Members of the Board of Trustees joined with President Connie Ledoux Book and Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley on April 10, 2026, to rededicate a building that has served multiple purposes for more than half a century and two separate locations on campus.

Alumni, parents and friends have contributed $3 million to the expansion of the university’s golf complex, which also includes the W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center. The expansion represents a significant investment in the future of both men’s and women’s golf and places the university’s training facilities among the best in collegiate golf.

Holland House now provides student-athletes with a premier clubhouse environment to learn, train and compete, with new practice and team spaces, and state-of-the-art technology that allows students to pursue excellence academically and athletically.

The complex expansion project also encompassed renovations to the driving range, including the creation of a 17,000-square-foot tee box, and renovation of the short-game area with reconstruction of the bunkers.

Holland House was renovated to create a centralized home base for the golf program. The clubhouse includes locker rooms, coaches’ offices, quiet spaces for academic study, team engagement spaces and player meeting rooms, strengthening team culture and promoting student growth off the course.

The final phase of the project includes upgrades to the existing W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center, a dedicated indoor practice facility that allows players to train in adverse weather conditions. The center opened in 2009 and includes multiple indoor heated hitting bays, a computerized swing analysis center, indoor putting facility and an outdoor lighted driving range.

Worsley, a 1986 Elon graduate and former member of the golf team, served on the Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023. He and his wife, alumna JoAnna Sutton Worsley ’87, are the parents of W. Cecil Worsley IV, a 2014 Elon graduate.

Another critical component of the project was the addition of Trackman Range, a technology that tracks every shot hit by a golfer, giving coaches and student-athletes immediate access to data to improve performance and create greater practice efficiency.

“The repurposing of Holland House marks a transformational moment for Elon Athletics. It is special to take a building rich with institutional history and create a best-in-class home for our golf student-athletes that honors our past while boldly investing in our future,” Strawley said. “Facilities like this represent our aspirations brought to life, and they only become possible through the generosity of many. I am profoundly grateful to everyone who made this possible, and equally excited for the impact this will have for our golf student-athletes.”

Built in 1963 as the official residence for President Earl Danieley and his family, Holland House stood along Haggard Avenue as a symbol of leadership, hospitality and community at Elon. The home quickly became part of campus lore, including a memorable student protest led by Student Government Association President and future Elon Trustee Noel Allen ‘69 and joined by Danieley himself.

In 1973, President Fred Young and his family continued the tradition of welcoming students, alumni and distinguished guests, making the house a center of connection and celebration. In 1985, trustees honored longtime supporter Shirley Thomas Holland by naming the building in his memory, cementing its place in Elon’s history.

After the presidential residence moved in 1988 to today’s Maynard House, Holland House entered a new phase, serving a variety of campus needs, from development and alumni relations to academic programs and student engagement. In 2009, the building was carefully relocated across campus, where it served as home to the Catholic �þ��� Ministries Newman Center. Work is now under way to build a new Newman Center.

“Today is a wonderful moment for Elon, for Phoenix Athletics, and for our investment in golf and the futures of these student-athletes,” Book said in her dedication remarks. “And it holds a special distinction: this is the first new athletics facility opened under Athletics Director Jenn Strawley.”

Book described the renovated Holland House as a testament to the strength of the programs built by men’s head coach Don Hill and women’s head coach Chris Dockrill.

“And to our student-athletes: I know that every donor agrees that this is for you,” Book said. “Every locker, every building, every asset here was about creating a championship home for Phoenix golf, and we’re very excited for the next chapter to unfold and to cheer you on as you make history.”

Jennings Glenn ‘25 G’26, a member of the men’s golf team, and Elon Trustee Debra Del Vecchio P’22 P’24 also delivered remarks during the ceremony, which was held on the front lawn of Holland House.

“These past five years have been super special to me. I’ve met so many incredible people and built such lasting relationships and created memories I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Glenn, who thanked donors on behalf of the team. “This is really the best place in the world to be a student-athlete and that’s because of you. Thank you. It’s been amazing to watch this program grow and for me to be a part of it all.”

Del Vecchio thanked Book and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to students and for an institutional decisiveness that led to the expansion project. She then praised the golf teams for their dedication to the sport and to the university.

“It is all or nothing, a commitment and true discipline needed to be a student-athlete,”�� Del Vecchio said. “At times I’m sure it can be quite challenging, juggling classes, assignments, and a rigorous playing schedule. But here you are. Know that we recognize and are extremely proud of all of you. You are the face of Elon, especially when you walk out on the golf course. You are not only representing yourself but Elon as well.”

