MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE triples in
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Holtzman, a first-year finance major. “We first thought it was a joke or that something was wrong, but clearly not. Once I got the email and read it initially, I was a bit angry since we were planning on probably living in Village.”
Students who are assigned a triple room will receive a $500 reduction to their costs per semester, because “(Quinnipiac Housing) recognize(s) that the timing of this change may be challenging,” as per the email sent on Monday.
“Where did they come up with this numyear biology major. “I just don’t think $500 is enough for an everyday inconvenience.”
Many students shared the same sentiment.
“$500 a semester is kind of a slap in the face,” Holtzman said. “I feel like at least $2000 for the full year, $1000 a semester would have been correct since, at least personally, it feels like it significantly lowers your quality of living.”
Within two hours of the email, a “Reverse Housing Department’s Decision on Village Room Assignment Policy” petition was created on Change.org by “Julia M,” a possible student at Quinnipiac. As of 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday April 8, it has received 743 signatures.
The class of 2028 enrolled a total of 1,917 first-year students, according to the university’s website.
Flyers with a QR code for the petition have been posted around campus, particularly around the first-year residence hall.
“This sudden and unanticipated shift has left many students in a position where they must scramble to find an additional roommate to fill the third bed, causing undue stress and inconvenience,” the petition states online and on the flyer. “Instead, the housing department should take up the responsibility of assigning the third bed themselves, rather than forcing students to scramble and find a roommate.”
Supporters can sign the petition, and
Policy” posted on the wall of the lower Ledges common area.
can create a comment after doing so.
“This isn’t something that sneaks up on you, they knew this would be a problem when they took in the numbers they did, and they decided to change this AFTER we paid and signed our contracts. With basically no time left,” commented Reed, a supporter of the petition. “The housing process has been nothing but a mess, and this made it a thousand times more stressful.”
Though many students on campus are familiar with The Village consisting of six residents per suite, this wasn’t always the case. Before the coronavirus pandemic, The Village suites held seven residents.
“ The triple room is going to suck. The rooms aren’t really that big in general.”
– Ethan Higgins FIRST-YEAR HEALTH SCIENCE MAJOR
“From a future alumni who lived in a triple in village the conditions are horrible.nitely should not go back to a triple,” said Alyssa, a student who signed the petition.
“The triple room is going to suck,” said Ethan rooms aren’t really that big in general.”
Before the email was sent on Monday, Higgins was confident knowing who he wanted to live with and which dorm he wanted. But now, himself and his future roommates are trying to find a new solution with these housing changes.
“If they did it (earlier), gave a heads up before that it was like seven instead of like (six) before the housing process happened, it would be a little bit easier to accept it,” Higgins said. “But since they’re throwing it a week before the actual housing (selection) is going to happen, it’s just going to cause chaos amongst people selecting rooms.”
Siemionkowicz is also struggling to determine her next steps with this sudden change.
“We had a group of six, and we have a pretty high (lottery) number,” Siemionkowicz said. “So we knew we weren’t gonna get Hill, so we wanted (The) Village anyway, so since we wanted (The) Village, this is kind of annoying.”
“We are not making any additional comments at this time,” John Morgan, the university’s vice president of public relations, wrote.
Staff Meetings on Tuesdays in SB 123 at 9:15 p.m.
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Some Quinnipiac sophomore students will be placed into triples in The Village for the 2025-2026 school year.
Opinion
An open letter to our students
This letter comes from concerned faculty that wishes for students to know that they are not alone. It is not meant to represent the view of all faculty or the university itself. For more questions or comments, contact Associate Professor of Journalism Margarita Diaz or Professor of Anthropology Hillary Haldane.
Dear Students,
We are writing to express our unwavering support for each of you during this challenging time. Recent statements from the White House have caused concern and distress among many members of our academic community, and we feel it is important to address this directly.
