The Hofstra Chronicle Sept. 30 2025

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THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE

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State of the University Speech highlights new initiatives for Hofstra NEWS

By Katelyn Buchalter and Lily Hiebert STAFF WRITER AND SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Hofstra University President Susan Poser presented this year’s Presidential Symposium theme, “The Beauty Of

…” along with several other new campus initiatives, faculty achievements and student achievements at the State of the University Address on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Among the aforemented points were new highs and other

changes in student statistics. In the Class of 2029 alone, 62% identify as people of color and 36% of first-year students are first generation. Hofstra also reached an all-time retention rate with 86% of all of Fall 2024’s first-year students return-

ing for Fall 2025.

This year, the First-Year Experience (FYE) program was reworked. First-year students had the option to take a freshmanonly class that counted towards a checklist for the FYE.

“I took the FYE class ‘Keeping a Journal,’” said Isabella Dempsey, a freshman accounting major. “As an accounting major, I [do] not have any classes that [are] non-business, and I thought this would be a great chance to learn more about the writing classes Hofstra offers. [It has been] a really helpful class to take as a freshman, not only because it connected me with students from other majors, but also because it has encouraged me to explore more of Hofstra and its beautiful campus.”

The Symposium panels involved discussions about certain academic topics. The discussions were designed to give students more knowledge and perspectives in fields of interest

The legacy of No. 27

By Connor Keough

STAFF WRITER

Getting to know Nick

Nick Colleluori joined the Hofstra University men’s lacrosse program in 2005 as an overlooked and undersized defender. He was a young man from Ridley, Pennsylvania, who brought his values of hard work and dedication with him wherever he went.

Hofstra lacrosse has a culture that former players have described as blue-collar, a tradition that started with Colleluori.

“Nick was the ultimate teammate, just the ultimate Hofstra guy,” said Steven DeNapoli, who played with the Pride from 2007 to 2011. “He would take the shirt off his back for anybody.”

Colleluori, wearing No. 27, started all 16 games on defense his freshman year and played a significant role on the Pride’s man-down defense. He helped lead the Pride to an 8-8 season with wins over top-ranked programs, including Princeton University and the University of North Carolina.

Late in his freshman year, Colleluori started having trouble hearing his teammates and coaches on the field during a game against the University of Delaware. Tests soon revealed he had Diffuse Large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (DLBCL), sidelining him for the 2006 season.

In 2006, Hofstra had its best season in school history, going 17-2 and finishing the year

ranked second in the country.

The Pride lost their first game of the season to the University of Massachusetts Amherst before winning 17 games in a row, tying the NCAA Division I record. The team was playing for Colleluori the entire year.

The Pride met UMass again in the NCAA quarterfinals. The Minutemen took out Hofstra 11-10, ending the magical 2006 run.

Seth Tierney, Hofstra’s current head coach, was at the game as an assistant coach for Johns Hopkins University.

“I was there, standing in the tunnel watching. I felt their pain because I had been an assistant at Hofstra for six years before coming to Hopkins,” Tierney said. “I went over to the Hofstra

guys and said, ‘17-2 is a hell of a year.’ Little did I know that would be the last game I coached at Johns Hopkins.”

After the season, Hofstra’s then head coach John Danowski moved on to Duke University, leaving the Pride’s head coaching job vacant. Tierney made his return to the program as head coach in the fall of 2006 and still remembers his first move.

“When I was named the head coach at Hofstra, my first phone call was to Nick,” Tierney said. “I let him know he was my first call. I stopped by, went to Nick’s house and had dinner with his family. Knowing him certainly played a role in how I developed as a young coach.”

while checking off a requirement for first-year students.

“The [Presidential Symposium] allowed me to open my eyes to the world of trust revolving [artifical intelligence],” said Spencer Hamilton, a freshman forensic science major, who also attended the “The Beauty of Trust” panel on Tuesday, Sept. 16. “It was incredibly interesting to hear about how people involved in the field felt about the advantages and disadvantages of having to trust your system.”

While highlighting previous renovations like the Axinn Library’s ninth floor and the redesign of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, Poser announced new features coming as soon as Spring 2026. This includes a redone fourth floor in the library along with the relocation of the Center for University Advising (CUA).

“The Axinn Library is such a great location that marries the

CONTINUED ON A2

Kim Nadler / The Hofstra Chronicle

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics

President Susan Poser delivered her State of the University Address on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Nick Colleluori, a Hofstra lacrosse player, was diagnosed with DLBCL in 2006.

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State of the University address cont.

CONTINUED FROM A1 student center to our academic side of campus, and I think it’s going to be a great opportunity,” said Marc Oppenheim, dean of the CUA. “We have requested and anticipate there being more space for our peer advisors to engage students in the process that they’re trained for.”

The new location for the CUA will highlight an optimized space that connects student tutoring and advising.

“It’ll make it easier being so central rather than being in a different building on campus,” said Sage Feiger, a freshman forensic science major.

An opening date for the new

floor has still not been set, but students can expect to see changes as early as the upcoming spring semester.

“I’m imagining that sometime between the fall and spring semesters, we will be invited to move from our current space in Memorial Hall,” Oppenheim said.

Poser also went over many new grants and scholarships offered to departments, students and faculty. One such addition was the installation of a highquality telescope on Hofstra’s campus.

“The Department of Physics and Astronomy installed

a 20-inch mount telescope on the rooftop of its observatory,”

Poser said in the State of the University Address. “It’s now the largest and most precise such telescope on Long Island and one of the most powerful in the entire New York metro area.”

The telescope broadens experiences for students interested in science fields.

“Having a larger telescope allows for more interesting classes and clearer examples, where people can learn in a more hands-on way instead of through pictures and data from somewhere else,” said Michael Hil-

liker, a sophomore double major in physics and mathematics.

While discussing upcoming additions to Hofstra and its campus, Poser emphasized the University’s commitment to supporting students and all of the community in a way that values individuality.

“At Hofstra we continue to believe that diversity can flourish within the community with mutual trust and respect,” Poser said in her concluding statement. “A community that celebrates our differences as important and as a thing of beauty.”

Axinn Library’s Ninth Floor Officially Reopens With a New Look

By Natalia Rivera SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The Hofstra University Axinn Library’s ninth floor has officially reopened after closing for renovations last school year.

The improvements follow the grand reopening of the 10th floor of the Axinn Library, which began campus-wide renovations at Hofstra under its strategic plan, known as Hofstra 100.

According to the plan’s Student Success subsection, the University will “continue to invet in physical spaces, on and off campus, to create inclusive environments for student learning and engagement,” beginning with the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center and Axinn Library.

The ninth floor housed faculty offices before the renovation, according to the library’s Vice Dean, Sarah McClesky.

“Those offices have moved down to the second and ground floors, making the ninth floor much more student-centered,” McClesky said.

The renovated ninth floor introduces 18 new reservable study rooms for students to use and rent out with different styles of seating. McClesky noted that student demand played a major role in the planning.

“We knew we needed more study rooms since the existing ones were always booked, often with waiting lists,” McClesky said.

Marista Paul, a freshman health science major, says the

new space has made a difference in her first year at Hofstra.

“I was very impressed with coming here. I like the view, it’s very pretty, and I like the couches. It’s a lot quieter and I don’t get distracted. All the rooms I can book are really convenient,” Paul said.

Some of the rooms are singleuse study “Zoom Rooms,” perfect for solo studying, meetings, Zoom classes and test taking, enabling students to use the room in a variety of productive ways.

“We really lacked spaces like that before, so this adds a lot of value,” McClesky said.

The redesign also incorporates multiple group study rooms containing whiteboards, as well as smartboards, making it accessible for students to utilize the space to work on projects and presentations together.

Major Martinez, a junior public relations major, said the functional design of the renovations stood out to her.

“The floor is extremely well built. I love that even if you aren’t in a private room, the tables are set up with a border. Not only is the view great, so is the environment,” Martinez said.

Additionally, a new recording studio room now resides on the ninth floor, giving students an area to create videos, podcasts and other media for their classes and individual projects.

“We view the 10th as the

study floor and the ninth as the studio floor,” McClesky said. “The ninth floor has more interactive, creative workspaces … we’re excited to see how students use it.”

Martinez has already started using the new study rooms for tutoring, taking notes and group studying.

“It’s easy to talk out loud without disturbing others while also having a studious environment,” Martinez said. “The whiteboard walls are the icing on the cake.”

To reserve these study rooms, students can go online to LibCal, where there will be a description of each study room, the capacity it holds and the dates and times available to book a room.

The space also includes group seating with tables and couches for students to sit together and work in a communal space. Plenty of outlets are built into the seating for students to charge their electronic devices.

McClesky hopes the renovated floor will continue to draw students.

“We want everyone to know they’re welcome in the library and that they can reserve rooms in advance through the website,” McClesky said. “We hope students will take advantage of that.”

The ninth floor of the Axinn Library includes group seating with tables and couches for students.

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

The future of Hofstra with ChatGPT Edu

By Katelyn Buchalter STAFF WRITER

Making artificial intelligence (AI) accessible across Hofstra University has been in the works for about a year. During the State of the University Address on Wednesday, Sept. 17, President Susan Poser announced a new ChatGPT Edu initiative. The license for ChatGPT Edu is set to become accessible for all Hofstra students and staff on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

The process began in August 2024 and allowed faculty and staff members to experiment with the private version of ChatGPT Edu in a pilot program.

“We had about 300 participants,” said Jesse Webster, chief information officer at Hofstra. “And so we used that to kind of feel out the program and have a very limited exposure to ChatGPT.”

Currently, regulating the use of AI in classes is up to professors and, while this will continue, the introduction of ChatGPT Edu offers new resources and opportunities for the academic setting.

“I think because it’s available to all the students, it’ll encourage a lot of professors that are teaching non-AI specific courses to give it a go,” said Russell Chun, associate professor of journalism, media studies and public relations.

ChatGPT Edu, while having similarities to the free version,

allows students a more private and protected experience while also being able to use extended features.

“The version that Hofstra has is somewhat walled off from the public version,” Webster said. “So if you use a public version of ChatGPT, everything you put into that can be used by ChatGPT to do what’s called ‘train the model,’ which is to make the model better. Hofstra has negotiated with ChatGPT so Edu is a safer version of ChatGPT where that can’t happen.”

Students are encouraged to experiment with the AI and test its limitations and resources, but part of that experimentation includes teaching students and faculty how to use the platform.

“I think there is a downfall to it because if it’s accessible now to students, then students will use it, and they may not know how to use it responsibly or ethically,” Chun said.

Concerns regarding the use of AI and its interference with students’ education have been hotly debated around campus for those in the know of the new program.

“I know teenagers, because I am one,” said freshman drama major Shaelyn Gallagher. “People are going to use it to find the answers instead of finding it themselves and where’s the creativity and the learning in that? That’s the entire reason we’re at college.”

The uncertainty of how to use

ChatGPT Edu was not left out of discussion during the planning process.

“We are going to make the Open AI Academy available to students, so that’s part of our subscription with ChatGPT,” Webster said. “Students will be able to access training materials and self-paced materials directly from Open AI to learn about the tool, its capabilities and limitations.”

AI literacy is a driving force behind the introduction of ChatGPT Edu to Hofstra.

“It’s going to be used in a professional world,” Chun said. “So, we have to train our students on how to use it responsibly in the professional world and effectively too.”

There are still questions about how exactly the program will be implemented in student and faculty lives around campus.

“If it’s going to be an educationally modified platform of AI, then I just wonder what that means, what that includes,” said sophomore neuroscience major Zara Mahmood. “I don’t know, I feel like AI is just whatever we input in it. So, if we put in garbage, we’re going to get garbage. That’s my concern.”

More information about how to access and navigate the program will be revealed as the release date approaches. AI literacy and training materials will also be provided for students.

Concerns regarding the use of AI and its interference with student education has been a hot debatge around campus for those in the know of the new program.

Photo courtesy of Tom Krach

Hofstra medical students test their skills in simulated catastrophes, mass-casualty disasters

By Joe Orovitz MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

What would you do if faced with a fiery disaster? What would you do when smoke forces tears down your face and wails of hurt people fill your eardrums? What would you do when dozens of scared people are running for their lives?

For Hofstra University medical students, their first instinct is to run straight in.

The Nassau County Fire Service Academy (NCFSA) hosted first-year students of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/ Northwell Health on Friday, Sept. 19, to simulate some of the situations that they may face in the real world.

