Archive Posts
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In the News: Minnesota Star Tribune Names Phil Esten Sportsperson of the Year
AthleticsPhil Esten, vice president and director of athletics at the University of St. Thomas, has been named the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Sportsperson of the Year in recognition of his leadership during the university’s transition to Division I athletics and its growing impact on the state’s sports landscape. From the article:The Gophers opened their new on-campus…
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Sights and Sounds: Tommie Volleyball Celebrates Summit League Championship Win
University NewsFresh off winning their first Division I conference championship after their 3-1 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Tommie Volleyball received a joyous welcome from the University of St. Thomas community and their families. Tommie Volleyball is the first St. Thomas program to earn a Division I bid to the NCAA Tournament. As they arrived back on campus, Ellie Gustafson ’27 was the first to deboard the bus, holding high the trophy emblazoned with… -
Leadership and Grit: A Tale of Two Defensive Backs
AthleticsWhen Branden Smith thinks back to the lessons he learned playing football at the University of St. Thomas, the fifth-year cornerback recalls a series of injuries that caused him to miss playing time. “Injuries hurt — not just physically but mentally,” he said. “But they teach you to be better than you were before. You… -
Sights and Sounds: Lee & Penny Anderson Arena Opens With Inaugural Games
AthleticsNathan Pilling ’29, a forward on the University of St. Thomas Men’s Hockey team, dashes down the ice with the puck and is isolated with the opposing goalie. He slaps the puck and scores the goal. The buzzer goes off as fans, from students, family, staff and alumni, jump and roar with excitement inside the… -
In the News: University of St. Thomas Opens Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
AthleticsThe University of St. Thomas officially opened the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena on its St. Paul, Minnesota, campus on Oct. 24. The opening attracted coverage from numerous media outlets. From the Minnesota Star Tribune: ... This arena is a threat to the Gophers and other hockey programs in the state that ended up with… -
St. Thomas Athletics Director Joins NCCA Division I Football Championship Committee
AthleticsThe University of St. Thomas Vice President and Director of Athletics Phil Esten has accepted an appointment to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee. Esten will serve on the committee for the next four football seasons (2025-2028), representing St. Thomas and the Pioneer Football League (PFL). “It is an honor to represent both St.… -
St. Thomas Basketball to Host Army in Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
AthleticsThe University of St. Thomas men's and women's basketball programs will open their 2025-26 home schedule on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. St. Thomas will play host to Army West Point, the alma mater of philanthropist Lee Anderson, whose name is on the arena. This will be the first-ever… -
History in the Making: St. Thomas Instated as Full D-I Member
University NewsThe University of St. Thomas is officially a full Division I institution, the NCAA announced late Monday afternoon. Following a vote by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, St. Thomas has officially completed its reclassification process, making the university a full member of the NCAA and the only NCAA member to be reclassified directly… -
St. Thomas Celebrates $25.5 Million Gift to Benefit the Liberal Arts and Athletics
Philanthropy in ActionA major gift is set to help advance interdisciplinary and intercultural education – as well as the future of athletics – at Minnesota’s largest private university and newest NCAA Division I program. The University of St. Thomas announced the anonymous $25.5 million gift on May 14 at a campuswide celebration. More than half of the… -
New Arena at St. Thomas Will Welcome First Fans With Fall Hockey
AthleticsAfter nearly a year of construction and years of planning, the University of St. Thomas is set to open the highly anticipated Lee & Penny Anderson Arena this fall. The state-of-the-art facility will welcome fans for the first time on Friday, Oct. 24, when the Tommie men's and women's hockey teams face off against the…