Philanthropy: Why I choose to give back

My years spent at Providence College were not only some of the most fun times of my life, but they were also some of the most formative.  While receiving a top-notch education, I made friends and memories that will last a life time.  Most importantly, I had the distinct honor to wear the black and white and represent Providence College as a student athlete.  Providence College is one of the smallest Division 1 schools in the country, however it competes in the prestigious Big East Conference.  In my time at PC, I played against teams from Notre Dame, University of Connecticut, Boston College, Florida State, and other nationally recognized schools.

At PC, I was lucky enough to play for a truly amazing coach.  Coach Jennifer Finley taught me the true meaning of hard work, determination, confidence, teamwork and grit.  She was a tough coach who demanded excellence both in the classroom and on the field.  When one of our teammates was found to be skipping classes, we all had the pleasure of waking up at 5am to run sprints.  She pushed us physically and mentally further than any of us ever thought possible, both as individuals and as a collective.  Coach Finley instilled in us a sense of teamwork and comradery in the true spirit of, “all for one, and one for all.”  Individually we were all great athletes, but together we were unstoppable.  Under Coach Finley, we won both the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship (twice) and the Big East Tournament.  I can honestly say that next to my parents, Coach Finley has had the largest impact on who I am as a person today.

So, when I took the great education I received from Providence College and coupled it with the confidence, drive and determination to succeed I learned while being a student athlete, the result was my ability to create a successful cybersecurity business.  I believe that with my success, comes the obligation to give back to the institution and athletic program that gave me so much.  I choose to give back, because I want nothing less than every student-athlete to walk away with the tools and inner fortitude that I gained at Providence College.  I choose to give back because I want to help build a winning athletic program, so that the student athletes of today know that with hard work and a strong team around you, absolutely anything is possible.  I choose to give back, because I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to Providence College, and it is my way of saying, “thank you,” for the role it played in shaping me into the happy and successful person I am today.