When the Mercy University field hockey team traveled to New Hampshire for the 2023 Northeast 10 Conference tournament, they were a long shot to knock off second seed St. Anselm.
Yet riding along with them for support was Athletic Director Matt Kilcullen. It was the first time the field hockey team had qualified for the conference playoffs. It was nothing out of the ordinary for him to be there to support, yet it was his birthday. Instead of celebrating with his family at home, he was with his other family – the Mercy University Athletic program.
“Matt has always been present in the stands and on the sidelines,” said Marissa Spinazzola, field hockey head coach and Mercy athletic alumni. “It was a true example of his commitment to his student athletes. His ‘Mav Mentality’ will always stay with us.”
And while his mentality and impact will forever remain in Dobbs Ferry, Kilcullen has decided on a new adventure. In May of 2026, Kilcullen will retire after 12 seasons.
In July 2014, Kilcullen started his career at Mercy University as Director of Athletics.
Eight years later, in 2022, he became the Assistant Vice President of Athletics. Just four short years later, in January of 2026, at the annual spring welcome back meeting he held with his student athletes, he announced his retirement to them.
Throughout his time at Mercy, being known as Mr. K to most, he has gone above and beyond for the athletics program and sports teams. In 2023, he was awarded the D2 Athletic Director of the Year. Though even when notawarded, his passion for what he does is noticed by the athletes and coaches he serves.
Under his leadership, the Mavericks have won 16 ECC Championship titles and 25 NCAA tournament appearances. Most importantly, has shaped athletes into great people, with the Mercy University winning the ECCCommunity Cup in 2025 for gaining the most community service hours. All 10 teams take part in community service throughout Westchester, but also many events on campus.
The announcement of his retirement has truly saddened many, and the impact he has left on students and staff alike is truly admirable. Kilcullen has led by example of the Mav family, making it not just an expectation, but normalcy.
When talking to Mr. K about his retirement, he mentioned that some of his favorite memories are simply interacting with the students, which the students reciprocate. Senior Softball Pitcher Marina Provencio shares, “Every time I see Mr. K around in the hallways, he’s always there to brighten up my day, even if that’s just saying hi or askinghow things are going, he’s always been so kind.”
Mr. K has stressed the term “family” throughout his time at Mercy. Field Hockey Sophomore Lilly Tepper has feltthis connection shown through the athletics department. Lilly reflects on how Mr. K goes beyond the typical roles of anathletic director, complementing his time spent making personal connections with all of his student athletes. From thestart, she says Mr. K has provided a warm welcome. Even further into her time at Mercy, Lilly shares, “He is approachable and supportive, which makes student-athletes feel seen and appreciated.”
Camryn Shea, a field hockey sophomore, is hoping that the future athletic director will share the samecharacteristics that make Mr. K stand out to his student-athletes. Commenting on his outgoingness to share stories or life events with student athletes, truly creating a home away from home. She is going to miss their conversations about family trips or his daughter’s business.
Don’t worry, though, Mr. K is still committed to staying in touch and sharing stories. He wants to stay in touch andwill be around, “email me, call me, and whatever can help in any way, I am going to be a part, always coming back.” This time with more stories and trip details.
Sharing that he is also an Irish citizen, retirement will allow him more travel excitement. Allowing him time to travel and even gain a free train and bus pass in Ireland to “just jump on the train and go.” Or finishing his 50-state bucket list, with just 3 left to go!
Field hockey sophomore Adrianna Taynor also discussed the characteristic she is going to miss most and hopes to see in future athletic directors, like others, “it goes to say his supportive mindset” will be sought out.
Student athletes across several teams shared how, no matter the outcome, Mr. K can be found watching on the field or in the stands. Regardless of win or loss, Mr. K always offers a positive message to the teams. In Taynor’s words,“he supports through thick and thin.” Trusting the student athletes and coaches alike, he will sit back and support the Mercy Mavericks through every battle. Though he is excited to “go to the games and yell at the referees and not be worried about being the athletic director,” because we know where his heart lies.
Acknowledging the bumps in the road, when crediting the growing success of the Mercy University Athletics Department, he shares much appreciation for his colleagues, Dawn Sachs and Bill Sullivan. Since his beginning in 2014, the three have worked together to set Mercy up for successful athletic school years. Giving credit to the two ofthem, “knowing that we are all on the same page.” As well as commenting on his coaches who successively recruit “high character student athletes.”
Some of his favorite memories are not things he has firsthand accomplished but are a result of how his department works under his authority. At the top of the list, Women’s Soccer entered the final four in 2017. He shares how Ashley Price, a senior goalkeeper, who had lost her starting position to a freshman, “came trotting on the field” asthe game went into penalty kicks to end a tie breaker.
The moment he will never forget was when Ashley raised both fists in the air after tipping the final shot out of the goal with the tip of her index finger, sending the women to the Final Four. In such excitement, bending the rules, he opened the gates and let the fan base run on the field to celebrate. He joked about at telling a woman with a dog that it can’t come up on the field, who turned out to be the president’s wife. Reminiscing on the game-winning photo announcement, he mentions how the President, the President’s wife, and of course, the dog surrounded the team!
Ancksu Dixon a senior on women’s soccer, also shared her sadness after word of Mr. K’s retirement. Discussingthe kind impact he has had on her since coming in as a freshman commenting on how he “always approached me with a smile and a fist bump.” No matter who you are, “his interactions with all student athletes always have the same kindnessand respect,” Dixon shared.
Most commonly, student athletes and coaches alike share the importance of how Mr. K. shows up. Whetherleaving his family on his birthday to support athletics in an away game, bouncing between sporting events, or showing up for the community, he shows up and has instilled this in the athletes as well. Dixon acknowledges the impact that this has had on her. “He’s shown how important it is to be supportive and involved for each sport, all year-round. It’s important to show up for others, especially when we’re all working hard during our seasons to compete for Mercy.”
Kilcullen shared that he will not miss his 7 a.m. bike rides before work, but will miss the student-athletes.Reminiscing on his daily interactions, “That’s a big part of what I look forward to every day. You know, who can I make smile? Who can I just recognize? Can I wish good luck? Who do we need to support? Whether it’s academically, personally, or with their sport,” Kilcullen stated.
The biggest takeaway Mr. K wants to leave for his students is networking. That is after all how he landed his job working with the Mavericks. Kilcullen stresses that showing up for others and creating bonds can bring you far, as he has shown through his own actions.
Seeing the growth of the athletics department with academic and athletic success, knowing “we did it the right way,” has allowed Kilcullen to feel at ease with his departure after debating retirement for the last three to four years. Andnow he is ready to go to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Alaska.
Kilcullen does not have a set plan after retirement, but after working in 10 different states, he calls Mercy andNew York home. He plans to keep busy between traveling, spending time with family, and supporting Mercy Athletics. Spending time with his children, traveling to Ireland, and completing his 50-state journey are high on the retirementbucket list. But he is also excited to rekindle friendships, attend reunions, and be a lot more present with family. Especially on birthdays.