During the “Mass Casualty Incident” (MCI) Day, these prospective doctors faced five potential disasters: a bus bombing, train derailment, passenger vehicle accident, hazardous material spill and an active shooter situation. It also marks the conclusion of the students’ eight-week Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training.

“They’re getting an opportunity to see as real-life [of] a scenario as they possibly can get,” said Paul Wilders, chief instructor of NCFSA.

Located in Old Bethpage, New York, the NCFSA has provided hands-on training in realistic environments to future first responders for more than 60 years. The experience that such a facility provides students, such as those in the Zucker school, is a first-hand glimpse into what the real world is like. These are lessons that cannot be taught in a classroom.

“I want them better prepared for what’s really going on in the real world,” Wilders said.

The five scenarios presented to students included several crucial details that a real-life disaster may have. Thick smoke, loud music or background noise, triage tags to mark victims and actors with unique roles were all integral parts of the simulations.

“We’re giving them real scenarios, we’re giving them real script cards, [which] are based off of real case studies,” Wilders said. “It’s all real-world stuff.”

With assistance from the experts at the NCFSA, students coordinated response efforts, tended to injuries and safely removed victims from harm’s way.

Each simulation began with a short pre-brief, where instructors assigned roles and provided basic information. Once the event concluded, students de-

briefed with the NCFSA’s expert staff, discussing in fine detail what went right and what could be improved.

“It’s a different way to learn what’s outside of the classroom,” said Wura Obasanjo, first-year medical student at the Zucker school. “It’s hard to know where your brain’s going to go in the moment.”

The scenarios that students train in give them a taste of the stresses that real-world situations present for the first time. With the combination of high-pressure situations and the inexperience of the students, “rookie” mistakes are inevitable.

“I definitely made mistakes,” said Peter Novak, a first-year medical student. “I remember we had a communications issue [in the bus bombing simulation], and you see how really small mistakes can have huge impacts.”

Despite their efforts not being perfect, making mistakes in a low-stakes environment before facing a catastrophe in the real world is key to making the right decisions in the moment. Wilders described this

as gaining “muscle memory” in order to be more prepared in a real disaster.

“[I] have a lot of respect for the first responders who really do this in real life,” said Novak, who acted as a team leader in some simulations.

The MCI is the final step in Zucker school students’ path to becoming a licensed EMT in the state of New York, a requirement for the school’s medical program. It is also one of the final major events before the school’s “White Coat” ceremony, during which students receive their first white coat. The coat symbolizes their transitional journey from student to medical professional.

“We kind of call [them] EMT’s on steroids because it’s not just EMT [training] for regular EMT’s. It’s EMT [training] for future doctors,” said David Battinelli, dean of the Zucker School of Medicine and physician-in-chief of Northwell Health.

The requirement for medical students to complete EMT training is something that was pioneered by the Zucker school, and according to Battinelli,

has become a model for other medical programs nationwide. Students begin their eight-week training on the first day of class and conclude with their trip to the NCFSA.

Battinelli emphasized the importance of hands-on training as a part of medical school curriculum.

“It puts into [students’] heads the importance of active learning versus passive learning,” Battinelli said. “What they’re going to take away from this is how to be a team member.”

This year, first-year medical students will receive their white coats on Friday, Oct. 3, and they will be able to wear them proudly knowing their skills as a professional have already been tested in the harshest of environments.

Students of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine trained in an active shooter scenario at the NCFSA.

Students interacted with live actors in the disaster scenarios.

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

University plans to build ‘small village’ in place of James M. Shuart Stadium

By Tim Daly

OPINION EDITOR

At Hofstra University’s annual State of the University Address on Wednesday, Sept. 17, President Susan Poser announced an unfinalized plan to build what she referred to as a “college town” on Hofstra’s campus. The town, which Poser described as a “mixed use, walkable area with the amenities of a small village” will be built in the space currently occupied by James M. Shuart Stadium.

The plan is still early in its development, so it is not confirmed if it will happen, and many details, such as the amenities and the timeline of the plan, are not yet finalized. Poser said that some of the amenities currently being considered are restaurants, shops, more housing and a space for live music.

Poser said that the intention is for this area to be not just accessible to Hofstra students but the surrounding community.

“It would not be like a gated village or anything. It would be there right on the Hempstead Turnpike,” Poser said. “It would be good for Long Island, not just good for Hofstra.”

The main unknown aspect of this plan is the cost.

“There’s so many other things you could put money into,”

said Sandra Dionicio, a senior engineering major. “It’s kind of beneficial, but we already have a lot of other things going on.”

If this plan were to happen, Shuart Stadium would have to be removed. Currently, the only teams that play home games in Shuart Stadium are the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.

The plan mentioned in the State of the University Address was for a new lacrosse stadium to be built on the North Side of campus, closer to the university’s other athletic fields and facilities.

Hofstra’s men’s lacrosse coach Seth Tierney said that he trusts whatever decisions Poser and Athletic Director Rick Cole Jr. make.

“If this move is ultimately better for the university, then we’re all for it,” Tierney said. Poser clarified that no matter what, there will be a place for Hofstra’s lacrosse teams to play.

“We will always have a home for Hofstra lacrosse, and this building is not going to change that,” Poser said.

Poser added that this plan fulfills a long-lasting want of the Hofstra community, saying it has been “a topic for decades.”

Freshman television and film major Giuliana Scire said this could be a positive thing for

Hofstra students.

“Considering the fact that a lot of people don’t want to be a resident their junior and senior year, I feel like a college town could be very beneficial,” Scire said.

Scire added that she hopes the plan will happen during her time here at Hofstra and expressed certain hopes for what it will

On April 8, at 4 a.m., the RSR working in Bill of Rights Hall reported

include.

“I feel like we’re in a very industrial area,” said Scire. “I would like to see more smaller businesses and apartment style housing.”

Earlier this month, the Urban Land Institute’s advisory panel spent five days on campus, examined the feasibility of this plan and offered short and long

term suggestions to the university. In addition to making suggestions about the planning process, Poser said the panel also made recommendations about making the South Side of campus greener, more walkable and shifting more of the parking to the North Side of campus.

On April 8, at 11:14 p.m., the RA in Utrecht House reported to PS

Public Safety Briefs

Compiled by Sahana Shastry

to PS that two HU students and a non-student failed to comply with Hofstra guest policy and verbally harassed the RSR. The non-student was banned from campus, and the two students were issued referrals to CS for their actions.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, at 2:54 p.m., PS responded to the Axinn Library on a call that revealed three HU students stuck inside the elevator on the eighth floor. UFD and NCPD responded and opened the elevator doors to evacuate the students. No injuries were reported, and the director on duty was notified.

in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center activated due to a faulty detector in the main dining room. The building was evacuated within four minutes without incident. PS and UFD responded. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On April 8, at 11:14 p.m., the RA in Utrecht House reported to PS that, while conducting rounds, there were loud noises coming from a room. PS responded and discovered open bottles of alc

On April 8, at 4 a.m., the RSR working in Bill of Rights Hall reported to PS that two HU students and a non-student failed to comply with Hofstra guest policy and verbally harassed the RSR. The non-student was banned from campus, and the two students were issued referrals to CS for their actions.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m., the fire alarm

that, while conducting rounds, there were loud noises coming from a room. PS responded and discovered open bottles of alcohol. Six students were issued referrals to CS.

unknown reasons. The building was evacuated within one minute without incident. PS and UFD responded. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

NCPD responded and took a report.

On April 11, at 10:20 a.m., an HU plant employee reported to PS that he accidentally damaged a vehicle owned by another Hofstra employee on Holland Road while working on the main campus. The owner of the vehicle was notified about the damage and responded to PS.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, at 11:32 p.m., the fire alarm on the seventh floor of Estabrook Hall activated due to

On April 11, at 2:18 p.m., it was reported to PS that an unknown person wrote messages in chalk on the sidewalk on the south side of Hofstra Hall. Photos were taken of the graffiti, and an investigation is being conducted into this matter. The plant department was notified for cleanup.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 4:30 p.m., two vehicles, both driven by HU students, collided at the intersection of parking field 7N, west of the Graduate Residence Hall. There was minor damage to the vehicles and no injuries,

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 5:08 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that they placed two boxes from Amazon in front of Estabrook Hall for a few minutes, and when they returned the boxes were missing. At 6:30 p.m., the HU student contacted PS stating that the packages had been found.

On April 12, at 9:50 p.m., the fire alarm in Estabrook Hall was activated due to hair care products. The alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated. PS, the plant department and the Uniondale Fire De-

Hofstra’s plan to build college town in place of current lacross stadium is still in early stages.

Kumba Jagne / The Hofstra Chronicle

By Ryan Monke MANAGING EDITOR

If anything was made clear by my recent credit card bills, it was that I needed to cut down on ordering takeout. Despite my efforts to be frugal and cook at home, I found myself ordering out at least twice a week. Sometimes I don’t set aside enough time to cook or even have enough groceries in the fridge. Oftentimes, I just want a break from the same few meals I make every day. This habit adds up quickly as the national average cost of a typical fast food meal is over $11, with specialty eateries trending closer to $15 or more.

Recently, my search for a way to save money while still treating myself to quality takeout led me to discovering one of my new favorite apps: Too Good To Go. Too Good To Go is a service that balances economic and environmental interests by helping restaurants sell food that would otherwise go to waste. This presents a win-win-win scenario: restaurants earn revenue on food they would otherwise gain nothing from, consumers get quality food at heavily discounted prices and the food saved from the trash cuts back on carbon gas emis-

App Review: Too Good to Go

sions.

Too Good To Go was founded in 2015 in Denmark and has since expanded across Europe and North America. Scrolling through the app, a variety of partnering restaurants are available. Mirroring the food landscape of Long Island, there were seemingly endless options for pizza and bagels. However, I also saw delis, Latin American restaurants, Caribbean restaurants and even grocery stores available to reserve from.

Although I had used Too Good To Go briefly in the past, I decided to embark on a new quest to evaluate whether the app is worth it for students like myself. I ordered “surprise bags” from three different restaurants over three days and took note of what I got for what I paid.

The first restaurant was Napolini Pizzeria & Restaurant, a local favorite for many in the Hofstra University community. I ordered a surprise bag for $5.99, available to pick up just before the restaurant closed. In my surprise box were three different slices of pizza and a buffalo chicken roll. The food was great, and the portions were more than enough for dinner. Too Good To Go claimed the value of the

meal was $18, which I felt was generally accurate. Walking out with such a generous portion for just $5.99, I labeled the trip a success.

My next pickup was from Tulip Bagels in Williston Park. Once again, I paid $5.99 for a surprise bag. On my way to the pickup, I predicted my surprise bag would be a half-dozen bagels. As I walked in and showed my order confirmation to the man behind the counter, I was shocked to be handed a baker’s dozen of bagels, worth over $20, according to Tulip Bagels’ website. I was so taken aback by the value of my purchase that I celebrated by buying a small tub of cream cheese. I returned home triumphantly, offering bagels and cream cheese to each of my roommates while preserving my food budget.

On the third and final day of my research, I splurged

for a slightly more expensive surprise bag from Royal Roti Shop in Baldwin. This time I paid $8.99. When I told the woman behind the counter that I was picking up a Too Good To Go order, she offered me several options of surplus food the restaurant had on hand. I walked out with a heaping portion of rice and beans, noodles, jerk chicken and a small bag of savory pastries. Too Good To Go’s estimated value for this meal was $27, which I found to be relatively accurate. I returned home with enough Caribbean food to last me two days.

Over the course of my three days eating almost exclusively from Too Good To Go, I paid a total of $22.79, including taxes and fees, for 13 bagels, three slices of pizza, a buffalo chicken roll, a heaping plate of Caribbean jerk chicken and rice and a bag of pastries. I got more than my money’s worth.

Surprise bags from Too Good To Go should not make up your entire diet. They are no replacement for groceries and home-cooked meals. But for those unavoidable nights when you don’t want to cook or spend a small fortune on dinner, it’s an easy way to get restaurant food

for a fraction of the cost.

So, who is Too Good To Go for? It’s perfect for those who are interested in trying new foods and keeping their spending under control. It’s great for broke college students who need a break from dining halls and instant ramen.

It is, however, important to mention Too Good To Go’s limitations. Due to the nature of surplus food, you can’t choose what you get; it’s just what the restaurant has left near the end of the day. At Napolini’s, I was given several slices of pizza I might not have necessarily chosen for myself. But to me, good pizza is good pizza, and I’m not a picky eater. Picky eaters, and especially those with food allergies, might have a much harder time finding surprise bags that would satisfy them.

