Lancaster, Pa. – On Thursday morning, the Atlantic East Conference announced five recipients with the Medal of Inspiration. 
 
The Medal of Inspiration, an award created to honor individuals that battled through adversity to become stronger versions of themselves, was awarded to individuals who handled their battles with resilience and grace. More on the honor here.
 
This year we recognize Cabrini’s Ethan Emery, Centenary’s Erin Nappi, Immaculata’s Justin Klemick, Marymount’s Francesca Loiseau, and Marywood’s Becca Zayle. Each had their own incredible circumstances and overcame them to showcase how incredible the Atlantic East student athletes are. 
 
Below are the student athlete stories: 
 

Ethan Emery, Cabrini, Men’s Soccer
In 2021, Ethan was diagnosed with mild, non-obstructive, asymptomatic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and was committed to playing soccer at the college level at West Chester University. Doctors supported Ethan's decision to play soccer at the next level as long as he continued to get annual testing done to monitor his condition. Ethan started his playing career at West Chester and made it through the first four practices of the preseason and completed rigorous fitness tests with no issues. During his fifth practice, he was abruptly pulled out of practice and was told he needed to see a doctor that was recommended by WCU. Even though that doctor also supported Ethan playing collegiate soccer, WCU would not let him back onto the team or participate. While that could deter someone from following their dreams, Ethan's positive attitude and infectious smile found him a home in Radnor as a member of the Cabrini Men's Soccer team.
 
Cabrini Men's Soccer Coach, Rob Dallas had this to say about Ethan. "One of the core themes within our soccer program surrounds adversity and how much we can truly learn about ourselves when we have to face it. I am a firm believer that adversity is not only one of life’s greatest teachers, but it will ultimately be the adversity we have dealt with that will prepare us for success. Typically when delivering this message to our soccer team it is in reference to something we are going through on the soccer field. Ultimately my hope is that they can make the connection with what happens on the field and how it translates to the bigger picture. In the end, adversity on the soccer field is just another life lesson that the game has to offer. Ethan has faced adversity in every step of his journey.
 
Through all of these life experiences, it would be really easy for someone to become cynical, or to throw their hands up in the air and give up. Ethan has faced more adversity in his 20 years than many people will face in their entire lives. Still, whenever you ask someone about Ethan you inevitably be met with plaudits for his infectious positivity and his altruistic nature. Ethan is always smiling. He is one of the most positive people I have ever had the privilege of coaching. His life experiences have helped shape him as a young man who does not take a moment for granted. He is someone who despite his short time in our program has already emerged as a great leader. This is because of his perspective, his care for his teammates, and his genuine nature. He doesn’t just get along with everyone. He is willing to push them and help them every step of the way, and he does so because he genuinely wants what is best for his team and his teammates. Our program is truly in a better place because of Ethan, his perspective, and his continued approach to life and soccer.
 
Ethan spends a lot of his time helping to raise awareness for HCM to help other young men and women with the same diagnosis. He is a young man who plans to move on to law school, and has done a fantastic job in the classroom throughout his time in college maintaining a 3.66 cumulative GPA. He is one of the hardest working kids I know, he is someone I continue to learn from daily, and someone who truly does not take a moment for granted.”


Erin Nappi, Centenary, Sports information 
In the midst of a transition in the Athletic Communications Department, Erin was one of the four individuals that stepped up to keep Centenary Athletics running all while battling an illness. During the end of the first semester Erin covered additional games and helped out in every way she could to ensure her classmates were supported. She also worked for the conference office with projects and weekly assignments. 
 
During the start of the second semester doctors discovered Erin has ulcerative colitis which went undetected until it was too late. When she went into the hospital they did emergency tests and scans, and found that her large intestines were enlarged. The doctor's diagnosed her with a “toxic megacolon” requiring her to go into surgery. During the procedure, the surgeons uncovered a lot of life threatening factors in her organs. When she came out of surgery they anticipated that she would only be in the hospital for an extra week for recovery. A week after the procedure, she went in for testing. During her CT scan, she stopped breathing, and they found an infection that had to be operated on so she went back into surgery. After her second surgery, her muscles were atrophied and she needed to learn how to walk again. Erin spent one month and three days in the hospital from February 7  through March 10th. However, she did not let this phase her as she came back to Centenary with the intention of picking up where she left off. She would work a variety of different sports games and travel with the baseball team as their Director of Operations. Erin was the definition of an inspiration in our athletic department, as she overcame so much at such a young age. 
 
Throughout the second semester even while battling not feeling well she continued her internship with the conference. Assistant Commissioner, Rebecca Mullen said, “You never would have known how much Erin was juggling as she continued to work to a high level and showcase how resilient she is. It was an honor to be able to support an intern this academic year and see Erin prepare herself for the next steps in her career. I know she will continue to be successful especially when you are able to fight through adversity and finish as strong as Erin did.
 
Centenary staff noted that Erin was seen as an inspiration throughout the Athletic Department. She battled life threatening adversity this past year and did not allow it to get in her way as she graduated this past May, and was accepted as a Graduate Student at FDU - Teaneck where she will be working in athletic communications. 
 

Justin Klemick, Immaculata, Baseball
Justin took a step away from the baseball program in the 2022 season when he sadly lost his father. Despite his loss, he was able to maintain excellent grades and persevere in the classroom. He never lost his love for the game, but had to focus on his family and academics for the time being. Although he could have been nervous to come back to the team after a year off (and with a new coach) he did it anyway, and certainly proved himself as a valuable player to the team. 
 
