Volume 134 No. 4

The Springfield Student Est. 1910

October 3, 2019

[scstudentmedia.com]

Contact us: springfieldstudent@springfield.edu

Volume 134 No. 4

‘Back, back, back... GONE!’ The Miracle League, hosted at Springfield College, is making a difference every week.

By Collin Atwood catwood@springfield.edu

Throughout the fall, Archie Allen Field hosts an astonishing group of athletes. They come ready to play: caps on, cleats tied tight, and smiles brighter than ever.

These kids may not be the extremely gifted athletes often recognized at Springfield College, but the young boys and girls playing for The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts have more heart and joy playing the game of baseball than many others.

The Miracle League of Western Mass. is an organization that allows kids with physical or mental disabilities, which prevent them from being able to participate in local town leagues, the chance to play the game of baseball.

“I’m just trying to have everyone have the chance to play baseball, because I love baseball and I think every kid should be able to play baseball and enjoy themselves playing it,” said Co-Founder, Executive Director and Coach, Ernie Fitzell Jr. Each game is two or three innings long and allows every batter to get up one time each inning. Whoever is last up to bat every inning gets a home run no matter where the ball actually goes. One or two other “home runs” occur in an inning as well. A ground ball or even a foul tip wouldn’t look like a home run to most baseball fans. In The Miracle League, a ball that doesn’t even reach the pitcher can be considered a home run.

Nobody is out, everyone hits, scores, and wins.

When attending a baseball game at Springfield College one might not notice what lies in the outfield. Deep in right field there is a much smaller diamond, which is the home field for the participants of The Miracle League.

See Miracle League on Page 8

Benjamin Nieves (center) pictured at a Miracle League game with his mother and brother. (Collin Atwood/The Student)

See Page 7 for a Profile on springfield college officer tim paenmuan

October 3, 2019

Opinion

PAGE 2

Rhim: How do you think we feel?

Guest columnist Kris Rhim is speaking up for people of color on campus.

By Kris Rhim @krisrhim1

(Photo Courtesy of Kris Rhim) Now in my third year at Springfield College, I’ve gotten used to the frustrations that come with being a person of color on this campus. I know that in most of my classes I will be looked at unfairly to represent the entire black community on certain topics, looked at awkwardly when we discuss black history, and have my white friends talk to me using slang that they don’t use elsewhere. They’ll say things such as, “What’s up dawg” because they assume that’s how people of color talk, among many other things.

On Tuesday and Thursday nights, at Students Society for Bridging Diversity (SSBD) or Men of Excellence (MOE) clubs, I can express my frustrations, laugh about them, or be angry about them with people who share my lived experiences.

For an hour or two, twice a week, these clubs give me an opportunity to let my figurative hair down and be my full, authentic self.

While I love being in these environments at club meetings — and appreciate the safe space they give me — I would love to see more

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October 3, 2019 of my white friends in this environment. The discussions we have and the experiences we share would help them learn about a different Springfield College experience that they may not even realize exists.

These clubs aren’t exclusively for black and brown people, but it certainly feels that way.

In the past, when I have asked my white friends to come to one of these clubs, their body language often changes and they’ll ask, “Isn’t that club only for black people?”

After frequently hearing this question it started to frustrate and bother me.

If this is how my white friends feel when they see just five to 10 people of color congregated in one space; how do they think we feel every day?

Imagine if I (communications/sports journalism major) didn’t join any of the campus media outlets because all of the students and advisors in these clubs are white.

I wouldn’t ever be able to perfect my craft, earn internships and get a job when I graduate.

Unlike my white peers, I can’t simply avoid being in the minority. When I am at track practice, in class, or even at parties; I am surrounded by a sea of white faces. In my fifth semester on campus, my African American literature class — taught

Opinion

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A picture from the Men of Excellence club meeting. (Photo Courtesy of Tyler Merullo) by a white professor — has been the only course I’ve been in where there have been more than three people of color.

In this African American literature class, the room quickly became segregated. Six of the seven students of color sat on the left side of the classroom on the first day, then the remaining students on the “White side” of the class moved to the “Black side.”

At Springfield College, we pride ourselves on diversity and inclusion. When the college hired Calvin Hill as the Vice President of Inclusion and Community Engagement four years ago, it showed the commitment that the institution has to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that they preach about.

Although Springfield has began taking steps in the right direction, it hasn’t always been this way.

In 1969 and 1970 racial tensions on campus led to- amongst other things- takeovers of both the Administration building and Massasoit Hall, the arrests of almost four dozen students, and a four-day hunger strike.