Ultimately, Too Good To Go is a great resource for broke college students looking for cheap takeout. Long Island’s abundance of pizzerias and bagel shops makes for predictable surprise bags. While ordering from Too Good To Go is certainly a gamble, I’ve found a worthy payout majority of the time.

Ryan Monke / The Hofstra Chronicle

Photo courtesy of Google Creative Commons

FEATURES

HUBackstage: Bridging students and creative opportunities

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

HUBackstage is a new online organization run by students at Hofstra University that aims to connect different departments for creative and professional opportunities.

The club was co-founded by Anastasia Manouvelos, junior public relations major, and Miles Martin, sophomore film studies and production major, and was established in May 2025.

Manouvelos said the goal of HUBackstage is to make creative opportunities more open and available to Hofstra students.

“We’re a hub for connecting

Hofstra students on campus with creative opportunities across the campus and in the local Long Island and New York City areas,”

Manouvelos said. “Our main goal is to unite the student body and help them find more creative opportunities because oftentimes, things are spread through word of mouth, but we’re trying to make it more fair and open to other students.”

Manouvelos and Martin said they’ve gotten the largest pull from students within the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and Hofstra’s Drama department. Many film students need actors for their projects and HUBackstage is a platform that

By Kaylee Mae Desmarais

I wish you the best.

I hope you get everything you want,

Your whole 10 year plan.

I hope you move to Maine, So I never have to see you again.

I hope everyone treats you kindly,

So I never see you cry.

I hope your heart never breaks,

serves to connect these students with each other.

“One of our big goals right now is trying to unite the drama and communications departments because they mesh so well when it comes to projects,” Manouvelos said. “In reality, there’s not as much open communication right now and we’re trying to bridge that gap.”

Martin said much of this communication between departments is possible through the posting of casting calls.

“We’re a platform to connect the communications and drama departments, as well as the music department in Hofstra. We do this through casting calls,” Martin said. “We’re trying to bring the model of ‘Backstage’ to Hofstra.”

Backstage is a well-known nationwide online casting platform. Martin said the name HUBackstage was inspired by this platform.

“We wanted our name to be something people could recognize, and Backstage is so famous for doing casting, which is the same thing we’re [going to] do,” Martin said. “We decided that relating our name with Backstage, even though we’re not affiliated with that group, would be a good idea so students can read our

name and know exactly who we are and what we’re trying to do.”

Manouvelos said the organization has been making its presence known to students through their social media.

“Recently, we’ve been doing a lot of promotional social media campaigns, and we’ve actually had people from other colleges find out about our account and reach out,” Manouvelos said.

“Further down the line, we’re looking to connect with local programs in the Long Island and New York City area that need help with staffing their projects.”

As a film and production major, Martin said he has gained an understanding of what film students often need when working on major projects.

“My major in film helps me with knowing the market or knowing our audience,” Martin said. “Since I’ve worked with so many film and [television] students in projects my freshman year, I was able to learn a lot about what film students need.”

Additionally, Martin said HUBackstage met with other Hofstra organizations including Hofstra Filmmakers’ Club, “Up All Night” and Darkroom, to figure out what students need and what their organizations can bring to the table.

I wish you the best

And if it does that I never know why.

I hope you always have someone to call Because I don’t want to hear you ring.

And I hope you never text me, I don’t want to see the blink. I hope you never reach out Because I don’t want to speak. And I hope that when you hear my name, It really makes you think.

Along with connecting students with one another and opportunities, Manouvelos said one main goal of HUBackstage is to help students build their portfolios for future professional opportunities and job searches.

“The creative opportunities help students build their portfolios so when they are applying to internships or getting a job as a post-graduate, they have something for recruiters to look at and benefit them in their job search,” Manouvelos said.

To build these resumes, Manouvelos and Martin said they are currently working on an official HUBackstage website for students and recruiters to access.

“We have a website in the works. It’s going to make it so that instead of just the people seeking an opportunity [by] reaching out to the opportunist, the people who need staff can look on our website and see portfolios to pick people,” Manouvelos said. “So, it goes both ways.”

HUBackstage posts casting calls and further information on their Instagram @hubackstage.

Photo courtesy of Dalia Shawareb

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Photo courtesy of Kaylee Mae Desmarais

M AN ON THE U NISPAN

What is your favorite fall activity?

By Denivia Rivera and Joe Orovitz FEATURES EDITOR AND MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

O verheard @ h O fstra

“Something about a man with a ponytail loving math is wrong to me.”

“Pumpkin picking.”

“I actually deserve the death penalty for how many tabs I have open right now.”

“I love her so much. I wish she wasn’t bald.”

“Yeah, probably pumpkin picking.”

- Vi Webb, freshman

“I

-

“The first time I smoked was through an apple.”

“I feel like Jesus ... No. I feel like Megamind.”

“I was going to get up and do a flip but I can’t. So.”

“You have gaydar but for old people.”

“My culture is not your costume. Do not dress up as Colonel Sanders.”

“Please don’t ever come near me if I can see your toes through your shoes.”

“I like to describe myself more as prophetic lesbian.”

Spread by Denivia Rivera

- Charlotte Higuera, freshman

like apple picking. It reminds me of home. I live near a farm.”

Alexa D’Amato, junior

Denivia Rivera / The Hofstra Chronicle

By Emilie Morrissette

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Call it a batch made in heaven! Cody Malone, a sophomore nursing major at Hofstra University, fell in love with baking at a young age. Where other kids picked up a sport or instrument, she gained a passion and drive for the culinary arts.

From cookies to cake pops and coffee cake to cheesecake bites, young Malone found a lot of enjoyment in baking, finding it essential to relieving her stress. However, she had little interest in keeping these treats to herself. This self-taught baker started baking cookies in elementary school for events such as holiday parties and end-of-year celebrations.

Growing up in a religiously oriented school, she designed Christmas cookies with crosses on them for her peers. Malone recalled a time in high school when she brought cookies to uplift her classmates’ spirits after an exam.

“I like seeing people enjoy what I bake,” Malone said. “That’s the best part.” Her cookies became so well

Milk and Codies

regarded that students were eager and willing to pay for them. As an aspiring young businesswoman, she took this opportunity to profit from her efforts. She began taking commissions for cookie requests in high school and has continued to foster and grow her business here at Hofstra.

Milk and Codies’ grand debut took place right in the heart of Hofstra in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center in the spring semesrer of her freshman year. Hofstra’s Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion Department (IEI) sent out an email for a business expo, reaching out to anyone who would be interested in tabling their product in the Student Center. Malone used this opportunity to foster a loyal customer base for her cookie business.

Hofstra’s IEI Department provided funding for Malone, and she set up shop selling cookies for $1.50 each. She sold two flavors: classic chocolate chip and chocolate chip Oreo. This event was an extremely successful marketing strategy for Malone. She was able to boost her sales through word of mouth with customers being able to purchase

cookies easily and efficiently.

In addition to purchasing, some customers posted about her cookies on their Instagram stories. Malone expressed great joy and gratitude at seeing people appreciate and talk about her treats.

Last fall, Malone baked cookies and personally hand-delivered them to students at random, pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. Her kind efforts to give back to her community were greatly appreciated and further helped to create an admirable public image for the company.

Apart from in-person bake sales, Malone also participates in online orders, which are accessible through the order form on her Instagram: @milkandcodies. On her page, more information can be found about her business as well as future in-person sale dates. Her order form will be opening in October with orders available for pick up or delivery.

This year, Milk and Codies is back with fan-favorite flavors: chocolate chip and chocolate chip Oreo, as well as a brand new seasonal flavor: pumpkin spice. Along with selling individual cookies for $1.50, Malone offers

the purchase of a dozen cookies or a container of cookie dough, both of which sell for $15. These cookies are nut allergy friendly, and gluten free options are currently being explored for the future, per request.

Between balancing classes and clubs, Malone intends to continue the growth of her cookie business. She hopes to collaborate with several different clubs on campus, catering for their meetings and events.

Apart from her nursing career, she hopes to one day open a cafe where she can share her love of

baked goods with an even broader audience. Malone’s homemade cookies are delectable, cost efficient and made with real ingredients. Most importantly, her cookies are made with hard work and determination.

On average, she spends around four to seven hours on labor, between making the dough, baking, packaging and cleaning, all on school nights.

This smart cookie’s dedication to her craft is truly admirable. The next time you are in the mood for something sweet, support local with Milk and Codies.

Hofstra in Rome: Journalism Abroad

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

When I first applied to Hofstra University, my goal was to participate in at least one study abroad program offered. During my freshman year, I discovered the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication’s “Hofstra in Rome” program.

As someone who enjoys travelling to new places and experiencing new cultures, Italy has always been a dream destination for me. When I learned there was an Italian study abroad program offered as a way to receive journalism credit, I felt like it was meant to be.

I first reached out to the director of the Hofstra in Rome program, Randy Hillebrand, in January of last year. Hillebrand gave me information about the program and told me I should start seriously saving money as soon as possible.

A few months later, Hillebrand informed me that there was an open slot for the 2024 Hofstra in Rome program. Again, it felt like fate, but I knew I didn’t have the funds to attend so soon.

I decided at that moment that I would start saving up all my money to put towards the 2025 Hofstra in Rome program.

Last summer, I was determined to save as much as I could. Working five different positions between two jobs, I saved at least 80% of every paycheck to put towards the study abroad program. I knew that if I stayed determined for a few months, I would be able to live out my dream of traveling to Italy.

During the school year, I couldn’t to work due to the demanding schedule of my double major in journalism and dance. Despite this, I continued to complete small remote jobs and sell my hand-made jewelry

to continue my savings.

By March, I paid my deposit for the trip, registered for the course and began preparing for the trip. At that point, I had made strides in my savings, but I still needed a little more financial support to be sure I could travel with financial security.

I decided to apply to the Bibi ‘80 Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad. I submitted my application as soon as I could for consideration and, to my pleasant surprise, I received an email informing me that I was the recipient of this year’s scholarship for the Hofstra in Rome program.

In addition to my scholarship, I received an email from the Herbert School that I was being rewarded a sponsorship intended for my study abroad program. The amount rewarded to me between the sponsorship and scholarship was the exact amount I needed to confirm I would be

financially secure for my trip.

Finally, in May of this year, I put down the full payment for the trip. The sense of accomplishment I felt after months of working and saving was surreal.

Along with myself, 12 other participating students stayed in Rome for just over three weeks. My experience studying abroad for journalism was more than I could have ever imagined. Not only was I able to finally visit my dream destination, but I was also pursuing my passion.

While staying in Rome, we were tasked with creating a total of nine multimedia stories in groups and producing three stories per group. The process of developing multimedia stories in a group, as opposed to alone, was a new experience for me. My group and I divided our tasks for each story based on our personal strengths, which made the entire process very efficient.

Within my group, I pitched story ideas, created interview questions, took photos, co-wrote the stories, copy edited and added story elements into Shorthand. With my current interest in journalism being in print, it was exciting to expand my experience with multimedia elements to strengthen each story.

Being able to further my journalistic skills in Italy revealed to me that the career opportunities as a journalist are endless. Combining my passion for journalism with my love for travel opened my mind to the possibility of pursuing a career abroad.

This study abroad program was truly a life changing experience for me on a personal and educational level. The memories created, experiences lived and connections made with new people during this trip will forever resonate with me.

Photo provided by Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion

COLORS AND CARDIO

Students in the Hofstra University Rabinowitz Honors College (RHC) got their steps in with the final leg of the Deans’ Cup, the 5K Color Run! Throughout the week of Friday, Sept. 12, those in the RHC competed against their deans in a number of fun events to boost community in the college. Being the final event of the week, the completion of the run saw the winning team crowned: Even Cohesion!

FOOD, FUN AND FLAGS

Hosted by the Hofstra Student Government Association in conjunction with the Office of Intercultural Engagement, Rep Your Flag Day presented the various multicultural and LGBTQ+ student organizations with the opportunity to showcase their identities. Full of food, games and giveaways, students had chance to meet and mingle with organizations that represent them.

Spread by Kumba Jagne and Joe Orovitz

Background by Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

Tim Daly / The Hofstra Chronicle

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle Shaina Skeen / The Hofstra Chronicle

Shaina Skeen / The Hofstra Chronicle

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

Kat Powers / The Hofstra Chronicle

Sean Strohofer / The Hofstra Chronicle

Shaina Skeen / The Hofstra Chronicle

Christine Acuña / The Hofstra Chronicle

Kat Powers / The Hofstra Chronicle

Background by Kat Powers / The Hofstra Chronicle

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt

Photo

Jimmy Kimmel returns after ABC Network suspension

By Abby Gibson ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Jimmy Kimmel, host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” was pulled off the air on Wednesday, Sept. 17, by ABC Network due to his commentary regarding the shooting of Charlie Kirk. ABC was fearful because the Federal Communication Commissions (FCC) chair, Brandan Carr, made a statement on Benny Johnson’s podcast, “The Benny Show,” suggesting that the agency could take action against the network. The late-night host has since been allowed back on air, and his first show was on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot and killed on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour, a debate and speaking series by Turning Point USA – a non-profit founded in 2012 by Kirk and Bill Montgomery that supports conservatives on school campuses nationwide.

ABC’s decision to remove Kimmel sparked a political

conversation regarding the First Amendment right to free speech.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed [Kirk] as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said in the monologue that got him canceled.

He then continued by showing a video of President Donald Trump being questioned outside of the White House; the reporter asked how Trump was personally handling Kirk's assassination.

“I think very good,” Trump said before talking about the upcoming renovations for the White House ballroom. It then cut back to Kimmel saying, “He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), released an open letter signed by over 400 celebrities on Monday, Sept. 22 – the day before Kimmel’s return.

“The silencing of [Kimmel] and jawboning of media outlets

through lawsuits and threats to their licenses evoke dark memories of the 1950s,” said Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, to NPR.

During Kimmel’s first show back, he opened by saying, “As I was saying before I was interrupted … If you’re just joining us, we are preempting a regularly scheduled encore episode of ‘Celebrity Family Feud’ to bring you this special report.” He thanked those who reached out to him, highlighting other late-night hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert. He acknowledged popular conservative figures like Candace Owens and Ted Cruz for standing up for free speech, even when they do not necessarily agree with Kimmel. He went on to talk about how his Monday night monologue was never intended, “to make light of the murder of a young man,” and that this incident has shown him the importance of free speech in America and how the current Trump administration is endan-

gering that right. “That’s something I’m embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend [Colbert] off the air and tried to coerce the affiliates who run our show in the cities that you live in to take my show off the air,” Kimmel said. “That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is un-American and it’s so dangerous.”

According to the Economic Times, Disney lost $5 billion in market value over the decision to pull Kimmel off the air. Since then, Disney has implemented an increase in prices to Disney+ accounts starting October 21, with a $2 increase to the plan with ads and a $3 increase to the ad-free tier.

This situation shows an increasing friction between entertainment, politics and corporate responsibility. Though Kimmel is back on air, this case leaves questions for how large networks will balance their corporate interests, audience trust and respect for free speech in a polarized growing media landscape.

Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik reunite after 10 years

By Lyba Khan STAFF WRITER

On March 25, 2015, Zayn Malik’s abrupt departure from One Direction was announced during their 2015 “On the Road Again Tour.” What seemed at first like a professional decision quickly became a personal breaking point – for him and the others –creating tension and leading to broken friendships.

The most notable and heartbreaking fallout was between Malik and his former bandmate, Louis Tomlinson. Their bond, which had been one of the most visible during the height of One Direction’s fame, unraveled in the public eye.

Just a little while after Malik’s exit, the two clashed in an infamous Twitter feud. Exchanging hurtful words in an already emotional time for both. For fans who had long admired their brotherly dynamic, the end of their friendship was very shocking. For years, the tension

remained, although, over time, both shared how they would be open to working through their issues.

In a 2019 interview, Tomlinson was asked whether he had reconnected with Malik. His answer had been: “I don’t know if me or him are mature enough yet to have that conversation.” It was a rare moment of honesty that revealed just how deep the issues still were, even years after their falling out.

In 2022, fans began noticing small interactions between the two stars. Tomlinson liked Malik’s Instagram clip of him singing his famous “You & I” high note, and in 2023 he commented on a post celebrating Malik’s daughter’s birthday. This was their first public interaction in years. Around the same time, Malik began to speak publicly on the past.

On the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in 2023, he admitted he had “selfishly” wanted to be the

first to start a solo career and acknowledged the underlying tensions in the group.

In 2024, speaking to Zach Sang, Malik shared his biggest regret from his days with One Direction was “not enjoying the band enough” while he was in it.

In Nov. 2024, following the devastating and sudden loss of their fellow bandmate, Liam Payne, Tomlinson and Malik were seen back together at Payne’s funeral. This rare sighting carried more weight than words for the fans.

The tragedy seemed to show that, in the shadow of grief, past grudges no longer mattered as much as shared moments for someone they had once called a brother. Although no one can say what words were shared behind closed doors, it is safe to assume this loss reminded them of how short life truly is.

In early 2025, Tomlinson was seen from afar in the VIP box at the Los Angeles, California,

Quick Hits

show of Malik’s “Stairway to the Sky” tour, showing they were making efforts to reconnect.

A decade after the initial fallout, they both appear to have rekindled their friendship. This month, they were seen together in public at a bar in Tennessee, their reunion marking a fullcircle moment for fans who once mourned the end of their friendship. And now, 10 years after their fallout, we finally have a picture of Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik together again.

Even if One Direction never has their long-awaited reunion, fans can find peace in knowing there’s no longer bad blood between Tomlinson and Malik. To add even more excitement, the two were also spotted filming something together. As of right now, the project is unknown, so keep your eyes peeled. Something special may be on its way soon!

Want more A&E Content? Scan to learn more about what's happening in the world of entertainment!

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco got married over the weekend after dating since Dec. 2024.

'The Muppets Show' will be returning next year for a special 50th anniversary episode featuring Sabrina Carpenter.

Photo courtesy of TV Tropes

Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com

Director Christopher Nolan was elected the new president of the Directors Guild of America.

Bad Bunny is set to be the Super Bowl LX halftime show performer.

Photo courtesy of UPI

Photo courtesy of TV Insider

By Kat Powers STAFF WRITER

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' ends after three seasons

This season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” confirmed my love for all adaptations thanks to the author, Jenny Han, being heavily involved in the screen adaptation of her books. The show was a faithful translation from book to screen, with changes that served the story rather than took away from it. Han’s involvement allowed for the show to become something other than a copy and paste of the books. For example, all members of the main cast were aged up four years after the ending of Season 2, whereas the third book only utilizes a two-year jump. The change allowed for more character evolution and maturity in the story. Han also expanded Taylor Jewel and Steven Conklin’s relationship, whereas the books were more centered on Conrad, Jeremiah and Belly. The show gave a well-rounded story where all the characters were important to the plot.

For Swifties – fans of singer Taylor Swift – and hopeless

romantics everywhere, the soundtrack of the show was almost as important as the plot itself. With the usage of “Dress” by Swift, the show's creators turned what could have been a simple, intimate reunion into a religious experience as it captured the emotion between Conrad and Belly perfectly.

as integral to her own writing process for the series. As a Swiftie herself, Han incorporated

referencing Swift’s song, “Red.”

Specifically referencing the lyrics, “Loving him was red”

Swift is known by her fans to drop “Easter eggs” that give hints about future music, music videos and when she'll make public appearances. She does this both in her words and in her fashion, sometimes even utilizing nail polish to hint at a new album.

Han regularly cites Swift, specifically her album “Fearless,”

many Easter eggs in the visual storytelling of the show through the costume design. The costume design was particularly expressive, as the color palettes would often refer to which brother Belly was with at the time, and hint to who she would end up with. It was widely agreed among fans that Jeremiah was blue and Conrad was red,

and “Losing him was blue like I’d never known.” When Belly is in scenes with Jeremiah, she is often wearing varying shades of blue. When she is in scenes with Conrad, or thinking about Conrad, she can be found in shades of red.

In addition to the use of color in costume design, Belly wears a a yellow dress in the last scene of

the final episode when she stands with Conrad. This references a line from Season 1 in which Laurel, Belly’s mom, says, “For Belly, Conrad is the sun. And when the sun comes out, the stars disappear.”

The set was also indicative of the plot. The significance of infinity was woven throughout the episodes in many forms.

The addition of the Easter eggs contributed to making the show into the phenomenon it was. Many creators on TikTok and Instagram are posting and dissecting the Easter eggs they included and sharing their reaction to each episode as they dropped. With the encouragement of watch parties, the target audience of young women started to include fathers, boyfriends and brothers sharing their emotions regarding the show.

With the series coming to a close, fans everywhere are overjoyed at the announcement of a movie that will continue the story, where there will be more Belly and Conrad content, giving the fans their own infinity.

'Avengers: Doomsday:' Is the hype going to last?

By Tom Saxa

ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

Nothing activates the internet’s collective imagination better than a good old-fashioned box-office flop. We’ve seen modest disappointments such as Paramount’s “Novocaine,” or more disastrous bombs like Tom Green’s legendary countercultural art piece “Freddy Got Fingered.” These films have garnered the attention of the public, partially for their disappointing critical and financial reception; however, these returns seem positive compared to what I believe will be the most widely discussed cinematic disaster of the 21st century: “Avengers: Doomsday.” The film was doomed (for lack of a better word) from the moment Jonathan Majors received his termination notice from Marvel, setting a new course for the studio’s upcoming multiverse saga. The characters of both Kang the Conqueror and Doctor Doom are speculated to

have motivations similar to their source material counterparts. However, the characters still feature substantial differences between one another, enough to where the film had to be radically overhauled, alternating the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) Phase Six timeline. It’s not that I don’t have faith in Disney to competently course correct, but longtime fans are already getting deja vu after the infamous failure of the Star Wars sequel trilogy –a series some fans agree took a quality nosedive later on in its run. “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker” were victims of placing too much importance on fan reception from the previous installments. In hindsight, audiences would have preferred to see the original un-doctored vision for the series – a part of history I hope doesn’t get repeated with

“Avengers: Doomsday.” While it was necessary to remove Kang from the franchise to circumvent the public relations headache, “Avengers: Doomsday” should

not be a complete 180° shift from their original plan, as that would make every film leading up to it essentially useless.

Even if the film can pull off the feat of redirecting the cinematic universe while bringing countless legacy characters into the world, the directors, Anthony and Joseph Russo, must curb their

recent use of artificial intelligence (AI). We’ve seen glimpses of AI usage in their recent Netflix blockbuster “The Electric State,” however any AI software used in “Avengers: Doomsday” could be the kiss of death for the film’s success. It could permanently alter the reputation of not only the filmmakers, but also Marvel’s already worsening image.

A telltale sign of a generation-defining box office failure is consistent reshoots. Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) recently said his scenes were not only shot on a different location, but in a plain green screen room with no other actors – a situation that in no way leads to the most inspired possible performance. From various reports, actors who’ve been shot in this jigsaw-puzzle style have publicly complained about its growth in

the industry, further lowering hope for a quality product come Summer of 2026.

Quality control is essential for the film industry, as it ensures fans not only go to a film but keep revisiting it even after multiple rewatches. This is called evergreen, and it’s a problem many of Marvel's post-“Avengers: Endgame” movies have suffered from. Numerous films, no matter the initial returns, have endured dramatic fall off’s post-opening weekends. “Spiderman: No Way Home,” “Fantastic 4: First Steps” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” while successful, have had little longevity outside of being newer MCU entries. At its worst, the film will simply be another franchise. It could potentially make up its already ballooning budget upon release, but every sign leading up to its theatrical run spells the largest cinematic disaster of the year – whether it’s critical, commercial or (most likely) both.

"Avengers: Doomsday" is currently set to release on Dec. 18, 2026.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Lola Tung (Belly) fractured her foot while filming the first ever episode of the series.

Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

By Kimberly Lopez

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

On Monday, Sept. 15, the Irish rock band Inhaler played a show at The Paramount in Huntington, New York. The band is currently on tour for their third studio album “Open Wide.” For this leg of the tour, they are catering to towns where they have never performed before.

Founded in 2012 in Dublin, Ireland, Inhaler is composed of Elijah Hewson as the lead vocalist, Robert Keating on the bass, Ryan McMahon on the drums and Josh Jenkinson as the lead guitarist. The band dabbles in the alternative, indie and pop rock genres; their influences most notably coming from The Stone Roses, Talking Heads and Joy Division. The influences do not stop there, as Hewson is also Bono from U2’s son.

I arrived at the venue around 4 p.m., even though the doors opened at 7 p.m., because I knew the band has a dedicated fanbase. Upon arrival, the line for entry went down the street and wrapped around the corner. As I made my unfortunate way

By Lily Hiebert

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Inhaler rocks at The Paramount

to the back of the line, I saw plenty of leather jackets, red skirts and shirts reading “I (heart) ELIJAH.”

