By-Tyler Semonich
Tom Waddell is the complete example of a student embodying the Humanics philosophy at Springfield College. Waddell, a graduate in the class of 1959, is simply one of the greatest athletes to come through Alden Street. He excelled in three different varsity sports; track and field, gymnastics, and football. After his career at Springfield, he even went on to place 6th in the Decathlon in the 1968 Olympics.
Although a very accomplished student-athlete in his time at Springfield, Waddell’s legacy went far beyond athletics. After college, he went on to become a doctor specializing in infectious diseases, a paratrooper in the US army, a Sport and Olympic educator, and much more. His legacy is possibly best remembered as the founder of the “Gay Olympics,” later known as the “Gay Games” after the International Olympic Committee sued Waddell’s organization for use of the word Olympics.
On Friday, April 10, his legacy was honored at Springfield College through the 11th annual “Tom Waddell Symposium for Sports and Values.” The message behind this year’s event was that it is “no joke” how athletes need to support each other to build community.
The “no joke” mantra for the event came on the heels of both the men’s and women’s Olympic ice hockey teams winning gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. While celebrating, U.S. President Donald Trump joked on a phone call with the men’s team that they were going to have to invite the women’s team to the White House alongside them, leading to the women’s team declining the invitation amid the controversy.
At the helm of the symposium was Naomi Graves, recently retired head coach of the Pride’s women’s basketball program, and Mike McClendon head coach of the men’s basketball program. The two spoke on how in the last few years specifically, they have pushed their two programs to come together and support each other to not only build community, but to also be viewed as one supportive and connected program.
Amid Graves’ impending retirement, or “graduation,” as she joked at the event, the women’s team will be under new leadership in the 2026-27 season. McClendon hopes that a new coach will be able to carry on the new tradition and bond the men’s and women’s programs have developed.
“Hopefully to have that same thought process,” McClendon said. “To say, ‘hey, we are one program,’ and that’s something me and that coach will work towards, and the players that are here already, they know. So hopefully it can continue from the player’s side. As far as me and the other coach working together, that’s something I’m going to make sure I’m working actively to do, to make sure we’re on the same page, that we’re one program. But I do think any coach that comes in, they’re going to have that understanding through the process when they get hired, knowing like Springfield College is about family, community.”
A pair of sophomores from both the women’s and men’s basketball teams backed their coaches by sharing some of their experiences throughout the last few years of bridging the gap between the two programs. Ruth Boles and Madi Lopez of the women’s program, and Cedric Rodriguez and Hunter Matteson of the men’s team all emphasized the importance of leaving a lasting impact off the court as well. Setting an example for the younger generation through building community was discussed by all four of the players.
At the end of the symposium, one particular student-athlete at Springfield College received the “Leveling the Playing Field Award”. The award is given to someone who not only excels in athletics, but also leaves an impact through their service to the community and others.
The recipient of the 11th annual “Leveling the Playing Field Award”, was none other than junior Hailey Gaydos.
“Being recognized under the name of Tom Waddell means a lot to me. He was such an amazing athlete but more importantly an amazing human for what he did off the field.” said Gaydos in regards to what it means to her to receive the award. “All that I do to try to level the playing field or make the community stronger is truly for the benefit of my teammates and everyone around me.”
Gaydos is a junior in the athletic training program, captain of the field hockey team and a member of the women’s lacrosse team. Off the field, she is one of the leaders in the Student Athlete Leadership Team, known as SALT, on campus. She’s also very involved with Team IMPACT, a charity that pairs children battling life-threatening illness and disabilities with college sports teams. Gaydos has even coordinated a Team IMPACT 5k event, which gained hundreds of participants and raised money for the charity.
Gaydos gives credit to her teammates, coaches, friends and family for helping her grow and for always being there to “pick her up on a bad day.” Through her contributions off the field, often joined and supported by teammates, she believes the positive impact off the field translates to the team’s success on the field.
“My teammates and friends are some of my biggest supporters, I wouldn’t be able to have as big of a presence with certain events or have people by my side if they didn’t support me the way that they do,” Gaydos said. “I think having that strong impact off the field is truly what brings teams closer together.”
In the fall, Gaydos will be entering her senior year, which will also be her first year of graduate school for athletic training. Despite the busy schedule filled with schoolwork and the demands of being a dual-sport student-athlete, she plans to continue to stay heavily involved with SALT and Team IMPACT. Gaydos hopes that throughout her future career she is able to continue to leave a lasting impact.
“After college, ideally I get a job at a school or organization as an athletic trainer that allows me to spread the word of Team IMPACT,” she said.
Gaydos also credits the mindset of doing everything at full capacity and being empathetic to her parents, who instilled that mentality to her from a young age.
“I will always refer back to what my parents taught me to give my 100% at everything, make sure athletes feel heard and seen, and make sure to care for everyone.”
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics