiming her love for 91����Ƶ, a future student officially declaring 91����Ƶ as his school for next year, and performances by the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle champions. 

“It’s sure to be the best Lip-Sync Battle this side of the Shenandoah,” promised fellow pep rally organizer and emcee Tyler Goss, director for student engagement and leadership development.

Scroll down to the bottom of this article to watch a video recording of the pep rally.

Students snagged free Lov91����Ƶ shirts shot into the crowd by the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon.

Throughout the event, engineering lab tech Henry Bowser and engineering student Max Fritts fired shirts into the stands using the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon. The launcher, which debuted at last year’s pep rally, was funded by 2019 alumni Ben, an engineering graduate, and Kayla Zook.

Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day is an opportunity to pause and celebrate all the incredible things about 91����Ƶ, which include “our amazing academic programs, our incredible athletic teams, our impactful clubs and orgs, and our supportive community as a whole,” Litwiller said. “Part of how we can express that celebration is through generosity.”

Funds from Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day benefit current and future students, faculty, and staff by making education more affordable and providing them with the facilities and resources they need to access an outstanding education. Since the first Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day in 2017, the university has raised more than $2 million on annual giving days. 

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, this year’s Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day was the best one yet, with over $402,000 raised, according to the .

The pep rally began with the premiere of the official Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day video. It celebrates the past nine giving days and sets sights on the future, featuring voiceovers from Litwiller and Marketing and Communications Project Manager Aric Berg, along with cameos from faculty, staff, students, athletes, and alumni. The video was produced by Macson McGuigan ’17.

Watch the official hype video below!

Sophomore Ari Smart speaks about finding her fit at 91����Ƶ (left) and future student Brady Crisp (right) rings the cowbell.

Ari Smart, a sophomore majoring in art education, shared her experiences at 91����Ƶ. The Stafford, Virginia, native, who serves as a Royal Ambassador and plays on the field hockey and lacrosse teams, spoke about finding her place in a community that made her feel seen, supported, and valued. “This is a place that pushes me to grow,” she said. 

Through classes that challenge her to think differently, clubs that let her explore new interests, and experiences that prepare her for the future, she has gained confidence, independence, and the ability to take initiative.

“This university has given me more than an education; it has given me a sense of belonging, a community that feels like family, and experiences I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

“It has helped me grow into a stronger, more confident version of myself, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.”

The pep rally crowd also welcomed a future Royal to the 91����Ƶ family. Brady Crisp, a senior from Fluvanna County High School who will join the men’s soccer team this fall, took part in the cherished tradition of ringing the cowbell to celebrate his commitment. 

Each time a prospective student who was in attendance on Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day paid their tuition deposit—as Crisp did—either on the day or beforehand, the university unlocked an additional $1,000 in scholarship funds. The Future Royal Challenge, funded by two graduates from the Class of 1958, raised $19,000 in scholarships on Wednesday.

The women’s volleyball (left) and lacrosse teams (right) perform lip-sync routines at the Lov91����Ƶ Pep Rally on Wednesday.

The third annual Lov91����Ƶ Pep Rally showcased performances by the top three athletic teams from the previous night’s annual Lip-Sync Battle, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The women’s basketball and lacrosse teams competed for second place, with the basketball team prevailing after a crowd vote. The women’s volleyball team, this year’s champions, combined lip-syncing with a carefully choreographed routine to a medley of songs from High School Musical.

Senior Admissions Counselor Lexi Fotis-Brown MA ’25 (organizational leadership) led this portion of the pep rally, hyping up the teams and the crowd. “Absolutely electric,” she told the teams. “Just remember, you’re all winners in my heart.”

Earlier in the event, emcees Litwiller and Goss exchanged some lighthearted banter. 

Goss said, “Wait, so you’re telling me we do all this to make the student experience at 91����Ƶ the best it can be? What are you going to tell me next? That the generosity of donors helps fund student scholarships, improve campus facilities, and even keeps the lights on?”

“I mean, yeah, you said it,” Litwiller replied.

Watch a recording of the pep rally below!

As goalkeeper for the Royals lacrosse team, Cristal Narciso has to be quick on her feet. The rising senior operates like a football quarterback, directing her teammates and communicating to them where the ball is. At the same time, she’s blocking shots zooming toward her at 60 to 70 mph. Many of those shots deflect off her helmet and body.

