Elms Icons to Retire

Icons Light the Way

Two Blazer Veterans Retire from the Athletic Department

The retirements of Cheryl Condon as Head Softball Coach and Mariann Ingraham as Head Athletic Trainer brought to mind the old adage, “Old soldiers never die. They just fade away.” In contrast, Elms Blazers don’t fade away, they light a fire and keep it burning. That is exactly what Cheryl and Mariann have done as core members of the Department of Athletics. With over 70 years of combined experience at Elms, these two dedicated women have made an indelible mark on not only athletics at Elms but the whole Elms community. Director of Athletics, Mike Theulen, said it best. “They both have an unwavering commitment to Elms students, athletes, and the entire community.” “As members of our athletic department, these two women have the distinction of being here the longest. Their contributions to “Once a Blazer, always a Blazer!” the department are immeasurable. The foundations that they put in place continue to help the department progress as we move forward,” said Theulen. Cheryl Condon started paving her Blazer trail when she first agreed to coach the softball team in 1986. This was the first season for the softball team. Later she also became director of athletics from 1998-2001 and was instrumental in effecting a smooth transition to co-ed athletics. “My main goal was to make the transition to include men’s sports fair and inclusive of everyone,” Cheryl remarked. “It has been such a privilege to coach so many amazing athletes. Making a difference in someone’s life goes both ways,” Cheryl said. “I recruit these athletes and I am with them all through their college years. When I have attended each of the 32 commencement ceremonies for students I have coached, I am filled with such happiness because of their accomplishments.”

Mariann Ingraham couldn’t agree more. “It is incredibly rewarding to see the milestones the athletes achieve.” In 1991, Ingraham became Elms’ athletic trainer. At that time, the college only had seven women’s sports, but this doubled with the introduction of men’s sports. Ingraham accepted this additional demand headon and built the trainer program to respond to the needs of the athletes and the department to assure the health of the students. Theulen remarked, “Mariann has the quiet determination of a leader. She was the college’s first full-time athletic trainer. She was so invested in the success of the department and all the students, she even delayed her retirement and stayed an additional year to make sure that everyone was healthy during COVID. She worked tirelessly with health services to maintain a healthy environment for the students.” Cheryl Condon and Mariann Ingraham are the quintessential Blazers. Through example, they have shown a path for the current and future Blazer culture to follow. "With that in mind, we are creating the Blazer Athletic Club that will allow Blazers past and present to connect with one another in new and exciting ways," said Theulen. These two women have lit a fire and the athletic department will keep it burning. They will not fade away. In fact, both enthusiastically declared that they will continue to attend games to cheer on the teams. Condon remarked with a grin, “Once a Blazer, always a Blazer!”

Cheryl Condon Mariann Ingraham