STU Tommies Women’s Basketball Team Triumphs On and Off the Court
FREDERICTON, NB – The STU Tommies Women’s Basketball team is heading into the 2025 CCAA National Championship after finalizing playoffs in Saint John not only as a competitive force on the court but also as academic standouts. Demonstrating an exceptional commitment to both athletics and academics, the team achieved an impressive 3.8 average GPA in the first term of the 2024-2025 academic year—the highest among STU Athletics programs.
The Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics edged out the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies in a tightly contested 56-53 victory on March 1, 2025, at the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre, finalizing their season in the ACAA semifinals. Despite the loss, the Tommies now shift their focus to the upcoming nationals, eager to showcase their skills on a bigger stage.
This remarkable academic accomplishment underscores the players dedication and discipline as they balance rigorous training schedules, frequent travel, and demanding coursework. Their success is a testament to the supportive environment cultivated by the coaching staff, professors, and academic support personnel who provide the necessary resources and encouragement for student-athletes to thrive.
"It truly makes me proud, and I feel it says a lot about the girls on this team as people," said Kathleen Quinlan. "It shows that our dedication transpires past just the court. I believe that supporting each other academically comes naturally when we do it every day on the court."
For the Tommies, academics and athletics go hand in hand. The team’s collective commitment to excellence is evident not only in their achievements on the court but also in the classroom. "This is a major accomplishment for our team and means a lot to us," said Katie Vidito. "We all strive for the best in the classroom as well as on the court. This is a true demonstration of the hard work that we all put into our academics, and we are all very proud."
The players academic pursuits are as diverse as their talents on the court, with many excelling in fields such as Psychology, Criminology, and Gerontology. Their shared passion for learning is further strengthened by the close-knit nature of the STU community. "STU is a smaller university, which means that a lot of us are majoring or minoring in the same academic department," Vidito added. "We collaborate and study together to support each other. Because we are all aiming for academic success, we all collectively support and understand everyone’s individual goals."
With their eyes set on the 2025 CCAA National Championship, the Tommies are determined to make a deep run while maintaining their academic momentum. Their ability to set high standards for themselves, both athletically and academically, has been a key to their success. "Setting big goals and holding yourself accountable to meet them is what works best for me," said Quinlan. "I have expectations for myself to meet both athletically and academically, and working towards a bigger picture—rather than just one assignment or game at a time—helps keep things in perspective when times get tough."
Don't miss the action at the 2025 CCAA Women’s Basketball Nationals, hosted by St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB, from March 12-15 at Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.