Law Senior Signs Letter of Intent with Fairfield University

Jonathan Law High School senior, Caitlin Stapleton, has signed a Letter of Intent with Fairfield University to play volleyball on their team next year.

“I thank Coach (Mike) Brienza for all he’s done, and I thank Fairfield University for giving me this opportunity,” Caitlin said at the Parsons Government Center, where she signed Wednesday.

“Thanks to my family for supporting and encouraging me,” she added.

At 6-foot-1, Caitlin has the stature to be a strong volleyball player, but, when she started playing for Brienza, who coaches the Connecticut Juniors National Travel Club,  in 2008, he says, “she was a tall lanky kid” who was “quick on her feet.” Now, he says, “Just to see her grow as an athlete has been remarkable.”

Jonathan Law Athletic Director Frank Luysterborghs called Caitlin “one of the top athletes I’ve worked with in my thirteen years at Law.” Along with her athletic abilities, he said she is a “tremendous person to be around.

"I’m going to miss you,” he said, looking at her."

Caitlin  previously attended Mathewson Elementary School and Harborside Middle School. An honor-roll student, Caitlin started her volleyball career in her sophomore year at Law. At the time, she had played soccer, basketball and track, but when she was given the opportunity to play volleyball there was no question that that was her sport.

The National Letter of Intent is managed by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). When a student signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) the athlete agrees to attend the college or university for one academic year.

The college agrees to provide financial aid for one academic year for the student/athlete provided he or she is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. By signing the NLI, the student is protected from further recruiting calls and is assured of an athletic scholarship for one full academic year.

Caitlin was encouraged to try out for the Connecticut Juniors National Travel Club, where she has been coached by Brienza for three years. With the club team, Caitlin competed in the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Nationals in Orlando Florida in 2010. She has also been a member of the Connecticut All State Team and named New Haven Register Athlete of the week in 2010 and Connecticut Post Athlete is of the week in 2009, among other honors.

In 2009-2010, she broke the all-time high school career record for blocks (as a junior) and the all-time high school season record for most blocks. Caitlin is coached by Stacy Loch at Jonathan Law.

Caitlin’s parents, Dr. Mark Stapleton and Kim Stapleton, and her 13-year-old brother, Kevin Stapleton, were on hand to witness the signing as was Milford Superintendent of Schools Dr. Elizabeth Feser.

Mark Stapleton, a psychologist and chairman of the Milford Board of Education,  said, “I couldn’t be more proud. Caitlin worked very, very hard to achieve this. She gave it a lot of time and energy, and she gained tremendous experience with some of the top players in the country. She deserves this time in the spotlight."

Kim Stapleton, a head hunter, reiterated her husband’s thoughts, saying, “I am extremely proud of Caitlin.”

Caitlin will spend the summer training and working on conditioning. She reports to school during the first week of August, after which she will start traveling with the team.

Caitlin said she had not considered any other colleges. Fairfield is a family tradition. It's the alma mater of her father and grandfather.