Feature Stories

RACING AGAINST THE ODDS: Ryan Outerbridge’s Journey from Adversity to Triumph on the XC Course
RACING AGAINST THE ODDS: Ryan Outerbridge’s Journey from Adversity to Triumph on the XC Course

November 21, 2024

When 21-year-old Ryan Outerbridge (Paget, Bermuda) steps to the starting line at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships this Saturday in Sacramento, California, he'll be competing with more than just his competitors on the course. He'll be running against the memory of a day in October 2021 that he almost didn't survive—a day he still can't fully remember. 

FROM THE FIELD TO THE FIGHT: Jennifer Frost’s Journey and Her Team’s Mission for Kidney Awareness
FROM THE FIELD TO THE FIGHT: Jennifer Frost’s Journey and Her Team’s Mission for Kidney Awareness

October 10, 2024

Jennifer Frost (Seabrook, N.H.) never saw it coming. As a standout field hockey player, she had powered through her entire senior season at Winnacunnet High School in the fall of 2023 without a hitch. A stalwart forward with a reputation for grit and determination, she had no idea that beneath the surface, her body was struggling. In February 2024, just months before she was set to graduate, Jennifer received devastating news: both of her kidneys were failing. 

Hopkinton Fairgrounds and Franklin Pierce Cross Country to Set to Host Major Cross Country Events in 2024 and Beyond
Hopkinton Fairgrounds and Franklin Pierce Cross Country to Set to Host Major Cross Country Events in 2024 and Beyond

October 02, 2024

The Hopkinton Fairgrounds and the Franklin Pierce University cross country teams continues its legacy of hosting elite-level cross country competitions, with a packed calendar of prestigious events lined up for 2024, 2025 and as of today, 2027.  

Franklin Pierce University Announces 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame Class
Franklin Pierce University Announces 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

September 26, 2024

Franklin Pierce University and the Department of Athletics is proud to announce its 2024 Hall of Fame class. Art Luptowski (Men's Basketball Head Coach), Mike Chambers '06 (Baseball), Jewel White '12 (Women's Basketball), Camden Morrison '18 (Women's Golf) and the 1996 and 1997 Women's Soccer National Championship Teams will be honored for their contributions to Franklin Pierce University Athletics at an induction ceremony on Friday, November 1.

Shannen Hardy
Ravens Lead the Way: Student-Athletes Named Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Class of 2024

April 19, 2024

The Franklin Pierce University graduation clock is ticking down and in just three weeks, the class of 2024 will cross the stage to receive their degrees. Finishing at the top of their class, are two Franklin Pierce University Student-Athletes who have been named this year's Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Raven Nation: Rachel Burleson Named NACDA Division II Athletic Director of the Year
Raven Nation: Rachel Burleson Named NACDA Division II Athletic Director of the Year

March 20, 2024

Rachel Burleson made school history as the first Franklin Pierce University athletic director to receive a NACDA AD of the Year Award (ADOY).

Luke Tracy
XC/Track & Field Assistant Coach Richard Hart Named President of NEIAAA Executive Committee

September 13, 2023

Franklin Pierce University Cross Country and Track & Field Assistant Coach Richard Hart has been voted in as president of the New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association

Franklin Pierce Athletics Unveil 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees
Franklin Pierce Athletics Unveil 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

September 05, 2023

The Franklin Pierce University Department of Athletics is pleased to release the names for the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees who will be honored at the annual induction ceremony on October 6th.

Madison Leslie, Miss Maine 2022
ONTO A BIGGER STAGE: Madison Leslie ’22 Has Eyes on Miss America Title

September 27, 2022

In just under two months, Madison Leslie’s life changed drastically. She went from snatching groundballs in lacrosse games, to walking across the stage at graduation, to being crowned Miss Maine 2022. This 2022 Franklin Pierce alumna won her first beauty pageant at the age of 16, when she was simply looking for a place to sing. Now, she will be singing for the whole country at the Miss America 2023 pageant, to be held in December of 2022 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Franklin Pierce Athletics Hall of Fame
Franklin Pierce University Announces 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

September 01, 2022

RINDGE, N.H. (September 1, 2022) ‒ Franklin Pierce University and the Department of Athletics is proud to announce its 2022 Hall of Fame class, made up of a pair of program stalwarts, plus the most successful team in the history of the women’s basketball program. Induction weekend for the 2022 Hall of Fame class is set for Oct. 21-22. Following the formal induction ceremony on Friday evening, the inductees will be honored on Saturday afternoon during the Ravens Football game versus Pace University on Sodexo Field.

Celebrating 50 years of Title IX
Ravens Women’s Teams Find Success in 50th Anniversary Year of Title IX

June 23, 2022

RINDGE, N.H. (June 23, 2022) -- “No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Signed into law 50 years ago Thursday, Title IX has had far-reaching impacts across the education landscape, but it is perhaps most famous for its role in the advancement of women’s sports.

Franklin Pierce Athletics
INSIDE LOOK: How Day of Giving Fundraising Impacts Athletics

November 11, 2021

The success of a person is largely impacted by the opportunities provided to them, and the freedom they have to explore those opportunities. As a University, Franklin Pierce aims to provide its students with the tools needed to find success both in and out of the classroom. Be it through academic achievement or the ability to compete at the NCAA level, the student experience comes first in Rindge.

Russell Gaskamp
PUSHING FORWARD: Football Focusing on Growth in Second Season

September 29, 2021

After not being able to play for nearly two years, Franklin Pierce University coaches and student-athletes are happy to be back in action this fall.

Rachel Burleson (left) and Jeanette McKillop (photo credit: Meg Stokes).
GROWING TOGETHER: Pair of Athletics Admins Participate in NCAA Mentoring Program

April 01, 2021

It is widely known that the ratio of men to women employed in the sports industry is not balanced, there are many more males than females. The NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association Women and Minorities Mentoring Program is working to improve this. The program pairs young women and minorities seeking careers in collegiate athletic administration with those who have experience, in hopes of providing them with guidance, and enhancing their ability to be successful in their careers.

Women's ice hockey's Emily Kramer (left) and Kiki Doucette (photo credit: Meg Stokes).
A SEASON UNLIKE ANY OTHER: Reflections on Winter Sports’ Return to Competition

March 30, 2021

With the end of a unique winter sports season upon us, many Ravens are reflecting on their seasons and the challenges that came with them. While this was a most difficult year for college athletes across the country, Franklin Pierce University has done all it can to keep everyone safe and on campus. Though that has meant limited playing time for athletes, they have combated the challenges and stood tall in the face of adversity.

Kayak race
FUN TIMES AT FPU: Ravens Find Unique Competition Opportunities in Fall Semester

November 23, 2020

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic preventing intercollegiate competition this fall, the Department of Athletics had to get creative in creating a competitive experience for student-athletes. The result was a weekly competition called the Ravens Cup, which ran throughout the semester.