Once inside, we awaited the show’s opener, Radio Free Alice, who came on stage at 8 p.m. Knowing nothing about this band, I was intrigued to hear them and to my surprise, they gained a new fan. Their synchronization, energy, saxophone skills and influences from The Smiths and Oasis kept me on my feet throughout their set. While Radio Free Alice certainly left a mark, we were itching with anticipation for Inhaler. At around 8:58 p.m., the lights dimmed, and the room erupted

with cheers. Inhaler made their way to their spots onstage, the cheers growing louder and louder each time a band member appeared. Their set began with

the crowd favorite “My Honest Face,” making the energy in the room unfathomable. Being in the pit felt like I was drowning in the best way possible. Inhaler kept up the energy with follow-up songs titled “Totally” and “When It Breaks.”

Some fans made certain songs more interactive. For example, during “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House),” fans threw Inhaler-themed dollar bills in the air, which made the audience more immersed in the scene around them. A crowd favorite was “My King Will Be Kind,” which Hewson always makes special by adlibbing a line about boys that suck.

It is such an oddly healing experience to scream “I f---g hate that b---h” with a crowd of (mostly) girls. Hewson even directed the microphone towards the crowd, anticipating how loud we were going to scream that line.

Something special the band does for each show comes during the track “Dublin in Ecstasy.” During the bridge, Hewson picks someone from the crowd to sing with him. The fanbase calls it getting “Dublined.” For this show, Hewson picked a fan who confidently sang all the right lyrics, even impressing the whole band. Moving on, Inhaler did a classic concert-encore, pretending to end their set with “Cheer Up Baby,” when it was far from the truth. Their real final song was the heavily loved, “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” which is the first song that made me fall in love with the band. Listening to the song live truly reminds me that this moment, among others, will not always be the same. After leaving the stage, for real this time, the boys were immediately missed. Inhaler is certainly a band to keep your eye on; I can only hope Long Island will be treated to them again soon.

Alex Warren wins best new artist at the 2025 VMAs

Alex Warren’s journey as a performer has truly been an inspiring one. Getting his start as a member of the “Hype House,” Warren shot into internet fame at a young age after filming videos for the social media platform TikTok. Before his time in the Hype House, he struggled with homelessness.

Warren has been vocal over the years about his relationship with his parents, his mother’s struggle with alcohol and the abuse he has endured, which eventually led to her kicking him out at the age of 18. In 2021, Warren’s mother passed away.

That same year Warren released his first song, which he dedicated to his late father – who died when he was a child – titled “One More I Love You.” The song detailed the intense grief and regret he felt after his father’s death.

In 2024, Warren rose to fame again after the release of his song “Save You a Seat,” which was

once again dedicated to his parents, describing the feeling of not having them on his wedding day.

The song shot to No. 11 on the Billboard Charts and began trending on TikTok.

A few months later, Warren released the song “Burning Down,” which pushed him further into internet fame along with rumors that the song was about a falling out with former Hype House members.

Spotify. His song “Ordinary” earned him two Video Music Award (VMA) nominations: Song of the Year and Best Pop.

because of its message on grief and going through life without the ones you’ve lost.

Warren’s debut album, “You’ll be Alright, Kid,” was only released in July, and already has over 185 million streams on

“Ordinary” tells the story of his relationship with his wife, Kouvr Annon, and how she stuck with him through the hardest moments of his life.

Another one of his songs, “Eternity,” stuck with listeners

Warren’s songs have had a strong impact on listeners because of his ability to talk about love and loss in a relatable way. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Warren talks about his process and inspiration for writing songs, stating, “It’s such a strange idea to think that I had to lose the two most important people in my life to be able to achieve the success I always thought I wanted.”

After winning the VMA for Best New Artist, Warren was in disbelief, thinking it would have gone to a different artist.

“I truly did not … Thank you so much,” Warren said after win-

ning his award. “What the? I was totally ready for Sombr to win.”

“I don’t even know what to say to you right now,” he added. “I don’t know; this is amazing. Thank you so much!”

Though he did not expect a win, the award was anticipated by many fans on social media before it was even announced.

Warren’s “Cheaper Than Therapy Tour” is currently on its final stretch in North America and has garnered thousands of fans from all over the country. His performances have been exceptionally well received by both critics and fans, increasing his fame and popularity to record heights. Fans have also taken to social media, commenting their love and support for Warren.

His tour attendance, award nominations and win are truly a testament to his growing fan base and popularity. It has all proven the mark Warren made on the music industry, which has been extraordinary.

Alex Warren's song "Ordinary" holds the record for being at No. 1 the longest on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart at 15 weeks.

All three of Inhaler's albums hit number one in Ireland.

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone

Photo courtesy of CBC

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

LHSC’s excessively limited minor requirements

By Tim Daly

Many majors at Hofstra University, particularly those within the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, require students to complete a supplemental minor. However, the options available to communication students for fulfilling this requirement are detrimentally limited.

All the students who are going for Bachelor of Arts degrees in the communication school are required to complete a liberal arts minor. Obviously, many liberal arts minors are useful and complimentary to the communication school majors. That being said, these are not the only beneficial minors at Hofstra for communication students.

The school limitations around the minor requirement severely inhibit its usefulness, as these students cannot take a communication minor that may teach them skills complimentary to their major or take a minor from one of Hofstra’s

non-liberal arts colleges and schools that could give them a backup plan in a safer field.

For example, a student who is studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing for the screen must take on a liberal arts minor. Instead, they could have used that elective time to learn the more technical aspects of filmmaking, with a different minor in the school of communication. Or they could find it more useful to take a business minor and give themselves a backup plan for the difficult job field they will enter.

Another major that is limited by these restrictions on the minor requirement is the journalism major, which requires a liberal arts minor, with an exception made for filmmaking, which is a minor in the school of communication. Journalism majors cannot fulfill this requirement with many of the other minors the communication school offers, which would be complimentary to the skills of their major such as public relations or mass media studies.

They also cannot fulfill this requirement with something from Hofstra’s other colleges to diversify their skillset, such as computer science or geographic information systems (GIS). Skills like computer science will soon become invaluable in journalism’s future, which seems more based online and would make Hofstra students stand out as job applicants. Those who are journalism majors and want to minor in GIS, do not fulfill the University’s requirement despite many news organizations using maps. GIS majors are also required to take a minor, albeit with less restrictions, and are even allowed to take journalism as their minor. According to Hofstra’s website, this is not only possible, but it is a common choice for the major. The fact that a journalism minor satisfies the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in GIS, but a GIS minor does not meet the requirements for the journalism major, points to the absurdity of these arbitrary restrictions.

For many communications majors, knowledge of the science, mathematics and business worlds may provide very useful skills for their professional life. For instance, those who want to be public relations professionals may find that a minor in marketing would make them better professionals. There are countless other examples. Considering the way that may professions are changing due to our increasingly digital world, the skills that will and will not be beneficial in the job market are always changing.

Students often choose a minor to give themselves a backup plan in case their riskier major does not help them get a job. Considering that many subjects falling under the communications umbrella are often considered riskier with more difficult job markets, these students may want to hedge their bets with a more safe minor. Many of these safer degrees, however, are in STEM and business fields. Limiting a student’s minor requirement

Learn to appreciate film discourse

to the liberal arts dissuades them from making themselves more well-rounded and giving themselves a good backup plan in these fields.

Pigeonholing students’ minor choices into the liberal arts also may deter them from pursuing a subject that they are passionate about.

Taking on a minor is an opportunity to explore another possible career, and restricting the areas that a student can minor in may limit their ambition to explore these subjects. If a student is not passionate about their minor, they are going to be less likely to use this knowledge in their future lives and careers. Instead of excitedly choosing a minor, Hofstra’s communications students that do not feel passionate about any liberal arts subject may opt to choose whatever option seems the easiest or most bearable for them.

Tim Daly is a senior journalism major and an English minor. You can find him on Instagram @tdaly5.

By Tom Saxa

The golden age of film discussion in my life seems like it was forever ago. The days of lunch table back and forth conversation, when we would analyze the infinite ways that Spider-Man could come back from the blip to beat Thanos seem long gone. Lighthearted discourse is almost impossible to have now that traditional blockbusters are less common. This issue, while niche, can be chalked up to two things. The first being the higher quantity of films being released in the same timeframes – with the summer and winter seasons being key release windows. The second being how the internet provides spaces where people can find more tight knit communities where more specific

movies could be discovered. This creates the cultural problem of a lack of unity toward certain releases. Whereas movies used to bring us together, the quantity of options available at any given time have only served to tear us apart.

This past August saw the release of “The Naked Gun,” “The Bad Guys 2,” “Together” and “Weapons.” On one hand, it should be celebrated how many options there are for moviegoers as of late – fans of comedy, animated comedy and even horror comedy have films made to suit their distinct tastes. However, film unity is when a single movie can be discussed among different groups, offering different perspectives and revealing new aspects of the film in general, showing a bigger picture over time. That kind of discussion

has been sorely lacking in Hollywood, with one notable exception.

James Gunn’s fierce beginning to his new Detective Comics Cinematic Universe (DCU) has shown that movies can still unite the public. The release of “Superman” felt like a unifying event in ways that I have not felt about a film since all the way back to when “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” released on the same day. Everybody I know either saw it or talked about seeing it, ecstatic to discuss all the new possibilities for this universe. In many ways, “Superman” is a film about hope, so it is only fitting that it could restore my faith in the future of going to the movies more and talking about them.

On the other hand, Marvel Comics’ big summer release “Fantastic Four: First Steps”

made far less of an impact than the studio had hoped, considering that this was their last attempt to build anticipation for “Avengers: Doomsday.”

Marvel’s current situation is a result of a surplus of content combined with fatigue among fans, as each new Marvel project seems to garner less attention than the last. New projects “Ironheart” and “Marvel Zombies” have garnered much less discussion surrounding their respective releases, especially when compared to each new DCU project.

Film discussion does not have to be relegated to superhero business, as the sheer number of new movies ensures that there will be a community for you. While I miss the era of unity among moviegoers, I love how merely bringing up an obscure but beloved film like

“Speed Racer” or “964 Pinocchio” will guarantee a friendship with whoever else can call themselves a fan. I love how a Letterboxd review can skyrocket a passionate fan to niche internet fame. I love how I can bond with friends and family by putting on one of my favorite movies. If you enjoy movies, I can only hope that you never let your experience with the film end after you leave the theater or turn off the television, because sometimes the best moments happen after the credits roll.

Tom Saxa is a junior film studies and production and English double-major. You can find him on Instagram @tbone_saxaphone.

OPINION

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

ACROSS 1 Instruction to someone in labor

5 Pieces of advice

9 Hasbro toy with audio commands 14 Orchestral woodwind

15 Spiritual vibe

16 Came to light

17 How a guilty criminal might be caught

19 Actress Witherspoon

20 Hiking path

21 Billy Joel hit song

23 Cow's remark

25 Hand-based communication, for short

26 13-Down's "obviously!"

29 Sound containing all frequencies at equal intensity

36 Portion of vanilla in Neapolitan ice cream

39 Worshipped objects 40 Some northwestern potatoes

41 Pair of states with North and South varieties

43 Not at all

44 Free from imprisonment

45 Gardener's asset

48 Biological characteristic determined by X and Y chromosomes

49 Fraction of a min.

50 2-Down, for example

53 Related to cooking

58 "Nightmare" horror movie location, for short

62 Offhand remark

63 Technology that supports wireless connection between devices

66 Break apart

67 "If it ___ broke ..."

68 Sycamore or Pine, for example

69 Walk

70 Director Guadagnino

71 Stitched DOWN

1 Harbor

2 Rideshare service

3 Pop, to some

4 Masculine pronoun pair

5 Get some sun

6 Contraception option, for short

7 Like some gifted debit cards

8 Torturer

9 Farm structure

10 Cookies and cream cookie

11 "The Raven," for one

12 Actress Rae of "Insecure"

13 Adolescent

18 Trendy athletic apparel brand

22 Ginger ___ (Canada Dry product)

24 Child's injury, maybe 26 "How are you __?" 27 Beneath

28 Breathe hard

30 Fractions of a day, for short

31 "Just do it" brand 32 Bad smell 33 Small amounts 34 Shade of gray

35 English county on the Thames 37 Shakespearean "you"

38 Tuba, for one 41 Badly lit

42 "Dancing Queen" band

44 Actress featured in "Charlie's Angels"

46 Airport safety organization, for short

47 Like some non-caffeinated teas

51 Dog or cat, maybe

52 Story arcs

53 Aid for a broken limb

54 ___ name and password

55 On-air

56 Seed of a thought 57 Geek

59 Not less 60 Hearty soup

61 "Now and ____"

64 Name for someone past their prime, in modern slang

65 GPS' estimate

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

By Kumba Jagne

Right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, Sept. 10, while giving a speech at Utah Valley University. His death is an example of how isolated instances of political violence are ineffective.