As educators and mentors, we want to affirm that:
We value your presence, your contributions and your unique perspectives. We see you, all of you, our trans and queer students, our students fearful over their immigration status, our students concerned that their faith puts them at risk. All of you matter to all of us.
We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful learning environment where all students can thrive.
We recognize that political rhetoric can have real impacts on your sense of belonging and well-being. Our institution has long stood for principles of academic freedom, critical inquiry, and respect for human dignity. These core val -
ues transcend political administrations and partisan divisions. They guide our work as scholars and teachers, and they inform our commitment to supporting you.
The pursuit of knowledge requires diverse perspectives and depends on an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Rhetoric that undermines these principles contradicts the fundamental mission of higher education.
We encourage open dialogue about the challenges we face. Our offices and classrooms are open to you, and we are available to discuss your concerns, answer questions, or simply listen.
In times of division, universities must serve as spaces where respectful discourse and mutual
understanding are not just possible but prioritized. We commit to modelling these ideals in our classrooms and throughout our campus.
Know that your faculty stands with you. We see you. We hear you. And we remain dedicated to your education, your well-being and your future.
The strength of our university community lies in how we support one another, especially during difficult times. Together, we will continue to uphold the values that define us as an institution of higher learning.
With respect and solidarity,
Your concerned faculty
Torpedo Bats belong in the bigs
By BEN BUSILLO Opinion Editor
In their opening three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Yankees — coming off a World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season — did okay at the plate. And by okay, I mean Babe Ruth possessing the whole team and taking every at-bat okay.
The Yankees swept the Brewers, outscoring them 36 to 14, with a batting average of .333 and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of
Absolute insanity.
Now what prompted this massive high note to start the Yankees’ season?
Did Manager Aaron Boone instruct the team nutritionist to sneak a concoction of steroids into their supplements? No. Are the Brewers just that bad? Maybe. Did Yankee Stadium’s high school outfield dimensions play a factor? Also maybe. Did the entire lineup eat a well-balanced breakfast before each game? Very likely.
The main culprit for the Yankees’ hot start
fall within the standard size limits — no longer than 42 inches, no wider than 2.61 inches at the thickest point.
The bats certainly give hitters an edge. Now in a scenario where you might get jammed inside fighting off a 0-2 sinker, that pitch catches the barrel. Pitchers now have to be conscious of that.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m the opposite of a baseball conservative. In fact, I love robo-umps and think Barry Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame. But when the MLB
good for baseball.” The league believes they can inject more offense and excitement without crossing any red lines.
As long as the bats aren’t violating the rules, and every team has the choice to use them, I’m for them.
Part of the reason fans had a negative reaction to these bats was because, after all, it was the Yankees, and this is coming from a die-hard Yankee hater. If the Pirates hit 15 home runs in a series with them, we’d be calling it smart baseball. But because it
1.231, while launching 15 home runs into the sold-out Yankee Stadium crowd.
Fifteen home runs. Tied for the most by a team ever in an opening series.
After their series-sweeping Game 3 win on March 30, the Yankees were on pace to hit 810 home runs this season, absolutely dwarfing the current single-season team record of 307.
The Yankee lineup hit so well in this opening series, I was curious to see what they would look like meshed together. If you scale up the Yankees’ numbers from this series to simulate a full 162 game season for a single player (700 plate appearances), the hypothetical Bronx Bomber would hit 85 home runs, while knocking in 198 runs.
is none other than their choice of lumber: the Torpedo Bat. Nine of the Yankees’ 15 opening series homers came off the bowling-pinshaped barrel of the Torpedo, designed by a MIT graduate and physics professor.
The Torpedo Bat shifts more of the bat’s mass toward the barrel, where contact with the ball usually happens. It’s simple physics: more mass at the point of impact means more energy transferred to the ball. That translates to higher exit velocity and harder-hit balls, even on swings that aren’t perfectly squared up.