Just three years ago in 2016, senior Elijah Ryan walked through campus with a sign that read, “Springfield College doesn’t care about black people.” In his call for action he said, “Unlike most of our white counterparts, Springfield College is not ‘the time of our lives.’ For many of us who endured the Springfield College experience long enough to graduate, we did so with much suffering. For us ‘proud alumni’ the suffering is over, and the end is here. There’s no strings still attaching us to SC and now we are free. Free to never return to a place that doesn’t care about us.”

Obviously the issue of black and brown students not feeling comfortable won’t be fixed by students simply coming to SSBD or MOE meetings. If Springfield ever has a chance at becoming that welcoming and inclusive environment it strives to be, then our students and faculty must step out of their comfort zone and embrace different perspectives.

If clubs just aren’t your thing, go to events offered by the office of inclusion and community engagement, such as, “I’m a good person! Isn’t that enough?” in which Debbie Irving — the author of Waking up White — talks about her racial journey as a white woman. Take classes like foundations of multicultural education, not just because it fulfills a general education requirement, but because it challenges our belief systems and socialization.

For black and brown students on the Springfield College campus, we learn to mold ourselves to fit in with the majority, and are forced to become comfortable with being uncomfortable — or risk not being successful.

October 3, 2019

News

PAGE 4

Innovation in art

The Material World Art Exhibit is on display now at Springfield College.

By Ashley Frank @Frankky427

Leave the canvas at the door and toss aside standard perceptions of art. Creativity knows no restraints, and unconventional materials are at the heart and soul of each piece one will be captivated by. Strips of vivid color, intricately interwoven cotton, and laboriously layered tapes will certainly catch the eye, but it’s at closer inspection of these pieces that viewers’ interests will peak. The Material World Art Exhibition is underway in the William Blizard Gallery at Springfield College, and the work will leave each viewer fascinated with its very composition.

“This show is really focused on artists who are using materials in experimental and innovative ways, and to explore the meanings associated with those materials,” said Assistant Professor of Art and Community Engagement and Gallery Director Jessica Poser.

The current exhibition showcases work by Coe Lapossy, Dawn Ertl, and Gisela Insuaste. While each artist explores different themes in their work, they share the feature of using unconventional materials to create their pieces. These materials hold certain values in connection to the ideas present, as well as the artist’s background.

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This show is really focused on artists who are using materials in experimental and innovative ways, and to explore the meanings associated with those materials,”

- Jessica Poser

The displayed art defies the norms in more than one regard, as these pieces aren’t showcased via your standard methods.

“The reason why I chose these three artists to show together is that they use materials very non-traditionally,” Poser noted while reflecting on the exhibition. “There are no frames, there are no pedestals, they’re really pushing their own methods to the extreme. They are really creating this based on their way of thinking.”

Stepping into the gallery, one doesn’t simply stand and examine a piece that is contained within the borders of a frame.

Rather, visitors step into an open space of thought and creativity, and follow it as it moves along the walls, examining the fine details and labor put into its creation. Viewers embark on the very journey being presented to them through the work.

The Material World will be on display in the William Blizard Gallery on the second floor of Blake Hall until November 7.

A closing reception for artists and the public will be held on that date from 4-6 p.m. Until then, visitors are welcome to walk through the exhibit Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gallery holds multiple exhibitions throughout the year, allowing both students and professional artists to showcase their work in a supportive and open community space.

Page five features some of the best photos from the art gallery.

October 3, 2019

News

All photos are courtesy of Jack Margaros/The Student

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October 3, 2019

News

This past weekend was family weekend at Springfield College. Look at some of the best photos from the fun filled weekend!

All photos are courtesy of Springfield College Marketing & Communications

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October 3, 2019

News

PAGE 7

Get to know: Officer Paenmuan Periodically over the semester, The Student will be doing short profiles of various officers from Springfield College Public Safety. Here’s the inaugural profile.

By Irene Rotondo @irenerrotondo

If you were to have asked Tim Paenmuan 16 years ago what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would have said just what every other 10-year-old boy probably would have said: a police officer. However, unlike the other children at that age who eventually find out being a police officer requires hours upon hours of extra schooling and daily life-threatening work and consequently decide to pursue a different career, Paenmuan stuck to his childhood dream to make it his adult reality.

The day that changed Paenmuan’s life forever started with him just hanging out with his older brother. “I got into an argument with my older brother, and I called the cops on him because he wouldn’t let me change the channel on the TV,” stated Paenmuan. “The officer showed up, he laughed it off, and he gave me a little badge sticker. From that point on, I always knew I wanted to be a police officer.”

