Pleasantville, N.Y. (November 29, 2022) – Pace University Football alum Louis Botticelli '00, who played linebacker for the Setters from 1997-99, has committed to a $30,000 gift in pure program support back to his alma mater. 
 
Botticelli, a Yonkers, N.Y., native has been an instrumental supporter of Pace Football and the entire Athletics program, since he graduated. Botticelli's mentality of "paying it forward" has shown in his leadership as one of the founding members of Pace Athletics' Alumni Board and his role as a co-founder of the Setters Gridiron Club, two initiatives inspired by his friendships with former teammates, his passion for Pace Football, and his desire to give back.

 

"Playing football at Pace taught me many lessons.  The most impactful of those lessons is that you are part of something bigger than yourself.  In the end, it's about what you have given back and who you have helped that truly matters," remarked Botticelli looking back on his student-athlete experience with the Setters.

Botticelli is a regular attendee of all Pace Athletics' marquee events, including Homecoming, the Alumni and Friends Golf Challenge, Hall of Fame and home football games. He continues to mentor current student-athletes across all sports and remains connected through current head coach Andy Rondeau and Director of Athletics Mark Brown. He is currently Managing Director, Cyber and Professional Liability at Markel Corporation.
 
"I can't say enough good things about Lou Botticelli," said Brown.  "He truly bleeds Blue and Gold and his positive leadership of our football alumni group has been transformational to say the least.  He talks the talk and walks the walk by both supporting our events and by his significant generosity."
 
"Lou has been an integral part of the Pace football alumni base.  I use that word 'base' intentionally because he is foundational," said Rondeau. "Lou was foundational as a Pace Football player in the late 90's and he is equally impactful for Pace Football today.  When football is done successfully, it is done with great effort, selflessness and passion.  This was Lou through his years as a student-athlete and that legacy continues on today through his generous contributions.
 
As we continue to move the needle toward greatness, I reflect back on the strength of the teams of the 1990s. They were led by Lou and many others who shared the philosophy founded on family, giving great effort, selflessness and passion.  Lou has given us a strong reference point from his days as a successful student-athlete and he continues to give us that strong reference point today. He knows he played a critical role as a teammate, and his gift today shows his dedication to help us push Setter football from GOOD to GREAT.  Thank you for your generosity.  Thank you for leading Pace Football in yet another very important way."
 
During his time as a student-athlete he was a preseason All-American and All-Conference selection, serving as team captain his senior year and became president of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity his senior year. Botticelli has a history of facing challenges head on and passing his life lessons to those around him as a constant mentor. For more on Botticelli's story please click here.


To join Lou Botticelli in giving back to Pace University's Football team or any of the Setters' teams click here. Any gift, no matter the size goes directly to helping each of the Setter student-athletes succeed. To learn more about Athletic Alumni initiatives such as the Setters League, the Athletic Alumni Association Board (AAB) or mentoring, please email Kaitlyn Vican (kvican@pace.edu) or Kristin Quinn (kquinn2@pace.edu).




Football alumni at halftime of the September 1, 2022 Alumni Day. Lou Botticelli '00 is center. 


About Pace University Athletics
Pace University Athletics is a member of NCAA Division II, competing within the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10). Pace Athletics sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports, along with cheer and dance teams and a Pep Band. Known as the Setters, Pace's official mascot is known as T-Bone. In 2021-22, Pace student-athletes posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.33. Additionally, a total of 562 Setters were selected to the NE10's Academic Honor Roll  with 69 student-athletes earning Academic Excellence with 4.0 semester GPAs. Twenty two student-athletes earned NE10 President's Award for Academic Excellence, recognizing graduating student-athletes who have attained Magna Cum Laude at their institution, have participated in at least two seasons of NE10 competition and are current student-athletes at the time of graduation.