Women’s team captain Ashley Lafontaine ‘26 of Ottawa, Canada, delivered remarks during a dinner program that followed the ribbon-cutting.

“This space gives us something we’ve never truly had before: a home that’s entirely our own,” she said. “It’s a space where we can train, study, connect, and grow together all under one roof. It creates an environment where everything we need to succeed, both as athletes and as people, exists in one place.

“But more importantly, it sends a message. It tells every current and future Elon holder that they are valued. That their experience matters. That this program is worth investing in. And for future players, I hope this becomes more than just a facility. I hope it becomes their safe space. Their meeting place. Their place to celebrate wins, work through losses, and build the kind of relationships that last far beyond their four years here.”

�þ��� football player and nursing student Jake Marion ’26 was recently for donating bone marrow through the National Marrow Donor Program (formerly Be The Match)

The national nonprofit agency works to spread awareness of the need for bone marrow donation and to increase the number of participants in the��bone marrow��registry. While��Elon Football has worked��with the organization for several years, Club Nursing��joined��in 2024��for an annual awareness and registry event.

Marion joined the registry through Elon Football in 2022. He was almost matched in previous years, but blood testing revealed it was not a high enough match necessary for donation. That all changed this year when he got a call in January to begin the donation process, which was completed this spring.

“He’s a part of me now, and I’m a part of him,” Marion said of the recipient. “My cells are inside his body and hopefully they’re doing their job, and they’re helping him, so it’s hard. I’m just praying he’s going to get better, and I’m rooting for him.”

“I was primarily a pitcher in college myself, so I can appreciate the effort,” Director of Athletics Jennifer Strawley told the Associated Press. “It doesn’t happen every day that you see a perfect game or a no-hitter and to have both on the same day. You also recognize it’s a total team effort and to get to that place, there are plays made behind them that led to the pitchers being able to enjoy that moment.”

Elon’s Anna Dew completed a����against Charleston Southern, followed by the Phoenix baseball team pitchers Aidan Stieglitz, Mike Staiano and RJ Latkowski pitching their own no-hitter . Dew’s perfect game was Elon’s first since 2022.

“It’s just a really special moment for the student-athletes, for our coaches and our institution as a whole to have something like two unbelievable performances in the same day lead to a little bit of publicity for us,” said Strawley.

The Phoenix, who also won the crown in 2023, totaled 135 points in the team standings to outpace defending champion Hampton (121.50) and third-place North Carolina A&T (93).

Elon crowned a pair of individual champions on the day as juniors�������Ի�����claimed titles in the weight throw and the one-mile, respectively.
��
Clarke broke her own school record in the weight throw with a mark of 20.04 meters, improving her previous best by 0.43 meters. Teammate����finished second with a personal-best throw of 19.44 meters, moving to second on Elon’s all-time performance list in the event.

Beville clocked a winning time of 4:46.96 in the mile and was followed closely by��, who placed second in 4:47.38 to rank fourth all-time in program history.����added points with a fourth-place finish and a personal record of 4:49.68.

��added to Elon’s strong showing on the track, setting a school record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.50 to finish fourth, while����placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.65 seconds.

Junior����set the program’s third school record of the meet in the 800 meters, finishing second in 2:08.35. Gilman later teamed with Beville, Bell and����in the 4×800 relay, where the quartet posted a top-10 all-time school performance of 9:01.19 to place third overall.

In the pentathlon, three Phoenix student-athletes recorded personal bests, led by����runner-up finish with 3,666 points.����placed fourth with 3,503 points, followed by����in seventh with 3,330 points.

Elon continued to pile on points in the distance events as the distance medley relay team of��,��,����and Petitjean ran 11:48.06 for a top-three finish and another top-10 performance in program history.

��delivered a standout performance with runner-up finishes in both the 3,000 meters (9:33.02) and the 5,000 meters (16:53.97).����placed fifth in both events, while����added key points with sixth-place finishes in each race. Young posted times of 9:46.20 in the 3,000 meters and a time of 17:13.16 in the 5,000 meters. Weber had times of 17:13.37 in the 5,000 meters and a time of 9:47.53 in the 3,000 meters.

In the field events,����scored in the high jump with a clearance of 1.65 meters, and����contributed points in the triple jump with a mark of 12.02 meters.����(14.14m) and Clarke (13.78m) also delivered significant marks in the shot put to help secure the team title.