Springfield College welcomed Officer Tim Paenmuan, 26, to the police force and Public Safety in September 2018. Before coming to Springfield, Paenmuan had been volunteering as a policeman in his hometown of Waltham for the past four years and still tries to help out whenever he has the change.

Paenmuan stated that with this position being his first full-time job after graduating from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Training Alliance, working in close relations with the RA’s and students on-campus has been a learning experience for him.

“My favorite part about this is helping people, helping students, and building a connection with students, especially in situations that I have experience in that they have no experience with,” Paenmuan.

“Being able to guide them with that, especially those involved in the Criminal Justice program here… it’s really rewarding.”

Paenmuan knew that in order to get a foot in the door to the world of law enforcement and to become

Officer Paenmuan (left) at an event from earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Tim Paenmuan). successful, he had to start as soon as possible. Through the constant support of his parents, he began the aforementioned volunteering during his junior year of college which aided him in experience and general knowledge about what it really takes to be a police officer.

“I want to let students know that our department is always available to help.

We are all very personable, so please if you see us on campus stop to say ‘hi,’ we always like to have a good talk with students. For students looking to become police officers, something less known is that your family also sacrifices a lot during the process,” Paenmuan said.

In the future, Paenmuan hopes to eventually become a police academy instructor. “I want to teach about criminal law and defensive tactics… it all goes back to the experience I had when I was younger. I like getting involved with the younger generations, the future generations, to help guide them into this career path.”

October 3, 2019

News

PAGE 8

Miracle League continued from Page 1

A photo from the Miracle League. (Collin Atwood/The Student)

In 2017 Springfield College and The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation teamed together to create the adaptive field that is built to be safe for people with special needs. Without both parties, Miracle League players would not have such a beautiful and safe environment to play the game they love.

Every Sunday morning family and friends get to witness something welcoming on that field. They get to see a group of kids not only play baseball, but they see them socialize, create memories, and build relationships that no one will ever forget.

Every child gets paired with a “buddy,” which is a volunteer who helps them play baseball. The goal is to have the same buddy and kid paired together for the whole season. This allows the buddy and child to learn things about each other and become friends.

Benjamin Blanchard Nieves is an 8-year-old boy who has been playing for the Miracle League of Western Mass. ever since it was founded in 2015 by Ernie Fitzell Jr. and Tammy Fitzell.

Ben, who has Down Syndrome, wakes up every Sunday for game day with an unmatchable attitude and a smile from cheek to cheek.

Like many people, Ben loves baseball. He comes prepared with his blue batting gloves lined with a lime green and with a brand new baseball glove that matches his batting gloves perfectly.

Ben is accompanied by his mother, father and two brothers; Sebastain and Gabriel almost every week. It is clear that the family receives tremendous joy watching Ben play baseball.

As Ben walked up for his first at-bat on Opening Day, you could hear the announcer say, “Now up to bat, BENJAMIN BLANCHARD NIEVES!” The announcer appeared silent when being compared to the roars of the crowd: “Here we go, Ben!” “Yay, Benjamin!” “Hit a home run for Mama, Ben!” He grabbed his favorite bat, which is splattered with green, white and black with a bright green grip tape and walked up to the plate.

Ben slammed home plate vigorously with the bat three times then lifted the bat over his shoulders, ready for the pitch.

The underhand pitch came in chest high, Ben’s sweet spot, he swung the bat with all his strength and made contact. The ball dribbled along the third base foul line, not even reaching third base. Ben was last in order that day so the announcer screamed: “IT’S GOING BACK, BACK, WAY BACK AND IT’S GONE! A HOME RUN FOR BENJAMIN BLANCHARD NIEVES!” As the crowd yelled, Ben rounded the bases at full speed. As he rounded first, he put up his signature rock and roll signs that he does every single time he hits a home run. Once he crossed home plate, he went to his knees, put the sign back up with both hands and took in the glory. He sat there for seven seconds while his family in the stands screamed and shouted his name.

The environment at Archie Allen Field on Sunday mornings is like no other. There is not a frown in sight. The field, dugouts and stands are filled with joy.

No one said it better than Public Relations Manager and Coach, Brian Feeley: “It makes my Sundays worth getting up for...I go through withdraw in the summer when we don’t play.”

Miracle League has over 240 organizations around the world. More than 200,000 people with disabilities are given the well-deserved opportunity to play baseball thanks to The Miracle League.

