UNION, N.J. (12/23/25) - In honor of Veterans Day during the month of November, the Kean Track & Field/Cross Country programs organized a 24-Hour Vigil Walk/Run. The event took place around the track inside Harwood Arena.
The effort put forth was in support of our nation's veterans and Mission 22 – a program dedicated towards bringing, healing and hope to veterans and their families. The goal, for the duration of the event, was to have someone either run or walk around the track every single hour for 24 hours consecutively. Donations were sent to the Mission 22 foundation by those who participated.
Several members of the Track & Field/Cross Country programs not only participated in the event, but are either active or non-active members of the military, starting with their ever-impressive Head Coach
Danielle Todman.
Coach Todman has over two decades of experience serving in the U.S Air Force. Since 2006, she's a non-commissioned officer in-charge for the Mortuary Affairs and a Honor Guard. A graduate of Bucknell University, Todman is a track athlete in her own right, holding top 10 records in three different events. More recently, she's competed on the national level in the sport of powerlifting, while being a mentor, leader, and best friend, for her athletes.
(U.S. Air Force Master Sgt.
Danielle Todman, 177th Force Support Squadron Services Flight base fitness manager, competes in a powerlifting competition June 9, 2022, in Sun City, South Africa)
When asked on what it meant to know that she has a group of athletes and coaches that want to serve on the greatest of scales, Todman admitted that it gave her a level of internal perspective.
"It's humbling, especially to know that, considering what's going on in the world, my athletes still choose to submit themselves to service, a core value that will call them outside of themselves."
Current members of the program who have enlisted, or are enlisting into the military, include Assistant Coach
Patrick Manturi, senior
Callens Desrameaux, freshman
Ava Blount and freshman
Gavin Hall.
(Coach Todman & two athletes posing for a picture in Harwood Arena)
Todman believes it's a full circle moment knowing that she's leaving a legacy of service to her team at Kean.
"Now I'm passing the baton. I'm 21 years in! To see this 21 years later, it's a full circle moment."
Manturi, who is an active member of the NJ Air National Guard, is another coach that others on the inside the programs can lean on as a source of guidance and leadership. A 2016 graduate from the University of Scranton, Manturi is a highly credited exercise specialist, with an extensive experience in coaching populations that include, but are not limited to, populations of professional sports, collegiate strength, the special population, and military development training.
(
Patrick Manturi posing in his "M1B" branded shirt representing his fitness business)
"My reason for serving is to lead by example and continue the legacy of those that have served before me, says Manturi. Since being in, my reason to continue is to be a good role model for my daughter and to build a career that allows me to accomplish my personal goals and to continuously help others."
Manturi shared what it means that his team was able to participate in such a special event on Veterans Day.
"It means a lot to me personally. Simply showing up to be at the event provides awareness and an environment to reflect on what serving for your country truly means". Their presence is felt and there is always strength in numbers so having a good turnout makes me proud to see the team come together and unify since our team has so many veteran ties between coaches and athletes."
When asked about the mental makeup required to serve in the military, Manturi alluded to a combination of several important traits.
"It's a combination of strength, discipline, growth, and compartmentalizing. Being able to put one foot in front of the other, no matter what obstacles are in front of you. To keep showing up for yourself and for others, while having the ability to organize thoughts and tasks to stay calm when things get hectic. That will ultimately lead to success."
Desrameaux, who was an infantry sergeant deployed to Syria in 2024, shared how his experience in the military impacted him as an athlete on the track team.
"As an infantry sergeant who was deployed to Syria in 2024, I have acquired the highest level of discipline, resiliency, and mental toughness. My training and competing while fulfilling leadership responsibilities, have taught me how to manage fatigue, remain collected under pressure, and perform when it counts. These experiences carry over to the track, particularly in events where confidence and concentration are crucial."
When asked what it's like competing for Coach Todman, Callens didn't shy away from acknowledging how Todman's experience in the Air Force plays into her coaching style.
"Competing for Coach Todman adds an additional level of incentive. She applies the same military responsibilities, including structure, accountability, and attention to detail to her coaching style. Athletes are pushed to give their best because of her leadership, which promotes trust and high standards. Every time I get onto the track, I am motivated to compete with discipline, pride, and a service mindset thanks to coach."
(Coach Todman coaching an athlete during a track and field competition)
Once Callens returned from service, Coach Todman noticed a stark change in her star athlete.
"He came back not only dynamically focused, but a dynamic man and a dynamic leader in how he supports the team. The evolution from his freshman year until now, along with his military service, it's almost like two different people. It really impacts a lot of things around the team."
The results have shown that Coach Todman has gotten her athletes to perform at some of their highest levels, since she took over the program.
After Todman was hired in 2022 to coach the Cougars Cross Country teams, she successfully re-instated the outdoor track and field programs for the first time since 2010. In 2024, during her first inaugural season, Todman helped the men and women's teams record top 10 finishes at both the NJAC and ECAC championships.
During the 2025 ECAC Championships, the women's track team broke five school records in the modern era.
A winning culture is brewing within the Track & Field / Cross Country programs and with
Danielle Todman at the helm, the sky is the limit, and service is the standard.