Justin is not only a great athlete and student, but he is an amazing mentor and leader. Justin capped off his career at Immaculata with an impressive season on the field with the Atlantic East Baseball Champion Mighty Macs. In 2023, he started in 32 games and made appearances in 38. He collected a fielding percentage of .97, while batting .293 from the plate on 36 hits, 28 runs scored, and 22 runs batted in.  
 
Justin completed his degree landing on the Academic All Conference team with a 3.83 GPA. Throughout his time at Immaculata he went out of his way to say hi to professors, coaches and staff on campus. He is professional, dedicated and holds high morals. He values relationships and treats everyone he meets with respect.
 

Francesca Loiseau, Marymount, Women’s Tennis 
A week after being announced as the Atlantic East Women's Tennis Player of the Week, Francesca suffered a brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) rupture during a scheduled and supervised tennis strength and conditioning session. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency brain surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma for two days. During the days following surgery, Francesca experienced two seizures and it was determined that she lost the ability to move her left side and could barely hold her head up unassisted. She spent two weeks in the ICU and followed that with six weeks at Moss Rehab. In rehab she learned how to walk again and regain strength in her left side. Since then, she has only pushed herself harder, to relearn to use her left side again. Along with relearning how to complete everyday tasks, Francesca has had to grow up quickly to cope with her new normal. Francesca returned to taking academic courses virtually during the Spring 2023 and has intentions to return to campus in the fall for in-person learning. She was honored this spring with the Marymount Athletics Award for Resilience and received a standing ovation from all student-athletes and staff members in attendance. As one of the first to respond to Francesca's situation, I (Ryan Wildenhain, member of the athletic training staff) can't express enough how grateful I am that she first and foremost survived this traumatic incident, but also how proud I am for her relentless and unwavering dedication to getting better daily while still finding a way to make all those around her smile. 
 
Francesca reflected on her experience, "It’s funny to think how much this experience not only changed me physically, but mentally as well. In the beginning, it was really tough to realize how much my life has changed, after only one night. But I could not be more thankful for this experience. It made me learn what true love and loyalty means. But not only that it showed me how strong I am. I never realized how brave and tough I am until I was put in this situation. The only thing I can tell people is that pushing yourself is the only thing you can do when times get hard. Push until you think you can’t then push more. We are stronger than we think. But always remember as Pitbull once said “believe me been there done that but ever day above ground is a great day”
 

Becca Zayle, Marywood, Softball
This statement discusses suicide and suicidal ideation, and some people might find it disturbing. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please, contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), or message the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Both programs provide free, confidential support 24/7.]
 
Zayle's involvement with Morgan’s Message stemmed from her relationship and story relating to mental health. In high school, Becca was in a very dark spot in life, and she thought she would never get out of that dark spot. She did end up trying to hurt herself and failed. She was then placed in a mental hospital for a few weeks and then continued to do inpatient therapy for six months. Becca was allowed to go back to school continued outpatient work for an additional six months. Going through this trying time in her life with therapy and group therapy, Becca realized how much mental health means to her and how lucky she was to still be here. At that moment, Becca decided she wanted to make a change in this world. Fast Forward to her freshman year at Marywood, Becca was a nervous little freshman. She said "nobody wanted to hear from me, so I stayed quiet and worked on my studies." Her junior and senior year of college is when it all fell into place. She was studying psychology as her major, but she didn't feel she was doing anything to help others. Becca wanted to change that. She began to get involved: she participated in the Out of Darkness Walk and volunteered for the group. Running the event as a senior.
 
Becca heard about Morgan's Message through social media. She read about the former Duke women's lacrosse player's tragic story and about the group's mission to eliminate the stigma of mental health in intercollegiate athletics. Becca knew she wanted to become a part of something bigger, and this was something bigger. She applied to become an ambassador and interviewed with Morgan's family and friends. The group wanted Becca to become an ambassador and a part of this organization! She then talked to Marywood teams during the Spring 2023 season, and she told Morgan's story as well as her own. She wanted this topic to be a topic everyone could talk about openly. "My story with mental health doesn't and won't stop here," she said. "I will continue to improve myself for myself and my loved ones around me, as I will also continue Morgan's Message at Marywood University and allow others who are struggling to know they are not alone." Becca has used perseverance, dedication and determination through the sport of softball. Through the ups and downs, she always relied on softball and her teammates to pick her up. She reciprocate the same. Softball is a sport of failure, and players strike out more than they get a hit. It is all about picking each other up. "I feel that I have used this mentality in the softball world and in the real life world," she said. "I can confidently say, it is all about being kind to one another and picking each other up. That is perseverance." Dedication is about relying on those who want to help you, and being there for people when you don't even want to show up for yourself. Becca can say she has done this in the past, and she will most definitely do it in the future. Determination is not letting negative thoughts get in the way of your goals. When Becca was in high school, a very negative part of my life said to me 'Becca you will never go to college and you will definitely not play softball'. "Well, I am proud to say I have done both and that is my determination and love of the game. I used those words to drive me forward, instead of backwards. I chose to use the negative and turn them into a positive, I hope I can inspire others to do the same!" Even after a season-ending injury cut her collegiate career short during Spring Break, Becca managed to support both her softball teammates and the rest of Marywood athletes by working the scoreboard or announcing their games, taking any opportunity to openly encourage them with well-needed positive vibes.
 
Becca said that she feels she can serve as an inspiration to others by telling my story about where she has been and where she is now. "I can also be honest and say I don't have it all together, but that I am working on the right path to where I want to be," she said. "Being an inspiration to others doesn't mean just telling my story, it also means listening to theirs and letting them know someone is there for them in the dark moments in life."

Information provide by Institutions Athletic Departments. 
 

ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST

The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a three-state area - Cabrini, Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, and Marymount University in Virginia. 

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