October 3, 2019

Sports

PAGE 9

Week 5 Fantasy Football Advice

By Jacob Johnson @JacobJ_7

Love: David Johnson- Johnson has enjoyed a mostly productive season, seemingly becoming more comfortable playing with dual threat quarterback Kyler Murray each week. Johnson has had some tough matchups against stout defenses like the Ravens and Seahawks in weeks past, but now he has an opportunity to shred a suspect Bengals defense.

Last week, James Conner ran all over Cincinnati through the ground and air, and have given up 100

yard rushing performances each of the first three weeks. If you have Johnson, he is a must start.

Josh Gordon- The Patriots offense jumped out to a 13-0 first quarter lead against the Buffalo Bills, and despite the offense stalling the remainder of the game New England held on for a 16-10 victory. Gordon has been quiet this season, waiting for a breakout performance.

This week the Patriots will head to Washington, who have been abysmal this season on both sides of the ball. Buffalo has an elite defense that likely lead to the lack of produc-

tion from the Patriots, and I would expect Bill Belichick to take advantage of the lowly Redskins and make a statement offensive showing. Expect all Patriots skill players to be firing on all cylinders on Sunday.

Hate: Wayne Gallman- Gallman burst onto the fantasy scene in week 4, racking up 63 yards on the ground to go with a rushing touchdown and 55 yards through six receptions.

That was against the winless Washington Redskins however, and now the Minnesota Vikings will

make their way to New York. Sheldon Richardson, Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, and Danielle Hunter round out a very scary defensive front, and that’s not even including the rest of the stacked Vikings defense. With Golden Tate returning from his suspension this week, the Giants may look to attack Minnesota through the air if Gallman cannot produce early.

Todd Gurley- Gurley had his best game of the season against the Buccaneers in an offensive explosion by both teams.

While Gurley ran in two touchdowns, he had five

carries for 16 yards. Seven receptions for 54 yards masked the once again limited and inefficient role in Los Angeles’ offense.

The Rams will head to Seattle for a Thursday night matchup, which screams trouble for Gurley. On a short week going up against the sixth best rushing defense in the league (Seattle is holding opposing running backs to 79.5 YPG), combined with playing in one of the best home field advantages in football at CenturyLink Field, I would not expect this to be the game Gurley breaks out of his early season slump again.

Weekend Rugby, EEE Message Springfield Rugby Hosts Doubleheader The Springfield College mens and women’s rugby teams are set to host a pair of matches on Saturday at Schmid Field.

Each team will kick off at 1 p.m. with the men playing WPI and the women dueling UMASS.

EEE Affects Intramurals Intramurals, along with other outdoor activities, are now operating under daytime hours due to the threat of EEE. In an email sent out on Wednesday by the Division of Student Affairs, Springfield College has decided to cancel outdoor activities from dusk to dawn until a hard frost hits. There is insect repellant available at the welcome desk in the Wellness Center.

October 3, 2019

Sports

PAGE 10

By Nico Fiscella @Nico_Fiscella

Emory Fairchild plays a lot of different roles, but finds a way to manage it all while excelling for the Springfield cross country team. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

‘A motherly mentality’ Emory Fairchild’s all-around attitude serves herself and those around her well

A well known fact spread across the women’s cross country team.

“If Emory ever says anything to anybody, you know it’s serious or true.”

Emory Fairchild is a junior at Springfield College who has maximized her experiences on campus. While already being a student-athlete, Fairchild participates in a range of clubs including the psychology club, the student athlete leadership team, the humanics committee, and many more.

To many, Fairchild is known as someone who is always looking out for people and has their best interest at heart.

The New Milford, Conn. native has made the most out of her time at Springfield College and hopes to continue influencing the lives of people around her. Both a leader on and off the course, Fairchild has the track record to prove she is always going the extra mile.

Already halfway done with her college career, Fairchild has passed down many of her lessons and experiences to both her younger sister and the underclassmen she is surrounded by. Being the second youngest of six, she has used the lessons she has learned through her older siblings, and her own experiences to prepare her younger sister with all the advice she will need to succeed.

Along with being a selfless sister, Fairchild is currently a resident assistant at the Lakeside Hall. She enjoys being there for anyone when they are in a time of need.

“I have a motherly mentality… I do always look out for the girls and they can always come to me if they need anything,” she said.

If anyone has an issue or needs advice, they know they have Fairchild to lean on.

Fairchild has great appreciation for the clubs she has participated in. She enjoys being surrounded by a variety of people.

Each group gives Emory, “Different perspectives and types of interactions.” She enjoys making new connections with all types of people on campus.

The different groups Fairchild partakes in also help her grow as an individual. She is given the opportunity to break out of her shell which would be a lot more difficult if she had not been apart of her extra curricular activities. This is something she advises to all students on campus.

