SPORTS

Basketball Star Reflects on Reaching 1,000 Points and 1,000 Rebounds

BY PETE JANNY ’22

FOR COURTNEY WARLEY ’21, ’22 (MBA), THE PATH TO STARDOM AT MANHATTAN COLLEGE was never in doubt. The move to the Bronx from her home in West Chester, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, and her belief in the Jaspers’ basketball program were major components of her plan for success when she first arrived at the College. Warley’s choice to return for a fifth year was a gift that kept on giving for Manhattan fans. Having reached 1,000 points during a November game against Stetson, Warley’s next triumph was reaching the 1,000th rebound mark against Marist on Jan. 8 at home in Draddy Gymnasium.

Entering the game eight boards shy of the magic number, Warley accomplished the feat with 3:24 left in the Jaspers’ convincing 7245 win over the Red Foxes. After Warley pulled down the clinching board, Head Coach Heather Vulin (affectionately known as Coach V) called a timeout to let the fifth-year center and her teammates soak in all the emotions of the unforgettable moment. The entire team gathered around Warley to celebrate her becoming the second player in program history to attain membership in both the 1,000 point and 1,000 rebound clubs.

“We’ve had 22 people in our program history get 1,000 points, but only two people get 1,000 rebounds,” Vulin says about the rare achievement. “I just wanted to make sure she could have that moment to celebrate with her teammates.”

Warley has reflected on the magnitude of that moment, as well. She notes that rewriting the record books with the support of her family, teammates and coaches makes her success all the more rewarding.

“I take it as a blessing to get the extra year, and my family, as well, just to see me play basketball for another year is a treat for them,” she says. “To hug my teammates and Coach V means the world to me. They’re the reason why I play so hard, and why I try to do as much as I can.”

Warley’s basketball story is rooted in her family’s tradition of playing the sport. The Warley family name is well-established in the Philadelphia hoops scene. Her father, Carlin, and uncle, Jason, were members of the St. Joseph University men’s basketball teams of the early ’90s. From 1991 to 1995, Carlin Warley amassed 1,480 points and 1,138 rebounds in 114 games played for the Hawks. The two brothers followed in the footsteps of their father, Ben Warley, who starred at Tennessee State in the late ’50s and was a teammate of Wilt Chamberlain’s on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Her mother, Cherie, also enjoyed a successful basketball career, playing at the Division III level for Philadelphia University, now known as Jefferson University. Fittingly, she too reached the 1,000-rebound milestone, foreshadowing the type of player Warley would one day become.

With just minutes left in the home game against Marist in January, fifth-year center Courtney Warley ’21, ’22 (MBA) reaches 1,000 rebounds, after having reached 1,000 points in November. The entire team gathers around Warley (in the middle) in celebration during a called timeout, as she becomes just the second player in program history to join both illustrious point and rebound clubs. The Jaspers also defeated the Red Foxes, 72-45.

“My dad was a great scorer, and my mom was a little more of an IQ player,” she says. “I think I’m a mix of both of them out on the court.”

Warley is not alone in her quest to perpetuate the family legacy. Her sister, Morgan, plays at Division II West Chester University in Pennsylvania, close to where the family lives. Meanwhile, Jalen Warley, son of Jason, is a freshman on the Florida State men’s basketball team.

“Sports are a way to connect with people, so that’s something that our family takes to heart,” Warley says.

Carlin Warley was in Draddy to see his daughter make history. Before the game, he told himself not to get too emotional. But, he says, how things unfolded was almost too good to be true, and he was overwhelmed by the support of her coaches and teammates.

“How Coach V and those coaches and those kids cheered for her was the most emotional part for me,” he recalls.

According to Warley’s father, there was no doubt about where she would play her final season. After completing four seasons at

(From left to right) Earlier in the season, Warley gets ready to make her move against Army at Draddy Gymnasium in November. She blocks a shot at the MAAC semifinal game against Quinnipiac in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on March 11. Warley helped to lead the Jaspers to the MAAC Championship Game for the first time since 2003.

Manhattan, she was convinced that no other opportunity would replicate what the College offered.

“One good thing from COVID was that she could stay at Manhattan and get her master’s and play another year under Coach V,” he says. Warley received her bachelor’s degree in management and finance last year and will finish her MBA in May.

While Warley has an abiding love for Philadelphia and has many fond memories of the city, New York has become a second home to her and comes with its own flair for playing the game.

“I think playing in this system for five years, I’ve gotten pretty used to it,” Warley says about adjusting to the New York playing style. “Because my family is from Philly,” she says, “it’s been kind of nice to go somewhere else and start something for myself with my new family in New York.”

Chris “Smooth” Williams ’93 has been friends with the Warley brothers dating back to their younger days together in Philadelphia. As a basketball commentator, Williams has had a front-row seat to Warley’s blossoming into the player she is today. He compares Warley to the famed NBA Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, saying she’s a “consummate pro” and gets better every season.

“I think the one thing that strikes me the most is that she’s become more vocal and aggressive,” Williams says. “She’s one of those players who doesn’t need to score to dictate the game.”

Williams can’t overstate Warley’s will to win.

“When you think of Philly ballplayers, you think of an all-around player, a player who does a little bit of everything, doesn’t have to be flashy, wants to win, plays to win, not afraid and not intimidated,” he continues. “All those things you see in Courtney, she comes out and gives you a great effort and does what she needs to do to help this Jasper team win.”

Warley has compiled quite the résumé on the court, earning spots on each of the three All-MAAC Teams, highlighted by her appearance on the All-MAAC First Team for the 2019-2020 season. In doing so, Warley became the eighth player in program history to be named to the conference’s first team. Even before that, Warley cemented her legacy during her sophomore season in 2018-19, when she took home MAAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and became the second player in program history to do so.

Warley helped the Jaspers finish this season with a 21-11 record, including a 14-6 mark in conference play. She averaged 11.2 points and 10.5 rebounds — the latter of which ranks her 25th nationally. She helped to lead the Jaspers to the MAAC Championship Game for the first time since 2003. Manhattan fell to top-seeded Fairfield 7368 in the title game after beating Canisius in the quarterfinals and Quinnipiac in the semifinals.

“I think that in the end we came together, and fought just as hard,” Warley says. “I tried to play for the girls that graduated last year because they helped build this program with me and the coaches to what it is today. I have complete respect for Coach V, assistant coaches, all the players, administration, all of Manhattan College. They are amazing. They have invested a lot in me and a lot into this program. I thank them very much.”

Warley finished her playing career at Manhattan 11 rebounds behind Rosalee Mason ’04 (1,217) for the all-time lead in program history. Beyond that, she boasts top-10 marks in blocks and steals for her career with 162 and 243, respectively. Her 1,295 career points rank 10th in the program annals.

Warley took every moment in stride while enjoying the journey, and took family, friends and legions of Jasper fans along for a thrilling ride.

SPORTSSHORTS

Dee Dee Davis ’23

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MAKES MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2003

The Jaspers beat 11th-seeded Canisius and second-seeded Quinnipiac to reach the MAAC Championship for the first time since 2003. Manhattan topped Canisius 61-49 in the quarterfinals behind a balanced attack that featured four players scoring in double figures. The Jaspers were led by 22 points by Brazil Harvey-Carr ’23 in the 7259 win over Quinnipiac in the semifinals. In the championship game, Manhattan went ahead 31-26 at halftime before falling to top-seeded Fairfield 73-68. Dee Dee Davis ’23 scored 35 points (a new career high) in the final and averaged 24.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists per game in Atlantic City. Davis and Courtney Warley ’21, ’22 (MBA) were named to the All-Championship Team. The run to the championship game earned Manhattan 21 wins on the season, the program’s most since 2010-11.

MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD WINS METROPOLITAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The men’s track and field team won the 2022 Metropolitan Championships with 111 points to clip Fordham by six. Manhattan recorded three wins and six other top-three finishes to help secure the team title. Marc Carrera ’22 won the mile, David Lozipone ’22 took first in the 3,000 meters, and R.J. Decker ’22 took top honors in the weight throw. Carrera clocked a time of 4:16.67 to win by 1.1 seconds. The senior also led three Jaspers inside the top five of the 800 meters to score 15 points. Lozipone’s time of 8:25.78 to win the 3,000 meters was fast enough to hit the IC4A standard. The Massapequa Park, New York, native was one of two Jaspers on the podium to add 16 points to the Manhattan score. Decker also hit an IC4A mark on Friday. The sophomore recorded an 18.52 meter effort to win the weight throw by exactly one meter.