These bats generate more force at impact without technically breaking any MLB rules. They’re made from a single piece of wood, maintain a smooth, round barrel and
has sped up pitchers with the pitch clock, taken away their ability to get any grip on the baseball, juiced the balls they throw, made it harder to hold runners on base and regulated where their defense can stand — do hitters really need another advantage?
Maybe it’s not as big an advantage as we think. Maybe the Brewers just pitched horribly. The day after the Yankees series ended, Milwaukee lost 11–1 to the Kansas City Royals, who hit two homers in the game. How many with Torpedo bats? None.
Also worth noting: the bats didn’t come out of nowhere. They were used in spring training and approved by MLB following safety evaluations. Commissioner Rob Manfred even said, “They’re absolutely
was the Yankees, the conversation immediately shifted to cheating and integrity of the game.
The Torpedo Bat is just the latest tool in that arms race. And unlike some past trends, this one’s legal.
If the bat’s performance flattens out across the season, which it’s likely to do, the early panic will look like another overreaction. But if it continues to turn warning track outs into moonshots, every team will eventually follow suit. Because in a league constantly rebalancing the scales between pitchers and hitters, the Torpedo Bat might just be the next logical swing.
Thrifting isn't evil; reselling might be
By VIVIAN GAGE Contributing Writer
I’m a big thrifter. Seriously, 85% of my wardrobe has come from thrifting. In part, it is because the clothes are unique and have personality. Mostly, though, it’s because I’m broke.
That is what makes thrifting so important — it is affordable. That is the entire point. So when people go to local thrift stores, buy all these great clothes for low prices and then resell them on Depop for triple the price, it ruins the entire point of thrifting.
There is a lot of controversy around the ethics of reselling. Those in support of it say it is a real job requiring time and effort. Resellers have to get to thrift stores as soon as they open, model them and put them on their website. It age an opportunity to make money and helps vintage options.
While I agree that picking through entire small business does require work, it is simply too unethical to support when resellers source from local thrift stores. Resellers make money by overcharging for cheap clothing. They often clear out thrift stores of quality items before others have time to get there. They ruin the experience for others and prevent those who rely on the stores’ lower prices from buy-
ing nice clothing.
One unique quality of thrift stores is that,
or an Eddie Bower sweater for $10. Everyone has the chance to save money without giving up quality. This is an opportunity that resellers take away.
Some people argue that thrifting as a trend is already ruining it for those who rely on thrift stores, so why attack resell ers? While it is true that secondhand shop ping has become a big trend, especially amongst Generation Z, consumers who thrift for themselves aren’t the issue.
There is also the argument that thrift stores are running out of good clothes, so only those who need to shop there should. Thrift stores are not running out of supply. Charity stores only sell around 20% of donated clothes, of clothes being donated may be going down as items from Shein and Temu trickle their way
into Goodwill racks, but the amount being donated isn’t.
With this information in mind, consumers should thrift when they can without the fear of stealing clothes from others. Going to thrift stores to buy a few items, in your size, that you’ll wear, isn’t an issue. In fact, it can be helpful.
Thrifting supports a circular clothing economy and is simply better for the environment. It saves clothes from going to the dump and supports small businesses, rather than greedy fast fashion organizations. It helps people discover their true style outside of current trends. Best of all, the thrifting trend helps to destigmatize something that may have previously been ridiculed and mocked.
This being said, issues occur when resellers enter the picture. They aren’t only buying items for themselves, but instead buying stock
Reselling doesn’t have to be unethical, but it is dependent on where the clothes are sourced from. When resellers source their clothes from liquidators, bins and wholesalers, I can appreciate their business because they aren’t taking directly from citizens. They are repurposing clothes that otherwise would have gone to the dump.
Conversely, I believe reselling crosses the line when resellers buy all the ‘best’ clothes from local stores, where low-income consumers shop. Resellers with a niche, like clothes of a certain size or from a particular brand, are more sustainable and less problematic than those who leave the store with 100 items they plan to overcharge buyers for.