No matter your grade, joining sports and clubs is how you will get the most out of your college experience. Meeting new people, influencing change to our campus, and having fun are all products of being involved in campus activities.

She said, “The more things you are involved in, the more opportunities open up to you.”

Businessman Harvey MacKay was once quoted discussing the value of time, “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”

Being apart of several different groups, Fairchild sometimes finds difficulty to complete her daily tasks.

“Things will get stressful and sometimes hard to balance, but you can make time to do what makes you happy,” she said.

Academics always come first to the cross country runner, and double majoring in Psychology and Sociology haven’t made finding time any easier. The ability to complete double the amount of work compared to the average student is seen as impossible to some. Self motivation and proactiveness are key to success for Fairchild.

“You have to understand you have stuff to do and be okay with that, don’t think you don’t have the time,” she said.

Fairchild continues to find time and still be involved with campus activities. She is striving for her goal of continuing her enjoyment of learning, while also meeting new people and staying open to new experiences.

Fairchild is inspired to stop being stressed and enjoy everyday. The busy junior willingly chooses to partake in her activities, and finds ways to create happiness and enjoyment that suppress the stress she may feel.

Fairchild’s ability to balance her passions for success in the classroom, leadership, and social interaction, is something all individuals can learn from. She continues to influence others to follow in her footsteps and open up to the activities that surround them daily.

Fairchild has many different titles: a sister, a resident assistant, an athlete, a passionate student, but most notably, Emory Fairchild is a leader.

October 3, 2019

Sports

PAGE 11

Nick Bainter was originally a linebacker as a freshman on the Springfield College football team. Once he made the switch over to the offensive line, he has grown to become an All-American. (Daniela Detore/The Student)

Iron Sharpens Iron

Nick Bainter and Jeremy Lipsky have created an inseperable bond on and off the field

By Evan Wheaton @EvanWheaton

Nick Bainter and Jeremy Lipsky exit the Flynn B. Campus Union on a Friday night and begin the walk back to their townhouse.

Cookies ‘n Cream milkshakes in hand, the two offensive linemen discuss their upcoming home game. They share a look, the same look they often give each other from time to time.

They’re thinking the same thing.

“How lucky are we?”

Bainter and Lipsky are in

the heart of their fourth season at Springfield College– and they’ve spent every minute of their collegiate careers together thus far.

There’s a reason why the dynamic duo was steered towards Alden Street.

Bainter played at East Bridgewater High School in East Bridgewater, Mass.

His head coach was Shawn Tarpey – a Springfield College alum.

Lipsky played at Glen Rock High School in Glen Rock, N.J. under two other Springfield alumni: Mike and Alonzo Escalante After they signed up for

random roommate selection, the rest was history.

“I remember looking on his (Lipsky’s) Facebook and showing him to my parents and thinking I had a 30-year-old as my roommate for freshman year of school,” Bainter said. “But it turned out to be an amazing thing, he’s one of my best friends, my brother, the person I can count on through thick and thin.”

Bainter wasn’t always the distinguished 3-year starting center that he’s known as today. He originally came into the program as a middle linebacker. After

struggling to understand the defense, the stars aligned.

“Literally the night before I got switched over to being a center, I said to Jeremy, ‘Dude, you guys look like you have the best time, I wish I was a part of that,’” Bainter said.

“The next thing you know, after practice the next day, coach C (head coach Mike Cerasuolo) came up to me and he said, ‘Hey, we have an opportunity for you to play, this is going to be the quickest way if we move you to center,’ and I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’

And it was one of the best

decisions coach and I have ever made.”

Just like that, Lipsky found his roommate – his brother, right by his side on offensive snaps.

And the change couldn’t have been more seamless.

“Nick is a selfless kid, so it was an easy transition,” Cerasuolo said. “All he said was, ‘Whatever it takes for the team, coach.

Whatever I can do to help the team.’ He moved over and you don’t find too many times that you have 5”10’ centers at 235lb that play the way he does.”

More often than not, Bainter and Lipsky can

October 3, 2019 be found laughing and joking together in and out of the classroom. They know when it’s time to be serious, although their mischievous antics tend to carry over onto the gridiron.

“We definitely have our own unique style,” Lipsky said. “I’d say our senior class as a whole loves to play pretty loose and make a lot of jokes. I feel like Nick and I, sometimes we make too many jokes.”

Bainter added, “We make a lot of jokes and we’re able to get into opponents’ heads sometimes when we’re going back and forth like Dumb and Dumber.”

As first downs are picked up and the chains keep moving, Bainter and Lipsky refrain from trash talking their opponents.

