Dear Ithaca College Athletics Community,
One year ago, I stepped into the role of Athletic Director at Ithaca College with a deep appreciation for the history of this department and an even stronger belief in what the future of Bomber Athletics can be. As I reflect on my first year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that we have accomplished together, and I am excited to share where we have been, what we have built, and where we are going.
It has been another successful year for the Bombers. Our student-athletes continued to compete at the highest level across the board, earning NCAA tournament appearances, winning Liberty League titles, and bringing the Cortaca Jug back home. Just as importantly, our student-athletes continued to be recognized for their success in the classroom, demonstrating the commitment, discipline, and excellence that define what it means to represent Ithaca College.
This year has also given me the opportunity to get to know Ithaca, our alumni, our families, and this remarkable community. I have quickly learned just how special this place truly is. The pride people have in Ithaca College is real. It is felt when alumni return to campus, when families show up in support of our student-athletes, when former Bombers reach out to ask how they can help, and when this community rallies around the programs and people who make IC so special.
We also made tremendous progress as a department. From opening our state-of-the-art outdoor track and field facility through the generosity of the Egan Family, to launching the Wegmans Refueling Station, to most recently introducing the Bomber Club, we have continued to invest in the student-athlete experience and in the future of Ithaca College Athletics. Because of your generosity, we also set giving records, creating even more momentum for what comes next.
To every alum who came back to campus, made a gift, attended a game, reached out with encouragement, or simply continued to believe in the Bombers, thank you. You are a vital part of our story. You represent the foundation this department was built on, and your support helps ensure that the next generation of Bombers has the opportunity to compete, grow, graduate, and lead.
I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished in year one, but I am even more energized by what lies ahead. A successful first year is not the finish line. It is the foundation. We will continue to build on it with purpose, pride, and a shared commitment to excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in the lives of our student-athletes.
The best is ahead for Bomber Athletics, and I could not be more excited to continue this work with all of you.
Go Bombers!
Aaron Bouyea,
Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation
