Fairfield Mirror 6/16/2015 (Orientation Issue)

Around Town

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Opinion

Vine

What will you miss over the summer, and how can you make your schedule work?

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Find out where you can go from campus for food, entertainment, etc.

Learn the most exciting Fairfield athletes to look out for in the fall.

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THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Freshmen Orientation 2015

Vol. 41 Iss. 1

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Campus changes occurring here at Fairfield

By Britta Gunneson Assistant News Editor

Stag Spirit Shop

Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror

Britta Gunneson/The Mirror

The Barone Campus Center Bookstore is expanding to include a convenience store known as “Stags on the Run”.

Similar to a 7-eleven, the new store will give students greater access to basic necessities such as paper towels, fast snacks and beauty items without the need to go downtown. The addition is expected to open at the end of the summer with hours ranging from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and more limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus Ministry

Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror

The Leslie C. Quick Recreation Complex (top left and bottom) and the Stag Spirit Shop (top right) are currently undergoing changes for the following school year and years to come.

This fall, students will see a new face around the campus chapel. Rev. Mark Scalese, S.J. is assuming the position of director of campus ministry as Rev. George E Collins, S.J. left Fairfield in the spring to take

on the position as president of Cheverus High School in Portland, Maine. Scalese is looking forward to making campus ministry more recognizable on campus through events and partnerships with other student organizations on campus.

Previously, Scalese served as an associate professor at Fairfield in the film, television and media arts department on campus, and has been a part of Fairfield’s community for over 10 years.

Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex Come Fall 2016, Fairfield students will be able to experience the renovated RecPlex that will house weightlifting and cardio equipment, multipurpose rooms and an indoor track. The hope is to create a more accessible and flexible environment for all students workout needs.

During the time of renovation, the RecPlex will be closed and athletic equipment for students will be housed in Alumni Hall.

Fairfield ranked ninth best Roman Catholic college

By Catherine Veschi News Editor In May, USA Today released a list of the best Roman Catholic colleges, an annual documentation of the most prestigious Catholic colleges in the nation.

This year, Fairfield University earned the No. 9 rank on the list.

Other well-known Catholic universities such as the University of Notre Dame, the College of the Holy Cross and Boston College were ranked one, two and four, respectively, on the list. Loyola University Maryland and Fordham University received the 11th and 21st ranks, respectively.

In the article, Fairfield is described as a school that “focuses on social justice and encourages students to develop both intellectually and spiritually during their time at Fairfield.”

Fairfield took to Twitter to show their excitement and appreciation for securing a spot in the top 10 list of Roman Catholic colleges.

1. University of Notre Dame 2. College of the Holy Cross 3. Georgetown University 4. Boston College 5. Villanova University 6. Santa Clara University 7. Providence College 8. College of Saint Benedict 9. Fairfield University 10. Gonzaga University Creative Commons/Stagophile

News

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THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

Stags’ guide for what to do on campus Once the semester begins, you’ll find yourself Monday through Friday occupied by class, homework, club meetings and little free time to relax. However, the weekends at Fairfield are a perfect opportunity to socialize and enjoy all that our campus has to offer. Fortunately, Fairfield is home to several events and traditions that make one’s college experience memorable, and they all take place in your new backyard.

Photos by The Mirror or contributed by FUSA

Southside Café Where? – Faber Hall When? – Saturday nights throughout the semester from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

What? – This common space is converted into a cozy and chill café, featuring Yogibo chairs and antique furniture. At Southside, students can hang out and talk with their friends, play board games and enjoy some of the special activities offered that night like live musical performances or comedy routines. Students may also order food from the Late Night menu for a low cost. If students don’t want to make the hike to Faber, they can contact a campus shuttle for a ride.

Fairfield Flicks Where? – Gonzaga Auditorium When? – Friday nights throughout the semester from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

What? – Fairfield @ Night screens newly released films for students in an atmosphere closely resembling a movie theater. Students are also provided with popcorn, candy and beverages for their movie watching.

Contributed by FUSA

Juniors Rachel Lawlor, Katie Henderson, Aileen O’Brien and Sarah Rybacki took a picture with President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. at the President’s Ball.

President’s Ball

Where? – Bellarmine lawn When? – Early October What? – The President’s Ball colloquially referred to as Prez Ball is the University’s biggest dance of the year. What makes this dance so special? When students and their friends arrive, they’ll have the opportunity for a photograph with none other than Father Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., the president of Fairfield. The dance is semi-formal in attire and is usually themed; examples of past themes have been James Bond and the Great Gatsby. Students can also snack on the small finger foods provided at the dance.

Late Night at Barone

Where? – Barone Campus Center Main Dining Room When? – The first Friday of every month from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

What? – Late Night provides an opportunity for students to take part in fun activities with friends such as a mechanical bull and inflatable Twister, as well as enjoy snack food. Each month’s Late Night @ Barone has a different theme. If you come early enough to this event, usually there are giveaways such as T-shirts, baseball caps or blankets.

FUSA Fall Concert Where? – Barone Campus Center Green When? – Fall semester What? – Every year the Fairfield University Student Association hosts a live musician to provide students with entertainment to break up the monotony caused by consistent studying. Last year’s Fall Concert welcomed country band Love and Theft, and the year before, Bassjackers made an appearance as the opening act for the Bingo Players. In the past, the Fall Concert has been an enjoyable experience for all grade levels and with the location change last year from Alumni Hall to outside, students have been able to enjoy the nice weather and scenery of Fairfield in early fall.

Open Visions Forums Where? – Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts When? – Once a month throughout the semester What? – These forums are an opportunity for Fairfield to introduce keynote speakers to the University for guest lectures. Some notable keynote speakers in the past have been Jenna Bush Hager, Alexandra Pelosi and New York Times writer Frank Bruni. These events are free to students and open to the public.

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THE MIRROR | Freshman Orientation 2015

News

News: In the United States

By Catherine Veschi News Editor

Contribute to The Mirror Add a line to your résumé.

Apply your writing skills.

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Get published.

Mondays at 7 p.m.

Brainstorm, pitch stories and talk to editors.

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Critiques from the

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adviser Dr. Xie.

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1. Barnet, Vt. – On June 9, James Lowe was able to escape from jury duty by showing up at the courthouse in a prisoner costume: a black and white striped jumpsuit with a matching beanie.

5. Dutch Harbor, Alaska – Dennis C. Thompson, 28, has been charged for intentionally driving his pickup truck into a group of bald eagles feeding on a roadway, killing two of them.

2. Tulsa, Okla. – A 38-year-old pregnant mother of 12 is due in court for child neglect charges after authorities found her children in a trash-strewn home with collapsing ceilings and no running water.

