Volume 137 No. 13

(Photo Courtesy of Caedan Hale)

Computer science drove Ghana native Eben Frimpong to Alden Street

First-years, first finals

“Overall, the first part of college was stressful, adjusting to a whole new lifestyle and not being home,” he said.

After a while, McMinn was “able to find a groove” and found a routine that worked best for him.

“The workload compared to high school is harder but also more easygoing, meaning assignments flow in and out easier,” McMinn said.

Brady is a sports management major, and most of his finals have been presentations.

“This week has been stressful because I like to procrastinate, so I have been grinding the last week to get everything done,” he said. “Also, I had to present in three of my five classes for the final, which is not my strong suit.”

Brady is not the only one who feels stress slowly creeping up on them.

are in denial.”

However, communications and sports journalism major Liam Reilly, feels differently about having many projects. Reilly feels the workload is manageable because, with projects, there is time to get ahead on them.

“It is different from high school because a lot of my finals in high school were done in one day, very few were done as a project,” he said.

Brooke Beneway, an undeclared major, feels well prepared for the week as she took a lot of advanced placement classes.

“I do not have any written finals,” Beneway said. “I have a bunch of projects, so it is less stressful but also a lot more work.”

Acclimating to college is no easy task, and for many first-year students, it is their first time being fully independent. Unfortunately, many first-year students feel that as soon as they get the hang of college, they are teased with a short Thanksgiving break and then slammed

___ By Sean Savage ___ @SeanSav13

with finals.

Stress levels are high, and the workload is picking up. Everyone is getting over the last push before enjoying a much-needed winter break.

For Danny Brady, adjusting to college took longer than usual.

“It has been hard be-

cause I am from Colorado, and I did not know anyone when I first got here,” Brady said. “However, over time I have adjusted by meeting new friends and doing well in school.”

Exercise science major Josh McMinn had a similar start to the school year.

Similarly, Paige Alexander, an elementary and special education major, feels most of the work is project-based but still very burdensome.

“There was a lot of unknown with what was expected at first. They are almost all papers or group projects, and I only have one test,” she said. “I am a little stressed by the amount of work. All of my friends feel the same way, stressed, tired, and overwhelmed, and some

McMinn feels like the most challenging thing about finals is still being tasked with other work outside of just studying – although he did credit his teachers, saying, “They have been accommodating with helping me study for my finals, and it has made it much easier.”

Hayden Cheever, a physical education major, gave his advice on how to deal with the workload.

“I would definitely say be consistent and make time for yourself,” he said. “Definitely study hard but make time to move your body, read, or maybe watch a movie to give a few examples.”

First year students are gearing up for their first final exams. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield ACollege)

Springfield College first-year students gear up for their first collegiate final exams.

Tackling tough topics

Talking Out of Line, a new multimedia project created by Professor of Communications Fadia Nordtveit, explores Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging issues.

happier.”

This project was originally supposed to be a hybrid production, with some of the production in person and some remote. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nordtveit was forced to shift gears and do the entire production remotely. However, for Nordtveit, this would be the best thing to happen to her show.

of The Social Dilemma Jeff Orlowski-Yang, CEO of Front Row Productions Alia Jones Harvey; and civil rights spokesperson, artist, and businessman Pops Peterson, and more.

Martinez and Fitzpatrick have also both enjoyed working on this project, and have plenty of praise for Nordtveit.

the door is far from closed when it comes to creating another multimedia production.

___ By RiveR Mitchell ___ @rivermitchell27

Professor of Communications at Springfield College Fadia Nordtveit released the pilot episode of her new multimedia project on Oct. 10.

The project, a show titled “Talking Out Of Line,” aims to tackle problems in today’s world around DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging). The show is currently in its first season and eight episodes have been released so far. “Talking Out Of Line” has also grabbed the attention of different media companies such as Amherst Media, Northampton Media, Cambridge CCTV, Manhattan News Network and more.

Two of Nordtveit’s students, senior Aiden Fitzpatrick and sophomore Alberto Martinez, have been working alongside her to help lift the show off the ground and produce the episodes. Fitzpatrick, who is the editor, co-producer, and co-host, plays a key role in the production. The same goes for Martinez, who does all the scriptwriting and research for each show. Both of their efforts have been very much appreciated by Nordtveit, as without the two of them, “Talking Out Of Line” would not be the project that it is.

“It’s been amazing,” Nordtveit said. “I couldn’t have been

“It opened me up to guests from around the world that are super famous,” Nordtveit said. “I’d be going over budget paying for travel… because of the remote production process, I have been able to get guests that I can only dream of.” Some of the guests that Nordveit has had on her show have included two-time Emmy-award winning filmmaker and director

“I liked her as a teacher,” Fitzpatrick said. “She was teaching us really cool stuff.”

“I never thought I would be this close with my professor for this long,” Martinez said. “You really get to build a connection.”

Now that the first season is complete, Nordtveit is eyeing a potential second season of the show, which would air some time in 2024. However, even with the continued production of “Talking Out Of Line,”

“That is one of the reasons I was hired here at Springfield College,” Nordtveit said. “My dream is to have a multimedia lab at Springfield where we can actually put together a budget and get people a role in building productions like this.”

Overall, for Nordtveit and her students, this has been an extremely rewarding project especially when they look back at where they started, and where they are now.

“It has been stressful,” Nordtveit said. “But it has been very, very rewarding.”

To watch “Talking Out Of Line,” go to www.talkingoutofline. com.

