Spirited Game Plan

by Kristen Walsh

November 22, 2022

Falcon athletics and its director, Vaughn Williams, thrive on community.

“Our student-athletes have achieved academic excellence, which requires the entire Bentley community to be on board, including non-athletes, faculty and staff,” says Williams, who was first in line welcoming students to Falcon Field Day. “You could be one of the greatest coaches or leaders, but if you’re not connecting to your people, they are not going to be really committed.”

See how he puts that philosophy into action every day.

50 Years of Football drew close to 250 former players

“Fifty years of football, 50 years of men’s soccer and 40 years of women’s volleyball. We want to celebrate milestones for alumni student-athletes so they can come home to Bentley, walk out on the field or court to be honored, and know that their experience meant something. We need to pay tribute to the past; their legacy lives on in these programs.”

Lauding Greek Life

“Greek life is part of the campus energy. They are the juice, and we need to celebrate that.”

No. 1 Fans

“We strive to be ‘the beast of the East,’ a top-of-class Division II program and a force to be reckoned with in Division I hockey. And we will be.”

‘Team 2022’ on the Library Steps

“In 2022 we started a tradition of an orange juice toast and group photo of all student-athlete graduates. They need to hear from us that this is a big accomplishment. I’m already prepping seniors for the ‘Team 2023’ photo.”

Mosaic Coffee Hour

“I want to make sure that everyone in our community knows they matter. We’re a predominantly white campus, and it’s good for students of color to get to know administrators — particularly those who look like them. That’s how you continue to draw connections with students, which is important for me beyond athletics.”

Softball Field Opening

“Facilities are a big piece of recruiting. Every student wants to have the best classrooms and laboratories to be the best student they can be. No different for student-athletes. They need the best facilities to practice their craft for best results.”

‘Dancing with the Waltham Stars’ Fundraiser

“Waltham is the city where our institution resides and it’s important to contribute to the community. We need to keep finding ways to make that statement loud and clear.”

Pub Night

“Getting faculty and staff together to break bread is a way for us to practice what we preach about networking. It’s important to let our colleagues know who we are and what we do.”

Spring Day Headliner

“When Jack Harlow performed at Spring Day, we gave him a Bentley hockey jersey pre-show to help welcome him to campus and to our family. When he wore it on stage it created an instant connection and point of pride for students in the audience.”

Check out Vaughn’s Instagram