HARWOOD NAMED WOMEN’S SOCCER SENIOR CLASS AWARD FINALIST

Sydney Harwood ’21, ’22 (M.S.) was selected as one of 10 NCAA women’s soccer finalists for the prestigious 2021 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. Harwood was an integral member of the Jaspers defense and a leader on the field, having been named a three-time captain. During her career, she amassed six goals, two assists and played in 64 games, starting in 62. Her talents extend beyond the field, as well. She graduated summa cum laude with a mechanical engineering degree and a 3.90 GPA. Harwood is a member of Epsilon Sigma Pi, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, Pi Mu Epsilon, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Mechanical Engineering Women’s Group. She is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace at Manhattan and will graduate this spring.

Sydney Harwood ’21, ’22 (M.S.)

SOFTBALL WINS 2021 MAAC TITLE, MAKES 2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT

The 2021 softball team, which was seeded sixth, beat the No. 2 seed Canisius, 6-3, to win the program’s first MAAC Title since 1999. Manhattan won a best-of-three series against No. 3 seed Iona in the quarterfinals before beating Fairfield 2-0, Marist 2-1 in nine innings, and Canisius 6-3 in Buffalo, New York, to claim the title. Nicole Williams ’21 threw three complete games in Buffalo to earn Most Outstanding Player honors. Victoria Alonso ’21, Marika Deemer ’23, Emma Kindblom ’21 and Annie Moore ’22 also earned All-Championship Team honors. The Jaspers earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, where they were placed in the Fayetteville Regional at Arkansas and played No. 6 Arkansas and Stanford.

STUDENT-ATHLETES GRADUATED AT A 98% SUCCESS RATE

Manhattan College’s department of Intercollegiate Athletics posted a 98% Graduation Success Rate (GSR), according to the NCAA, which was tops among all Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schools. The 98% graduation rate, charted in the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate Report, is seven percent higher than the NCAA Division I national average for the four-class aggregate of entering classes from 2011 through 2014. The MAAC’s 95% score is equivalent to last year’s data, and is tied for third among all 32 Division I conferences. Eleven different Manhattan College teams achieved a 100% graduation success rate: baseball, women’s basketball, women’s cross-country and track and field, men’s golf, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, men’s swimming and diving, women’s swimming and diving and volleyball. The NCAA GSR report gives graduation information for student-athletes who entered college in 2014, the most recent class for which the required six years of information is available. It also breaks down the GSR by sport, using a four-year class average (2011-2014) called a cohort rate to provide a big enough sample.

JASPERS MAKE THE MAAC ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL

A conference-record 2,963 student-athletes were named to the 2020-21 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Academic Honor Roll, on which 223 Manhattan studentathletes earned spots to help drive the record-breaking total upward. Since the 2006-07 season, the total number of student-athletes named to the MAAC Academic Honor Roll has increased every year. To be eligible for the MAAC Academic Honor Roll, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All 23 conference-sponsored sports are represented.

FUNFACTS

1,000 Warren Williams ’22 and Dee Dee Davis ’23, of men’s and women’s basketball, respectively, passed 1,000 career points at the MAAC Championships in March.

2Women’s basketball players Courtney Warley ’21,’22 (MBA) and Dee Dee Davis ’23 became the first Jaspers to earn First Team All-MAAC honors in the same season.

58 Across men’s and women’s basketball, indoor track and field, and swimming, 58 Jaspers made their respective sport’s MAAC All-Academic Team.

4Alexandra Preckajlo ’22 was a four-time MAAC Field Athlete of the Week during the 2021-22 indoor track and field season.

6R.J. Decker ’24 won the weight throw six times during the 202122 indoor track and field season.

3.30 Men’s and women’s cross-country teams earned Team All-Academic Awards from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Both teams posted GPAs higher than 3.30.

32

Goals scored by women’s lacrosse player Grace Lipponer ’22 last season, as she earned Second Team All-MAAC and CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.

1.9

Seconds remaining when men’s basketball senior Jose Perez ’22 hit a floater to beat Iona, 74-72, in the regularseason finale inside a packed Draddy Gymnasium.

9.36 The save percentage posted by men’s lacrosse goalie Brendan Krebs ’21, ’22 (MBA) on his way to earning MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors for 2021.

98 The number of saves recorded this season by women’s soccer goalie Kim Mains ’22, which led the MAAC. Mains was also tied for third in the MAAC in shutouts, with four.