Talking Out of Line tackles issues regarding DEIB. (Photo Courtesy of Aiden Fitzpatrick)

‘It’s a year-round planning process’

The 2023 Hoophall Classic event planning enters its final stage with under a month until opening tipoff.

__ By Tucker PaqueTTe __ @tpaquette17 ___ By PaTrick Fergus ___ @Fergus5Fergus

The Spalding Hoophall Classic is coming to Springfield College once again this winter, as games will take place from Thursday, Jan. 12 through Monday, Jan. 16.

The five-day long event, which features some of the best high school players and teams in the country, is a huge deal for the campus community.

Lots of work goes into preparing for Hoophall, as there are up to nine games each day, scheduled right up against each other. So, if a game runs behind schedule, then the rest of the day’s itinerary must be adjusted accordingly.

With this in mind, lots of planning is required, as well as pressure to keep things running on time. Everyone involved has a role to

play in making sure things go smoothly.

Kathy Smith, Director of Conferences and Special Events at Springfield College, oversees a variety of elements of Hoophall, including managing budgets, hospitality and sponsors.

Interestingly, the planning for

Hoophall isn’t confined to the winter months -- far from it, in fact.

“It’s a year-round planning process,” Smith said.

Ultimately, everyone associated with Hoophall hopes that all of the hard work put into planning for the event yields a fruitful and fun few

days with plenty of quality basketball.

“For me, I look forward to a safe and successful event,” Smith said. “Those are my expectations. And [we also want] an excellent customer service experience, so everyone that comes onto our campus, in whatever role they’re in, that

they get where they need to go and that they have a good experience.”

The event isn’t just a big deal for the school and the community, but a staple of the Sports Management program, the chosen major of the many students who will work the event.

Since 2002, Springfield College has played host to the annual showcase, and the Sport Man department has always been heavily involved with its running. Dr. Kevin McAllister, the chair of the program, hangs a collection of lanyards in his office from every tournament he’s had the pleasure of working over his 20-year career.

McAllister, along with Assistant Professor Heather Gilmour, led a

(Photo Courtesy of Basketball Hall of Fame)

months-long process of choosing security, event staff, liaisons, and supervisors that essentially run the event and take care of the teams and spectators.

”It’s a great opportunity for about 80 to 100 students to get a pretty valuable experience,” said McAllister

Two or three liaisons are assigned to each team that participates in the tournament, and are with the teams from the moment they step into Blake Arena to their departure. Their responsibilities include getting the team to the practice facilities, locker rooms and to the main court in

time for the games.

”The selection process for liaisons is long, but we choose on a variety of enthusiasm to work in events and overall good standing,” McAllister said

Above the liaisons, supervisors work closely with event management to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that their fellow students are executing their roles efficiently.

Junior Sport Management majors Isabella Samse and Jeff Madeia have taken charge as the Head Supervisors for the event this year.

”Our main responsibility is making sure everyone is

confident and comfortable with what they are going to be doing in their role,” Samse said.

Over the course of the fall semester, Samse and Madeia have been leading meetings for all first-year students, who are required to work at the Hoophall Classic for their event management classes. Heavily involved in the selection process, both are thrilled with the chance to embrace the leadership role and set an example for future supervisors.

”We’ve already been working for a while, with over two months in preparation, choosing

volunteers, liaisons, and supervisors, and just making sure we are getting the best people for the job,” Madeia said. ”It’s really exciting to take on a leadership role this year because it was a good challenge having to organize such a big event.”

Both were involved in the 20th annual showcase last year, they emerged as clear favorites for the position. ”They showed a lot of initiative, and had some experience at the tournament from last year,” said McAllister.

Although it’s being graded, Hoophall is also an exciting prospect for

first-year students like Jake Polites. Just one of six underclassmen selected to serve as a liaison, Polites plans to make everything of the opportunity.

“It’s a great chance to expand my network, and to learn to become more of a professional in the sport management field.” Polites said.

The 2023 Spalding Hoophall classic will highlight the impressive work of hundreds of students and staff, all culminating in Springfield College’s must see event of the year.

The Hoophall Classic returns to Blake Arena on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend for the 21st time. (Photos by Joe Arruda/The Student)

Far from home

A love for computers led Eben Frimpong from Ghana to Springfield College, a 5,000 mile journey.

ity continued to grow as he did. This came in handy as his family was constantly on the move.

Through his adolescence, his family moved countless times, more than he could remember. His father, Daniel, was a pastor so they never had a chance to settle into one home. They would be on the move every couple of months, always staying within different regions of Ghana

___ By Sean Savage ___ @SeanSav13

Springfield College draws students from near and far, each with their own story.

One student, however, came much farther than your typical few-hour car ride. He comes from a whopping 5,000 miles away.

His story is far from typical. The Ghana native was classified himself as an outcast in his early days – he never had a real home and had a three-year span that put his education on hold.

Springfield College’s Eben Frimpong still manages to persevere in the game of life. To him, he claims life is easy despite persistent adversity. How could this be?

A glimpse of his early days provides the answer.

Born in Ashante, Ghana, Frimpong always had a nose for learning. “Ever since I could remember, I would always ask questions and want to learn,” he said.

Frimpong’s curios-

Because of this, Frimpong constantly had to adjust socially to the new environment, people, and school system.

“The problem was when we moved, other students would already be ahead in what they learned. So I would have to play catch up constantly, and by that time, we would be on the move again,” Frimpong said.

But, Frimpong took this as an opportunity to become more independent early on. “I would teach myself most things; I never really had a role model,” he said. “I adapted and became a visual

learner.”

However the streets are filled with joyous people who are outgoing in all that they do. Everywhere they went, