Quinnten Hatfield, a 2025 graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, was named the 2024-25 United East Conference Male Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year on June 12, marking a historic first for the Seahawks in the conference. Selected from a pool of 10 male senior scholar-athletes, Hatfield’s recognition celebrates his exceptional athletic and academic achievements as a defensive midfielder for the men’s lacrosse team. This accolade places him among an elite group of St. Mary’s athletes, making him the first Seahawk to earn this honor since 2014.
Hatfield, hailing from Bel Air, Maryland, and a C. Milton Wright High School alumnus, concluded his four-year career with a remarkable record. A three-time Honorable Mention United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-American in 2023, 2024, and 2025, he also secured All-United East honors three times, earning First Team selections in 2023 and 2025 and a Second Team nod in 2024. As a team captain in his senior year, he helped lead St. Mary’s to four United East tournament championships, three regular-season titles, and three appearances in the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament.
“We have one award that we give annually as a program and it is the Charlie Mike award, which is given to the person on the team that best exemplifies completing our program’s mission; be great in everything you do, so that we can win our day. Q was this year’s recipient, and I think this Scholar-Athlete Award is just another example of how he attacks every aspect of his life,” said Head Coach Jason Childs, who has led the team for 10 years.
On the field, the 6-foot-4 short-stick defensive midfielder was a force. In the 2025 season, Hatfield ranked sixth in the United East with 18 caused turnovers, third-best on the team, and fifth with 34 ground balls. He contributed four goals and three assists, showcasing his versatility. Over his career, he amassed 153 ground balls, 57 caused turnovers, 22 goals, and 10 assists, cementing his role as a defensive anchor and offensive contributor. His efforts helped St. Mary’s secure a third consecutive United East Tournament Championship in 2024, with senior captain Johnny McGrain earning Tournament MVP honors, as reported by the college’s athletics website.
Off the field, Hatfield’s academic prowess was equally impressive. Graduating with a 3.982 cumulative GPA, he double-majored in physics and computer science with a mathematics minor. He earned Dean’s List honors every semester, requiring a minimum 3.50 GPA on at least 12 credit hours. Hatfield was a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national collegiate student-athlete honor society, and Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics and astronomy honor society. He received the United East Scholar-Athlete award in 2021 and 2022 and was named to the United East Winter/Spring All-Academic Team in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, he claimed the United East Elite 20 Award in 2023 and 2024 and was selected for the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Teams in both years. In 2023, he received the Physics Department Service Award and served as a physics teaching assistant during the 2023-24 academic year.
Hatfield’s commitment extended beyond academics and athletics. He was an active member of the St. Mary’s College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, participating in community events like trick-or-treat activities and Special Olympics Field Day. “Quinnten genuinely lives his life in a way that he is competing against himself every day to be the best version he can be,” Childs said. “It is very inspiring, contagious, and daunting at times as someone who tries to keep up with him. He has meant so much to so many teammates, coaches, alums, and parents of players, and we have been sincerely blessed to have him around here for the last four years! I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are very proud to have called him our Captain!”
This award marks the fifth time a St. Mary’s male athlete has been named Scholar-Athlete of the Year, following Sean Keehan (1994, men’s basketball), Sam Burum (2011, men’s basketball), Peter Windsor (2012, men’s lacrosse), and Andrew Gear (2014, men’s tennis), all honored by the Capital Athletic Conference. Hatfield’s selection as the first United East recipient underscores his trailblazing impact, as announced by the conference and shared on X by @smcseahawks and @GoUnitedEast.
Hatfield’s journey reflects the balance of athletic excellence and academic rigor. His 2025 season performance, including a team-high 18 caused turnovers, helped St. Mary’s maintain their dominance in the United East. The team’s 2024 season, highlighted by a 24-goal outburst against Bridgewater (Va.) and a first-round NCAA Tournament win over Farmingdale State, showcased their offensive and defensive depth, with Hatfield’s contributions noted in game recaps. A 2023 loss to No. 18 Denison University, where Hatfield scored a goal, demonstrated his ability to compete against top-tier programs, as reported by The Southern Maryland Chronicle.
The United East Conference, which St. Mary’s joined after competing in the Capital Athletic Conference, recognizes scholar-athletes for their combined athletic and academic achievements. Hatfield’s selection from 10 candidates highlights his standout profile among peers. His academic honors, including the Elite 20 Award for the highest GPA among championship participants, reflect his dedication to excellence, as noted in a 2023 conference announcement.
St. Mary’s lacrosse program has a storied history, with 10 winning seasons under Childs and consistent postseason appearances. The team’s 2025 roster, featuring returning players and new recruits, aims to build on Hatfield’s legacy, as outlined on the athletics website. The program’s success, including three straight United East titles, has elevated its profile in NCAA Division III, with Hatfield’s leadership as a captain pivotal to their achievements.
Hatfield’s recognition comes as St. Mary’s prepares for the 2026 season, with the schedule already set for competitive matchups at JLR Stadium. His contributions, both on and off the field, have left an indelible mark on the program, inspiring teammates and future Seahawks. As Childs noted, Hatfield’s relentless pursuit of excellence sets a standard for others to follow, ensuring his legacy endures in St. Mary’s lacrosse history.