6. Bridgeport, Conn. – At least two gunmen opened fire around 1 a.m. on a group of people in the parking lot of the Trumbull Gardens affordable housing complex. One man is dead and eight are injured.

3. Springfield, Ohio – According to Ohio authorities, a pickup truck driven by a 71-year-old ran off the road, fatally striking and eventually killing 13-year-old Tyree King in his yard.

7. San Diego, Calif. – Daniel Roberto Flores, the hairdresser who slashed a straight razor across customer Timothy Vaughn’s throat twice, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

4. Texas – U.S. Army veteran James Rogers, 72, and his shih tzu were found dead after an electronic malfunction caused the pair to become trapped inside his sports car. Police believe a battery cable came loose and locked the doors and disabled the horn.

8. Florida – Florida police officer Antonio Torres fatally shot at 46-year-old Fritz Severe, a homeless black man who was carrying a pipe at a park in front of dozens of children attending a summer camp. According to Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes, the officers were responding to a call of “violent disturbance” at the park.

News: In Connecticut 1. A Guilford woman was told by a lifeguard that her four-year-old daughter could not wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket to a local beach. The town ordinance prohibits any form of flotation assistance in swimming areas protected by on-duty lifeguards. Guilford is now reconsidering the ordinance to permit Coast Guard-approved flotation devices.

2. The New York Post reports that Heidi Klum has inquired about Tavern Island in Norwalk, Conn.

The island, which includes a mansion totalling over 6,000 square feet, is on sale for reportedly $11 million. Klum is a former Victoria’s Secret Angel and currently appears on the television shows “America’s Got Talent” and “Project Runway.”

3. The new minor league baseball team the Hartford Yard Goats announced that their new stadium will be the Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The Yard Goats franchise is an East coast affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

4. A man in Stamford called 911 to report that he and his wife were too scared of their cat to enter their home. According to the man, the cat was overly aggressive, and the couple had been stuck outside for over three hours. When police arrived, it was revealed that the cat had given birth to kittens the previous day.

9. Madison, Wis. – Firas Yasin, 36, of Tinley Park and Eyad Abdel-Jalil, 38, of Orland Park were charged with attacking a 21-year-old employee on Sunday after accusing him of theft at their Cricket Wireless store.

10. Lowell, Mass. – A 31-year-old man, apparently distraught over a failing relationship, released chemical gas in his apartment, killing himself and injuring 11 others.

THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977

Patrick Kiernan, Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon, Executive Editor Angela Sammarone, Managing Editor Editors Catherine Veschi, News Britta Gunneson, Assistant News Ariana Puzzo, Opinion Andrew DaRosa, Vine Juliana Sansonetti, Assistant Vine Allison White, Coffee Break Jesse Erickson, Sports Alfredo Torres, Assistant Sports Nicole Funaro, Chief Copy Editor Gabriela Piatek, Assistant Copy Editor Online Michael Genovese, Web Master Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Christopher Lapone, Director of Finance Albert Rosica, Director of Advertising Christopher Murphy, Circulation Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

Jenner reveals new identity

THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

Opinion

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Editor

By Renee Nouri Contributing Writer Between Laverne Cox gracing the cover of TIME magazine and Ireland legalizing gay marriage, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights has arguably dominated the media spotlight within the past year. In regard to this community, what has been talked about most recently is the transformation of Caitlyn Jenner. I believe that because of Jenner’s role in the transgender community, she can help stop the discrimination of transgender people and help to give this growing group of people the respect that they deserve.

Caitlyn Jenner was formerly Bruce Jenner, the U.S. Olympic gold medalist. A majority of the youth population knows Jenner as the father of Kylie and Kendall Jenner, and the stepfather of Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian.

For someone like Jenner, the way she announced her transition has received a lot of media attention primarily because of her celebrity. I am happy that Jenner has been accepted by both her family and most of society. I applaud her to courageously come out and dictate her own happiness. Caitlyn, who adopted her new identity at age 65, demonstrates to people that it is never too late in their life to be who they always wanted to be.

Jenner has been in the spotlight before after winning the Olympic gold medal in Montreal, setting a new world record for the decathlon in 1976. She represented a universal icon for strength, determination and greatness. Her face was posted everywhere, most notably on the Wheaties cereal box. Post-Montreal, Jenner became a motivational speaker that many closely followed in admiration of her success.

Now in 2015, Jenner is still a universal representation of those qualities except now instead of being on the box of Wheaties, she is gracing the cover of Vanity Fair. Jenner clearly demonstrates a unique amount of leadership that has always served as a motivation to many. For that reason, she is the perfect candidate to invoke change and the proper awareness needed to promote gender acceptance. She should be rewarded for using the influ-

Editorial Board #Stags19

Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon Executive Editor Angela Sammarone Managing Editor

Creative Commons/Didym

ence that she knows she has in order to serve as a figure of acceptance in a community that often has been rejected.

According to the National LGBTQ Task Force, an organization that promotes civil rights for the LGBT community, it has been reported that transgender people are twice as likely to be unemployed and four times more likely to live in poverty compared to the general population. Jenner’s publicity and fame can aid in drawing attention to the obstacles that the transgender community has to face daily.

It can be argued that because Jenner has lived a life of fame and economic wealth that she cannot truly represent the people who face these forms of discrimination including healthcare, jobs, promotions and even forms of physical violence. However, Jenner is creating what is the new norm in society. If society can accept Jenner, then they may be more likely to accept the next transgender person that they encounter. There have been apparent strides in our society that stemmed from Jenner’s new identity, and we will all be seeing or hearing the celebration of her new identity at next month’s televised ESPYs, as she will receive

Freshmen year is undoubtedly the most important year of your college career decision-wise. Whether it be choosing a major, a club to join or friends to hang out with, you will be bombarded with choices that define your college career.

However, the pro to making a decision early is that you will have a full four years to make a difference on campus. For example, none of us on the editorial board began working on The Mirror our freshman year, yet one year later, we became completely immersed and sought to make The Mirror the best it could be. Now, as the school newspaper’s top editors, we’d like to reflect on our freshmen year with you, the class of 2019.

Hello, I’m Pat, and I’m the editorin-chief. As a freshmen, I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do at college.

I declared a communication major for the sake of having a major. I really had no idea what I wanted to do with a degree in that field. When the Activities Fair came around, and I signed up for a few clubs to give myself some options. The Mirror was one of them, but

I never got around to it between all the other clubs I joined. By the end of the year, I had way too much on my plate, and knew that being so overwhelmed wouldn’t help me find my niche at college.