“When the ball hits you, it makes a pretty big impact,” Narciso said. “But, at the end of the day, I’d rather have a bruise than to let the ball go into the net.”

As 91����Ƶ’s young lacrosse program prepares to enter its sixth season, the fearless goalie, her mentor and head coach Mikaela “Mik” Brooks, and the rest of their talented team aim to improve from previous seasons and stay competitive in conference play.

Goalie from the Golden State

Narciso, a first-team all-league athlete at her high school in Val Verde, California, hadn’t planned on playing lacrosse in college. But when a coach on her team convinced her to sign up for a recruiting site, and Narciso began hearing from interested college lacrosse coaches, she reconsidered. One of those coaches, reaching out from the opposite side of the country, was former 91����Ƶ head lacrosse coach Katie Russo.

After several virtual meetings with Russo, as well as one with the rest of the team, and an in-person visit to 91����Ƶ’s campus, Narciso was sold. She said the school’s close-knit community and its scenic grounds were especially alluring. It also didn’t hurt that the lacrosse program, which had only started at 91����Ƶ the year prior, needed a goalkeeper.

“I liked the fact that I would be a part of building a program and could make an impact here,” said Narciso, who is majoring in social work.

Like her goalie, Brooks was drawn to 91����Ƶ by its sense of belonging and the growth potential of the young lacrosse program.

“I felt like the program would take a while to grow, but I love being that gritty person who puts in the hard work to develop something and see it come to fruition,” she said.

Brooks, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, played on the inaugural girl’s lacrosse team at her high school and was part of an effort that introduced the sport to schools in her area. She was a standout goalie for Bridgewater College women’s lacrosse from 2018-21.

While a senior at Bridgewater, Brooks led the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in save percentage and was second in total saves. Her 412 career saves rank ninth in BC program history. Before graduating in 2021, the two-time All-ODAC athlete was hired by Russo, coincidentally her neighbor, as a graduate assistant for 91����Ƶ. Brooks took the reins as interim head coach when Russo stepped down in October 2022 and was named head coach in June 2023. She completed her master’s degree in organizational leadership at 91����Ƶ last year.

“I didn’t think I would be at 91����Ƶ at 25 as a head coach,” Brooks said, “but life works in mysterious ways.”

This past spring, the team posted a 3-11 record with wins over Waynesburg University and ODAC rival Randolph College. It’s been a tall order competing against teams that have been around for a half-century, so Brooks has been hard at work. She’s focused on building up her players holistically, developing them not only as athletes but also as leaders off the field.

Home field disadvantage

One significant challenge to the team’s success has been the condition of the aging turf field that they call home. The field, which was last replaced in 2006, is now the age of two usable lifetimes and needs replacing. The suboptimal playing surface has rips and wrinkles, dips and divots, and lacks the cushion it should have.

When she’s in the goal cage, Narciso has to react quickly to incoming shots. The worn-out turf can make it difficult for her to find her footing and can make bounces unpredictable, leading to goals that she might’ve blocked on a newer field.

A new turf field would not only help athletes like Narciso perform at their best and reduce the risk of injuries, but also would aid in recruiting prospective student-athletes. Narciso said a new field would show that the school is invested in its athletics.

“We want our recruits to see that when they come to 91����Ƶ, they’re entering a space that’s taken care of,” she said.

Her coach agreed, noting that a new surface would help her players recover faster between games and after injuries.

“91����Ƶ can show it has bought into its athletics department,” Brooks said. “It will be huge to show athletes that we see them, we hear their concerns, we’re supporting them in the best way we know how, and we’re going to give them the best opportunities they have to be successful here.”

The school aims to complete the much-needed Turf Field Project this summer, but it needs support from donors to make it a reality.

Support our student-athletes and a new turf field through an immediate gift or multi-year commitment. Give today at or contact kirk.shisler@emu.edu for more details.

Turning the corner

During her first year at 91����Ƶ, Narciso battled feelings of homesickness and struggled with her studies. Lacrosse, she said, kept her focused, developed her leadership skills, and helped her grow. Now a straight-A student, Narciso serves as president of the Latinx Student Alliance (LSA). She said she can always count on her coach to help with whatever problems she might be facing.

“I feel like we both grew up together, in a way,” Narciso said. “I’ve told her, ‘I can’t believe you’ve turned into the person you’ve become,’ and she’s said the same thing to me.”

Drawn by the friendly community and small class sizes, three graduates of Catholic high schools in Maryland and Virginia are enjoying their first year at 91����Ƶ.

