UNIVERSITY LIGGETT SCHOOL \ ATHLETICS
\ ATHLETICS
Spring Sports
Boys' Golf
Boys’ golf, unlike the rest of our no-cut athletic program, is only able to accept 12 members based on try-out results. In 2019 the boys finished as State Runner Up and won a team State Championship in 1982. The team finished third in the Catholic High School League in 2022, qualifying for the state the state tournament where they finished third out of 121 teams.
Baseball
Liggett’s baseball team is a perennial state power, most recently winning the State Championship in 2021. It is the only team in state history to qualify for four consecutive State Championship games (2011-2014). Additionally, it is the only baseball team in state history to win back-to-back State Championships while moving up a Division (from D4 in 2013 to D3 in 2014).
Recent Championships:
Baseball District Champions: 2021, 2023, 2024
Baseball Regional Champions: 2021, 2023, 2024
Baseball State Champion Runner-Up: 2023
Baseball State Champions: 2021
Jay Ricci '94
baseball@uls.net
Softball
Recent softball player graduates are continuing their softball careers at colleges and universities, including Kalamazoo College, Boston College, Wayne State, Sienna Heights, and Wellesley College. The team won the District Championship in 2022.
Recent Championships:
Softball District Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024
Psauntia Andrews
softball@uls.net
Track And Field
The track and field team culture is motivational, encouraging and inspirational. Led by a coach who is a former teacher and athletic director, the objective — beyond performing well and winning meets — is to ensure that students understand how sports translate to their career aspirations and environment. In 2021 the girls’ track team finished as Regional Runner-Up and qualified three athletes for the State Championship. Two school records were broken in 2021: Giorgio Malkoun in the discus and Olivia Thomas in the 100 meters. The boys' track and field team finished fourth out of 13 teams in the region in 2022, with four athletes qualifying for the state meet. Jake Juip '24 won the wheelchair 100 and 200 meters at the State Championship, which was officially added as an event in 2022. The girls' team was the regional runner-up in 2022, with three athletes qualifying for the state meet.
Jermaine Calloway
trackandfield@uls.net
Girls’ Soccer
University Liggett School's girls soccer program is committed to cultivating a passion for the sport while promoting athletic excellence and personal development. With a focus on skill-building, teamwork, and strategic play, the program supports players of all levels, from beginner to varsity. Experienced coaches emphasize not only technical proficiency but also leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship, creating a positive and inclusive environment. The program aims to prepare athletes for competitive play while fostering a lifelong love for soccer and the values of dedication and collaboration. Girls’ soccer has won two State Championships in program History; most recently in 2016.
Coach bio: David Dwaihy has been a University Liggett School boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer coach since 2002. Dwaihy initially worked as an assistant coach under Michigan High School Athletic Association hall-of-fame coach David Backhurst for many years before taking over head coaching duties in 2009. Dwaihy is also an Upper School math teacher at University Liggett School and co-owner and director of soccer operations of Detroit City FC. Dwaihy also played soccer while at Kalamazoo College, an NCAA Division III school, earning All-Region and Academic All-American honors as a junior and senior. In 2020, Head Coach David Dwaihy was named one of 100 Regional Coaches of the Year in the USA by the Positive Coaching Alliance.
David Dwaihy
soccer@uls.net
Boys’ Lacrosse
The Liggett lacrosse program competes in the Catholic League, Division II. Liggett has a rich lacrosse history, posting winning seasons year after year with a large number of players earning All-League and All-State honors, many of who go on to play in college. The players are taught fundamentals, strategy and teamwork and to honor the game. Playing together as a team is valued above all else, and this is fostered by a positive experience for the players both on and off of the field. Liggett won the regular season Catholic League Championship in 2018 and was the Catholic League runner-up in 2021.
Coach bio: Mike Costanzo began his coaching career in 1998 at his alma mater Sewickley Academy, helping the team to a Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse League runner-up finish and a Western Pennsylvania championship. After that, he moved to Northern California to coach at College Prep School and later Berkeley High School, where he coached the team to the 2003 California State Championship, with a runner-up finish in 2004. Coach Costanzo moved on to Memphis, Tennessee to coach at Lausanne Collegiate School, taking a 1-8 team and turning them into state championship contenders for 3 straight seasons. After a 5 year stint at Lausanne, Coach Costanzo moved to Taipei, Taiwan as an athletic director and helped start lacrosse in Taiwan on an international level. Since his arrival at Liggett, the Knights have won 10 or more games in 3 of his 5 seasons and he has compiled a record of 50-28. Coach Costanzo’s record as a head coach is 157-115, and he has been coaching lacrosse in several capacities for 23 years. He also serves as a coach for the youth programs for 313 Lacrosse and the Cherries. Coach Costanzo played at Kenyon College and is one of the all-time leading scorers for the Lords.
Mike Costanzo
boyslacrosse@uls.net
Girls' Lacrosse
University Liggett School's girls lacrosse program boasts a strong tradition of success, highlighted by their 2019 Catholic League Championship and recognition as Regional Runner Up. The program fosters a competitive yet supportive environment, focusing on skill development and teamwork for players of all levels. With dedicated coaching and personalized training, athletes are well-prepared for high-level competition. They practice and compete on a state-of-the-art girls’ field hockey and lacrosse field, emphasizing leadership and sportsmanship while instilling values that extend beyond the sport.
Amanda Amine
girlslacrosse@uls.net
Girls’ Tennis
The girls’ tennis program has 21 State Championships in school history along with dozens of individual State Champions. The girls' tennis team finished as MHSAA Regional Runner-Up in 2022, qualifying for the State Championship as a team.
Jeff Collins
girlstennis@uls.net