Induction intro presented by Catherine Beldotti Donlan, Former Tufts teammate, 1990 Tufts graduate and Hall of Fame Selction Committee member
 
"Our next inductee is one of the most accomplished multi-sport student-athletes in Tufts history, excelling in both lacrosse and field hockey. Melissa (Lowe) Edwards—known affectionately by her teammates as “MLowe”—had a career that was nothing short of extraordinary. On the lacrosse field, she was a relentless offensive threat; in field hockey, a formidable and fearless defender. Her impact was felt across both programs, and during an era when Tufts did not yet participate in NCAA tournaments, she helped the Jumbos capture a combined four ECAC championships during her four years.

Melissa was a three-time All-American in lacrosse, with a staggering average of over six points per game across her career. She finished with a then-school-record 256 career points, including 176 goals and 80 assists—and all of those numbers still rank among the top in program history. In 1989 alone, Melissa scored a record-setting 57 goals, and in 1990, she scored seven goals in a game three different times. And her dominance wasn’t limited to the stat sheet—she was the player every opponent planned around but rarely stopped. As one teammate put it, "She was a force of nature."

Melissa’s shot was powerful and precise, so much so that Tufts goalie Sheryl Bergstein once said that practices—when she had to face Melissa’s blistering shots—were tougher than the games. Some of those practices left bruises.

As a first-year in 1987, Melissa helped lead the lacrosse team to an ECAC title with just one loss. The next two seasons, the Jumbos went undefeated, compiling back-to-back 13-0 records in 1988 and 1989 and setting a then NCAA-record of 35 consecutive wins. Her contributions helped carry on and elevate the tradition of success built by the championship teams of the mid-1980s, one of which – the 1985 team -- was inducted into this Hall of Fame in 2019.

In field hockey, Melissa brought the same tenacity to the defensive end. She was a cornerstone of the 1989 squad that captured the ECAC title. Her athleticism, physical strength, and ability to win one-on-one battles made her a defensive powerhouse—her clearances and hits were powerful, and her presence undeniable.

But just as impressive as her performance on the field was her character off it. Melissa’s teammates recall her not only for her elite athleticism but for her infectious smile, her ability to keep things light, and her knack for making practices and games fun. She led with intensity, but always with joy—a balance that made her a beloved teammate and a natural leader.

In recognition of her excellence in multiple sports and in the classroom, Melissa received Tufts’ prestigious Rudolph J. Fobert Award as a senior in 1990.

Melissa graduated from Tufts in 1990 and went on to earn her M.B.A. from Columbia University. She has built a very successful career in marketing and currently serves as the Skin Care Marketing Director for High Ridge Brands in Connecticut.

And a fun fact – Melissa’s induction tonight carries on a family legacy. Melissa’s father, John Lowe, was a member of the legendary 1950 Tufts baseball team that played in the College World Series in Omaha, and he and his teammates were inducted as part of our inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2017.

Following in her father’s footsteps, it is our great pleasure to welcome the second member of the Lowe family into the Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame.  Melissa (Lowe) Edwards, please join us on stage."