COLONIA, NJ – The East Coast Conference has announced that D'Youville's Jillian Bernas (Cheektowaga, NY) and Mercy's Connor Ruland (Islip, NY) have been awarded the 2025 Bob McCloskey Insurance ECC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarships.
Bob McCloskey Insurance (BMI) provides annual postgraduate scholarships to two former student-athletes from the league’s member institutions. The scholarship intends to promote and encourage academically and athletically accomplished student-athletes to continue their education by attending graduate school.
As part of the selection process, the committee evaluates athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities, and demonstrated leadership.
"On behalf of everyone at Bob McCloskey Insurance, we want to congratulate both Jillian Bernas and Connor Ruland on two great college careers, both on the playing field and in the classroom," said Pete Ginnegar, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bob McCloskey Insurance. "You have truly lived up to the moniker of true 'student-athletes', and we wish you all the best in your future educational endeavors."
“Connor and Jillian exemplify what it means to be an ECC student-athlete when it comes to academic achievement, athletic competition, and positive character traits,” said ECC Commissioner Jessica Grasso. “With the experience and drive that they possess, I am confident that they will be successful in their postgraduate studies and future endeavors. The ECC would also like to thank BMI for their support of the ECC and higher education.”
Jillian Bernas
D'Youville | Senior | Women's Soccer and Lacrosse
Bernas was a four-year member of both the women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse programs as a dual-sport student-athlete at D’Youville. A three-year women’s soccer captain, she appeared in 61 career matches with 34 starts, totaling 18 points on seven goals and four assists in over 2,900 minutes of action in the midfield. Bernas also played 58 games with 39 starts for the lacrosse squad in the spring, notching 81 points on 43 goals and 38 assists out of the Saints’ attack.
“My passion for pediatrics began in high school, where I attended a private Catholic school that helped shape my values,” said Bernas. “Each summer, I helped lead youth soccer camps where kids could play, grow, and build lasting memories. Watching campers return year after year and seeing their development firsthand was inspiring. I also volunteered with the Down Syndrome Parents Group of WNY, helping host events that allowed kids to simply be kids. These experiences opened my eyes to the joy and sincerity of children, fueling my desire to support their growth. This passion deepens during my graduate-level pediatrics courses at D’Youville, where I had the opportunity to observe and interact with children in clinical settings. It was there that I fully connected my passion of working with kids to my passion of physical therapy.”
Bernas graduated from DYU in just three years with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sports Science and a 3.9 GPA, during which she interned with UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy. She is completing her first year in DYU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program with the goal of becoming a travel physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. She was selected to the 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team and was named to the DYU Dean’s List all four years.
"I am incredibly honored to be selected as this year's female recipient of the Bob McCloskey Insurance ECC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarship," said Bernas. "This recognition means a great deal to me and is a reflection of the many people who have supported me along the way. Throughout my time at D'Youville University, I always strived to give it my all, both in the classroom and on the field. I would not have been able to reach this point without the unwavering support of my teammates, coaches, and professors. Their belief in me has been instrumental to my success. This scholarship will support my continued journey toward becoming a Physical Therapist, a career path for which I’m passionate and excited to pursue. I’m proud to represent D’Youville and the ECC, and I look forward to carrying the values I’ve learned here into the next chapter of my life."
Connor Ruland
Mercy | Senior | Baseball
Ruland was a four-year catcher for the Mercy baseball team, playing in 52 games with 28 starts. At the plate, he totaled 32 hits, 21 runs scored, and 14 runs batted in while slugging at a career clip of .376. On the defensive side of the ball, he held the Mavericks down with a .987 fielding percentage, recording 128 putouts and 24 assists with just two errors in four seasons.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Bob McCloskey Insurance Postgraduate Scholarship,” said Ruland. “This support not only lightens the financial burden of my education, but also motivates me to continue striving for excellence both in and out of the classroom. It’s a meaningful reminder that my hard work is recognized and valued, and it will help me stay focused on reaching my academic and career goals.”
Ruland graduated from Mercy last month with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Sports Management (3.92 GPA) and will remain at Mercy to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus on management and leadership. His intended career path is that of an athletic director at the collegiate level.
“Pursuing an MBA will give me the knowledge and tools necessary to manage complex budgets, lead diverse teams, and make strategic decisions in a competitive collegiate sports environment,” added Ruland, who represented the ECC at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum this past fall. “I am very interested in learning how to enhance athletic programs through effective leadership, community engagement, compliance, and long-term planning. I believe an MBA will prepare me to create an inclusive and successful athletic department that prioritizes student-athletes’ well-being, academic achievement, and competitive success.”