As the nation immerses itself in the frenzy of March Madness, the Adelphi University Department of Athletics has been crafting its own tales of triumph this winter, illuminating the season with stellar performances across various sports.
Men’s Basketball: A Season of Resurgence
The men’s basketball team orchestrated a remarkable year, concluding the season with a 26-8 record. Under the guidance of Head Coach Dave Duke, the Panthers clinched their first NE10 regular-season championship since the 2011–2012 season, marking a significant milestone in the program’s history. This achievement propelled them into the NCAA Tournament, their first appearance under Duke and the program’s first since 2012, when they were led by James Cosgrove, now an NCAA Division III National Champion at Trinity College in Connecticut.
Individual accolades further underscored the team’s success. Jarnel Rancy’s defensive prowess earned him the NE10 Defensive Player of the Year title. Coach Duke’s exceptional leadership was recognized with his first NE10 Coach of the Year award, making him the first Adelphi men’s basketball coach to receive this honor. Offensively, both Andres Fulgencio and Dayshaun Walton were named NE10 First Team All-Conference, with Walton also securing a spot on the NABC All-District First Team.
Men’s Lacrosse: Eyes on the Prize
The men’s lacrosse team began its national title defense with high expectations, bolstered by its No. 1 preseason national ranking. A significant highlight leading up to the season was goaltender Dylan Renner’s inclusion in the 2025 Tewaaraton Award Men’s Watch List, making him the first Adelphi men’s lacrosse player to earn consideration for what is considered the Heisman Trophy of men’s and women’s college lacrosse. Renner was also honored by USA Lacrosse Magazine as its Division II Men’s Preseason Player of the Year. The Panthers have already begun imparting their dominance with a 9-0 start to the season—making them one of only three teams in the country to still possess an undefeated record.
Swimming and Diving: Kakimseit’s Stellar Splash
The men’s swimming and diving team made waves this season, powered by the exceptional performances of sophomore sensation Ryan Kakimseit. His outstanding contributions were pivotal in Adelphi’s historic runner-up finish at the 2025 NE10 Championship in February, the program’s best since joining the league in the 2009–2010 season. Kakimseit’s individual point total of 60 earned him the prestigious NE10 Men’s Swimmer of the Meet honor. Then in March, he added to his trophy case by picking up his second-consecutive Swimmer of the Year award. He wasn’t the only aquatic Panther to win top awards from the conference, though. Freshman Tristan Weingarten was honored as the NE10 Rookie of the Year, becoming the third Adelphi swimmer in four years to win the award, following Kakimseit in 2024 and Cooper Rivers in 2022. Coach Marc Danin’s election as Coach of the Year for the second-straight year completed Adelphi’s domination of the conference’s major awards.
Women’s Basketball: A Resilient Run
Under the leadership of alumna Head Coach Sade Jackson ’14, the Adelphi women’s basketball team showcased resilience and determination. They advanced to the NE10 semifinals for the first time since their impressive 27-3 run in 2020, concluding the season with a balanced 15-15 record.
Softball: A New Chapter Begins
The Adelphi softball program ushered in a new era with the appointment of Katie Apostolopoulos as the 10th head coach in Adelphi’s storied softball history. Apostolopoulos aims to build upon the solid foundation established over the past six seasons under Carla Campagna, who departed for Division I Iona University last summer. The team’s future looks promising as they strive to continue their legacy of success.
A Testament to Excellence
These accomplishments have propelled Adelphi University to a close second place in the NE10 Presidents’ Cup standings through the winter season, reflecting the collective success of its athletic programs. As the Panthers continue to excel, they embody the spirit of champions, inspiring pride and anticipation for future triumphs within the Adelphi community.