Kirk loomed large in death. President Donald Trump called him an American hero and his funeral drew over 200,000 people. By dying through assassination, he was cemented as a martyr. Turning Point USA, now headed by his widow Erika Kirk, received 54,000 inquiries about starting new chapters the week after his death, according to the New York Times. Without Kirk at the helm, everything he was a part of lived on just fine. Killing Kirk did not cut off the right-wing fascist head, in fact, it barely nicked the ear.

That is not to say assassinations are meaningless, there are many things Kirk’s assassination

Isolated political violence is ineffective

did do, like giving the Trump administration a reason to target the left end of the political spectrum. Trump blamed radical left terrorists for the attack, and Vice President J.D. Vance, while hosting the first installment of Kirk’s show following his death, suggested targeting the Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations, both left-leaning political groups. Historically Black colleges and universities also became targets of online death threats, according to CBS News, despite the only known suspect being white. Something Kirk’s assassination failed to do is protect the very communities he antagonized with his racist and right-wing rhetoric.

The same is true on the opposite side of the political spectrum. Vance Boelter was indicted on charges connected to the murder of Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and the attack on state Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Authorities say

Boelter had a list of potential targets, including more lawmakers and abortion rights activists. In this case, the victims were not martyred in the same way as Kirk. The abortion rights the lawmakers stood for did not crumble with them; similarly, Kirk’s beliefs will persist after his death. Minnesota still maintains a person’s “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” Killing one person cannot change an entire system. The only way to enact change is through years of focused work among thousands of people. The Civil Rights Movement lasted for about 20 years and benefited from key leaders, but the people who unified with them gave their words and actions weight. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955-1956, which included 40,000 Black bus riders. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington drew 250,000 protestors in 1963. That is not

to mention every parent, sibling and friend that supported these demonstrators when they came home.

The assassination of King and other civil rights leaders did not kill the movement because it was filled with dedicated people too strong and too connected to give up in the face of hardship.

Ruby Bridges, The Little Rock Nine and James Meredith all showed courage in being the first Black people to integrate within their elementary school, high school and college, respectively. These people were all protected by some form of federal officer, showing that violence and the threat of force, in the aims of a political agenda, is sometimes necessary. The difference between these officers and assassins is the officers are working in a community and they exist in the defense of outside perpetrators of violence; they are not instigators.

What the Civil Rights Movement had that individual

assassins do not is community and organization; without those things, change cannot be made. People are needed to protest; community support is necessary. When there are setbacks, leaders organize people and followers inspire others to join the movement. Systems only crumble in the face of other systems. Shortcuts, like murder, do not do much because they mistake one person for the entire system. These killings were ineffective because the victims had a community behind them. To enact change, the opposers must be more unified than what they are fighting against.

A person with a gun cannot change the world, and that is a good thing. Continuous concentrated effort from thousands of people toward the same goal can push the world into new eras.

Kumba Jagne is a junior journalism major. You can find her on Instagram @journalistkumba.

What Kimmel’s suspension means for free speech

By Farhan Alam

Jimmy Kimmel was suspended from his late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” after backlash over comments he made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Though ABC News sought to suspend Kimmel “indefinitely,” his show was quickly reinstated after just six days.

At first glance, the decision might look like censorship. But it is important to remember a key fact about free speech: Kimmel is allowed to say what he wants, but his employer is not required to air it. He still has freedom of speech, but ABC, as his employer, also has the right to decide what it broadcasts.

I also find it ridiculous that a big talk show host can be removed from the air for making a joke in this era. Kimmel

may have spread some misinformation by calling the alleged killer of Kirk “MAGA.” That was not the heart of his comedy bit, though. His focus was on President Donald Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death and a viral clip of Trump talking about the White House ballroom.

This brings up a bigger question: what boundaries exist and what is acceptable in political comedy? Shows like “South Park” have openly mocked the current administration. One episode even included a line warning that “Trump will sue you and take you down from the air.” That makes me wonder why some comments are tolerated while others are targeted.

Trump’s reaction has only added to the confusion. On social media, he claimed Kimmel was pulled because of poor ratings, but that doesn’t hold up to the facts. Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, whose show was also

recently canceled, are number one and two, respectively, in late-night viewership among adults aged 18-49. Ratings have dropped for all television shows in recent years, but Kimmel has kept up with his competition. This is without including everything the hosts make from YouTube and social media viewership. His suspension does not look like a rating problem, it looks like a political problem.

I do not like how the narrative has shifted to focusing on ratings rather than if ABC gave in to political pressure. This distracts from the larger issue of a major network pulling one of its biggest hosts after criticism from government officials. That should worry anyone who values free speech and comedy’s role in democracy.

As for Kimmel himself, I do not believe he should have to apologize to Trump. If he

spread misinformation about the alleged killer, then yes, he should clarify that. But he was not attacking the Kirk family directly. In those early days after the tragedy, many others were also getting the facts wrong. What he was really doing was attacking Trump, and for that, he does not need to say sorry if he does not believe he was wrong.

This case shows the tension between corporate rights, political pressure and freedom of speech. The role of late-night hosts has always been to challenge those in power, to hold up a mirror through humor. Silencing that, even for a short time, sets a troubling precedent.

Kimmel’s suspension proves that free speech in America is not just about the First Amendment. It is also about whether companies, under political pressure, will stand by their talent when they speak out. If

every sharp joke about those in power can lead to suspension, then what happens to satire, to comedy and to the long tradition of using humor to joke about the country?

We have seen other examples in history where comedians were punished for going too far. However, silencing comedians can backfire. Sometimes, the act of silencing becomes louder than the joke itself as we see people lining up in Los Angeles, California, protesting for Kimmel.

Kimmel’s suspension is about more than just one latenight host. It is about what kind of country we want to live in. The answer is simple: Jimmy Kimmel should not have been off the air for this.

Farhan Alam is a senior journalism major. You can find him on Instagram @f.alam1.

Volleyball stumped by Charleston in another thriller

By Samantha Nadler STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University volleyball team took its second consecutive five-set loss to the College of Charleston, the reigning champions of the Coastal Athletic Association

(CAA), on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Pride now hold a 9-2 overall record while the Cougars improve to 7-6 on the season. While both teams sit 2-2 in CAA play, Hofstra is holding down fifth place in conference standings while Charleston is in seventh.

With 17 kills and 15 digs, Izadora Stedile became the seventh player in Hofstra volleyball history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her Pride career, after reaching the kill count during Hofstra’s first match in the series against Charleston on Friday and reaching the dig count in Saturday’s match. Stedile is the first member of Hofstra’s 1,000/1,000 club since Kelsie

Wills accomplished the feat in 2014.

Beatriz Braga led the Pride alongside Stedile with 19 kills, while Constanza Perez Sain contributed 11 kills on the day and Valentina Lopez Moya recorded a season-high 10 kills. In the back row, Nil Kayaalp led with 22 digs while Nina Jioshvili-Ravva put up a seasonhigh 49 assists.

The Pride breezed through the first set, earning three of their first four points on Charleston errors. Hofstra went on multiple four-point runs and had both Jioshvili-Ravva and Perez Sain record aces in the opening set, which the Pride easily won 25-15.

The two teams played a

much closer second set. The Cougars took a 25-23 victory over the Pride, but each team committed far more errors than they did in the first set. Twelve of Hofstra’s set points, and 13 of Charleston’s set points, came off errors from the opposite team.

Braga and Perez Sain recorded three kills apiece in the second set to help Hofstra to a tie at 23 points apiece, but after the 2323 tie, Charleston won the set on an error from Stedile and a kill from Izzy Marinelli.

Marinelli was the leading scorer for Charleston, finishing her second match against the Pride with 19 kills.

Hofstra won the third set 25-20 while Charleston took the fourth set with a mirrored score.

During the fifth set, Charleston started on a 6-0 run before Marinelli recorded an error to give the Pride their first point of the set. Hofstra trailed during the entire set, never putting together a run greater than two points in a row. Stedile’s four kills in the set were not enough for a Pride victory, as Hofstra lost 15-9 in a heartbreaking fifth-set loss.

Hofstra opens CAA play at home with a pair of matches against Elon University on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4. First serve is set for 2 p.m. at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center for both matches.

Barnett’s winner slays the Dragons on the road

By Ethan Poole SPORTS EDITOR

The Hofstra University men’s soccer team sustained a late rally from Drexel University to knock the Dragons 1-0 at Drexel. The Pride improved to 6-4 with two straight wins, also rocking a 3-1 conference record. The Dragons fell to 4-3-3 with an even 2-2 record in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play.

Hofstra controlled the first half and grabbed an early lead, but a combination of snakebitten attack chances and solid defense in the 18-yard box from Drexel kept the Pride’s advantage at just one goal at the 45-minute mark.

That goal came from Owen Barnett just over a half hour into the period. Stefano Campisi delivered a beautiful ball into the 18-yard box. As a defender sent it out, it found the head of

Samuel Francou, who sent it right back into the box. Daniel Burko centered the pass directly to Barnett, who sent the ball past the diving goalkeeper

Raphael Bartell to put Hofstra on top 1-0. The goal was not without cost, though. Barnett got his leg tangled up with Bartell as he finished the shot and left the game with an injury.

The Pride controlled possession for most of the stanza and had five shots while not allowing Drexel to get a shot off in the first half. Despite the domination, only two of those shots were on goal: Barnett’s tally and a header from Pablo Hempelmann-Perez, which were punched out of the air by Bartell. The save, which came with just 44 seconds remaining in the half, ensured a close game at halftime.

In the first half, the Pride had two major missed opportunities. Evangelos Chrysostomou rang a shot off the top right of the crossbar just six and a half minutes in, and HempelmannPerez airmailed a shot four minutes before his header attempt.

The two teams played a competitive and physical first half, with a combined 23 fouls assessed, including a yellow card to each side – one for Burko and one for Drexel’s

Morgan Worsfold-Gregg. While the chippiness died down a tad in the second half with 16 combined fouls, three more yellows were assessed. Campisi and Jack Shannon were both victims of hard hits and responded similarly, both being booked for the retaliatory actions. In addition, the Hofstra bench received a card with 10 minutes remaining.

Scoring chances were much more evenly distributed in the second half, with both goaltenders turning aside two shots. The most heroic stop came with three minutes left, Gino Cervoni made a diving save on Julian Pittaoulis, securing the victory for Hofstra. Cervoni kept his third clean sheet of the season and has saved 15 of the 20 shots he has faced so far.

Bartell made two more stellar saves, one on Burko and a leaping stop on Gabriel Pacheco. The senior keeper made three saves on the afternoon to increase his save percentage to .739.

The next match for the Pride is far more than a conference matchup, on Saturday, Oct. 4, the Pride will host Northeastern University and honor head coach Richard Nuttall, who is retiring at the end of the season. Gametime is set for 6 p.m.

By Ethan Poole SPORTS EDITOR

Providence too much for Pride in road loss

The Hofstra University field hockey team lost a 3-1 road contest to Providence College on Sunday, Sept. 28. The Pride have now dropped two straight and sit at 5-4, while the Friars have won their last two and are rocking a 6-3 record as they head into the heart of Big East play.

Piper Cline was the driving force behind Providence’s offense with three points on the day, she assisted on the game winning goal and added one of

her own for good measure in the fourth quarter.

The two northeast combatants were no closer to finding a victor after the first half, with the score still deadlocked at zero after 30 minutes of play.

After only playing the final three quarters in Hofstra’s 2-1 defeat to Drexel University on Friday, Sept. 26, Luci Hollister reclaimed her starting spot in goal and was tested early, making three first-quarter saves.

Hollister stood tall in the fifth minute when she made a save on Ari Ftorek, the Friars were awarded a penalty corner seconds after which was inserted by Florencia Talarico, she cycled the ball until it found the stick of Bo Martina, who was denied by Hollister as well. Martina drew a penalty corner which she took herself. Her insert was well-placed and the ball reached Lily Procaccianti, who became the third Friar to run into the brick wall of Hollister. She made three saves in under 20 seconds of

gametime in this sequence to keep the contest scoreless.