When people can’t buy cheap clothes that they like at thrift stores, guess where they go? Fast fashion. In their efforts to encourage second-hand shopping, resellers can actually contribute to the fast fashion epidemic, which is problematic for more reasons than I can count. I understand the perspective of resellers and can see why the job is a great opportunity for many. I simply ask that resellers don’t source their stock from local thrift stores and charity shops. These are places where low-income individuals and families shop for necessities, and where others take time out of their day to search for clothing they will cherish. If you’re going to resell clothes, go right ahead, but stay out of local stores.
Augusta National and The Masters may be the last pure thing left in sports
By COLIN KENNEDY Managing Editor
While spring may have officially begun on March 20, everyone knows it really starts the weekend of The Masters — professional golf’s most prestigious tournament. There’s just something about hearing that piano come through the TV and the camera shooting down Magnolia Lane that screams perfection.
In fact, The Masters might be the last pure thing in sports.
In a world where it seems like every ma-
selves, The Masters has still found a way to preserve the purity of the tournament since 1934. Despite the hundreds of opportunities to squeeze every dollar out of the tournament, Augusta National prioritizes its rich tradition and history, and it’s something every pro sport should look to as the shining example for a major sporting event.
Look no further than the fact that there isn’t a single sponsor logo inside the grounds at Augusta National. From merchandise, signage and chairs, you’ll only be seeing the iconic Masters branded yellow logo on the course.
Just last year, Mercedes, IBM and AT&T paid $24 million to be the sponsors of the tournament, but their logos were nowhere to be seen. Where they did get some shine was in commercials on the broadcast, but another Masters wrinkle is that there are roughly only four minutes of commercials per hour. Compare that to the Super Bowl which has
nearly 20 minutes of ads per hour.
Imagine watching the Super Bowl or an NBA playoff game and only seeing a handful of commercials. In today’s world of sports viewing it almost seems like there is more time spent watching ads than actually watching the game — not at Augusta.
The Masters is able to limit the amount of ads by receiving no money from CBS and ESPN — the broadcast stations for the tournament — in return for increased control of the television product. Even with the limited commercial time, advertisers are still willing to line up and spend millions just to be associated with the tournament. It has to be tempting to think how much money The Masters could really haul in, and should be
applauded that Augusta National decides to stick with tradition over dollars.
Preserving tradition doesn’t just mean with the broadcast, it also carries over to the fans who are lucky enough to step foot on the grounds.
Everyone knows that a ticket to The Masters — even a practice round — may very well be the most elusive ticket in sports to secure. To purchase a ticket you technically have to win one through a lottery system, or you could risk it on the secondary market which could set you back nearly $6,000 for just a single day. Though if you purchased a ticket through the secondary market you still aren’t guaranteed entry as Augusta National bans the resell -
ing of tickets. So buyers beware there.
But if you’re lucky enough to get into Augusta National, you’re almost transported to another world, in large part due to their cell phone policy. Patrons are not allowed to have their cell phones or any noise making device on them while on the course. This policy essentially turns back the clocks and the only thing that matters for the players and fans is the golf. The world could be ending and it would take a while before anyone realized it.
And in a world today where a big moment is happening during a game and the only thing you see is the crowd holding up their phones hoping to capture some crappy photo or video, it’s pretty cool that even for a single day fans are just taking it all in in a pretty special place. Take Sunday for example when Alexander Ovechkin scored his record breaking goal, passing Wayne Gretzky for most goals scored in NHL history. How many people do you think were in that building and watched it happen behind their iPhone screen? Probably a lot.
That won’t be happening at The Masters this week. Something truly historic could be occurring Sunday afternoon and you won’t see a single phone on your TV screen. All you’ll see is thousands of fans soaking in the moment, and that’s pretty special if you ask me.
The value of preserving tradition over money is something that should be carried over into other sports. Even if it’s not as big as taking the phones away.