So, my sophomore year, I decided to write for The Mirror, and that was the one thing I stuck to for the entirety of the year. After spending time as a writer and sports editor, I have risen to The Mirror’s top spot, and couldn’t be happier here. With that said, my advice is to not overwhelm yourself. Pick the one thing you have a passion for, and hone your craft in it. That will make your college career worthwhile.

Hey Stags! I’m Angela, the managing editor for The Mirror. I remember coming to Fairfield and only wanting to write for the paper. I had been the editor-in-chief of my high school paper for two years, and was ready to experience the world of a weekly publication.

But when I went to the Activities Fair that first month of school, I couldn’t believe the number of other clubs and activities available for me to try. I was overwhelmed by my choices

ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

Jenner is helping our society and older generations realize that the choice of gender reassignment is an acceptable change to those who are struggling with the happiness of their identity.

She is breaking the notion that all must follow assigned gender roles. For that achievement, she should be defined as the new hero of our time.

Jenner is shining light on the transgender community as a group of deserving people who should be entitled to the same opportunities to achieve optimal happiness as any other person.

On Fairfield’s campus, we share this same initiative and hope to create a welcoming environment for our students. If you are or somebody you know wants to talk about their feelings regarding sexual orientation or identity, do not hesitate to reach out to a counselor in the Counseling and Psychological Services Center on campus. Or, consider joining Alliance, Fairfield’s student-run organization that aims to encourage awareness and acceptance among the LGBT and Fairfield community. Alliance meets Mondays at 8 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center.

and was excited by the thought of trying something new. I volunteered with preschool-age children in Bridgeport, joined intramural softball (which I learned I am not great at) and even submitted a piece to the Inkwell. I don’t regret trying new activities my freshman year, but I do regret not pursuing what had been for me a four-year passion. Given my rigorous course load, I chose not to write for The Mirror but copy edit, which was a new experience for me.

Learning AP style proved to be a challenge, but so much fun in the end.

From an assistant copy editor I worked my way up to be one of The Mirror’s top editors. I’ve not only added remarkable lines to my resume, but I’ve made close friends on this staff that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. If you’re hesitant to join The Mirror, my best advice would be to just knock on our door and talk to one of us on staff. Experience for yourself the rewards there are to being part of a community on campus.

Welcome and hello to the Class of 2019. My name is Meaghan and I am the executive editor here at The Mirror. I

entered Fairfield with a double major in finance and English, but I was nervous beyond belief about succeeding in class and making friends. Freshman year at the Activities Fair, I signed up for a few clubs, among them was The Mirror. I went to the first meeting, but I regret to say that I did not actually participate in the newspaper that year. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to have joined the paper sooner so I would have had more time to spend with the great people I now call my friends (and fellow editors). Other things I would tell my past self would be to be confident and stay true to myself, don’t trust everyone you meet in the first couple months or try to be friends with everybody, try new things and have fun.

Remember that it’s OK to be unsure and nervous about entering college, but everyone around you is in the same boat. Be yourself, join a club of your interest and have fun. And, if you’re an aspiring writer of any kind, please feel free to join The Mirror. I’ll see you all at the Activities Fair this fall but until then, have a wonderful summer.

The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers: Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by email to info@fairfieldmirror.com or Box AA. All letters to the editor that are appropriate will be published either in print or online. The Mirror reserves the right to edit letters and articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks and should contain correct and factual information not exceeding 500 words.

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THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

Suffering from Stag summer sadness

By Ariana Puzzo Opinion Editor Constantly being around my friends and going to their rooms when I want to hang out is easily the best part of college. If I am ever lonely, chances are that there is someone in one of the dorms or in the lounge that is as well. Despite the relief that I felt upon returning home for the summer after finishing finals week, creating memories with my friends around campus is what I will miss the most about Fairfield.

Everyone should utilize their time at school when their friends are surrounding them. Not being around friends constantly can be extremely limiting and beyond frustrating when having to coordinate with different schedules back home. Being home is also difficult because during the last week of school, my friends and I grew closer than ever. We mutually stressed over finals and would spend hours at a time together reviewing or having tea and snacks at night. My friends from high school live in towns that are at least 30-45 minutes away.

Coming home and having to plan middle-ground checkpoints to meet up is a rude awakening after being only two doors down from one of my closest friends.

Certainly the end-of-the-year stress allowed me to take for granted certain aspects of life at school that I do not have at home. However, these little moments with friends allow me to consider my last few weeks of school well-spent. These moments taught me that the most simple activities can be fun as long as you are with friends.

Beyond drinking tea and hav-

ing snacks during, my friends and I in the last few weeks of school began to go behind Canisius and Donnarumma Halls to the faculty parking lot to sit on the curb and just smile and wave to passing cars. I recommend trying to do this at least once while at Fairfield. It may seem silly and embarrassing at first, but nothing is better than the wide smile that people get on their faces. Doing this with my friends made me realize how powerful a random smile and friendly gesture can be since seeing people being friendly just for the sake of it has become a novelty.

I also miss spending time in the Main Dining Room of the Barone Campus Center with my friends. You have not had the true Barone experience until you and your friends have all hit rock bottom where everyone at the table has waffles for dinner because none of the entrees look all that appetizing. Listening and singing along to “our songs” and sitting in the booth that we dubbed ours in Barone are memories that I cherish and cannot wait to continue when we return to campus in September.

Even when I am glad to get off of campus and return home for the summer, Fairfield will always hold a certain fondness in my heart. Whether it is the breathtaking way that the trees transform at the beginning of every season or the hilarious moments experienced while in Barone, all of it becomes inconsequential. Being home made me realize more than ever that these moments are nothing without experiencing them all with my best friends because they are some of the most important people to me.

Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror

May the schedule be with you

By Meaghan Conlon Executive Editor Creating your college schedule is equally the most dreaded and anticipated experience for freshmen. If you’re lucky, a good schedule can allow for a four-day weekend that can be spent in typical college fashion, if you catch my meaning. Or, if you’re not a morning person, you can try and organize all of your classes to start after 12:15 so that there is plenty of time to sleep in. The ideal college schedule is one that you will spend your four years here perfecting and trying to obtain. You’d best get a jump on it now.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the perfect college schedule is a myth designed to give hope to the underclassmen come registration. There are too many factors, including upperclassmen filling spots and seat capacity, that affect the actual execution of the ideal schedule. Not to mention that Fairfield’s Core and specific major requirements tend to muck up those late-morning or long-weekend plans.

You, the class of 2019, will be registering at this Orientation. While you may be tempted to just throw any class you can get into a sequence that will allow for plenty of free time and late mornings, I would caution against it. I know that it’s very early to be pulling the “plan for the future” card, but speaking from personal experience, I wish someone would have urged me to consider that at my own Orientation. It’s never too early; you’d rather have taken the time to sort everything out instead of scrambling and stressing fall semester of your senior year.