The Phoenix closed the meet in the 4×400 relay as Gilman,��,����and Duna Viñals combined for a time of 3:51.05 to finish fifth overall.

Read more on the website.

Shaina Dabbs, associate professor of sports management and chair of the Department of Sports Management, has played a vital role in fostering this connection between Elon Athletics and Special Olympics.

This partnership has been impactful by “creating meaningful opportunities for athletes to compete, connect, and feel a sense of belonging through sport,” shared Dabbs. “Beyond competition, the organization fosters joy, confidence, and community pride, bringing together athletes, families, volunteers, and supporters around inclusion and shared purpose.”

Through conversations with leaders in the Special Olympics, Dabbs became inspired to connect Elon Athletics and Sports Management students, as she saw a partnership that would “align perfectly with the goals of our community-based learning model, using sport as a platform for service, learning, and impact.”

This relationship has bloomed through a course taught at Elon, SPT 4270 Event and Venue Management, where students were able to “design and execute ancillary events connected to athletic contests that mirror professional practice in the sport industry while increasing awareness and financial support for the organization.”

This course has served a community organization that has been influential in multiple capacities in Burlington, while also providing students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in practice. Beyond the classroom, student-athletes working with Special Olympics get to see the powerful role they play as role models while reinforcing that sports are truly for everyone.

Since 2023, students have raised nearly $5,000 to benefit Special Olympics Alamance County, demonstrating how classroom learning can extend far beyond campus walls and translate into tangible, meaningful community impact. What begins as an academic assignment quickly becomes an opportunity for students to engage directly with athletes, families, and community members, gaining firsthand experience in service, advocacy and event coordination. The funds raised help provide local athletes with access to competitions, equipment, and year-round programming, but the impact goes well beyond financial support. �þ��� leave with a deeper understanding of inclusion, the power of adaptive sport, and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels valued and celebrated.

Looking ahead, Dabbs hopes to continue fundraising but, more importantly, continue to “leave students with this experience and understanding that sport is not just an event, it can be a powerful vehicle for service, inclusion, and lasting community impact.”

Through this sustained partnership, the program not only uplifts Special Olympics athletes but also shapes students into more compassionate, community-minded leaders who recognize the broader role sport can play in building connection and belonging.

Marion joined the registry through Elon Football in 2022. He was almost matched in previous years, but blood testing revealed it was not a high enough match necessary for donation. That all changed this year when he got a call in January to begin the donation process,��making him��Elon’s first bone marrow donation since the collaboration between the football program and Club Nursing.

 (formerly Be The Match)��is��a national nonprofit agency whose mission is to spread awareness of the need for bone marrow donation and to increase the number of participants in the��bone marrow��registry. While with the organization for several years, Club Nursing��joined��in 2024 for an annual awareness and registry event.����

“I remember at Lakeside, it was cool because there was the football team, me in the middle, and then a lot of people from Club Nursing,” Marion said. “So, it was cool to see both of those groups merge.”����

To begin the donation process, Marion had his blood tested to make sure he��is��a 100% match, filled out a long questionnaire, got a metabolic panel, and an in-depth physical examination.��

Assistant Professor of Nursing and Club Nursing faculty advisor, Jeanmarie Koonts commends Marion for his ability to delegate his coursework while being there for someone in need.����

“I am in awe and it makes me feel so humbled. Jake is putting��the��compassion,��commitment��and caring of nursing into action. He is truly giving himself to make someone’s life better,” Koonts said. “And Jake is a busy man. He is a senior with an intense workload, who is also a varsity athlete. Yet, he has put someone else’s need��above all of��this.”��

In preparation for the retrieval process, Marion will begin receiving injections, called filgrastim, a week prior.����

“It’s basically a medication they give to cancer patients, but for donors, it’s specifically to increase your stem cell count,” Marion said. “And then on the day I get the donation,��it’s��usually a six-hour process. They put an IV in each arm at the elbow bend, and you just sit there.��It’ll��take your blood, and then it goes into a machine, grabs all the stem cells, and returns the blood back into the other IV. After that, you just��kind of avoid��strenuous activities for a week.”����

To complete the donation, Marion will miss three days of classes and make up the work afterwards in recovery. Despite it all, his main concern is the ability to make a difference.����

“Cancer is a huge problem, and I think the ability to even have the chance to help someone live longer or cure their specific type of cancer is really just an awesome feeling,” Marion said.��“It’s��something that��not many��people experience, and��I’m��very grateful��for it.��I’m��just glad��that I can help someone.”����

The next football and Club Nursing registry event will be held on March 30, 2026. For more information, contact��.����

A former Elon Sports Vision (ESV) student crew member, Bamford was recently named the initiative’s coordinating producer, overseeing live broadcasts of Elon Athletics events while working closely with students as they develop technical, creative and leadership skills.

