NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University Alumni Association recently announced its annual 40 under 40 class, and four former Monarchs student-athletes were featured. Rick Lovato (Football), Katelyn Makovec (Field Hockey), Greg Tomchick (Baseball) and Dr. Anderson Miller (Football) received the honor.
A four-year starter at long snapper from 2011-14, Lovato was an FCS All-American in 2012 and part of the 2012 squad that won a CAA Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. He was the first Monarch football player to play in an NFL regular season and playoff game, when he played for the Green Bay Packers in the 2015 season. He then played in two games for the Washington Commanders and three games for the Philadelphia Eagles and has played for the Eagles ever since. Lovato has appeared in 122 and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII.
Makovec was a two-time first team All-CAA selection and recorded 25 goals and 12 assists in her senior season and earned all-region honors. She was also named team MVP as a senior. She competed in 93 games during her four-year career. Makovec native started 84 games and registered 62 career points. Old Dominion won a total of 60 games during her career and played in three NCAA Tournaments. She is a Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Director for the Health & Physical Education Program at Old Dominion
Miller played on the football team from 2012-15 as a defensive end. He earned his degree in biology and enrolled in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where he graduated first in his class in oral surgery. Anderson returned to Hampton Roads to practice at Downs Dental Care in Virginia Beach where he is now a partner. He is currently the Dentist for the ODU Athletics Department.
Tomchick pitched in 44 career games and started 26 on the mound. He was part of the 2014 club that earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, snapping a 14-year drought. In 2015, he was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week when he allowed just one hit in 6.1 innings of work against Western Kentucky and struck out a career-high nine. He was taken in the 2015 MLB Draft in the 27th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He has worked with more than 250 world-renowned companies including American Airlines, Caterpillar, and Trinity Rail as an award-winning cybersecurity coach. He is now the CEO of Valor Cybersecurity and host of The Connected Mindset Live Show.