Lehigh is a Special Place for Returning Fifth-Years

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of spring sports last March, it cut short the seasons for student-athletes, including careers for many seniors.

A couple weeks later, the NCAA announced those spring student-athletes would be granted an additional year of eligibility. Within Lehigh Athletics, nine student-athletes across four sports took advantage of the extra year, finding a strong academic reason to return to the place they love in 2020-21.

"I came back to Lehigh for the opportunity to earn my master's degree at such a great academic university like Lehigh, while also being able to finish out my lacrosse career."

Crew Cintron (Men's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Technical Entrepreneurship

"The chance to get to play again and further my education drew me back for another year."

Sondra Dickey (Women's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Management

"It was a culmination of a lot of things that ended up bringing me back to Lehigh, but it was mostly about having another opportunity to play with the boys."

Andrew Eichelberger (Men's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Technical Entrepreneurship

"I was already planning on coming back to get a master's degree before COVID-19 hit, and now I am excited to play lacrosse again as well."

Conor Gaffney (Men's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Management Science and Engineering

"I was fortunate to receive the Presidential Scholarship, which has provided me with the valuable opportunity to continue my education and pursue a useful graduate degree."

Jeffrey Kirshenbaum (Men's Cross Country/Track and Field)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Applied Economics

"After I was granted another year of eligibility, I decided to explore the idea of coming back to Lehigh for a fifth year. I qualified for the President's Scholar program, which made the idea even more appealing. As I researched the different programs, I began to realize that this would be a great opportunity for me to further my education and play another year of lacrosse."

Alexandra Ladda (Women's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Technical Entrepreneurship

"I came back to Lehigh to get one more year playing the sport I love. COVID-19 has proved to be a challenge, but with every challenge is an opportunity and I intend to take advantage of that and get on the field with my boys again."

Christian McHugh (Men's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's in Technical Entrepreneurship

"Before the spring season had been cancelled, I was thinking about possibly returning for a graduate degree (with thanks to the President's Scholar Program), but was not sure yet. With the complications of COVID-19, being granted another year of eligibility made it a no-brainer for me to come back for one last go."

Owen Quinn (Men's Golf)

Working Towards: Master's in Technical Entrepreneurship

"I came back to Lehigh because I really loved the people and experiences I had here during undergrad. When I realized I had another year of athletic eligibility, I couldn't imagine myself finishing my career anywhere else."

Autumn Ryan (Women's Lacrosse)

Working Towards: Master's Degree in Technical Entrepreneurship

The consistent theme behind all nine returnees across four sports is one thing…

Lehigh is a special place.

"Lehigh encourages you to be your best, pushes you to reach new heights and supports you if you fail," said Ladda. "My professors, coaches, teammates and friends have brought out the best in me and helped me learn life-long lessons that I'll take with me wherever I go. Lehigh provides a challenging and competitive environment combined with a supportive network that helps prepare you for the next stage of life."
Alexandra Ladda

That next stage for all nine now includes pursuing master's degrees, some of whom were planning on doing so anyway and some of whom opted that route because of what happened in the spring.

"Lehigh has been such a special place for me the last four years," said Quinn. "I have made some great friendships and connections that I really treasure. As my four years was coming to a close, I was not ready to move on just yet.

"Having another year as a Lehigh student-athlete means the world to me," he continued. "I never expected to be playing a fifth year at Lehigh, so I'm hoping last season was a blessing in disguise. A lot of my friends would joke with me and say I'd never leave Lehigh because of my school spirit at games. And now that I'm back for a fifth year, they might be right."

For all nine, this year will be a springboard to future success, turning a tough situation surrounding the pandemic into a positive – an opportunity for continued education and growth.

"My ultimate goal is to be accepted into a doctoral program in economics," said Kirshenbaum. "Lehigh's M.S. program in Applied Economic seemed like the perfect next step to enhance my preparation. In addition, I've developed such close relationships here, making the decision to spend another year with everyone a no-brainer."

Kirshenbaum is a cross country and track and field student-athlete, who will only be able to compete in the spring (since outdoor track and field was his only season affected by the pandemic).
Jeffrey Kirshenbaum

A three-time Academic All-American, Gaffney was fully expecting to return to Lehigh for graduate school all along. But one thing brought him back to the men's lacrosse team.

"The friends and teammates, and how close we are with each other," he said.

Gaffney has grown to appreciate time spent with others, whether it's his family or his Lehigh Athletics family.

"I've learned throughout the pandemic to value time spent with friends and family," he said. "I got to spend an extended amount of time with my family that I probably otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to do at this point or moving forward, since I'm moving on with my career and they live in Denver."

The lessons from the pandemic for everyone have been endless.

"What I've learned the most is how fast everything can change in such a short period of time," said Eichelberger. "Last spring, we went from preparing for a game to canceling the season in a matter of days. Crazy changes have continued to happen around the country as we continue to learn more about COVID-19.

"I'm just trying to control the things I can control."

What these student-athletes can control is their own growth and development, with hopes these challenging times will make them better in the long run.

"I have learned the importance of being flexible and being able to adapt to new situations," said Ladda. "While this reality may not have been exactly what I had envisioned, I have also learned to keep an open mind. I am constantly reminded to be thankful for all that I have."

These nine returnees are different people from different backgrounds, but they all have one thing.

Lehigh, especially the people who make Lehigh the special place it is.

"COVID-19 has enhanced my appreciation for the great people in my life, and for running and exercise," said Kirshenbaum. "When socialization has been limited, it has served as a reminder of all the extraordinary relationships, I've formed at Lehigh. Additionally, a break from competition has helped bring me back to my running roots, and has allowed me to re-discover a deep love for running."
Andrew Eichelberger

The student-athletes understand that even though they're back on campus, nothing is guaranteed, not even running. Fall sports were cancelled in the Patriot League (and in several other conferences around the nation), with hopes of possibly competing in the spring.

"It means a lot to come back and be a student-athlete here," said Eichelberger. "I'm just hoping we can continue to learn more about COVID-19, so we can have a season in the spring."

These student-athletes, and all of Lehigh Athletics, are not taking a single day for granted. They're able to push forward with optimism because of the environment they're in, at a place they love.

"Lehigh is such a special place because of the people," said Quinn. "The bonds and friendships I have built have been key to my college experience. My fellow student-athletes, and all those within the department, have been so supportive and always cheering me on.

"In playing an individual sport, Lehigh and the Lehigh Athletics department have given me the opportunity to be a part of something much bigger than myself."

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Lehigh University Athletics

Lehigh is a Special Place for Returning Fifth-Years

Players Mentioned

Crew Cintron

Sondra Dickey

Andrew Eichelberger

Conor Gaffney

Jeffrey Kirshenbaum

Alexandra Ladda

Christian McHugh

Owen Quinn

Autumn Ryan

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