“I was interested in the coordinating producer role because I saw firsthand what the role entailed while I was an undergrad and the seasonal diversity across the men’s and women’s sports,” Bamford said. “ESV provided me with a wonderful opportunity to learn all aspects of sports broadcasting. I experienced everything from camera operation, to replay, to producing and directing a live broadcast –��and I hope to offer the same for current and future students.”

Following his graduation in May, Bamford gained professional experience as the director of multimedia for the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), responsible for the coordination and improved production of the league’s streaming efforts. The position placed him in charge of remote broadcasts, collaborating with schools and announcers nationwide.

“My role at the CWPA taught me how to work in extremely fast-paced environments while managing multiple projects,” he said.

Bamford’s professional background – and the mentorship mindset he brings to the role – stood out to Bryan Baker, the School of Communications’ director of technology, operations and multimedia projects.

“Anthony was a terrific student at Elon who consistently took full advantage of the opportunities offered by the School of Communications,” Baker said. “His background in sport management, media analytics, journalism, and as an ESV student producer uniquely positions him to be an outstanding mentor to students in his new role.”

A native of Royersford, Pa., Bamford brings experience from professional and collegiate sports operations. During his semester in The Sport Experience in Charlotte, he served as an Atlantic Coast Conference Football and Game Day Operations Center intern, including managing a 30-member volunteer staff at the 2023 ACC Football Championship Game. He has also worked as a game operations intern for the Durham Bulls of the International League and as a producer/broadcaster for Pottstown Community Television.

In addition to his production experience, Bamford completed �þ��� research through the university’s Sports Media Lab, conducting a qualitative analysis of sports gambling, pirating and social media consumption. The results of that research were published in the Sports Business Journal.

Looking ahead, Bamford plans to build on ESV’s tradition of high-quality broadcasts while emphasizing student development. And Bamford and ESV are starting from a good position – the organization captured its first-ever College Sports Media Award last spring.

“I would love to continue and expand ESV’s legacy of producing professional-level broadcasts for college athletics,” he said. “As a student, I was a member of a crew that won an award at SVG. As the coordinating producer, I want to make that the expectation for our future broadcasts.”

About Elon Sports Vision

Elon Sports Vision provides students with hands-on experience in broadcasting, content creation, sports marketing and in-venue productions for Elon’s NCAA Division I athletic department. Launched in 2017, ESV works closely with Elon Athletics to deliver live coverage of university sporting events with professional production standards. As coordinating producer, Bamford oversees a team of nearly 60 student employees and manages the execution of broadcasts across camera work, audio, graphics, live commentary and sideline reporting.

Dan Anderson, special assistant to the president, and Michele Lashley, assistant professor of strategic communications, are recognized as faculty and staff “who are creatively and responsibly integrating artificial intelligence technologies into �þ���/learning, research, student success, leadership development and institutional effectiveness.”

As the use of AI is impacting higher education, structured and collaborative approaches are essential for implementation that is cohesive, consistent and ethical. The AI Technologies Champion Network��initiative addresses this transformational challenge by recognizing leaders across the Alliance, including Elon, building a community of AI technology champions and preparing inter-institutional teams for near-future extramural funding efforts.

Anderson was also named an AI Technologies Network Award recipient, which acknowledged his spearheading of the ��and his effort involving scholars from 48 countries to produce a statement of principles guiding higher education’s role in preparing humanity for the AI revolution.

Launching as a novel initiative in October 2025, the CAA Academic Alliance requested applications from the thirteen institutions comprising the Alliance. Nearly 400 applicants responded to the call, with 22 faculty/staff members successfully creating the Alliance’s Class of 2025-26.

Together, they performed a minute-long hip-hop routine to the Black Eyed Peas song Boom Boom Pow choreographed by��Meghan McGarrigle. After the performance, the audience voted for their favorite faculty/staff dancer, crowning Melissa Scales the audience favorite for the second year in a row!

Follow the Elon Dance Team on Instagram @eudanceteam to learn about upcoming performances and events.