A Family Love for Springfield College

By: Damon Markiewicz

For Springfield College alumnus Jeff Yablon ’91 and his wife, Cori, returning to Alden Street to help one of their children move into a residence hall is not new. With two of their four children currently attending Springfield College, the Yablons have made plenty of trips back to campus over the years, each one marking another milestone in their children’s Springfield College journeys.

This week, Jeff and Cori returned to campus once again, this time to help their youngest son, Sidney, Class of 2030, settle into his residence hall and begin his college experience. Sidney joins his older brother, Harry ’26, on campus, making Springfield College an especially meaningful place for the Yablon family.

“Springfield College is awesome, and it’s exciting to have Sid on campus with his brother Harry,” explained Jeff. “Sid is taking part in Pre-Camp at East Campus, and he will love everything about New Student Orientation. He is getting the full Springfield College experience.”

Jeff started the Yablon family tradition of attending Springfield College back in the fall of 1987. Growing up on Long Island, he was a high school wrestling student-athlete who was pointed in the direction of Springfield College by his coach.

“I had a coach named Rocky Gilmore, and he was one of the first people to recommend that I look at Springfield College,” explained Jeff. “I came to Springfield College and wrestled for the legendary Coach Doug Parker ’51, and I ended up majoring in Sports Biology. Springfield College was a great place for me, and it has led me to a great teaching career.”

Jeff has gone on to dedicate more than 30 years of service to the Hauppauge school system on Long Island, New York. He currently leads classes as a high school biology teacher. The foundation for his educational career in teaching biology started at Springfield College, and that affinity for the College has continued on as his kids have grown into young adults.

“Springfield College was a great fit for me because I ended up finding a great major, and enjoyed competing as a student-athlete,” expressed Jeff. “The Sports Biology program set me up for great success, and being a part of the wrestling tradition on campus was awesome.”

In the summer of 2011, Jeff came back to the campus and took part in his 20th reunion weekend with his classmates. He also brought his entire family to Alden Street, including all three of his sons. Even though Jeff didn’t place any added pressure on the youngsters, the idea was planted that Springfield College would be a good fit when they were ready for college.

“Harry, Max, and Sidney all ended up in the reunion photo that we took in Blake Arena in 2011,” explained Jeff. “My daughter Liliana wasn’t born yet, but Harry was around 6 years old, Max was 5, and Sidney was around 3. It’s fun to look back at that photo and now see Harry and Sid both at Springfield as student-athletes.”

Harry earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in May 2026, and he is back on campus as a graduate student. Harry is a proud member of the cross country and track and field teams, earning New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference All-Conference honors in both 2024 and 2025. Sid is a first-year Athletic Training major, set to compete for coach Jason Holder PhD ’17, on the men’s wrestling team this year.

“It’s great to have both Harry and Sid on campus,” explained Jeff. “Harry came by and helped Sid move into his room in International Hall on move-in day. Springfield College has been a great fit for them, both from an academic and athletic side. Our family loves Springfield College, and it always feels like home when we get back.”

For Jeff, seeing his own children become part of the College community brings a special sense of connection between his past and their future. What began with Jeff’s experience as a student has grown into a multigenerational family connection to Alden Street, with each move-in day adding another chapter to the Yablons’ Springfield College story.

As Sidney gets settled and begins his first year, the Yablon family once again finds itself making memories on the same campus that has remained an important part of their family’s life for more than three decades.

“I know we will back on campus for Family Weekend from September 25-26,” explained Jeff. “Springfield College Associate Director for Alumni and Family Relations Maria D’Agostino Crawford ’91, P’24, is a classmate and she has always been great in keeping us connected. Springfield College is a special place for our family, and the chapters keep adding on.”