Sports shorts

MOON LAUNCH

Katie Nageotte Moon, a former Flyers track and field athlete (who finished her career at Ashland University), won her third straight world title in the pole vault in mid-September at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with a vault of 4.90 meters. At 34, Moon broke her own record as the oldest woman to win a world title in the event. She earned a silver medal at the Summer Olympics last year in Paris and earned a gold medal in the 2021 Summer Olympics.

CUP RUNNETH OVER

Former director of athletics communication Doug Hauschild told the UD Magazine staff recently that he believed we now have a Flyer’s name etched on the Stanley Cup, a first for UD. We reached out to Mike Huff ’07, former UD soccer player and current vice president for player engagement for the NHL’s Florida Panthers and after, yes, when the team won the Stanley Cup in the 2025 NHL championship, Huff indeed had the honor of being (we think) the first Flyer to have his name etched on the Stanley Cup. But he reminded us that the Panthers won the 2024 NHL championship, too. We’re just a year late in our reporting.

Photo courtesy Mike Huff

PAXSON TIPS OFF

The men’s basketball team announced in early October that Flyer Hall of Famer, NBA All-Star and longtime NBA executive Jim Paxson ’79 has joined the team’s staff as senior advisor of basketball operations. Paxson is one of the most accomplished players in Flyer basketball history. He is fifth in career scoring at Dayton with 1,945 points. 

Vice President and Director of Athletics Neil Sullivan said he and head coach Anthony Grant reached out to Paxson last year “to exchange ideas and share strategies around player retention and evaluation” and maintained contact before beginning talks to formalize the relationship this summer. 

“I’m honored and excited once again be a part of UD basketball,” Paxson said. “College basketball is in the midst of uncertain and challenging times, and I’ve been impressed by the professionalism and focus within the program. My intention is to help accelerate the program’s journey to where it is headed.”

WINNING STREAK

UD women’s volleyball went into the A-10 Tournament on an 18-game winning streak after sweeping Rhode Island in straight sets on the road. This is the third consecutive perfect conference slate for the Flyers in the regular season. The women went into the A-10 semifinals in late November ready to face fourth-seed VCU, but ultimately fell to the Rams in straight sets.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, the UD women’s soccer team became A-10 champions to thunderous applause, defeating Rhode Island in penalty kicks. It was the perfect way to round out their undefeated A-10 season. In the opening round of the NCAA Championship Tournament Nov. 15, the Flyers fell to No. 22-ranked Xavier in Cincinnati. Dayton finished the 2025 season with a 15-4-3 record.

FLYER MANAGER

Former UD pitcher Craig Stammen ’14 signed a three-year contract with the San Diego Padres in early November to become their new manager. Stammen was a relief pitcher for the Padres before retiring in 2023 after an injury. In his three seasons as a Flyer, Stammen established himself as one of the best pitchers in program history. After leaving UD early to enter the MLB draft, he returned to campus in the early 2010s to finish his degree where his career started, graduating in 2014 with a degree in entrepreneurship.

PICKLEBALL TWINS

Former UD tennis standouts Jackie and Jade Kawamoto made history in September, winning their first PPA Pickleball Tour women’s doubles title at the Cincinnati Open. The twin sisters were introduced to America’s fastest-growing sport by their father in 2018, shortly after their UD graduation. Calling Indianapolis home, both Kawamotos work for the NCAA — Jade as assistant director in the eligibility center, and Jackie as assistant coordinator of championships and alliances.

Photo courtesy Jackie and Jade Kawamoto ’18

HAPPY CAMPERS

In late September, UD’s men’s soccer team hosted former youth UD Soccer Academy attendees at its home game versus Davidson at Baujan Field. Former campers, wearing their UD Soccer Academy T-shirts, had the opportunity to participate in a pre-game high-five tunnel with current players. Four Flyer players found the back of the net in the 4-2 victory over the Wildcats. “We scored some great goals in front of a great crowd tonight,” head coach Dennis Currier said. “We appreciate the support!”

Photo courtesy Erik Schelkun

FAN MAIL

Like a lot of Flyer basketball fans, Dayton resident and superfan Milly Hubler, age 98, wondered after last season if her favorite player, 7-foot-1 forward Amaël L’Etang, would stick around for another season or enter the transfer portal. So, she wrote him a letter, begging him to stay with the Flyers. And he wrote back. The two became quick pen pals, and L’Etang decided he needed to meet his biggest fan in person. He stopped by her retirement home at 10 Wilmington Place in Dayton this fall for a chat and a few selfies. The two have maintained a friendship, proving that sometimes the best assists happen off the court.

Photo courtesy Katie Hubler