With leaves changing color and coolness creeping into the air, the Fairfield University field hockey team opened the month of October by hosting Sacred Heart University. While the meeting between these two teams is always spirited, senior Emily Halderson had another reason to be enthusiastic about the 2019 edition of this series.

              On this day, members of Woofgang & Co. were present to support Halderson much in the same way she has supported them over the last three years. Halderson and her friends from the Fairfield-based organization have forged a relationship that is as strong as any bond felt between teammates on an athletic team.  Because like teammates, they work together for a common goal. But while athletes work toward wins on the field, Halderson looks to be part of Woofgang & Co.'s goal to achieve victories in life.

              As stated on its website, Woofgang & Co. is a non-profit organization driven to help young people with disabilities succeed by creating ways to adapt vocational skills to the individual, while providing high-quality pet treats and handcrafted novelty items with passion and purpose.

              "During my sophomore year, I lived in Faber Hall which was the Creative Life residential college at the time," Halderson said. "While on retreat, we completed different activities, one of which was finding a non-profit organization in Fairfield or the surrounding area that we were passionate about, and pitching a fundraiser idea to support that specific cause. The winning group received funding and worked with Creative Life to execute their plan."

              While Halderson's group did not win the funding, the experience only enhanced her passion for the organization. With the help of her mentor Jeanne DiMuzio, the Pennsylvania native was introduced to the Woofgang & Co. team.

              "I fell in love with Woofgang & Co.," Halderson said. "I wanted to take advantage of the resources that I have as a student-athlete at Fairfield University to make a larger impact. With the help of Jeanne DiMuzio and my coach Jackie Kane, I was put into contact with Kelly Maffei and that started my relationship with their organization."

              Co-founders Amy Stern, Kris Burbank and Maffei envisioned a business that would provide meaningful vocational training in their community for transitioned young adults with disabilities and would increase community awareness of the need for local employment options among these individuals. It was the premise that enticed Halderson to become involved with the group.

              "The people that work with this organization are also a large part of what drew me to supporting this cause," Halderson said. "Their passions and their aspirations align with a lot of my values. I have met some of the kindest and most spirited individuals. It has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I will be forever grateful for the time and experiences that Woofgang & Co. has given me."

              Halderson volunteers weekly as a store manager and supervises the members of Woofgang & Co. at their retail store on Post Road in Fairfield. She also runs an annual fundraising event on campus that brings the Fairfield University community together in an effort to support this organization.

              "I decided to host a Bingo Night fundraiser through Fairfield at Night on campus," Halderson said. "With the help of the athletic department, Creative Life, Fairfield at Night, and Woofgang & Co., I was able to successfully make this fundraiser possible."

               In her sophomore year, Halderson's efforts raised $300 for the group. One year later, Halderson was able to spearhead another Bingo Night that brought in more than $1,600. This year's event was cancelled in the spring but she hopes to resurrect the Bingo Night in the spring of 2021. And should she host the event again, she hopes to receive the same support from the University community and her fellow student-athletes.

             "The success of the second year went beyond the financial," Halderson said. "Jim Fitzpatrick (assistant vice president for auxiliary services) continued his unwavering support by allowing the members to eat in the Tully Dining Commons prior to the event which made it even more special for them."

              In addition to the support she received from the University community, Halderson is also quick to express her gratitude to other athletic teams and the student population.

              "I am forever thankful for the support of the other athletic teams and the student body," Halderson said. "I was blown away by their support and willingness to participate in making this event so successful."

             Success seems to follow Halderson around campus whether it be as a student or an athlete. She was a tri-captain along with Danielle Profita and Luzi Persiehl in 2019 as the trio led Fairfield field hockey to its most celebrated season ever. The Stags posted a 19-3 record, earned national rankings in seven weekly polls, won 12 straight games including a home game against American University in the NCAA Championship tournament.

            "I truly believe that the reason that we were so successful in 2019 was because of how close knit our culture was and how much we wanted to be there for each other," Halderson said "We created ambitious yet achievable goals, and worked extremely hard to build a strong foundation of trust and respect. Everyone on our team is different from each other but we accepted those differences and found a balance that sparked success and growth."

             Halderson points to several key moments during the season which seemed to create the winning culture. Beginning with the Stags' 3-2 overtime win against nationally-ranked Boston College on the road through the home NCAA Championship win two months later, Coach Kane and her team never stopped believing that they could meet those ambitious goals.

             But her most personal highlight draws back to that October afternoon when Woofgang & Co. were in the stands and walked out on the field during the introduction of starting lineups. It was a moment that she will always cherish.

              "That day was one of my most favorite memories," Halderson said. "The members brought signs to cheer our team and it was special when they walked out with the members of our team. To see the excitement on their faces and to be able to play for them was an extremely rewarding and eye-opening experience."

               The Stags won that game in thrilling fashion, a 1-0 overtime decision that started the team's school-record 12-game winning streak. The match also started a run during which the Fairfield defense did not allow more than one goal in any of games. Halderson was at the heart of the team's defensive effort, a fact best illustrated by her placement on the 2019 All-Northeast Conference squad.

              "I think the big part of our success last year stemmed from leadership and experience on every line," Halderson said. "We had a captain on every line of the field – Dani on the forward line, Luzi on the midfield line, and me on the defensive line. That helped provide structure and consistency from the beginning of the season. Everyone on the team contributed immensely in different ways."

               The coaching staff also understands how important Halderson's leadership is when it comes to the team's success on the pitch and the cohesiveness outside of practice and games.

             "Emily is a truly leader," Head Coach Jackie Kane said. "She has set a standard that her teammates and coaches admire and try to emulate.  On the field, this translates into a quiet confidence for her own play and those around her.  I am so proud of the leader Emily has become in her service to our team and to others.  The entire team has benefitted from our interaction with the Woofgang & Co crew."

              If there is anyone who knows about contribution and service it would be Emily Halderson. Whether it be on her team, on campus, or in the community, Emily Halderson is always ready to lend a helping hand.