Instead, they do what they do best.

They have some fun together.

“They’re legitimately asking them (opponents) questions about when their birthday is and what type of food they like,” Cerasuolo said. “It’s very weird stuff and sometimes the kids get into it, and some other people probably have some choice words for them. But they approach it like this is a game and it should be fun.

They approach it the right way, rather than ‘This is life or death.’”

Wholehearted banter at the line of scrimmage is one of their many traditions. And much like milkshakes before game day, the two can always be caught watching Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, the popular Food Network

show hosted by Guy Fieri, at hotels before away games.

And they remain undefeated on the road when doing so.

“That’s a secret to success,” Lipsky said. “Flavortown.”

As fun and playful as they can be, Bainter and Lipsky know when they need to be sincere for one another on and off the field. Often staying up until 3 a.m. talking about life, the two have been through their fair share of adversity together.

“When something happens with our families, or a breakup, or just internal struggles or something’s going on with school, this is us,” Lipsky said. “Not that you can’t talk to a coach, or can’t talk to a professor, whatever it is, but at the end of the day when our beds are five feet apart and you have something on your mind, you have each other.”

Throughout the years, Springfield College has come to know Bainter and Lipsky as the inseparable pair.

The dynamic duo.

The “bromance of the Brotherhood.”

There was, however, a mirror image of Bainter and Lipsky before they entered the picture.

“Through my playing time here, I had a guy I was pretty close with, Cody Brown,” offensive line coach Bobby Bozym said. “We were in the same class and I think it’s pretty interesting to see the similarities between their relationship and how our relationship was and

Sports

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Jeremy Lipsky established himself as one the the Pride’s best offensive linemen as a sophomore, and has fiercely protected his quarterback ever since. (Daniela Detore/The Student)

still is.”

Having graduated from Springfield College in 2017, Bozym and Brown were on their way out as Bainter and Lipsky came in. Like the sky’s image on a crystal-clear lake, Bainter and Lipsky reflect the tremendous bond carried by their predecessors.

“Through the four years it was a very similar relationship to what Nick and Jeremy have now,” Bozym said. “(We) know when it’s time to be serious but also had our fair share of fun here as well.”

Being brought together and sharing all of their experiences through college, Bainter and Lipsky have grown in a very organic way with one another. Springfield College was deeply ingrained in their high school roots, and now they’re both prevalent ambassadors of the institution.

“I think at the core level, this school prides itself on having incredible people,” Bainter said. “I think that’s our major selling point, I think that when you think of Springfield College, you don’t think of the Union, you don’t think of our library, you don’t think of our BA program, this, that, or the other thing. You think of the ground level thing, the type of people that are here, the type of people that come out of here, the type of people that eventually change the lives of many.”

The two have been in contact with Nic Keene, an assistant football coach for the Savannah Day Country School varsity football program in Savannah, Ga. Keene was an RGA for the offensive line at Springfield College and had a huge impact on Bainter and Lipsky.

Their current plan upon graduation is to spend a year coaching in Georgia before returning to Stagg Field for another two years.

They’ll stay involved in the game they grew up loving – the game that brought them together.

“Steel is hard because it’s been through the fire, and they’ve been through it together,” Cerasuolo said.

“They’ve been through the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, and they’re going to come out on the other side better for it.”

With six more NEWMAC conference games lined up, the duo will focus on the rest of the season, and specifically, their next opponent.

And they won’t shy away from asking them what their favorite color is.

October 3, 2019

Sports

PAGE 13

Cranking Up the Volume Anagabrielle Sanchez has blossomed into not only a statistical leader for Pride women’s volleyball, but also a vocal leader In just two and a half seasons, Anagabrielle Sanchez sits comfortably in the top five of the Springfield women’s volleyball record books for career digs. (Daniela Detore/The Student)

By Joe Arruda @joearruda9

It’s impossible to miss her.

She’s No. 6, the player who always sacrifices her body, making it look easy as she dives, right arm extended, and sends the blue and white sphere over the net. And then, jumping to her feet, she does it again.

When the team wears white, she wears maroon; and when she wears maroon, the team wears white.

She is the Pride’s libero.

A defensive specialist.

As a freshman, Anagabrielle Sanchez worked her way to fourth in the Springfield College women’s volleyball record book for total digs in a season with 636. Now, she sits in the top five for digs in a career after just two and a

half seasons.

“I know stats are important, but I think it’s what else she brings to her team and that relentless pursuit of excellence, to never let the ball be down,” head coach Moira Long said.

