This spring, Marist unveiled the inaugural class of the Athletics Hall of Fame, celebrating the student- athletes, coaches, and supporters whose achievements helped elevate the University’s NCAA Division I athletics programs and establish the Red Foxes as a championship competitor in The Metro Conference (MAAC), formerly the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The class includes a former NFL player, an NBA All-Star, two legendary MAAC student-athletes, a championship- winning coach with 11 conference titles, and a longtime trustee whose leadership helped shape the future of Marist’s Division I athletics programs.
Six members make up the inaugural class: Terrence Fede ’13, Rachele Fitz ’10, Jack Gartland, Brian Giorgis, Rik Smits ’88, and Chris Tracz ’05. They will be honored during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at the McCann Center as part of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. Their plaques will be permanently installed in the arena, establishing an annual tradition celebrating the individuals who have helped define Marist’s Division I athletics legacy.
“Some of the most impactful figures in the history of Marist Athletics are represented in this inaugural class,” said Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray. “I can't thank our nominating and selection committees enough for the terrific job they did, both in their preparation and our detailed conversations. There were so many deserving nominees, and while unfortunately we can't induct everyone at once, we look forward to the continued recognition of our outstanding representatives of Marist University in the years to come.”
Reflecting the breadth of excellence across Marist Athletics, from professional standouts and championship coaches to record-setting student-athletes, the inaugural class played a significant role in elevating the Red Foxes’ reputation in NCAA Division I competition.
"A Hall of Fame is about preserving the history of a program and honoring the people who built it. This inaugural class reflects the talent, leadership, and commitment that have defined Marist Athletics for decades," said Murray.
Read more about the Inaugural Hall of Fame and register for the October induction ceremony celebration.
When Allen Miller asked his wife Susan Davidson what she wanted for her milestone birthday, she didn't ask for a trip, a celebration, or a special gift
Instead, she asked for something that would outlast any celebration: a scholarship for Marist fashion students.
The request came from a place Allen knew well. For the past eight years, Susan has taught in Marist University's Fashion Department while serving on the Fashion Advisory Board, sharing lessons drawn from a career she started as a young buyer visiting and working with garment factories in mainland China and concluded 40 years later as a senior executive and CEO regularly attending the great runway shows of New York, Paris, and Milan.
To honor Susan's career and commitment to teaching, Allen established the Susan Davidson Endowed Scholarship, creating a lasting source of support for future generations of Marist fashion students.
"It was important to us that this gift benefit students directly," Allen said. "We wanted to create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach."
The gift also reflects the couple's longstanding commitment to Marist. In addition to Susan's work with students, Allen serves on the Hudson River Valley Institute Advisory Board. Together, they have dedicated their time, expertise, and resources to supporting the University's mission.
The perspectives they share with students are rooted in decades of international experience. Before settling in the Hudson Valley, both Susan and Allen built careers that took them around the world.
"Susan brings a remarkable depth of global experience to the classroom, but what truly sets her apart is her commitment to students. She challenges them to think beyond the industry as they know it and helps them understand the broader business, cultural, and global forces that shape fashion today.”
–Rebecca Brown, Fashion Department Chair
Susan held various leadership roles in merchandising and product development with companies such as Bloomingdales and Federated Department stores before becoming President of DKNY Jeans, President of KateSpade, CEO of Scoop and CEO of Zac Posen. Allen's career included work in international law and business across Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia, giving him firsthand experience navigating an increasingly global marketplace.
"The students are incredibly career- focused," Susan said. "They're eager to learn and excited to connect what they're studying in the classroom to what happens in the real world."
That drive is one of the reasons the couple chose to support experiential opportunities for students. Throughout their careers, both learned that some of the most important lessons happen beyond textbooks—through professional experiences, industry connections, mentorship, and exposure to new environments.
For Allen, one opportunity stood out in particular: helping students access New York City and the countless learning opportunities it provides.
"Transportation, networking events, industry programs—those costs add up," he said. "We wanted to help students take advantage of experiences that can make a real difference in their professional development."
The gift serves as a tribute to the work Susan has done at Marist. Through her teaching, she has helped students understand not only the fashion industry itself, but the global business, legal, and cultural forces that shape it.
The Marist community came together in a powerful way for the University’s third annual Day of Giving, raising more than $1.5 million in support of the student experience and engaging a record number of donors.
Over a 24-hour period, Red Foxes showed up—fueling scholarships and athletics, expanding hands-on learning opportunities, strengthening academic programs, and enhancing the student experience across campus.
"This year’s Day of Giving reflects the strength of the Marist community and the momentum we’re building together," said Kirk Swenson Vice President for Advancement. "Seeing more donors than ever before step forward in support of our students is incredibly meaningful, and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together around a shared purpose."
Marist University has received the largest scholarship gift in its history; a transformative $5 million commitment from the Dyson Foundation, advancing the University’s continued momentum and expanding access to a Marist education.
Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year and distributed over 10 years, the investment will provide sustained scholarship support for students throughout the Hudson Valley, strengthening the University’s ability to recognize and support local talent in its home region.
When Jason Myers ’13 jogged onto the field for Super Bowl LX, he wasn’t just representing the Seattle Seahawks. He was carrying a little bit of Poughkeepsie with him, too.
By the end of the night, the former Marist University standout had etched his name into NFL history.