For those of you who are entering with a declared major, look at the Core requirements for that particular school and try to register for some of those classes in addition to those of Fairfield’s Core. If you are coming to Fairfield undeclared, then register for some of the general electives that you will need in

order to graduate. My advice would be to complete the religion requirements first; this is not always a subject one can take when abroad. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take religion and philosophy classes earlier rather than later because by the time you are a sophomore, you will have declared your major and you will want to focus on your major classes instead of these more work-intensive types core requirement.

I touched upon study abroad briefly and while I know that you’re only freshmen, if you are considering this opportunity at all, I would advise you not to complete all of your Core as soon as possible. As many classes pertaining to majors are not accepted at foreign universities, I would save Core classes for time spent overseas. Taking your visual and performing art credits abroad would be a much more rewarding and interesting experience. Imagine studying Giotto in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance or taking archaeology in Ireland like me, where we learned about the development and different types of castles. We even went on a field class and explored a few different ruins in the surrounding area, such as the castle at Clonmacnoise. Trust me: Getting out and actually seeing the art and buildings itself is more fun than simply looking at it on a PowerPoint slide.

You will not be meeting your academic advisors this Orientation, so I would suggest meeting and talking to your advisor when the school year begins. I will be honest and admit I did not do this; my advisor was not as helpful to me as she could have been. As my advisor was in the Dolan School of Business, she was knowledgeable about what I needed to complete to fulfill my business requirements, but was unable to help me plan out my schedule for my double major in English. This left me to have to take initiative on my own of my schedule. While some of you may not be faced with such a dilemma as mine, my point still stands: get to know your advisor. They are a resource of knowledge about classes and can point you in the right direction if you

are ever having problems. You can also change your advisor if you switch majors or if you happen to grow close with another professor who you would prefer to go to for guidance.

When scheduling, also be mindful of classes that can count in more than one area. If you plan to take on a minor, some of the those classes that count towards your minor requirement can also count for your Core. For example, if you are a women, gender and sexuality studies minor, you can take a 200-level history course as part of your Core that is WGS-focused to also count for your minor. Look online at the course catalog for classes that can fulfill multiple requirements, especially if you are a double major or pursuing a minor.

Now that you’ve thought about all of the logistics of what classes to take, it all comes down to timing. Having just graduated high school, you’re probably imagining that waking up and going to an 8 a.m. class isn’t that difficult at all. But it’s so much tougher than it sounds. The same goes for turbos, which are classes that meet once a week for two and half hours. While some of you may be used to block scheduling, sitting in a classroom for that length a time for only once a week can be challenging; you have to perfect your time management skills and balance the amount a reading that must be done for the week. I personally like turbos, and taking one or two a semester for me isn’t a problem. But I would cap my turbo at two a semester and personally evaluate if this type of class is right for you.

I know that this is a lot of information to take in and it may seem overwhelming, but I hope you take this as constructive advice for your futures. As you excel here at Fairfield over these next four years, you may not always have the ideal schedule.

However, doing what you can to graduate on time is what really matters. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from professors, good luck in all you do and for those of you that have a four day weekend — enjoy.

The Vine

THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

The Vine

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arts, entertainment, features Editor Andrew DaRosa vine@fairfieldmirror.com

Artwork by John Rego

The Vine

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THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

Fairfield & Beyond: The guide to what's what outside campus

By Andrew DaRosa Vine Editor

S CTPost/Creative Commons

If food is your forte, Downtown Fairfield has no shortage of restaurants. Colony Pizza is a must for those who crave a superior wood-fired pie. If you're looking for a formal night out with your significant other, you will never go wrong with the Old Post Tavern or Centro, both of which are conveniently across the street from one another on Post Road. Budgets are tough as a college student but with restaurants like Archie Moore’s (the wings are a must), the Firehouse Deli or Señor Salsa, you will be assured to get the most bang for your buck.

Tumblr/Creative Commons

Sometimes the Townhouses can get monotonous after endless weeks of partying but have no fear, Fairfield has a solid nightlife culture suited for anyone. Sky Hookah Lounge is a popular location for those looking to just kick back and relax with friends. Las Vetas is a break from the norm with its superior coffee and late night music. For those who associate with LGBT community, the Trevi Lounge is the place to be located on Kings Highway Cutoff.

Mancini Duffy/Creative Commons

Rock The Body Electric/Creative Commons

Fairfield has a great music scene especially with the Fairfield Theatre Company staged downtown, featuring nationally touring bands such as SOJA, Sun Kil Moon and Los Lobos. FTC is also opening a new venue downtown labeled “The Warehouse,” which is scheduled to open this fall. However, Fairfield is conveniently located a train ride away from NYC, which houses such venues as the Bowery Ballroom, Beacon Theatre, Terminal 5 and Madison Square Garden.

Fairfield, see the Stag with cross of gold.

Four years unravel quicker than sand, faster than trains, smoother than coffee before an 8 a.m.

This campus will be your home.

It waits for you here.

Its secret thrills, its hidden gems, its worth is lying here in wait.

Fairfield, see the ones surrounding you here. See your roommates, your floormates, your professors, your fellow Stags.

You are one of us now, and we are glad to welcome you here.

Welcome home.

Time is short: four years fly faster than $2 Tuesday’s at the ‘Grape. Try the pancakes at Chip’s and always order the guacamole at Chipotle.

Rest late and rise early, visit the stars at least once from Bellarmine Mansion at midnight.

If the class starts at 8, wake up at 7:50.

Fashion is always a hot topic around campus and with so many places downtown to shop, you never need to fear not looking your best. The Vineyard Vines store is a necessity for Fairfield students who seek to expose their inner preppiness. T.J. Maxx is always great when it comes to finding brand names, from Ray Ban to Polo, at an incredibly affordable price. And to support your fellow Stags, the Downtown Fairfield Bookstore always has your essential Fairfield garb from a cozy Stag fleece to a snapback Fairfield cap.

Inkwell Spotlight 'A Note For You'

Ride the stag before graduation comes, and go on a Kairos retreat to discover the mystery.

Be wary of the turkeys, and always take the back booth at Barone.

Use the stir-fry station to melt chocolate chips from the ice cream bar, and make chocolate covered strawberries.

Sneak out as much food as your pockets can fill.

Drink if you want. Don’t drink if you don't want to.

If people pressure you unfairly, they aren’t your friends.

Befriend a Jesuit – they are people with great stories and humor.

Live in a residential college and you'll find a unique community to call home.

Enjoy the happy hours on Wednesday nights at Loyola Hall.