“One of the things that is most impressive about Ana is her desire to improve. She is never satisfied. I think she is constantly looking to get better, and she takes feedback very well. If she gets burned on a play she’ll look at me and be like, ‘No, no. That’s not gonna happen again.’ I love that response from her. I think she has high aspirations to go back to Puerto Rico and to play at a higher level as well, so I think that motivates her and that drives her.”

“She had a couple plays (earlier in the season), and

I remember turning and looking at my staff and being like, ‘Did that just happen?’ I mean, she’s pretty special,” Long said.

Hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, her main worries when coming to America weren’t in regards to her volleyball ability. Sanchez was not fluent in the English language, and had trouble communicating.

She moved to America in 2015, but did not enroll in school. Instead, she devoted her time to learning English.

Long turned to all of her resources to bring Sanchez to Alden Street.

A former player, Itza Nieves, a bilingual Puerto Rico native, helped Long communicate with Sanchez and her father.

Recruiting a player while not actually being able

to speak directly to them made for a very slow process. When Sanchez and her father came to Springfield for a visit, Long described picking them up at the airport and driving for 30 minutes without any real communication.

“She was (on her visit) and I was driving her back to the hotel. So now, she had spent the night with one of my former players also from Puerto Rico, Fabiola (Aviles). And nobody was in the car with us, and she doesn’t speak any English. It was very awkward, is what it was,” Long said.

A language barrier presents challenges for both parties.

With English being a fluent language for the rest of the team, it was unchartered territory for coach Long, who now had

to devote part of her time to develop new effective ways to lead her team.

“When she came she had worked on her English, and her first couple years she was not really comfortable speaking and I think we just had a little bit of a language barrier,” Long said. “As much as I tried, I speak really fast, and I sometimes would forget that she maybe didn’t understand what I was saying. So, it was a challenge.

“I think with Ana, sometimes I forget (that she may not be able to understand). And even now, yesterday at the end of practice, I just asked a question and everybody was kind of scattered. I was like, ‘Hey can we go at 3:30 tomorrow because we’re gonna leave to get on the bus?’ And Ana was

October 3, 2019

Sports

Anagabrielle Sanchez has come a long way in learning the English language. She spent an entire year when she arrived in the U.S. dedicated to speaking English. (Daniela Detore/The Student)

kind of across the gym and she like turned to Bridget (Walsh) and was like, ‘What is she talking about?’ And Bridget, I saw was like, ‘Can you be at practice at 3:30 tomorrow?’ And that was another moment where I was like, I gotta do a better job because she’s not standing in front of me and it’s not as clear, especially with an echoey gym. Everybody else got it, but I was like, ‘Man, be better Moira.’”

The Springfield College volleyball programs feature several players from Puerto Rico, and with all of them being able to speak Spanish, they can fall into a comfort trap within their group. It’s human nature where people with things in common

tend to attract, especially within a culture to which they are unaccustomed.

“The first couple years she was, and still kind of is, a little timid because of the language. We also have a lot of Puerto Ricans here, so we would just be in our own kind of bubble, so she wouldn’t have to speak English a lot,” said Johjan Mussa Robles, a member of the Springfield men’s volleyball team and one of Sanchez’ good friends.

Springfield College is all about the idea of inclusion, and students will never shy away from sharing their experience as a member of the Pride.

For Sanchez, this was the reason why she found herself 1,662 miles away

from her hometown.

“When I was a senior in high school, a couple of my friends played vol-

leyball here on the men’s team,” she said. “They talked about how Springfield College’s women’s

volleyball program was pretty good, so I decided to look into it.”

Senior Mussa Robles has a sister who played on club teams with Sanchez while they simultaneously grew up in Caguas.

“One of the best parts of being here at Springfield College is being here with Johjan, who’s been my best friend since I was 12 years old,” Sanchez said.

“Thanks to him, I feel at home because we are like brother and sister.”

In her fourth year at Springfield College, and her fifth in America, Sanchez is becoming much more comfortable with her ability to communicate with others in English.

“She was timid in classes, she was afraid of meeting new people. And now we’re at the point where I see her, she’s completely changed. In a sense that she’s more comfortable, she is more outgoing, and just basically more

engaged,” Mussa Robles said.

Communication has become a large part in

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her game, along with her plethora of other skills.

Long constantly preaches the necessity and importance of consistency, reiterating the core values of trust, communication and relentlessness.

“She has been very consistent, and she’s been consistent in ways that we need her to be, which is in service reception and defense, but also with her communication, and honestly she has taken on a little bit of a leadership role this year, which is just a really special thing to see her comfort level with our team and to be able to talk to our younger players and give them her experience and what she’s been through,” Long said.