ILLUSTRATIONBYEMILYKATZ
North Haven Campus hosts baby goats for Graduate Appreciation Week
By GINA LORUSSO Arts & Life Editor
As part of Graduate Appreciation Week, Quinnipiac University's Office of Graduate Student Affairs hosted an adorable stress-relief event, welcoming a group of baby goats to the North Haven Campus.
During this Wellness Wednesday, students and faculty gathered in the makeshift pen to feed, play with and pet members of the herd on the School of Law lawn.
Kiyan Dadras of Bradley Mountain Farm in Southington, Connecticut brought the goats so students could take a break from their busy academic schedules and bond with a furry friend.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Kiyan Dadras of Bradley Mountain Farm poses with a goat.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Nursing students Kelli Chesterman and Gillian Waller feed one of the goats.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Quinnipiac University's North Haven Campus hosts baby goats during Graduate Student Appreciation Week on April 2.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Nursing student Amy Ugolini reaches in to pet a goat.
A group of students and faculty gather on the School of Law lawn to interact with goats during a stress-relief event.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Director of Graduate Student Affairs Stefano Fasulo feeds a goat as graduate law student Syed Rizvi performs push-ups beneath.
By ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA Editor-in-Chief
This movie makes no sense
‘You Won't See Me’ in theaters
By GINA LORUSSO Arts & Life Editor
HARRIS DICKINSON
PAUL MESCAL
JOSEPH QUINN
BARRY KEOGHAN
‘Adolescence’ is a one-shot story that tells the
By GRACE CONNEELY-NOLAN Associate Arts & Life Editor
New Captain America movie brings back old Marvel feel
By NEVE WILSON Staff Writer
ILLUSTRATION BY KATERINA PARIZKOVA
ILLUSTRATION BY REBECCA COLLINS
Acrobatics & Tumbling eyes NCATA National Championship after falling short six years straight
By CLAIRE FRANKLAND Associate Sports Editor
After going undefeated during last year’s regular season slate, Quinnipiac’s Acrobatics and Tumbling sits 6-1 entering the postseason.
Quinnipiac was ranked No. 2 in The National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association preseason poll. The Bobcats fell right behind Baylor, a team they have not competed against since 2023, when Quinnipiac fell short of making the national championship.
Yet, Quinnipiac has not defeated Baylor since 2014 – marking the only time the Bobcats defeated the Bears in program history.
Recently, Quinnipiac has dropped to the No. 3 spot, but the Bobcats don’t see this dropcant key assets to their team, forcing them to pivot before they could hit the ground running.
“This team has had an uphill battle with Mary Ann Powers said. “And so that changed little bit different, we had to ask for extraordi-
Thus far, Powers has found leadership in her eight seniors, guiding the team to work harder and pushing them to victory.
Senior top/base Alyssa Dillon has been a
strong force for Quinnipiac, using her background
“She is a perfectionist, and she leads with Dillon grew up a gymnast, competing for place at the All Around State Championships. to use her gymnastics background to perform clean on the mat for the Bobcats.
“If anybody wants to see what beautiful lines Powers said. “She never lets go of what, what a
Additionally, senior base Hallie Fowler has been outstanding for the Bobcats during their 2025 campaign, being named Athlete of theden, Fowler has emerged as a leader, pushing and encouraging her teammates.
“Her leadership and her energy is un-
The lone graduate student top MiaRose King has stood out for the Bobcats this season, helping Quinnipiac put up numbers on the score sheet. King has been nominated for Specialist of the being awarded the title on March 19.
“Actually, I think this is the best year she’s
gives and gives, and she’s consistent, like
The New Orleans, Louisiana native has helped the Bobcats put up high scores and beat teams like Morgan State, Iona and Limestone.ally impactful, not only for me but for the other lot of freshman, they really look for someone,
Together, the Bobcats have been able to put up some consistent scores against their opponents. Since they competed against Saint Leo University, where they defeated the Fritz 265.520 to 252.885, the Bobcats have scored between 29.10 and 29.65 on the pyramid.