By Jessica Estrada The Inkwell

Walk the back lawn of Bellarmine Mansion at least once before you walk into your commencement address.

Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.

What causes you to get out of bed in the morning, And what fills you with joy or with grief.

Tell your friends how you feel.

Don’t struggle alone.

Visit the counseling center (it’s free) And remember that it’s okay to not be okay.

It’s okay to need help.

We are human. We are Stags.

We need each other to thrive, In this community near the Long Island Sound.

Visit the beach and stick your toes in the water, especially on evenings when it is freezing.

The chill in your bones will remind you that you are alive.

Study abroad, spend all your money.

Travel somewhere unusual and live in a different culture.

This is the best opportunity you have to live in another country for an extended period of time.

Do it.

Question everything. Say thank you.

Say I love you.

Say I’m sorry.

Ask why not.

Say yes.

Oh Fairfield, see the Stag with cross of gold.

Walk this campus with bright eyes – this is your new home.

THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

The Vine

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'Burning The River': A discussion with Pete Francis of Dispatch

By Andrew DaRosa Vine Editor

In 1995, it was unbeknownst to Pete Francis that within 12 years his band Dispatch would evolve from playing clubs near Middlebury College in Vermont to selling out Madison Square Garden for three nights. Dispatch, the indie jam band comprised of Francis, Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan, is often considered the biggest band you’ve never heard of, with their supposed farewell concert at the Hatch Shell in Boston drawing in over 100,000 people.

Francis, aside from Dispatch, is devoted to his solo project, dubbed the “Dragon Crest Collective” named after his in-home studio in Connecticut. The project enlists Danny Golden, Paul Maddison and Kenny Shaw in a project that is the perfect mix of Francis’ indie roots and various stylings of hip hop. The Dragon Crest Collective recently put out an album that assumed the name of “Vol. 1” and features numbers such as the delightfully silly “Grandmaz” and the rhythmically forceful “King Kong.”

The Dragon Crest, Francis’ “laboratory” of sorts, allows Francis to record in his home and collaborate with local musicians such as the Funky Dawgz Brass Band, who provided horns for “Vol. 1.” As well as local musicians, Francis uses the studio as a practice space for Dispatch and a writing environment where he can bounce ideas off his band members. “I think ideas are always sort of coming and you want to be there to catch them” said Francis.

“I’m working on music all day long.”

Songwriting has been integral in Francis’ music career and he describes his songwriting style as usually centering around one line and building up from there. When it comes to writing with other musicians, especially Dispatch, Francis said that the writing styles differ significantly but come together harmoniously. “Chad, sometimes, he’ll write four different possible verses for one verse and I’m like, I’m just trying to get through the verse,” said Francis. “And Brad, with his

ashionably

writing, he has some awesome melodic ideas and things that are musically very interesting.”

Admirable about Dispatch aside from their collaborative songwriting capabilities is their raw energy displayed during live performances. Francis said that “there is a natural energy that builds, hopefully it is reciprocated by the audience and then it becomes like a cyclone of energy and like everyone is touching it.” Dispatch heavily relies on audience interaction and involvement in their music and also in their charity work outside the music.

Both of these elements will come together for one time only this year in New York as Dispatch launches “Dispatch: Hunger,” a series of concerts that are meant to raise awareness of hunger in America.

Dispatch will take the stage at the legendary Madison Square Garden on July 10 and 11 with special guests John Butler Trio and Dr. Dog. Also joining the band is the Funky Dawg Brass Band, who will play roughly two to three songs per night. “We really wanted to bring our fans together for something that we could all feel was truly ‘Dispatch,’” said Francis.

This, however, is not the first time that Funky Dawgz has taken the stage with Dispatch. The band guested at Dispatch’s performance at the 2014 Gathering of the Vibes festival in Bridgeport, Conn. with an explosive cover of “The General” and a rendition of New Orleans’ jazz staples. “We transplanted the sound of the New Orleans and just brought it to the Northeast as best as we possibly could,” said Tommy Weeks, saxophone player for the Funky Dawgz Brass Band. “Horns are coming back.”

When it comes to the future of his career, Francis is constantly working on material, both on the homefront and with Dispatch.

In April, Francis said that the band recorded their first piece of music for the follow-up to 2012’s “Circles Around the Sun,” recorded in Melbourne and featuring Francis on drums, Corrigan on bass and Stokes on piano for a reggae number. A new album and tour are expected in 2016, stated Francis.

Newstimes/Creative Commons

Carolyn Davidson/Creative Commons

by Nicole Funaro

Aside from the chaos of meeting new friends and adjusting to Fairfield’s campus, the last thing you need is the added stress of learning how to fit in with the latest fashion trends at Fairfield. Whether you have an expansive wardrobe or have been wearing a uniform for the past four years, The Mirror is here to help you graduate your style from high school humdrum to college chic. With that in mind, here are a few things to be sure you have in your wardrobe before move-in day rolls around: Dress clothes – Dress clothes are essential for the Fairfield experience; whether it’s for the President’s Ball or a party on the weekend, be sure to pack your favorite semiformal attire. Ladies, this means bringing a few of your favorite dresses, heels, statement jewelry and clutches. The men of the class of 2019 should pack one or two pairs of dress shoes, a few pairs of dress pants, a handful of ties, one or two blazers and collared shirts in an assortment of colors. But keep in mind that dress clothes do not always equate to business attire so ladies should also be mindful to pack a few blazers, blouses, pencil skirts and trousers for when you need to give a presentation or go on an interview. For the guys of Fairfield, just be sure to also bring a complete suit and pair it with the collared shirts and ties you are already packing.

Rain gear – There will inevitably be days in your college career when the sun isn’t shining (literally and figuratively). So when it rains, you will want to be prepared. Be sure to pack waterproof and weatherproof jackets for both rain and snow, as well as waterproof shoes – Hunter’s rainboots and L.L. Bean’s Bean Boots are campus favorites among men and women, both of which are priced upwards of $100. However, there are other more cost-effective options. Brands like Kamik offer styles of rainboots that look similar to Hunter’s but are half the cost, starting at $44.99 for women’s styles and $54.99 for men’s styles on zappos.com .

Workout clothes – For the days when you want to hit the gym, you will want to have comfortable, breathable and yes, fashionable workout clothes. Fairfield ladies l love Lululemon workout gear, but if that’s not in your budget, stores like Target and Forever21 offer some great options at a fraction of the cost. Styles for both men and women start at $8 for Target’s C9 Champion line and $6.90 for Forever21’s Forever21 Active line. Nike running shoes are also a campus favorite among guys and girls — just be sure to get them in a fun color.