Sanchez has worked her way from being a silent defensive force, producing record breaking statistics in her freshman year, to transforming now into a vocal leader as a senior.

“She has developed her English and now she is at the point where she is comfortable talking to anyone. Obviously she has an accent, and obviously there is stuff that we, me included, we don’t know how to say or say differently. But, you can see a change now and she is more comfortable with herself,” Mussa Robles said.

“She’s timid out of the court, but in the court she is fearless. She talks, she communicates, she gets angry, she does everything – but now she does it better.”

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The Sole Senior A “unique situation” inspires Chris Tringali to take his leadership to new heights with the Springfield men’s cross country team Chris Tringali balances running for the cross country team while being a student in the physical therapy program. (Daniela Detore/The Student)

By Carley Crain @carley_crain12

Countless long nights of studying, demanding practices, and a jam-packed class schedule sums up senior Chris Tringali’s daily life at Springfield. A member of the cross country and track teams, as well as a student in the very challenging physical therapy program, Tringali is an extraordinary student-athlete that embodies Springfield’s core values of spirit, mind and body.

Tringali has been running since he was in the third grade, and this fall marks his 11th cross country season.

Running cross country and track has been a significant part of Tringali’s life, and it was important to him when deciding to come to Springfield College. He also loved Springfield for its exceptional physical therapy program and the sense of community that the college offers.

Tringali resides in Millville, Mass., a small town about an hour away from campus. Entering his fresh-

man year at Springfield, Tringali was a strong recruit with a lot of potential.

He had competitive times in the 5k as well as in the two mile. Since his freshman year, Tringali’s personal best times for cross country have dropped by over two minutes and on the track he has improved his mile time by over 10 seconds, as well becoming competitive in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races. Tringali has been a crucial component to the men’s team, as he has been apart of the varsity squad all four years and has helped the men’s team score high at NEWMAC’s as well as at the regional level.

“Chris is the kind of teammate that is always there for you in your best moments as well as at your worst moments. Chris is always on time for practice and he always works extremely hard.

His passion for the sport really shows and inspires all of us. His dedication to the team is unlike anything I have ever seen,” said teammate Aidan Gallager.

Away from the track and cross country trails, Tringali is an exceptional student. Recently, he was recognized with 53 other student-athletes at Stagg Field for maintaining a 4.0 GPA last semester. Last year he helped the Pride earn Division III all-academic team honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Tringali also spent most of his summer at Springfield, taking graduate courses throughout the blistering hot months. Other than academics and athletics, community service has also been a vital part of Tringali’s experience at Springfield.

He has been on alternative spring break trips to Colombia and Haiti, helping empower the youth and improving their communities through the YMCA. “The biggest thing is to prioritize what is important.

More free time would be ideal to get ahead on work, but most days I have to pick one or two things and focus on crossing them off my to-

do list,” says Tringali about time management. “Luckily my coaches work with me to make sure I am successful both on and off the track.”

Tringali is currently the only senior on the cross country roster, as most members on the team are freshmen or juniors. Being the only senior on the team is definitely a unique situation, but through this experience Tringali has emerged into an exceptional leader and role model.

“It is strange not having anyone else in the same boat as me, but luckily coach Pinho and coach Steinman have been there for me all four years”, said Tringali.

“Coach Pinho was my teammate for my first three years and I know I can lean on both coaches for advice and encouragement.”

So far this season, Tringali helped the Pride get a win at the Early Bird Invitational, as well as running strong at UMass Dartmouth and at Williams College. At the Early Bird Invitational, he placed second for Springfield, with a time of 16:33

for a 5k. His performance at the Early Bird Invitational earned him a Maroon Club Athlete of the Week honor.

At the UMass Dartmouth invitational, Tringali pushed through the blazing hot temperatures and ran a time of 27:06 for five miles, placing 59th out of 257 runners.

This past weekend at the Williams College Purple Valley Classic, Tringali scored second for Springfield and helped the Pride reach a 17th place finish. He is looking forward to the rest of the regular season and for the post season that takes place throughout the first few weeks of November.

“Our biggest team goal this cross country season is to improve on our fourth-place finish at NEWMACs last year, said Tringali. “For me, I want to stay healthy to set myself up for a strong November and be in a place where I can run some fast times during track season.”

With one final campaign, Tringali will hit the trails this fall and bookend his collegiate career.

Photo courtesy Springfield Athletics

Brothers on the Line

Inside the story of Nick Bainter and Jeremy Lipsky: Springfield’s dynamic duo of the offensive line

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VOL. 134 NO. 4

[See Page 11]

OCTOBER 3, 2019