Quinnipiac put up its highest score on March 28, when it defeated American International College, scoring 274.960.
The Bobcats’ lone loss this season falls to the Oregon Ducks, who defeated the Bobcats by a 1.215-point margin.
Despite outscoring Oregon in four events, Quinnipiac suffered the most on its team route, a part of its competition that has been struggling on and off for the Bobcats.
“I don’t want them guessing anymore whether it’s going to be a complete hit or not, I think they need to go in knowing that they’ve
Despite the ups and downs the season has brought them, the Bobcats have been able to discover their true identity, persevering through adversity and embracing the challenge. Throughout practices and competitions, the Bobcats continuously cheer each other on, lifting each other up and pushing each other through the struggles.
shine, their moment to talk, in our huddles andone’s voice is important and needs to be heard. You know, if you’re a freshman and wanna
As the Bobcats enter the postseason, they hope to end a six-year drought of missing the national championship, with the No. 1 seed Baylor sending them back to Hamden four times during that span. Quinnipiac has been able to walk away with individual national championships, qualifying for nine individual events in the NCATA National Championship in 2024, clinching two titles.
“It’s a symphony, and so they have to be conductors, they have to be a symphony to-
Gal Raviv's transfer was only a matter of time
By MICHAEL PETITTO Copy Editor
After a lone record-breaking season as a Bobthe University of Miami as a transfer. Raviv’s freshman year at Quinnipiac was one
The Kadima, Israel native’s future in Hamden was in doubt before she played a single game for Quinnipiac. Head coach Tricia Fabbri and the rough before anyone else did.
Quinnipiac announced Raviv’s commitment on Nov. 16, 2023, before the world truly knew what Raviv was capable of.
ment was announced. “She possesses great skill to That summer, Raviv would showcase her po-
So, Raviv now had to spend at least one year
nipiac landed a special talent, no one could have predicted what she would accomplish during her
only slashed her way to the rim but kept defenses
player proved to be the right move, as the Bobcats put together a season to remember.
said Nov. 19. “She has such a drive and a desire to become so great. Her skillset, acumen with the ball, IQ, toughness and running the team, she’s re-
Boasting a 28-5 record, Raviv became the MAAC Rookie and Player of the Year honors in the same season.
Quinnipiac did accept an invitation to the March 20.
After the loss, reality began to rear its ugly head. Raviv was too good for Quinniit wasn’t a surprise when the guard entered
her name in the transfer portal on March 25.
There was a slight possibility Raviv could stay the team had this season, why not run it back? But as the days went on and other programs began calling, the chances of Quinnipiac retaining its star became slim.
On April 6, she made it official. Raviv announced via social media that she’d spend her sophomore season as a Miami Hurricane, leaping from the MAAC to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Barring anything unforeseen, Raviv will have the opportunity to showcase her abilities in an even higher collegiate setting. She has the skills and the talent, and if she continues her upward
PHOTO COURTESY OF QUINNIPIAC ATHLETICS
Shannon Alden steps into the spotlight and the cage
By RYAN JOHANSON Associate Sports Editor
Coming in as a freshman, it’s tough acclimating to a new team, a new culture and new teammates. For many freshmen, it often takes at least a year to fully integrate into the collegiate game.
But freshman goalkeeper Shannon Alden has wasted no time in becoming a vital part of the Quinnipiac women’s lacrosse team.
Before Quinnipiac, Alden attended BayportBlue Point High School in Blue Point, New York, where it was nothing but lacrosse.
“I come from a really big lacrosse town, like, the minute I was in kindergarten, or clinics,” Alden said. “My parents just put me into it, and all my friends were doing it, and then I just stuck with it since then.”