For a complete list of packing recommendations for your freshman year, visit the Residence Life section on Fairfield’s website. And don’t forget: the most important things to pack for your freshman year are an open mind and confidence.

Flickr/Creative Commons

Page 9

THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

The Vine

COFFEE BREAK Editor: Allison White

Tips for New Stags 1. Sundays are never a good time to do laundry.

2.You will get sick of the dining hall food. Make plans to grab dinner in town sometimes.

3. Eat the mozzarella sticks from the Levee.

4. Invest in a pair of rain boots.

5. Buy a fan for your dorm room or you will melt.

6. Be nice to upperclassmen. They can be very helpful.

7. Join clubs or teams to meet people, but don’t overdo it or you’ll become overwhelmed.

8. Time management is the most important skill you will learn. Start learning early.

9. Staying in touch with high school friends is more difficult than you would think. Make sure you stay connected to those you care about most.

10. College is what you make it. A positive attitude will improve your college experience.

t ’ n DoAsk Meg

Need horrible advice?

Submit a question to info@fairfieldmirror.com

Dear Meg, I’m nervous for the start of college because people won’t realize how popular I was in high school. I need to build my reputation and I need to do it fast.

Since no one is going to know who I am, how am I supposed to build my popularity?

Sincerely, Popular Princess Dear Popular Princess, Popularity is definitely the most important aspect of college.

Who cares about grades when you aren’t the most popular person on campus?

In order to work on your reputation, you should throw as many parties as you can. Don’t worry about the rules - make your own.

Always keeping it real,

Meg

Play some...

Sudoku

How to play: Complete the puzzle by filling in numbers one through nine (with no repeats or missing numbers) in each column, row and 3x3 square.

Sports

Page 10

THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

x Because we have witty things to say ...

Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief

Jesse Erickson Sports Editor

Your 2015-2016 4x5 Columnists:

Patrick Kiernan, Jesse Erickson, Alfredo Torres, and Angela Sammarone

So, how's your summer going?

During the first week of your freshman year, what was the worst part?

What is your favorite memory from freshmen orientation?

Which team is the best team to show support to?

What's your best piece of advice for the incoming freshman?

Hit me up if you've got plans. I'm pretty bored at home aside from working and playing video games.

I could use the social life.

Not being able to find where my classes were. Yep, I was like a desperate freshman in high school.

Go me.

Sleeping in the non-air conditioned room in Campion. Enjoy sweating now, and for the entire first few months of your college career.

Lacrosse is going to be a huge hype sport this year. Rafferty is looking gorgeous, and the team should perform.

Join The Mirror 'cause its really awesome and we're all really great people and not crazy at all. Join us or else...

My entire summer is working because I'm going to Florence, Italy and I'm going to spend all of my money on food, wine, and more food and more wine.

The worst part was finding someone to eat lunch with everyday. It was a horrifying experience and I'll never forget it. However, I truly cherish having friends to eat with every day now.

Probably going to sleep with a stranger in the bed next to me!!!

So casual, so fun!!!

WOMEN'S SOCCER FOR SURE. In fact, the only downfall of studying abroad this semester is that I am going to miss the women's soccer season and my favorite soccer star, Cassidy Boegel.

Don't join the Mirror! We're unfriendly, unhappy, complaining journalists!

Women's basketball is one step away from making a championship run.

After tough losses in the MAAC tournament, the Stags look to take the league by storm.

Talk ... it might be tough to come out of your shell. But this is college, we're all here looking for a great time and most importantly, join The Mirror!

Can't complain, been enjoying the Alfredo Torres summer. Good job, great friends, Assistant Sports great weather and great memories so far.

Editor

Finding something to do with my free time was tough especially since I didn't have many friends, but now I've got all the friends in the world!

All the ice-breakers! If you think it's hard making friends, trust me, we have a professional to help you.

Aside from what's felt like neverending days of rain, it's been great.

Angela Sammarone I'm enjoying work and catching Managing Editor up with friends. Oh and I'm going to Disney in July. Be jealous.

I had a class at Xavier Hall (by the Prep school) and nobody I asked knew where it was, so I left 45 minutes early for class wandering the campus.

In my orientation group, I learned that one of the girls was actually my cousin. My life literally felt like the "Parent Trap."

#ICYMI in sports: At the conclusion of their season, the men’s and women’s rowing teams competed against national teams in the Dad Vail Regatta. The men’s varsity 8 team placed in the top 18 competing in three different races. The women’s varsity 8 also finished fourth in their heat with a time of (7:24.80) as Purdue captured the win with a time of (6:59.46).

The men’s novice 4 boat, represented by Kara Reese ‘18, Casey Fuller ‘18, Jack Crowley ‘17, Chris McCool ‘18 and James Mulhall ‘18 secured second place in their heat with a time of (7:24.18), right behind Virginia.

The Mirror.

JK we all need you and we're the happiest campers on this campus.

1. You're never alone. Every incoming freshman has something in common with you.

2. Don't antagnoize the turkeys.

3. And the obvious tip: Join The Mirror.

Looking ahead: Friday, August 28 Men's Soccer at Maryland-Baltimore County, 7 p.m.

Although the Stags had a tough ending to their season, Mike Wallace ‘16 has just been given the offer of a lifetime. Wallace has received the 907th pick of the MLB draft, making him the first Stag since 2012 to be drafted to the MLB. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Wallace in the 30th round of the draft. Wallace has had an impressive slate with the Stags, posting a 3.84 ERA in his latest season.

Women's Soccer vs. Drexel, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 29 Field Hockey vs. Colgate, 12 p.m.

Sunday, August 30 In an article published by USA Today with statistics compiled by College Factual, Fairfield was named one of the top colleges for men’s lacrosse. Fairfield was ranked seventh in the nation for their lacrosse program, which considers coaching, athletes, academic commitment and of course, the success on the field. The men’s team had a successful first season at the state-of-the-art Rafferty Stadium, making a run all the way to the semifinals of their tournament.

Women's Soccer vs. Central Connecticut State, 2 p.m.

Friday, September 4 Men's Soccer at Florida International, TBA Field Hockey vs. Delaware, 4 p.m.

Women's Soccer vs. Towson, 7 p.m.

Fairfield’s Connor Daly ‘16 received the distinction of being named to the Capital One Academic All-District First Team for his outstanding efforts towards athletics and academics. In the pool, Daly broke both program and personal records in the butterfly, relay events and in the individual medley. In the classroom, Daly has maintained a 3.91 GPA while pursuing a degree in mathematics. The Capital One Award is awarded to top student athletes nationally.

Photos contributed by Sports Information Desk

In this week's issue...

