LANCASTER, Pa. - The Atlantic East Conference is pleased to continue the Alumni Spotlight Series, where it celebrates the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of former student-athletes who once proudly represented our member institutions. These individuals have continued in the athletics field, showcasing exceptional dedication, and bringing honor to both their alma maters and the league.  


Through hard work, resilience, and the values they cultivated during their time as student-athletes, our featured alumni continue to exemplify the core principles of the Atlantic East. Join us as we highlight their stories, share their accomplishments, and explore how their experiences as student-athletes helped shape their careers and communities. Our next spotlight is 2023 Erin Nappi from Centenary.  


Name: Erin Nappi  
Centenary Role: Athletic Communications & Media, Baseball specifically senior year 
Graduation Year: 2023
Current Role: Graduate Assistant at FDU - Metropolitan Campus (NCAA DI)

Describe your current job and your connection to sports?

In my current role, I work directly with my assigned teams in their information and media sectors. So I have worked with baseball, women's basketball, men's soccer, women's fencing, cheerleading, and men's volleyball through my time at FDU. I was part of the team that created our current social media marketing and performance strategy, which has been such a rewarding part of my job to witness the impact of social media growth and the effects it has on the student-athlete experience.

Best memory at Centenary? 

My best memory at Centenary was senior day with baseball. I conducted senior day and created the senior gifts, and the team surprised me by honoring me as well which was really cool. 

How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?

Mentorship is such an important part of how I have grown as a professional. My mentors are people I have worked for or connected with along the way, and they are people I text or call regularly to not only ask questions when I have them, but they are people I text to just catch up. It's a whole community and my mentors have definitely steered me in the right direction professionally and personally.

Can you describe a situation during your transition where you felt challenged, and how did you handle it?

In transition to FDU, I was challenged a lot with the thought of "what if I am only great at what I do at Centenary" because I knew that department like the back of my hand and grew into the role there, so I had a lot of self-doubt. Over time though, I remember talking to my boss at FDU and he told me "you are here for a reason, you are exceptional at what you do, and you have to believe that because we believe in you." It was a good life lesson because your growth begins at the end of your comfort zone and I have grown so much through the breakout of my comfort zone.

What kind of support have you received from your colleagues or mentors during your transition?

FDU is a place where I have made many lifelong friends through work, and they have been in my corner through a lot of changes in life and my mentors are still very prevalent in my life. I know as a second-year graduate assistant, graduation is right around the corner and all of these individuals have been reaching out to me about jobs and helping me with cover letters and contacting their connections on my behalf. Having all of their support through this stressful but exciting time is something incredibly helpful and special.

What is one thing that you would have done differently?

Hindsight is always 20/20, I don't think I would change anything about my path getting to where I am at, but of course there are things I wish I attended more of like networking events, because they are extremely helpful for any individual looking to grow and connect with others in this field.

What do you look back on most for your time at Centenary?

The relationships I made at Centenary. I still talk with the head baseball coach, Andrew Romanella and my friends I made along the way there and we always reminisce about games or special memories. Being able to travel with baseball was always fun or singing karaoke with my roommates.

Where do you see yourself in the future? 

I see myself working with a college athletic communications department for sure. I love working in college athletics. Being able to spotlight student-athletes and give them something to smile or laugh at that isn't directly related to their games is special. I can't affect how their games go on the field, court, or mat, but I can help give them a good experience off the field, court or mat through media and that is special.


Past Spotlights:    
Pratt Institute: Ava Hunwick   
Marymount: Natalie Garbalosa   
Neumann: Cortellessa & Joey Gorman  
Marywood: Ryan Jones  
Gwynedd Mercy: Meghan LoStracco 
   
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST   
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.    
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Atlantic East!   
'Follow' us on Twitter and Instagram, Linkedin, and 'Like' us on Facebook!   
    
                                                                        -#AtlanticEast