The Alumni Network at Work On January 31, Rochester police officer Tony DiPonzio ’06 was leaving a call when a shot rang out and he was struck in the back of the head by a bullet from a .22 caliber pistol. A team of his fellow officers immediately rushed DiPonzio to Rochester General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. DiPonzio’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. When Kaleidoscope went to print, DiPonzio was walking and talking, able to leave the hospital for periodic visits with family, attend fund raisers in his honor, and even throw out the first pitch at the Rochester Red Wings home opener. Bill Sachman ’07, a graduate assistant in student life at the College, is one of DiPonzio’s best friends. When his friend went down, Bill and so many others stepped up to assist in any way possible. In addition to visiting his friend at the hospital, Sachman wanted to do something else for DiPonzio, who is a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. Sachman reached out to colleague Warren Kozireski ’82, the General Manager of 89.1, The Point (WBSU), the College’s radio station, who also moonlights as an official scorer for the Red Wings. Sachman asked “Koz”
Rochester police officer Tony DiPonzio ’06
if he had any connections with the Red Sox. Kozireski contacted Chuck Hinkel, the Director of Media Relations for the Red Wings, who made a call to the Red Sox. After hearing the story of DiPonzio, the Red Sox responded by sending an autographed Jason Varitek jersey, an autographed Kevin Youkilis ball and dirt from the pitcher’s mound at Fenway Park. “Tony has given so much to the Rochester community and I felt he deserved something in return for all his hard work and service,” said Sachman. “He loves the Boston Red Sox and I am thankful that they were able to come through with these mementos for Tony. He truly is a
great public servant and friend.” Sachman also was part of the team that planned a dinner at The Stoneyard Bar & Grill in Brockport that raised more than $3,000 for his friend. The dinner was organized by the Department of Recreational Services, with Scott Haines ’99, director, and Jenn Berrigan, student supervisor for group exercise in Recreational Services, taking the lead, along with Jeremy Babcock and the staff in the Office of Residential Life/Learning Communities. Tickets were sold to 356 people for dinner. Seventeen people from campus, plus the staff and owners at the Stoneyard, donated their time and services to make the evening a success. “It’s great to see The College at Brockport and the Brockport community as a whole come together in support of our alumni,” said Haines. “This event was a huge success thanks to The College at Brockport volunteers, the Stoneyard staff, and Jimmy ‘Z’ (another local business owner).” DiPonzio continues to make progress in his recovery. For more information on how you can help, contact Sachman at wsachman@ brockport.edu.
Join your fellow alumni and friends for this year’s celebration, September 24-27. Included in this year’s activities are the annual Brockport Alumni Association Recognition Dinner (in conjunction with a Lobster Bake at the President’s home), the 25th anniversary of the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame, tree plantings, the parade, a golf tournament, multiple reunions, sports, arts events, a fun run and much more.) Visit www.brockport.edu/alumni for more details or contact us at alumni@brockport.edu.
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