The students include Amanda Gilbert, of Elizabeth Seton High School, and Oslyn Mejia Gomez, of DeMatha Catholic High School. A scholarship was also awarded to a 2020 graduate of Paul VI High School.

In a new partnership formed in 2018, 91����Ƶ recruits students from eight Catholic high schools in the Washington D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia area: Bishop McNamara, Bishop O’Connell, Archbishop Carroll (Va.), The Academy of the Holy Cross, and Bishop Ireton high schools. 

Several generous scholarship opportunities are offered to students who meet academic criteria and other eligibility requirements.

“We’ve found that students at Catholic high schools share our values of service, social justice and global engagement, and have a rigorous academic background of scholarly inquiry grounded in a faith perspective,” said Matt Ruth, director of admissions at 91����Ƶ. 

Ashlyn Eby, a graduate of Paul VI Catholic High School, was an awardee of one of the inaugural scholarships. Now a sophomore, she is enrolled in 91����Ƶ’s nursing program and is a member of 91����Ƶ’s lacrosse team.

Cerrie Mendoza, admissions counselor, visits the schools in the fall to present scholarship opportunities, financial aid information and to answer questions about academics, athletics and extracurricular activities. 

“When I meet with students from these schools, they have a well-rounded appreciation for what they’re looking for in a university,” Mendoza said. “It’s been wonderful getting to know the staff at the schools and meeting with students who might be good fits for our unique education.”

Mendoza’s special connection helped Meijia Gomez feel especially welcome when he arrived for a visit. And that feeling hasn’t changed. 

Meijia Gomez also feels supported in his studies and on . “91����Ƶ isn’t a huge school where everyone is just another number,” he said, “but instead everyone is seen as a person.”

He appreciates that professors know him by name and easy to communicate with, and that his soccer teammates are “like family.” A business administration major who aspires to own his business someday, he was also intrigued by opportunities to learn and practice what he learns in his classes at the student-run coffeehouse, Common Grounds.

Gilbert, a psychology major, was especially attracted by 91����Ƶ’s neuroscience minor and the possibilities of beginning graduate studies during her senior year in the accelerated Masters in Counseling program. With eventual plans to become a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist, she definitely sees herself “finding new ways to better the world around me due to my 91����Ƶ education.”

Her overnight visit to 91����Ƶ during her senior year was the ideal way to meet people and learn more about the university. “The people I stayed with were absolutely wonderful. We played card games, drank tea, and got to know one another. After my overnight visit, I knew I could call 91����Ƶ home. The entire campus community was very welcoming, and I knew that I would be supported in all my endeavors while at 91����Ƶ.”

Six 91����Ƶ student-athletes have been named to the Academic-All State Team by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). A total of 222 student-athletes representing 37 colleges and universities across the state were recognized.

Those honored from 91����Ƶ were:

 (Broadway, Va./Broadway), So., Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Environmental Science, 3.96 GPA. Alderfer earned All-Region honors in track & field finishing fourth in the region in the 800m with his school record time of 1:54.97. He was also Eastern Mennonite’s top cross country runner in the fall.

 (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone), Jr., Women’s Soccer, Secondary English Education, 4.00 GPA. Breidigan is a three-year starter in the Royals’ back line. She has helped Eastern Mennonite to 10 shutouts this past season and 19 over her career.

 (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite), Sr., Women’s Cross Country, Writing Studies, 4.00 GPA. Good had a comeback senior season after missing time the previous season. She ran her best 6K time of     24:26.5 at the 2019 ODAC Cross Country Championship.

 (Smithfield, Va./Smithfield), So., Field Hockey/Women’s Lacrosse, Elementary Education, 4.00 GPA. Hedgepeth played and started in every contest for field hockey and women’s lacrosse. She led the field hockey team with 10 goals with 3 assists for 23 points. Three of her goals were game-winning. 

 (Collinsville, Miss./West Lauderdale), Sr., Women’s Triathlon/Cross Country, Education and Liberal Arts, 3.97 GPA. In the first year of 91����Ƶ sponsoring the sport of triathlon, Shelly finished 13th at the National Championship, completing a 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run in 1:19.38. She was also the Royals’ top runner on the cross country team.

