ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit helps launch Camel Athletics Club

Former lacrosse players Tim Armstrong ’93 and Luke Beatty ’93 hosted the Camel Athletics Club kickoff in January.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO CHOOSE a college, Kirk Herbstreit’s choice was a fairly easy one. The son of a former Ohio State University football captain, the path to becoming a quarterback for the Buckeyes was already laid out for him. Herbstreit became a co-captain himself, was voted team MVP and led the squad to an appearance in the Citrus Bowl in 1992.

Though his passion for Ohio State was born from family tradition, Herbstreit said it was his college experience that has kept him connected to the school to this day.

“There were a lot of ups and a lot of downs but, at the end of the day, I’m most thankful for the experience. That’s what brings me back and keeps me involved. It’s not just about athletics and the athletes— it’s about making a difference in people’s lives by giving them that experience.”

Herbstreit was the featured guest at the launch event for the Camel Athletic Club, a group for alumni athletes dedicated to advancing varsity athletics at the College. More than 250 alumni athletes and coaches were in attendance at the event, held at the AOL headquarters in New York City.

The event was hosted by former lacrosse players Tim Armstrong ’93, CEO of AOL Inc., and Luke Beatty ’93, president of media brands for AOL. Also featured was Rand Pecknold ’90, a former hockey player at the College and current head coach of the top-ranked men’s hockey team at Quinnipiac University.

“Success in athletics drives academics, if we make the investment,” said Pecknold. “It may not happen overnight but, if we can get coaches and programs the resources we need, it helps all of us.”

The Camel Athletics Club aims to ensure that Camel teams have the support necessary for competition at the highest level. Alumni are required to make a minimum annual gift of $250 to join the club, which can be directed to the Camel Athletics Fund or any varsity team fund(s).

President Katherine Bergeron issued a challenge to those in attendance to join the club and to encourage their fellow alumni to join as well, increasing participation in giving by as much as 5 percent.

“Of our nearly 27,000 alumni, over 5,000 people— or about 20 percent—were varsity athletes. You are a powerful force among our alumni community and we need your leadership.”

Connecticut College is a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the nation. The College offers 28 varsity sports, and roughly onethird of College students are varsity athletes.

To see more photos from the event and for more information on the Camel Athletics Club, visit www.conncoll.edu/camelathleticsclub.