Growing up in a “big lacrosse town,” Alden helped lead her team to the 2023 New York State Championship, while also winning Long Island and Suffolk County titles. She earned All-Division honors in 2024 and drew attention from college programs, with Quinnipiac being the one that she landed on.
since I started playing club and seeing all the kids
all committing to colleges,” Alden said. “I thought it was really cool. And then I came to Quinnipiac, and I fell in love with it.”
Being constantly surrounded by the sport, game and helped her get noticed by head coach
Jordan Christopher.
“Just how much she loves a sport,” Christopher said. “She has a passion for all sports. She’s competitive; she just loves everything about lacrosse and wants to get better. (She) watches lacrosse outside of just us, knows what’s going on in the world of lacrosse, and I think that’s a huge piece to it.”
The transition from high school to college la-
especially a freshman goalkeeper. There will be goals that should’ve been saved and moments that
But not for Alden.
“When we played UConn, we started downer wavered,” senior defender Caelen O’Connor
she kind of fell back into her position that second
needed to then when the other goalies went in, we were like, set and in a good position again.”
Since then, the Blue Point, New York native has settled in and hasn’t looked back. As of publication, she has started in 11 out of the 12 games and has emerged as not just one of Quinnipiac’s impact freshmen but also in the country.
She leads the MAAC in saves per game and ranks No. 2 in save percentage and total saves. Nationally, she sits No. 8 in saves and No. 10 in both saves per game and save percentage. The consistent performances gives not only herself but her defenders the knowledge that there’s a brick wall behind them. -
ing with us more,” O’Connor said. “Just knowing that she’s gonna give it her all always has helped us a lot.”
Alden earned No. 9 on the Inside Lacrosse Women 2025 Freshman Impact Top 10 on March 19, joining a group made up of players from Power Five conferences. While Alden was excited about the recognition, there was something else on her mind.
“It feels like hard work is paying off,” Alden said. “But all the awards and stuff are cool,
but it really just matters if we win or not, and if that award means that I’m doing good and I’m doing my job to help us win, then that means something. But my ultimate goal is just to make sure that we can win.”
The honor came two weeks after Alden’s best performance of the season, a 20 save effort against UMass Lowell on March 5, including a last-second save that sealed a 12-11 victory for the Bobcats.
“I think that we rallied really hard in that game that was probably the most fun game this whole season,” Alden said. “Being down in that game to come back and win by one that was a really cool and fun game to play in.”
With only four games remaining in the season and Quinnipiac women’s lacrosse being a poAlden’s standout play will need to continue if the team wants to make the MAAC Tournament.
“I think that we started the year really strong, injuries and some losses,” Alden said. “But I think that we’re a really talented team, and I think that make playoffs and go far in the playoffs.”
Amarri Monroe's shocking return to Hamden
By RYAN JOHANSON Associate Sports Editor
On April 5, the Quinnipiac community was hit with major news that MAAC Player of the Year Amarri Monroe will be returning to Hamden for his senior year.
The junior forward entered the transfer portal on March 21, one week after the Bobcats’ loss
Just two days before announcing his return, six teams to Rutgers, UConn, Miami, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh and Kansas, with the junior forward looking to jump to a Power Five program after a stellar campaign.
Monroe is the only All-MAAC First Team player to return to his original team after Iona’s senior guard DeJour Reaves,
Marist’s sophomore guard Josh Pascarelli, Merrimack’s sophomore guard Adam “Budd” Clark and graduate student center Paul Otieno all entered the transfer portal.
After being slotted into the No. 1 scoring option for the Bobcats after Matt Balanc ‘24 left Hamden to pursue a professional career in Denmark, Monroe took the opportunity and ran with it.
He averaged 18.1 points and nine rebounds, aiding the Bobcats to a second straight MAAC Regular Season Championship. The Newburgh, New York, native will be a leading candidate for Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year next season, with the latter being one he has coveted since the beginning of the year.