 (Broadway, Va./Eastern Mennonite), Sr., Women’s Soccer, Psychology & Music Performance (Vocal), 3.96 GPA. This year, Wenger was voted as the ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete for women’s soccer. She had 58 starts in 67 career games, and led the ODAC with 10 shutouts as a senior.

To be eligible for Academic All-State, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, and be a sophomore or higher.

VaSID is comprised of sports information or athletics communications professionals from intercollegiate institutions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Membership is open to any individual affiliated with one of the state’s institutions at the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, USCAA, NJCAA, community college and independent levels.

This spring marks an historic first season for the 91����Ƶ Royals , who open at Juniata March 7 and play the first of six home games on March 11. For head coach Katie Russo, seeing her athletes in uniform ready for competition will be a dream fulfilled.

In a job that she says “found me,” the former Randolph-Macon athlete and Frostburg State assistant coach has high goals beyond simply building a new program that will be competitive in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). And so does her team.

91����Ƶ, ranked 11 out of 11 in a recent ODAC poll, has a chip on their collective shoulder. “People say, ‘You have a new program. If you win one or two games, you’re good,’” Russo said. “That’s not my mindset and the mindset of my players. We have high but attainable goals and we know we need to prove ourselves.”

Her athletes know they were specially recruited. Russo used the slogan “Play Now, Make History,” as she made the rounds of summer tournaments (16 each summer in 2018 and 2019) and jockeyed for the attention of then-rising juniors to build the 2020 team. “I really pitched the the size of the school, my background, and the opportunity to make an immediate and long-term impact. The ones who are here know they will be on the field all season long.” 

The team practiced in the fall, won one of two scrimmages, and spent the early part of the spring, along with time on the turf field, in the classroom building team chemistry and organizational culture. They’ve discussed selected passages from The Inner Game of Tennis, by Timothy Gallwey; Sum It Up by former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt; and Above the Line by football coach Urban Meyer. They’ve also delved into the philosophy of Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett. 

Along the way, Russo shared one of her “pillar” statements: Trust the process.

The latest task has been developing mission and vision statements. “Great lacrosse programs and all successful organizations have them, and we need them,”  Russo said. 

With the addition of the few dual-sport athletes, the team rounds out to 15 players. Russo has never stopped recruiting. Any athlete who is “selfless,” ready to put others before herself, with a positive attitude who will work hard, encourage and support her teammates, is welcome to talk with her about lacrosse.

And so are fans. The team will host a Lacrosse Open House at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 9, on the turf field, to introduce the game to the campus community. A short scrimmage will be played. Attendees can meet the players, talk with them about their sport, learn what to cheer for, handle the sticks and participate in a drill. 

What the Athletes Say

Your team slogan is “Play Now, Make History.”  What does being part of a new lacrosse program mean to you?  

#20 – Callie Habr

“Back home, Virginia Beach to be specific, lacrosse is a relatively new sport. My high school, Bayside High School, got lacrosse my sophomore year.  Being a part of a new program is an experience unlike any other. It is an honor and a privilege not many people get to do.”

#23 – Juliana Ghally

“Being a part of a new program means we get to show our skills to the teams that don’t know what is coming.”

#5 – Katie Johnson

“Creating relationships with my teammates and coaches, understanding my role, and helping to inspire others.”

#6 – Ashlyn Eby

“It means everything we do is a new record and a potential tradition players years to come will follow.”

What do you love about the sport of lacrosse? And what do you especially like so far about Royals lacrosse?

#10 – Morgan Tricarico

“I love the fast-paced game play.  So far, I especially like the relationships I have made from the Royals lacrosse program.”

#27 – Zyeasha Ba

“I love the intensity of the game.  This sport can turn someone like me, who is not loud, into someone with a voice.”

#1 – Jaida Sainvilus

“I love everything about lacrosse but I love making new friends while playing the most.  I love how with Royals Lacrosse we are coming out strong and determined even when we are being doubted.”

 In five years, when the “next generation” of 91����Ƶ Royals lacrosse players comes on campus, how do you hope you and your team will be remembered?

#2 – Skylar Hedgepeth

“I want us to be remembered as a team that truly surprised those around us.  I want our passion, dignity, and sportsmanship to speak for themselves.”

#7 – Kenzie Gardner

“I want the next generation to remember that our team started the first program of Spring 2020.  I want our team to remember the enthusiasm we brought to 91����Ƶ. I want this team to pass on the perseverance we set on this team.”

What are the team’s greatest strengths?