-Baseball struggles after strong 2014 season (Page 11) -Warriors take 3-2 series lead over Cavs (Page 11) -On the rise: this season's premier talent (Page 12) -Fairfield clinches the MAAC Commissioner's Cup (Page 12)

Sunday, September 6 Field Hockey vs. Michigan, 12 p.m.

Women's Soccer vs. Bryant, 1 p.m.

Friday, September 11 Field Hockey vs. UC Davis, 4 p.m.

Women's Soccer vs. Rhode Island, 7 p.m.

Sports

THE MIRROR | Freshmen Orientation 2015

Page 11

Baseball struggles after strong 2014 season

By Alfredo Torres Assistant Sports Editor After a successful 2014 season where the Fairfield Stags set a program record with 32 wins, the Stags were chosen to finish second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in the MAAC preseason poll for the first time in over 15 years.

The Stags were set to travel to take on Georgetown for the first time since 1998, but due to record cold temperatures that also affected the East coast, the season’s opening series was cancelled. Just a week after having their opening series cancelled, the Stags experienced another cancellation against the defending Colonial Athletic Association regular season champions William & Mary. The Stags were two weeks into their season without playing an

official game. Fairfield was one of just five teams in the country that had yet to play a regular season game.

It wasn’t until the team traveled to Florida for a 10-day trip where they were finally able to play their first game of the season against the North Florida Ospreys in early March.

In this road trip, the Stags also faced off against the No. 1 ranked team in the country, University of Florida, and the No. 6 ranked team in the country, the University of Central Florida. Fairfield played a total of eight games and struggled to pick up a win as they went winless on the road trip. Although the Stags left Florida winless, they had lots to be excited about, like the pitching performance of Gavin Wallace ‘18 against Florida where he retired the first six batters for his first collegiate start

and the offensive performance of Sebastian Salvo ‘15 on March 15 against Central Florida where he had a career-high of four RBIs. Fairfield continued to struggle to get into the win column as they were 0-9. But when they faced off against the New York Institute of Technology Bears, the Fairfield offense exploded for 13 runs to get its first victory of the season. Salvo connected for his first career grand slam to lead the Stags offense. The Stags then traveled to the Bronx to face off against the Manhattan Jaspers for its first conference play. Through the first two games of the series, the team struggled to keep runs on the board as the Jaspers outscored Fairfield 16-5 through two games. With one loss away from yet another sweep, Fairfield had ace Mike Wallace ‘16 take the mound, where he pitched

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror

one of the best games in his collegiate career. Mike Wallace threw a two-hit complete game, shutout striking out seven, to give Fairfield their first MAAC win of the season. Mike Wallace was later named MAAC Pitcher of the Week for his performance against Manhattan. Fairfield ended the month of March on a high note as they won three of their last five games. After one full month of play, the Stags had a 5-13 record. Fairfield looked to improve in the upcoming month. But the team continued to struggle, as the Stags were only able to win a total of six games in the month of April.

Fairfield came up short in 15 games in the month of April, even losing seven consecutive games against teams like Yale, Rider and the University of Connecticut.

With just less than a month remaining in the season, the Stags started the month of May defeating conference rival Saint Peter’s and the game against Sacred Heart University where Troy Scocca ‘17 won the game for the Stags in extra innings on a pinch-hit walk-off. Fairfield finished the season with a series against Siena in the friendly confines of Alumni Diamond, but dropped two of the three games to end the Stags season with a record of 17-32, 9-15 in conference play. Fairfield was not able to reach its full potential as they struggled for the majority of the season.

Once the season was over, members of the Fairfield men’s baseball team received recognition for their play. After a stellar year by Mike Wallace where he had a 2.64 ERA and struck out 39 batters in 58 innings pitched, the league’s coaches voted him as one of the best four pitchers in the league, naming Mike Wallace to the All-MAAC First Team. Mike Wallace is just one of 10 Stags that was named to the MAAC AllAcademic Team. On top of receiving such a huge honor, on June 10, 2015, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Mike Wallace with the 907th pick of the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft.

Fairfield graduated 11 seniors from 2015 roster. Fairfield did not meet the expectations they were projected to achieve, but they look to improve in the upcoming season.

James' historic performance not enough, Cavs down 3-2

By Alfredo Torres Assistant Sports Editor Coming into Game 5 of the NBA Finals, LeBron James had averaged 35.8 points per game, 12 rebounds per games and 8.3 assists per game. What more can you ask from the former MVP? How about his sixth career triple-double in the NBA Finals, where he recorded 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 5? Despite yet another great performance from James, it wasn’t enough to take down the Warriors as current MVP Stephen Curry had his best game of the series, dropping 37 points, including 7-13 from beyond the three-point arc.

For the second straight game, head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors elected to start forward Andre Iguodala over center Andrew Bogut. Once again, Iguodala made Kerr look like a genius, having yet another great game on both sides of the court. Iguodala finished the game with 14 points, seven assists and eight rebounds as he makes his case for the Finals MVP. The Cavaliers started the game with a few sloppy turnovers leading

to easy points for the Warriors on the fast break. Golden State held an early 8-2 lead over Cleveland through the first five minutes of the game. But the Cavaliers then found their groove, and more importantly, James began to play with confidence and aggression. James, as he has in the previous games, took over the game with his passing and shooting. James did a great job of getting shooters like J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert involved from three point territory after both struggled to knock down shots in Game 4 of the Finals. After great play from both teams, the game was tied at 22 after just one quarter of play.

The second quarter was a full display of how talented James really is as he continued his offensive performance for the Cavs. James did everything right from moving the ball well to knocking down tough contested shots over the defensive-minded Iguodala. By the end of the half, James already had 20 points, matching his total from Game 4, with eight assists. James had a tremendous first half as he scored or assisted on 16 of 17 of the Cavs’ field goals. Curry had himself a good half as well, as he finished

with 15 points and the Warriors led 51-50.

Both teams continued to battle back and forth as the final minutes of the game approached.

With less than eight minutes left, Golden State held just a twopoint lead, 79-77, when James hit a deep three-pointer to give the Cavs a one-point lead, 8079. Just when the Cavs seemed to pull away, the MVP Curry answered with a long three-pointer of his own against the gritty Matthew Dellavedova to give Golden State the lead once again. Then came the other Golden State sharpshooter, Klay Thompson, who followed with a three of his own to give the Warriors a fivepoint lead, 85-80. The Cavaliers managed to cut the lead to one, but after clutch shots from both Iguodala and Curry, Cleveland struggled to fight back as Warriors finished the game 104-91.

The Golden State Warriors are now one win away from winning their first NBA Finals Championship since 1975 as they travel to Cleveland for Game 6 which is to take place on Tuesday, June 16.

