Torres Family Carries Pioneer Pride Through Athletics

From student-athlete to proud father, Mario Torres ’98 watches his sons build their own Pioneer legacy

Key Highlights

• The Torres family represents a generational legacy of Sacred Heart University Pioneer pride, with Mario Torres ’98 and sons Alex ’27 and Jaxon ’29 all connected to the University as student-athletes
• Sacred Heart’s Division I athletics experience has brought the Torres family together across generations, with Alex competing in football and Jaxon competing in wrestling while pursuing their academic goals
• Sacred Heart supports student-athletes in balancing academics and athletics, providing resources, mentorship, and guidance to help students succeed both in the classroom and in competition
• The Torres family’s Sacred Heart experience extends beyond athletics, creating lifelong friendships, meaningful campus memories, and a lasting connection to the University

Since Sacred Heart University’s founding in 1963, hundreds of student-athletes have proudly represented the University, carrying their Pioneer pride with them both in the classroom and on the field.

The Torres family is no exception. Mario Torres ’98, along with his sons Alex Torres ’27 and Jaxon Torres ’29, are creating a generational legacy at SHU as Division I student-athletes. The family’s Pioneer pride spans both football with Mario and Alex, and wrestling with Jaxon, showcasing a shared commitment to excellence, teamwork, and the Sacred Heart community. Mario majored in criminal justice, Alex is a 4+1 dual degree MBA student currently majoring in sport management entering the program next fall, and Jaxon is majoring in marketing.

“I walked onto campus and immediately had a feeling that this was where I wanted to be,” Mario said.

Mario’s sense of belonging at Sacred Heart extends beyond seeing his sons attend the University. The lifelong connections he formed as a student have continued well beyond graduation, allowing him to return to campus, create new memories, and remain connected to the Sacred Heart community throughout his adult life.

“Sacred Heart welcomed me with open arms, and I am extremely grateful for that. It eased my transition from high school to college,” Alex said.

Balancing athletics and academics was difficult at first for both Alex and Jaxon, but the support that Sacred Heart provided was able to help accomplish their academic goals while keeping up with the athletic demand.

“Practice was in the morning, but my classes were all late at night,” said Jaxon. “Jack Pinho, the assistant athletic director for student athlete support services, helped me with study habits and creating my schedule that supported my academic, athletic, and social-emotional success.”

Mario agrees from the parent perspective that Sacred Heart provides the resources for student athletes to be pros academically as well as athletically.

Although they compete in different sports, attending Sacred Heart together has given Alex and Jaxon more opportunities to spend time with each other.

“I say all the time, ‘Yeah, you can come over. I’m going to do some homework,’ and then as soon as Jaxon shows up, I just close the computer,” Alex said. “But we hang out all the time, both on and off campus. We’ll go get food, watch a basketball or lacrosse game, or just hang out.”

Mario has noticed a lot of changes around campus since he was a student. “From a logistical standpoint, the University has grown exponentially, Seton and Merton Hall were called West and South Hall and the Pitt Center didn’t exist yet,” he said. “I still get that little giddy feeling every time I walk onto campus, whether it’s for a game or a visit. I have friends I graduated with whom I talk to all the time. They ask me, ‘What does the campus look like?’ I tell them, ‘You need to get there. It’s amazing.”

The Torres family agrees that the biggest lesson they have learned through their respective sports is that it’s bigger than any one person. Being part of a team and doing the job teaches the importance of leadership, trust, and accountability. There will be good days and bad, but what matters most is getting back up, learning from each experience, and continuing to move forward.

Photo: From left are Jaxon, Mario, and Alex Torres