Providence countered Hollister with their own freshman goalkeeper Ava Porter, who put together her second straight scoreless appearance and fourth of the season. Porter played the first 56 minutes before being taken out.

She faced a similar onslaught to Hollister from the Pride just a couple of minutes after, Jamie McwwwMillan could not beat Porter but corralled her own rebound to keep the possession alive. Eighteen seconds later, Kelly Levengood was shut down in front of the net, the Friars’ defense cleared the ball and escaped the threat unscathed.

Neither team got another shot on goal for 13 minutes of game time, Caitlin Lozano had a shot blocked and eventually Kristi Santos drew a penalty corner opportunity. Santos got her own opportunity at the net, but a save from Porter prevented her second goal in as many games.

The Friars pushed to take a

lead heading into halftime, but Hollister stood tall and kept things scoreless.

After an evenly played first half which saw six shots from each side, Providence took control in the third quarter, outshooting Hofstra 5-1 and grabbing a 2-0 lead. Martina scored off a penalty corner three minutes in and Procaccianti added her team-leading sixth goal of the season five minutes later.

Cline iced things three

minutes into the fourth quarter, putting the Friars ahead 3-0. The Pride failed to register a shot on goal until there were 43 seconds left in the game, when Tess Satterfield ruined Providence’s shutout bid with her second goal of the year.

The Pride return to conference play on Friday, Oct. 3, with a road matchup against No. 14 Monmouth University. Gametime is set for 3 p.m. from West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Pride tie Towson for seventh draw in a row

By Shannon Bickert

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Hofstra University women’s soccer team suffered their seventh straight draw in a 1-1 game against Towson University on Saturday, Sept. 28. The draw moves the Tigers into the second-place position in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) North Division with a 1-0-2 record in conference play. The Pride remain winless in conference play with a 0-0-3 CAA record and sit at fourth place in the CAA North.

The Pride continued to

struggle when gaining an advantage, blowing a 1-0 lead 15 minutes into the second half. Hofstra took the early lead at around the three minute mark, capitalizing on a corner opportunity. Manon Lebargy made a pass to the middle of the 18-yard box to an open Alexia Des Croisselles who found the back of the net for the second time this season.

Towson shifted the momentum in the second half with the equalizer. Kale’a Perry crossed the ball to Emma Levin to tie the score at one apiece 15 minutes into the second half. The assist was Perry’s fifth of the season. She leads the Tigers in points scored with 13 this year.

Both teams finished the game with 13 shots, and the Pride were slightly better in terms of accuracy, with five shots on goal to the Tigers’ four. The Pride were not afraid to push around to break through the skid and committed 12 fouls on the

day to Towson’s six. Hofstra won the corners matchup with 13 in the game to the Tigers’ three. Towson was able to silence every corner opportunity after allowing the goal to Des Croisselles.

Olivia Pearse led the Pride in shots with four and put two of the attempts on goal. Millie Davies saw time for the first time in six games after being out with injury and made an immediate impact in her 31 minutes of play. She had three great looks and two shots on goal in her return to the pitch.

The Towson offense ran through Perry, who fired off four shots on the day and assisted the equalizing goal.

Both goalkeepers did their job in net: Lilly Bailey had three saves in the first half for the Pride and Teagan Gardner finished the game with four saves.

It was all Hofstra early in the first half. The Pride forced eight corners and capitalized

on the second corner on the day with the Des Croisselles goal. Towson gained ground later in the second half and outshot the Pride 7-5.

Tensions rose in the second half with CAA North standings on the line. Two members of the Tigers were tagged with yellow cards for unsporting and the Pride committed nine fouls. Despite the physicality in the second half, the Tigers gained control early: Perry used her speed and footwork to break

toward the goal and find Levin open in the middle for the gametying goal.

The Pride felt the pressure of the clock ticking down and fired off eight shots in the second half, trying to fight for the goahead goal, but they fell short of finding the back of the net due to three saves by Gardner.

The Pride look to snap their seven-game draw skid in a CAA matchup against Northeastern University on Thursday, Oct. 2. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. at Captains Field.

Tess Satterfield spoiled the shutout with 43 seconds to go.

Seven draws is the most in program history.

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

SPORTS

Gino Cervoni: Staying ready, playing steady

By Evan Papadapolous STAFF WRITER

Gino Cervoni was not supposed to be in this situation. The Hofstra University men’s soccer team brought in Sean Bohan from William Penn University to be the team’s starting goalkeeper. After three games, though, an injury to Bohan forced Cervoni, a management major, to step up and step between the posts for Hofstra’s Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opener against Northeastern University.

Hofstra is very close to home for Cervoni, both figuratively and literally. Not only is he one of two players to have spent the past four seasons here in Hempstead, New York, but he also went to high school at H. Frank Carey High School, in Elmont, New York, just a 20 minute drive from Hofstra’s campus.

“Yes, [Hofstra’s location] was a really big factor for me. I looked to go to other schools, looked to go away, and ultimately when it came down for me to decide, I really didn’t want to go away,” Cervoni said. “I want to stay close to home, stay close to my family because I’m from an Italian family, so it’s hard to get away from my whole family.”

In high school, Cervoni was a two-sport athlete, participating in both soccer and lacrosse.

“I did lacrosse more to just stay in shape. It was something

to do with my friends in the spring season,” Cervoni said. “The soccer coach was also the lacrosse coach. It was different. I played defense, I wasn’t a goalie in lacrosse, I tried being a lacrosse goalie, but it just wasn’t for me.”

Cervoni was very successful in net, being named to the All-Nassau County team his senior year of high school and conference Goalkeeper of the Year. He also was a part of state and regional champions on the club level.

This was a stark contrast to his time at Hofstra, where he did not receive any playing time his freshman or sophomore year, and only saw 22 minutes of action last season.

“It was quite a difference you know, getting the jump from high school soccer to college soccer, even from club to college, it’s just a really big jump.

used to it and the playing time obviously, it comes with the experience, you grow into the role.”

Cervoni is one of the Pride’s most experienced players, especially in head coach Richard Nuttall’s system, as both he and senior forward Owen Barnett are the only two players to spend the past four seasons playing for the Pride.

“I think it’s a really good thing for me and my teammates because especially with all the new guys we have this year. I know the system,” Cervoni said. “It’s different than a lot of other teams, the way they play. So, I think having [me and Barnett] for the last four years, it really helps the guys [to be] able to look up to us, if they have any

could take more chances, take more risks, knowing that I’m behind them and that they don’t have to worry about anything coming over the top, I’ll be there.”

“He’s a kind, caring person.”

You’re playing with kids your age to then you’re playing with men that are almost eight years older than you,” Cervoni said. “When I was a freshman, I had teammates that were 25 [and] 26 [years old]. So, it was a really big jump, and it was hard at first, but over time I got

questions, [we would] be able to explain anything to them. I think for the coaches as well, they have good guys to rely on.”

Cervoni has also been a vocal leader and a captain for the Pride.

“He’s a kind, caring person who’s got a social IQ,” Nutall said, “So he can understand people and he can talk to them in a manner that fits their social structure and he’s just really good at getting along with people because he is selfless and caring. People gravitate to him, and people care for him, so he’s got the respect of everybody. So, it’s easy for him to be a captain and lead the people because he’s got everybody’s respect.”

Cervoni’s mindset is simple: “I think just staying organized and just keep them knowing that I’m at their back, pushing them forward, knowing that they

His qualities are not going unnoticed. “As a competitor, he is someone who is day in day out always giving his best and continually improved every year he’s been here … every year he’s given his all and this year he was just behind on the pecking order and that guy [Bohan] got injured and he’s just stepped in and done a magnificent job,” Nuttall said.

“He’s just hardworking, when he’s not here he’s got a part time job and he’s good in the classroom,” Nuttall said. “He’s brilliant with other people, and it makes everybody feel warm and fuzzy and welcome, and that’s what type of person [Cervoni] is, he’s always got the time for other people, and he’s got a selfless attitude so we’re very thankful.”

In Cervoni’s debut against Northeastern University, he made three saves and allowed one goal in the Pride’s 3-1 win. Between Sunday, Sept. 7, against Northeastern and Tuesday, Sept. 16, Cervoni went over 260 minutes without conceding a goal.

The build up to Cervoni’s first start was chaotic and gave him little time to prepare.

“We got delayed on Saturday and going into that, I wasn’t the starter, so [Bohan] was still playing … [Nuttall] talks a lot about mental rehearsal, [I] didn’t have time for that,” Cervoni said. “It was just a lot of nerves, it wasn’t scary, but it was definitely a different experience that I’ve had in the past.”

Despite the rise of the transfer portal throughout college sports, Cervoni has stuck it out at Hofstra, despite his lack of playing time.

“I did [consider leaving],” Cervoni said. “I wanted to play, but in the situation, the way everything fell, it just wasn’t a good time for me to go into the portal. I do love it here, from the coaches, the staff, the medical trainers [and] my teammates, it’s a good environment and I didn’t really want to leave, and I thought, let me just finish, get my degree here. Let me spend one more year here and who knows what could happen.”

“We’ve never wanted him to leave,” Nuttall said, “but we said, ‘Look, if you want to get some definite starting time, you should probably go to a slightly lesser program where you are guaranteed to start,’ and I’m so happy he’s got his moment in the spotlight.”

With Cervoni in net, the Pride have a 5-2 record, while without him, the Pride are 1-2, with Hofstra’s next game coming up at home against Northeastern on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The Pride are 5-2 with Cervoni in net.

Cervoni only saw 22 minutes of match action before this season.

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

Joe Orovitz / The Hofstra Chronicle

By Conner Keough

STAFF WRTIER

Creating HEADstrong

Shortly after being diagnosed, Colleluori withdrew from Hofstra and returned to Ridley for treatment.

During that time, he noticed the lack of resources available for cancer patients and their families. Inspired, Colleluori created the HEADstrong Foundation, which raises support and funds for cancer research while empowering athletes to support his mission. “What I always remember Nick by was what a fighter he was,” DeNapoli said. “He would be going through chemotherapy and be feeling like absolute sh*t, and you wouldn’t know it. He refused to show his teammates and his brothers that he was letting something hurt him.”

One day, after doctors told Colleluori there was nothing they could do to prolong his life, he told his parents he had three wishes.

First, he wanted to be cremated and buried. Secondly, he wanted a scholarship at both Ridley High School and Hofstra in his name. Finally, he said, “Mom, I want you to take the foundation to where it needs to go. Don’t question anything. The lacrosse family is my brotherhood. They won’t turn their backs on you.”

Doctors told Colleluori he had just three months to live after his initial diagnosis. Colleluori greatly surpassed that, living for over a year and watching his Hofstra Pride play an entire season in his honor, before passing away on Nov. 28, 2006.

Lasting Legacies

The HEADstrong game was born shortly after Colleluori’s passing. First played in Ridley, before moving to Hofstra’s campus, the annual fall tournament brings together teams from around the country who raise money for cancer research and compete in exhibitions. Hofstra has competed in every tournament.

“I was aware of HEADstrong from an outsider’s perspective because everyone in the lacrosse world knows what the HEADstrong Foundation is,” said Anthony Zappone, who played for Hofstra from 2010 to 2013.

“Every outsider knows what the foundation is and what that lime green color means.”

In the wake of Colleluori’s passing, Tierney took over the reeling program for the 2007 season. The team struggled in his first season as head coach.

Colleluori’s brother, Michael, joined the team in 2005 and played with Hofstra until graduating in 2008. In the years following Colleluori’s passing, Michael carried his fighting spirit and blue-collar attitude with him.

After Michael graduated, there were concerns from the Hofstra staff that Colleluori’s legacy might not remain.

“We were at a crossroads of what to do,” Tierney said. “We talked about retiring the number, but then the meaning doesn’t stay with the program. Instead, we decided to reassign the number every year, which makes Nick’s story come up annually, if not more.”

Wearing No. 27 Their Own Way

“To be No. 27, a guy has to be an overachiever,” Tierney said. “He is totally bought into the team. He has to do the right things in the classroom, on the field, and have a strong presence in the community. Just a prototype of what we would want in a Hofstra lacrosse player.”

The process of selecting the next No. 27 is a special one: At the end of a season, all the seniors sit on the steps of the locker room and address the returning players, signaling a changing of the guard. Even though the players are leaving, they urge the underclassmen to uphold the values of Hofstra lacrosse, and every year, No. 27 has something to say about passing on the legacy.

