Batoul Reda dropped to her knees, tears streaming, as her soccer teammates rushed the field. The senior goalkeeper had just helped secure the Atlantic 10 Championship, a surreal, emotional win that capped her University of Dayton career.
“Finally, after all these days and nights of training and these four years of working for this moment, it happened,” she said. “We went undefeated in conference play. To say I did that my senior year — I couldn’t have imagined leaving any other way.”
That dramatic win, their first in nine years, delivered UD its 11th A-10 championship, more than any program in conference history. But it was more than just a trophy. For Reda, it symbolized the countless hours of training, the resilience built during a tough nonconference schedule and the unwavering support of coaches and staff.
“Our coaches truly care about us here at UD,” she said. “They sacrifice so much of their time to make sure we have everything we need. I’m so grateful to play under a staff that’s so supportive.”
That support extends beyond just the coaches and teammates — it includes the entire UD community of fans, friends and alumni. Thanks to gifts made on One Day, One Dayton to the Champions & Scholars Fund, student-athletes like Reda benefit from resources that elevate their experience and allow them to compete at the highest level.
For the soccer teams, the Owens Training Center provides indoor turf when weather conditions cancel outdoor practice, sports medicine staff ensure athletes receive treatment and care, and specialized coaching helps players grow in ways not every program can offer. Resources like these, Reda noted, often make the difference between simply competing and truly excelling.
“I’ve had a goalkeeper coach all four years, and that relationship has helped me grow,” she said. “This isn’t the biggest school for athletics in the country, but it’s schools like this that can make a run with the right tools. Donations really help athletes and staff prepare for success.”
As she looks ahead to graduation and life beyond UD, whether pursuing professional soccer or law school, Reda carries lessons of teamwork, perseverance and community. She hopes future Flyers will continue to benefit from the same opportunities that enhanced her student-athlete experience, and she knows the role donors played in shaping her journey.
“Donors made my dream of playing Division I soccer possible,” she said. “I’m proud that I was able to help Dayton make history by winning an A-10 championship.”