Creative Commons/Keith Allison

SPORTS 12

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports

Sports Editor:Jesse Erickson» sports@fairfieldmirror.com

Freshmen Orientation 2015

On the rise: this season's upcoming premier talent Cassidy Boegel '17 Women's Soccer

Matt Turner '16 Men's Soccer

Hadley Orr '16

Rising junior Cassidy Boegel had an impressive last season, leading her team with nine goals, and taking 50 shots during the duration of her season. She was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference AllAcademic Team, the MAAC All-First team and then went on to be named the MAAC Player of the Week for her outstanding performance in October. She took 29 shots on goal, posting a .580 shot percentage, the highest of any athlete on the team. In her junior season, Boegel, along with the other members of her team, will be expected to step up her game to replace the roles of the 11 seniors who graduated in 2015.

Not only is he one of the best goalies that Fairfield has ever seen, last season Matt Turner ‘16 was one of the best goalkeepers in the country. He had 13 shutouts and led the nation with a save percentage of 89 percent. In 72 percent of the games he played in he did not allow a single goal, making him number one in the nation for shutouts. He earned the MAAC Player of the Week on two occasions and then played on the MAAC AllTournament Team. He helped his team make a miracle run to the championship round of the MAAC Tournament and this year, Turner will be expected to get his team the crown.

Sam Daly '17

Men's Cross Country

Women's Volleyball

Ann Burgoyne '17 Field Hockey

Last season, Hadley Orr '16 was one of the leaders of her team with 245 kills, averaging 2.69 kills per game.

Over 24 sets, she appeared in 91 matches and started in 23 sets. Her impressive play earned her the honor of a position on the second team All-MAAC and the MAAC All-Academic team, in addition to being named a MAAC Offensive Player of the Week. She had 42 blocks, 23 service aces and 13 assists, making her one of the most accomplished athletes on her team. Orr will be responsible for leading her team and the nine new freshman who have just signed to the women’s volleyball team.

Rising junior Ann Burgoyne had a huge sophomore season, dominating with a total of 19 goals. She earned multiple honors including Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Star Team Honors, America East Weekly Honors and America East Co-Player of the Week on multiple occasions. In Burgoyne’s game against University of Massachusetts Lowell, she broke the program record for single season points racking in a grand total of 39. She started in 18 of 19 games, had 40 shots on goal and had a .800 shots on goal percentage. As only a junior, she is expected to be a leader of the women’s field hockey team especially after graduating team leader Felicitas Heinen ‘15.

Charlotte Molloy '18 Pacing the Stags in seven of their eight competitive races, rising junior Sam Daly has made a huge impact on the team. In the 8K Monmouth Invitational, Daly placed fourth of 156 runners and then went on to lead his team at the New England Invitational, clocking in with a personal best time of 25:37.2. He was named the MAAC Cross Country Runner of the Week during September.

At the conclusion of his sophomore athletic career at the University Division of the IC4A Championship 8K, he placed eighth. Look for Daly come the fall to continue his success with the cross country team.

Women's Cross Country

In her freshman year, Charlotte Molloy emerged as one of the top runners of her team, earning several accolades for her times. During one of her first competitive races, Molloy’s times earned her the honor of the MAAC Cross Country Runner of the Week. In the Monmouth Invitational, she was Fairfield’s top finisher, posting a personal best in the 5K with a time of 19:02.4 and placing 14th in the race. In the New England Championships, Molloy was also Fairfield’s top finisher and clocked in a personal best time of 18:52.10 in the 5K. As only a sophomore, Molloy has the potential to become a top runner in the MAAC league.

Fairfield clinches the MAAC Commissioner's Cup

By Jesse Erickson Sports Editor After two impressive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship victories by both the women’s lacrosse and softball teams, Fairfield’s women’s athletics, for the eighth time, has earned the MAAC Commissioner's Cup. The honor is awarded as a symbol of overall excellence in the championships sports.

The women’s lacrosse team was able to get the first of two MAAC Championships for the spring sports season as they defeated Canisius 9-7 in the championship game. Sophomore Alex Fehmel had a huge game for the Stags, posting a hat trick.

Fehmel stepped up as midfielder during her sophomore season, leading her team with a combined 44 points, consisting of 31 goals and 13 assists.

The win over Canisius gave the Stags their second-ever National Collegiate Athletic Association berth where they took on Princeton University, ending their season after an 18-8 loss. With the last competition over Princeton, Fairfield finished out the season 14-5, the most wins the team has seen since the 2009 season.

The Stags, who had last secured a MAAC Championship crown in 2008, couldn’t have been happier with their

win over the Canisius Golden Griffs, who have taken the MAAC crown in previous years. The win was not only a great accomplishment for the team, but also a monumental way to send off head coach Mike Waldvogel, who announced at the beginning of the season he would be stepping down as head coach. Now, with eight seasons with the women’s team under his belt, Waldvogel has led the team to the most success they have seen, including two NCAA berths and yet another MAAC Championship crown. Laura Field will now step up as head coach for the Stags come the fall. The team can look to have another successful season, as they only graduated five seniors. Junior Chelsey Sidaras, goalkeeper for the Stags, will be returning to the team, along with Fehmel and Julieanne Mascera ‘16.

The softball team shocked the MAAC as they captured the MAAC Championship. In the preseason poll, Fairfield was voted to have supposed to finish sixth in the MAAC, but the Stags pushed through and were able to take the crown after they swept Monmouth in the championship tournament. In the first game, Fairfield took down Monmouth with their strong offense, posting an 8-5 victory. Continuing on with this momentum, the team took the second win 11-5. This was the

Stags’ second MAAC Championship win and this win gave the team their first ever NCAA berth. In their first NCAA competition, Fairfield traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala. where they took on fifth-seeded Alabama in the first round of play. The Stags dropped the game against Crimson Tide 8-0 and then fell to University of South Carolina Upstate 9-0. Despite the losses, they couldn’t have been happier with the experience of playing nationally.

Finishing out the season 25-24, the team looks forward to hopefully returning back to the NCAA, but will have to do so without some of their starting seniors including Sammy Ruffalo, Brianna Levick and Sam Frungillo. However, the team looks to Lauren Filicia ‘16 and Kate Robinson ‘18 to continue to bring success to the Stags next season. Filicia played a huge role to the success this team saw this season and her performance awarded her the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, batting in 45 runs and 67 hits.

With two MAAC Championships, two NCAA berths and now the MAAC Commissioner’s Cup, Fairfield’s women’s athletics have had an impressive and successful season. As they prepare for their fall preseasons, the Stags will hope to come back with even more power.

Photos contributed By Sports Information Desk