New Haven, Conn. – Albertus Magnus College is pleased to announce that it has received a $400,000 gift commitment to support its NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey program. The gift, the largest individual contribution for athletic programming in the almost 100-year College's history, comes from Francene and Joseph Forgione of New Vernon, New Jersey, parents of Albertus Men's Ice Hockey alumnus Michael Forgione '23.
"I am extremely grateful for the generous support of the Forgione family, which is a testament to their belief in the College's men's ice hockey program and their son Michael's experience at Albertus," said Albertus President Marc M. Camille, Ed.D. "Michael was one of the founding players for Head Coach Kyle Wallack's program, and in addition to quickly becoming a very competitive program, what gives me equal pride is the team's outstanding academic performance and service initiatives. The Forgiones' investment in the program will help position men's ice hockey at Albertus for even greater success moving forward."
"I'm humbled and grateful for this gift from Francene and Joe Forgione. The support they have given to our program during Michael's years and now for the future is second to none. Michael was one of our first recruits and a contributing member of our inaugural men's hockey class, and he graduated on time, cum laude with a BS in Entrepreneurship. The Forgione family treats our men's hockey program as part of their own family, and this gift will have great positive impact," said Coach Wallack, who was named DIII Men's Ice Hockey Independent Schools Coach of the Year last season and was a finalist for the American Hockey Coaches Association National Coach of the Year the last two seasons.
Francene Forgione commented, "Our son Michael had an outstanding experience playing for Coach Wallack as a founding member of the men's hockey program, and now he's graduated, ready to put his Albertus degree to work. We're happy to continue our support of Coach Wallack's program and excited about its continued upward trajectory."
The Forgione Family's generous donation is just the latest development in a string of significant ice hockey news at Albertus Magnus College. Now in its fourth season, Albertus' Men's Hockey Program appeared for the first time in the Top 15 national NCAA DIII rankings, and earlier this month, the College's new NCAA DIII Women's Ice Hockey team was launched, making it the College's 17th intercollegiate sport. Last December it was announced that both the Men's and Women's Falcons Ice Hockey programs will be joining the prestigious New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) effective with their 2024-2025 seasons.
