CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Four recent Patriot League basketball graduates, including Holy Cross teammates Patricia Byrne and Amy Hasenauer, Lafayette’s Ellen Graham and Colgate’s Thomas Rivard, were awarded the Victory Scholarship from the Sport Changes Life Foundation. The scholarship will allow them to continue their studies and play basketball at one of the prestigious universities in Ireland or Northern Ireland during the 2018-19 academic year.
 
The Victory Scholarship, awarded by the Sport Changes Life Foundation, provides student-athletes the opportunity to continue their athletic and academic careers by playing on a club team and studying in a graduate program at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland. As a Victory Scholar the student-athletes will also work in the wider community with young people gaining valuable life experiences that will help them develop on a personal and professional level.

The Patriot League entered into a partnership with the Sport Changes Life Foundation in December of 2009 to facilitate opportunities for student-athletes to secure a Graduate Development International Scholarship. The partnership enables graduates from Patriot League institutions to apply for graduate school sport scholarships in a University in Ireland.

2018-19 Patriot League Victory Scholarship Recipients
Patricia Byrne, Holy Cross
A Dunmore, Pa. native, Byrne played in 118 games during her Crusaders’ career, scoring 737 points, grabbing 331 boards, dishing out 246 assists, and tallying 174 steals. Off the court, she earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies while taking part in the Holy Cross Leadership Academy as a Veteran Leader.
 
Amy Hasenauer, Holy Cross
Hasenauer appeared in 22 games during the 2017-18 season, averaging 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 13.5 minutes per game. In four years, she scored 187 points and grabbed 165 boards. The Greece, N.Y. native was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and graduated with a degree in psychology from Holy Cross.
 
Ellen Graham, Lafayette
Graham, a Frankfort, Ill. native, finished her basketball career at Lafayette with 100 points, 124 rebounds, 27 blocks and 18 steals in 62 total games played. She graduated Lafayette with a degree in government and law.
 
Thomas Rivard, Colgate
Rivard graduated from Colgate with a degree in economics and political science. He ended his collegiate career averaging 8.5 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game. In his final year as a Raider, the Worcester, Mass native was awarded the Jack Mitchell Academic Award for Academic Success and Passion while also being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
 
With the four-person class, 18 student-athletes from the Patriot League have earned the Victory Scholarship.
  
Past Patriot League Victory Scholarship Participants
Men’s Basketball
Matt Betley, Lafayette (2008-09)
Paul Cummins, Lafayette (2009-10)
Darryl Shazier, Bucknell (2011-12)
Jim Mower, Lafayette (2012-13)
Jared Mintz, Lafayette (2013-14)
Cory Starkey, Bucknell (2015-16)
 
Women’s Basketball
Sarah McGorry, Lafayette (2012-2013)
Christine Ganser, Holy Cross (2014-15)
Nicole Krusen, Loyola Maryland (2014-15)
Claire Sullivan, Holy Cross (2015-16)
Randyll Butler, Colgate (2016-17)
Steph Poland, Colgate (2017-18)
Madelyn Ganser, Holy Cross (2017-18)
 
Men’s Soccer
Ryan Sappington, Bucknell (2012-2013)
 
ABOUT SPORT CHANGES LIFE
Sport Changes Life offers American companies, academic and sporting organizations and individuals a unique opportunity to get involved in a Graduate Development International Scholarship package. They assist in getting the very best students a scholarship package to study at masters' level in Irish universities. Companies and individuals are invited to invest in these scholarships. These graduates will be the future leaders of companies throughout the United States and will have gained valuable international life experiences which will give them a globalized perspective crucial for transatlantic business development. The Sports Changes Life Foundation is a not-for-profit organization.
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE 
The Patriot League is in its third decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.