#26 – Arianna Nixon

“Encouraging each other every practice from start to finish.”

#3 – Cindy Argueta-Rivas

“Teamwork, passion, and dedication.”

#22 – Mykenzie Davis

“We’re very good at working together, calling out our names and encouraging each other.”

#8 – Cat Hammond

“I think that we’ve created a culture of both hard work and fun.  Practice is never too serious, but we know when to focus when we need to.”

What has been your favorite experience of the season so far?

#15 – Nicole Miller

“Trying on our uniforms for the first time and feeling like a team!”

#17 – Bri Garcia

“Our Fall Play Day.  In the morning when we all met up and had breakfast together, it was quiet.  Once we actually got to Randolph and stepped on the field, I don’t know what happened but we all just clicked and kicked butt that Sunday.  It was one of the best feelings in the world.”

Russo is completing her second year at Frostburg State University as the graduate assistant coach, and said she is honored to start the 91����Ƶ Royals’ lacrosse program.

“I want to thank Athletic Director Dave King along with the search committee for giving me the opportunity to make history at the new program,” said Russo. “I also want to thank Frostburg State University Head Coach Hayley Whear for giving me the experience and support these past two years that has prepared me to take on this new role. It is a privilege to be back in the ODAC as a head coach starting a program, and I look forward to becoming a part of the 91����Ƶ community.”

Russo was a captain and All-ODAC player at Randolph-Macon College from 2012-16.

King said that Russo’s personality, the quality programs she has been part of, and her familiarity with the ODAC made her stand out among the strong pool of candidates.

“Katie’s enthusiasm for life and passion for lacrosse make her the ideal person to start our lacrosse program,” explained King. “Her personality draws people to her and she will be able to attract quality young women to help her build our program, convincing them that they can be part of something very special and make history here at 91����Ƶ. She is not afraid to take on the challenge of starting a program.  She embraces the opportunity to ‘give back’ to the sport and provide opportunities for others to have a quality athletic and academic experience. The search committee believes Katie is the perfect fit for 91����Ƶ and for starting our lacrosse program.”

Along with being a player, Russo fully invested in the D-III model of athletics by serving on Randolph-Macon’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee. She said the combination of 91����Ƶ’s philosophy for athletics and academic reputation were an ideal fit for her.

“91����Ƶ offers rigorous academic study as well as a high level of competition for student-athletes within a tight-knit community,” Russo said. “I am big proponent of life after graduation, and 91����Ƶ is shaping student-athletes to discover their purpose in life that they will lead as well as succeed in their futures.”

King said the search committee also noted that aspect in Russo.

“Katie is a D-III person,” he said. “She is committed to having her players fully engaged in campus life and also serving the local community while striving for excellence on the field. It is that combination that shaped her during her collegiate career and there is no doubt she will pass that on to her players.”

Eastern Mennonite joins 10 other schools in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference sponsoring women’s lacrosse.

Russo cited FSU’s Whear, as well as her coaches as a player, MK Geratowski (Randolph-Macon) and Caitlin Moore (now at Mary Washington), for preparing her well to be a head coach. She was also excited for the unique opportunity to be the first women’s lacrosse coach in 91����Ƶ history.

“Though the game is growing at an exciting pace, very few coaches get the opportunity to start a program in their lifetime,” Russo said. “That being said, I feel as though I am joining an elite group of head coaches who get to build a program from the ground up with their staff and student-athletes.”

King also spoke not only of Russo’s readiness to be a head coach, but also to start 91����Ƶ’s program.

“While most young coaches don’t know if they are ready to be a head coach, those who know Katie were confident that she was ready,” he said. “She has connections in the lacrosse world who she can rely on and who will provide guidance and counsel. 91����Ƶ provides a very supportive community for young coaches to excel and I think she will flourish in this environment. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Katie and help guide her development as a quality head coach. We are really excited about the future of this program under Katie’s leadership.”

Russo will spend the 2018-19 academic year recruiting players with competition set to begin with the spring season of 2019-20.

“My expectation for the program is to start building a solid foundation and a team culture from the moment I begin the recruitment process,” said Russo. “I want my prospective student-athletes to expect that we will be welcomed into the ODAC as a competitor due to the expectations we have set as a team. We can only grow from this point forward, and I am excited for fans to see the very first 91����Ƶ women’s lacrosse team make history when we compete on 91����Ƶ’s turf field in 2020.”