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Pellegrino Named Derek Canfield Barker Community-Engaged Athletic Award Winner
4/26/2026 8:25:00 AM | Field Hockey
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior Lexi Pellegrino of the Brown field hockey team has been named the Derek Canfield Barker Community-Engaged Athletic Award Winner.
The award is made possible through Richard C. Barker '57, the award is named in memory of his son. The award recognizes one student who has participated in sports at Brown (varsity or club level) and has demonstrated strong commitment to community impact, especially through engagement in the Providence community. This student also will have demonstrated leadership amongst their peers and have built a strong relationship with community members and practitioners.Â
"What distinguished Lexi as a leader was her rare ability to operate in the difficult space between friendship and accountability," Head Coach Britt Broady said. "She navigated that balance with remarkable maturity, modeling empathy while still embracing the honesty required for a high-performing team. Lexi approached difficult conversations with courage and compassion, creating an environment where teammates felt both supported and challenged."
On the field, Pellegrino enjoyed one of the most successful careers in program history after finishing third in program history in goals (35) and fourth in points (78). A two-time NFHCA All-Northeast Region and All-Ivy honoree, the Westwood, Mass. native helped guide the 2025 Bears to their first 10-win season since 2000 and back-to-back Ivy League Tournament appearances.
Pellegrino was named Vice Captain and Culture Captain of the Brown field hockey program –  an uncommon but crucial role responsible for maintaining the emotional heartbeat of the team. In this position, Pellegrino acted as the connective tissue of the program, consistently checking the pulse of the group and ensuring that standards, accountability, and relationships remained strong.
Since arriving at Brown, Pellegrino has consistently encouraged and empowered her peers and teammates to engage with communities at every level – globally, locally, and on campus. Globally, Pellegrino was selected as part of a small cohort of student-athletes who traveled to Panama with Courts for Kids, where she helped build a community sports court while forming meaningful connections with local youth.
In Providence, Pellegrino regularly volunteers at the Rhode Island Food Bank, and, since Spring 2024, has served as a Vartan Gregorian Ambassador, representing Brown's mission of service and civic engagement.
As the SAAC Community Service Chair for the past two years, she has organized and expanded engagement opportunities for Brown student-athletes. She also serves on the board for the Student-Athlete Gay Alliance, helping foster an inclusive and supportive environment across the athletics community.
In addition, Pellegrino serves as a Bruno Cares Teammate, a role that requires specialized training and a meaningful time commitment to promote student-athlete mental health and well-being. Through this work, she actively supports her peers and helps cultivate a culture where seeking help and supporting one another are valued and encouraged.
Additionally, Leah Carey '25, who played softball at Brown, was the first varsity athlete to receive this award in 2024.
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BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
The award is made possible through Richard C. Barker '57, the award is named in memory of his son. The award recognizes one student who has participated in sports at Brown (varsity or club level) and has demonstrated strong commitment to community impact, especially through engagement in the Providence community. This student also will have demonstrated leadership amongst their peers and have built a strong relationship with community members and practitioners.Â
"What distinguished Lexi as a leader was her rare ability to operate in the difficult space between friendship and accountability," Head Coach Britt Broady said. "She navigated that balance with remarkable maturity, modeling empathy while still embracing the honesty required for a high-performing team. Lexi approached difficult conversations with courage and compassion, creating an environment where teammates felt both supported and challenged."
On the field, Pellegrino enjoyed one of the most successful careers in program history after finishing third in program history in goals (35) and fourth in points (78). A two-time NFHCA All-Northeast Region and All-Ivy honoree, the Westwood, Mass. native helped guide the 2025 Bears to their first 10-win season since 2000 and back-to-back Ivy League Tournament appearances.
Pellegrino was named Vice Captain and Culture Captain of the Brown field hockey program –  an uncommon but crucial role responsible for maintaining the emotional heartbeat of the team. In this position, Pellegrino acted as the connective tissue of the program, consistently checking the pulse of the group and ensuring that standards, accountability, and relationships remained strong.
Since arriving at Brown, Pellegrino has consistently encouraged and empowered her peers and teammates to engage with communities at every level – globally, locally, and on campus. Globally, Pellegrino was selected as part of a small cohort of student-athletes who traveled to Panama with Courts for Kids, where she helped build a community sports court while forming meaningful connections with local youth.
In Providence, Pellegrino regularly volunteers at the Rhode Island Food Bank, and, since Spring 2024, has served as a Vartan Gregorian Ambassador, representing Brown's mission of service and civic engagement.
As the SAAC Community Service Chair for the past two years, she has organized and expanded engagement opportunities for Brown student-athletes. She also serves on the board for the Student-Athlete Gay Alliance, helping foster an inclusive and supportive environment across the athletics community.
In addition, Pellegrino serves as a Bruno Cares Teammate, a role that requires specialized training and a meaningful time commitment to promote student-athlete mental health and well-being. Through this work, she actively supports her peers and helps cultivate a culture where seeking help and supporting one another are valued and encouraged.
Additionally, Leah Carey '25, who played softball at Brown, was the first varsity athlete to receive this award in 2024.
Â
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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