“(I want to) get better with defense; I love de-
fense,” Monroe said Oct. 23. “No one really likes defense growing up, but that defensive award, I wish it was mine last year. So another reason I came back (was) because I got to get that one.
You know, I’m dying to get the (MAAC) Defensive Player of the Year award.”
Even with NIL offers from the top programs in college basketball, he chose to stay because of the community as the biggest reason he chose to stay.
“I came back because of my love for this program, this team, this community, it’s more than basketball to me,” Monroe wrote on social media. “They gave me a home when everyone forgot about me. I’m sticking with the people who
That program that he cherishes lost Oti -
eno, who transferred to Saint Louis and sophomore guard Khaden Bennett, who will leave via the transfer portal.
Additionally, Quinnipiac also lost potential transfer Lateef Patrick Jr. after he decided to decommit from Quinnipiac due to uncertainty surrounding the team, but Monroe’s return may sway his mind.
Monroe will partner to make a dynamic duo with freshman guard Jaden Zimmerman, who chose not to jump into the portal. Expectation looks to be high for the duo, with Zimmerman posting a photo of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade on his Instagram story referencing the two as they try to secure a third consecutive MAAC Regular Season Championship and the pro-
Freshman goalkeeper Shannon Alden earns No. 9 on the Inside Lacrosse Women 2025 Freshman Impact Top 10 March 19.
From backyard battles to Division I dreams
The story of the Miller siblings
By CARLOS CALO RODRIGUEZ Contributing Writer
“Optimistic and hard-working.”
That’s how Almudena Ayala, mom of men’sla, describes her son and daughter.
How did they get here?
Almudena is a successful industrial engineer from Spain. She began working for a U.S.-based company, Thompson Ramo Wooldridge (TRW),pany offered her a position in its Westminster,
Later, the family moved back to Spain, where Almudena resumed work at
Two years later, the ny offered her another was born. Despite their moves, the family always remained based grew up in Leominand are now both Di vision I athletes at Quinnipiac Univer sity.
Almudena, when asked how their love for sports was one year old, and he would kick the ball with his left foot, so we used to joke about him being a lefty.”
Growing up, the backyard was the siblings’ hanging out or even competing in board games. One thing was always the norm: competition. their “competitive spirit.”
of the yard while her brother worked on his soccer skills on the other. But sometimes, roles switched.
“I’d make up the games, tweak the rules in my favor, just to make sure I could win,”
“They have always had a ball at their feet,” said
‘I beat you at your own sport.’
That’s really where all this competitiveness comes from.”
They were both standout student-athletes in high Lacrosse All-American honors and was a three-
and was namedgram & Gazette
“Our competitive spirit is something that’s helped us carve our path to col-
One challenge athletes often face is compariwas occasionally tough, but it never held her back. school, would tell me he’d seen my brother out on too, to kind of match that energy. It pushed me to be better.”
Academics have always been a priority in their household.
“Sports are just a small part of life,” Almudena said. “I’m so proud of them. I don’t even like orcause they love it. Seeing that all the hard work, makes me really proud.”
but not many universities allow athletes to manage both due to the program’s intensity. She was ready to commit to a Division III school, until her take on the Division I challenge at Quinnipiac. therapy program before switching to economics
His transition mirrors the broader theme of adaptability that runs through the siblings’ lives. All three of them, Yago included, have played important roles in one another’s lives, while learning to be independent.
brother has given her.
he considers one of her greatest strengths. He’s
proud of her, and even though she’s his younger sister, he learns from her too.
thing to look up to,” he said. “She shows her talent in how mentally strong she is.”
question of the interview was asked in Span ish, and they both under stood and answered it per fectly.
The sib lings
up for each other’s part of their shared journey at Quinnipiac
“Cada vez que podemos apoyarnos entre nosotros, lo hac emos.”
the chance to support each other, we do it.”
TYLER MIGNAULT/TYLER RINKO/CHRONICLE