After the seniors leave, Tierney meets with his assistant coaches, Michael Gongas and John Gorman, to pick the next No. 27. He reaches out to his returning players to see if they have any thoughts on who should be the next No. 27, making the decision a team effort. Each player and coach gets a vote for who will wear the number, except for Gorman, who was a former teammate of Colleluori’s and receives two votes.

Every player who has earned

the number has embodied Colleluori’s spirit and the team’s singular motto of being “turnpike tough.”

“People use Hempstead Turnpike to get to work every day,” Tierney said. “It’s not a vacation street. The bus route comes right outside our stadium, and people get on and off to punch the clock. These people are working and taking care of their families. That’s where the ‘turnpike tough’ came in, and that’s where the blue-collar nature came in. It was an adopted style of lacrosse that we play.”

According to Tierney, in this style, it’s never a one-on-one. For example, when there’s a groundball battle, there’s always a swarm of Hofstra players.

As for who would be the first to receive Colleluori’s No. 27, Adam Swarson fit the bill. Swarson was a natural choice, having been one of the last remaining teammates of Colleluori’s. Swarson held it as an honor to carry on the Colleluori family legacy.

Swarson was slightly undersized, but he was also the most difficult defender to play against.

“[Swarson] would probably fight me if he heard me call him undersized,” Tierney said. “He played much bigger than [how] he looked, and that was the way Nick was too. Their size was one thing, but their heart was never questioned.”

After Swarson, Tierney wondered if the team should continue the tradition because no players after him would have known Colleluori personally, but at that point, Colleluori had become integral to what the team represents.

Steven DeNapoli

“My class came in the year after Nick passed away, so I never met him in person,” DeNapoli said. “I think his spirit and memory lived on for years.”

Hailing from Hewlett, New York, DeNapoli had long dreamed of playing for Hofstra.

As an undersized short-stick defensive midfielder, DeNapoli worked harder than most to earn his minutes, eventually becoming a staple for the Pride’s defense.

“[DeNapoli] was a late bloomer,” Tierney said. “He

didn’t intimidate you with his size. At first look, you were not threatened by [DeNapoli]. But two hours later, after you played against [DeNapoli], you felt it.”

DeNapoli became the second recipient of the prestigious No. 27 in 2011. DeNapoli was a twotime All-Conference defender with great leadership abilities. He caused turnovers, was strong on ground balls and contributed key goals for the team.

“[DeNapoli] was a clear teammate, the ultimate teammate,” Tierney said. “[He] played the turnpike style – From Hewlett, to Hofstra, to the world championship team, and in pro lacrosse. I think he brought a piece of Nick everywhere he went.”

Even after leaving Hempstead, DeNapoli was still a Hofstra guy. His intensity, grit and leadership followed him to the highest levels of lacrosse, where he played professionally until 2022. For teammates that came after them, DeNapoli and Swarson became proof that the program’s culture continues strong even after the guys who built it leave.

“We always kept an open locker for [Nick],” DeNapoli said. “So, every time you were in the [locker room] and saw that No. 27 jersey hanging, you knew Nick was with you. We just knew how he fought on the field and through his treatments. That’s how we were expected to go out and perform. We had to fight for Nick.”

Anthony Zappone

“I was actually committed to go to Army West Point,” said Zappone. “I went to a military prep school to get ready for West Point. I was there for a year, but it just wasn’t for me. I called a friend of mine to see if Hofstra had any open spots. I was willing to walk on to the team if I had to.

Thankfully, Hofstra had a recruit drop out in the last minute, so [Tierney] brought me in.”

A native of upstate New York, Zappone made the team as a walk-on his freshman year. Because of his late addition to the team, Zappone was the last midfielder on the depth chart.

“In upstate New York, I was a pretty good midfielder, but Hofstra didn’t need me there,” Zappone said. “I was made a

The legacy

defensive midfielder and I was happy. I was willing to play anywhere. I quickly realized that defensive midfielders at Hofstra are like nowhere else in the world. D-midfielders are a staple in Hofstra lacrosse, and I bought in hard.”

Zappone found his footing in his new position and relished the opportunities he got. During his freshman year, Zappone looked up to DeNapoli – who was wearing No. 27 at the time – as well as Kevin Unterstein, a former teammate of Colleluori’s turned Hofstra assistant coach.

“We hopped on the bus to go to HEADstrong my freshman year, and I was naive to what it was,” Zappone said. “To me, it was a foundation created by a former player who had

cancer.

[Tierney] plays us a video about Nick’s story. I’m sitting there on the bus fighting tears. After that, No. 27 became something I really wanted.”

Zappone became one of many great defensive midfielders to come through Hofstra, following in the likes of Unterstein, Swarson and DeNapoli. In 2014, his dream came true when it became his turn to wear No. 27.

Ryan Rielly

“Hofstra always gets a lot of good recruits, maybe not the level of Duke, but these Hofstra kids are always tough,” said Ryan Rielly, who played for Hofstra from 2011 to 2015.

of No. 27

“They were blue-collar players. And I think if they didn’t know that going in, it would become pretty apparent pretty fast.”

Rielly grew up playing football first and lacrosse second. At 5’11” and 185 pounds, he wasn’t big enough to play college football. Size never mattered to Tierney, so when Rielly got serious about lacrosse his junior year of high school, he became a prototypical Hofstra defensive midfielder recruit.

injuries he sustained in a car crash. Losing Ferriso struck the Pride deep. He was a hardworking, team-first player who was described as the ultimate teammate. Rielly was tasked with leading the team through their pain.

SPORTS

game went into overtime, and I was able to score the gamewinning goal. I remember just running to the logo to celebrate on it and hugging [Unterstein] after the game and seeing how much that win meant to him.”

Kavanagh’s game-winning goal came at the end of his sophomore year. He was surprised when he received a call from Tierney that summer asking him to be No. 27 for the 2017 campaign.

“Tim is protecting our soldiers who are protecting our country,” Tierney said. “When there is an issue or someone needs medical attention, he’s the one who takes care of them. It’s pretty impressive to see the kind of person [Hegarty] grew into.”

According to Tierney, Hegarty came into the program as one of the nicest kids to ever come out of Farmingdale. Being No. 27 taught Hegarty he did not need to change to be a leader.

“[Rielly] was one of the best poles in the country,” Zappone said. “He was able to shut down the best midfielders in the country game after game, but he never got national notoriety for it.”

Rielly followed Zappone as No. 27 in 2015. Early in the fall, Rielly broke his foot in practice and was sidelined until the spring for the regular season.

“I had never been hurt in college or missed a game, but I knew I couldn’t play through this one,” Rielly said. “I went hard in the weight room that fall because I wanted to still set an example as [No. 27].”

The injury made Rielly’s tenure as No. 27 a little more difficult, but nothing could prepare him for the program’s next tragedy.

In Jan. 2015, a Hofstra lacrosse player named Joe Ferriso passed away due to

“It was a shocker. [Before] that point, I was fortunate to not have lost anyone so young,” Rielly said. “That year was tough. This happened when winter workouts were starting, and then it all became so much bigger than lacrosse. We were all out there playing for [Ferriso].”

Brendan Kavanagh

Brendan Kavanagh was raised with a chip on his shoulder. Kavanagh grew up with four brothers. His older brother, Matt, played lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame and became one of the best players in school history. His two younger brothers, Chris and Pat, followed Matt to Notre Dame and won national titles.

“We flew into Chicago and drove to South Bend to see Matt’s games,” Kavanagh said. “It was a lot. I was always the guy who wanted to get away from Long Island. When it came down to decision time, I just fell in love with [Hofstra] and I wanted to lighten the load on my family.”

Kavanagh was an attacker at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale before coming to Hofstra. Standing at 5’8”, Kavanagh was not the biggest player on the field, and he never led Hofstra in scoring during his career, but he had a workmanlike attitude.

At the college level, Brendan did not score as much as his brothers, posting a career high of 23 goals. But at Hofstra, you do not have to be the highestscoring guy on the roster to be No. 27.

In 2016, Hofstra traveled to UMass for a regular-season game. Before the game, the Minutemen held a 10-year reunion for the 2006 squad that beat Hofstra in the NCAA quarterfinals.

“Those former players lined up on the fence and yelled stuff at us and [Unterstein],” Kavanagh said. “It was really cool to be in that hostile environment. The

Kavanagh is one of just two juniors, and one of only two attackers to wear No. 27.

“I think wearing No. 27 was the coolest moment of my entire lacrosse career,” Kavanagh said. “Once you hear your name get called to wear that number, you feel an instant connection. I was wearing the number for the 10-year anniversary of Nick’s passing. We all gathered for that event, every guy who wore it before me. Looking at a room full of guys who were chosen to wear it and all the respect I had for them was amazing.”

Tim Hegarty

“At Hofstra, we do a lot of blue chair meetings,” said Tim Hegarty, who played with the Pride from 2019 to 2023. “Basically, everyone sits in these blue lawn chairs and Tierney asks us questions about our background, our families and everything like that. It forces the rest of the team to know personal stuff about everyone to see what drives them and what got them here.”

Hegarty was resistant to the blue chair meetings at first, he feared sharing his personal stories. But after hearing some of the guys go before him, he opened up to the idea of getting vulnerable.

“These meetings are huge for team culture,” Hegarty said. “You aren’t just playing with a guy who you practice and maybe have a class with. Everybody ends up opening up, and we become a lot closer for that. We were going to war for each other.”

In his final season, Hegarty grabbed 15 ground balls and had a +7 turnover ratio. After taking a graduate year in 2023, Hegarty joined the military in a medical role.

“Nick’s life ended so abruptly,” Hegarty said. “I felt how fortunate I was to play games every Saturday and hit the weight room with my team. No. 27 steps into a leadership role, and I think it’s because they learn to appreciate how fragile human life can be. I think it helps guys become better teammates than they already are. To wear this number, they were already great people, but I think the number is a reminder to push them a little bit further.”

Chase Patterson

“I still remember [getting the call] like it was yesterday,” said Chase Patterson, who wore No. 27 in 2023. “I was steel coating and filling driveways and got a call from [Tierney] and [Gorman]. They told me, and I couldn’t believe it. It was the biggest honor of my life, and I was gonna work every single day to continue Nick’s legacy the right way.”

Patterson was Hofstra’s faceoff specialist (FOGO) from 2020 to 2024, playing one of the most grueling positions in lacrosse. Every quarter and after every goal, the game restarts with a faceoff: a fast, violent scrap between two players crouched inches apart, fighting for a loose ball with speed, leverage and sheer toughness. A FOGO’s job is crucial because winning a few in a row can swing the momentum of the game for your team. For Patterson, every whistle was a battle of wills.

Coming out of high school in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Patterson was an overlooked recruit and was unknown in the Division I circuit until he won a faceoff showcase competition.

Patterson stayed with the Pride for five years and slowly developed into one of the best FOGOs in the country in his graduate year, scoring eight points and winning 59% of his draws. Patterson flourished in an environment that challenged him to be better every day. Nobody pushed Patterson more than Colleluori.

“Nick is the guy everyone looks up to in the locker room even though we never met him,” Patterson said. “He’s the ideal role model that you want to live up to, but it’s hard to. [Tierney] would bring him up a lot to keep his presence here, and it was definitely felt. Every time I see the number 27, even outside of lacrosse, the first thing I think of is Nick.”

No. 27 Today

It has been nearly 20 years since Colleluori’s passing, and Hofstra men’s lacrosse continues to embody the values he represented. The program remains rooted in a blue-collar work ethic, where players earn everything on the field and hold each other accountable in every aspect of the game.

Today’s roster carries that legacy forward with Trevor Natalie, who was selected to wear No. 27 in 2025. Each player is reminded that wearing the Hofstra jersey – and especially No. 27 – is not just about skill, but about selflessness, commitment and honoring those who came before.

This year’s Colleluori Classic games on Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5, will do just that.

Colleluori’s spirit continues to inspire the program and its players. His message, which can be found engraved into the wall in Margiotta Hall, remains as relevant as ever: “Make use of the time you have and don’t stress the little things. Have a smile and enjoy what you can get out of life.”

“I only went to it because my dad signed me up; I really had no expectations,” Patterson said. “When you’re overlooked and undervalued by everyone, it really puts a chip on your shoulder, and it drives you to compete.”

30, 2025

No worries for men’s soccer as they come back from two-game skid to rule the CAA.

Photo courtesy of Matteo Bracco / Hofstra Athletics