In Seattle’s 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots, Myers drilled a Super Bowl-record five field
goals, accounting for 17 points and becoming the first Marist alumnus ever to play in—and win—a Super Bowl. Across campus and throughout Red Fox Nation, alumni group chats lit up, social media feeds exploded with pride, and students packed viewing parties to watch one of their own shine on football’s biggest stage.
A native Californian, Myers arrived at Marist in 2009 and quickly became one of the most accomplished kickers in program history. His career started with immediate heroics: a game- winning field goal with two seconds remaining to defeat Georgetown. Two years later, he connected on a then- program-record 49-yard field goal at Davidson. Along the way, he built relationships that would last well beyond football.
“The tight-knit community there,” Myers said while speaking with Marist students covering Super Bowl media week in California. “I think that helped me a lot coming from the West Coast. I still keep in touch with a lot of friends I played with and those I didn’t play with. I’m just so thankful for my time there and still having a following and all the support from those guys.”
Among those relationships is his enduring friendship with retired Marist football head coach Jim Parady, who traveled to Seattle for the NFC Championship Game and later watched Myers compete in the Super Bowl in person.
“Watching Jason grow from his time at Marist into one of the best in the world has been one of the joys of my career,” Parady said. “We’ve stayed close over the years, and that friendship means the world to me. I’m incredibly proud of everything he’s achieved.”
For Myers, the climb to NFL stardom was anything but guaranteed.
Undrafted after graduating in 2013, Myers fought for opportunities through the Arena Football League before eventually earning a shot with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. A breakout Pro Bowl season with
the New York Jets followed in 2018, leading to a multi-year contract with Seattle. Since arriving in the Pacific Northwest, Myers has become one of the franchise’s most dependable players and its all-time leading scorer.
His Super Bowl performance capped a historic season. Myers became the first player in NFL history to surpass 200 combined points in a single regular season and postseason, finishing with 206. His dominance even sparked rare conversations about whether a kicker could earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
Yet even amid the national spotlight, Myers remained unmistakably grounded—calm before kickoff, composed during the game, and reflective afterward.
“Before the game, I was expecting to feel more nerves,” Myers said during postgame television interviews. “I just knew that whenever my time was called, I was going to be ready for that moment.”
Back at Marist, the celebration took on a life of its own. The University launched a special-edition Jason Myers bobblehead giveaway ahead of the game, while Marist sports communication students attending Super Bowl media week personally presented Myers with one of the collectibles.
For many in the Marist community, the excitement extended beyond football. Myers’ journey—from an under-recruited kicker at an FCS program to a Super Bowl champion and NFL record-holder—reflected something larger about perseverance, loyalty, and the lasting bonds formed at Marist.
“This is exciting for Jason and for Marist,” said longtime kicking coach Tom Kelly. “I am proud of the person Jason has become even more than the kicker he has become.”
As students prepared for Silver Needle Runway's 40th anniversary show, they understood they were taking on more than another annual production.
They were stepping into a legacy.
For four decades, Silver Needle Runway has served as a defining experience for Marist fashion students. Entirely student-led, the event challenges participants to think beyond the classroom, collaborate across disciplines, and execute a professional-caliber production from concept to curtain call.
That responsibility carried special meaning this year as students planned SNR40: BURN, a show designed to celebrate the event's history while looking toward its future.
"Because it's such a significant milestone, we've been intentional about making it bigger, more elevated, and more memorable than ever before," said recent graduate Lindsay Tsiantoulas '26, student director of SNR40.
What began as a showcase of student work has grown into a hallmark of the Marist fashion experience. Each year, students take responsibility for nearly every aspect of the production—from design and merchandising to marketing, styling, event management, photography, and social media. Along the way, they gain practical experience that mirrors the realities of the fashion industry itself.
The result is more than a runway show. It is a living classroom where students learn to solve problems, meet deadlines, manage teams, and bring creative ideas to life.
For many alumni, Silver Needle Runway remains one of their most memorable experiences at Marist. The skills developed through the event have translated into careers across fashion, retail, marketing, communications, and brand management, creating a network of graduates whose connection to the runway extends long after graduation.
That enduring impact is part of what inspired this year's theme.
Passion Becomes Purpose
Created by students, BURN explores the idea of sustaining creativity while navigating the demands of a fast-paced industry. The concept encourages emerging professionals to pursue their passions without losing sight of balance, purpose, and personal well-being.
"We wanted this show to feel exciting and impactful, but also meaningful," said Tsiantoulas. "Every decision was made with the goal of honoring the legacy of Silver Needle Runway while creating something new for this generation of students."
For Victoria Stout '26, the event represents the transformative power of fashion itself.
“We often say, ‘we aren't saving lives, we are changing them,' to remind us that this is a learning experience that should be shaping our educational and future career paths in a positive way,” said Stout.
That sentiment reflects the spirit that has fueled Silver Needle Runway for 40 years. Fashion can shape confidence, spark self-expression, build community, and open doors to opportunity. Through Silver Needle, students gain the experience and confidence to take those next steps professionally while contributing to a tradition larger than themselves.
Forty years after the first Silver Needle Runway, the mission remains clear: to provide students with opportunities to learn by doing, challenge themselves creatively, and discover what they are capable of achieving.
The runway may last only one evening, but its impact lasts far longer.
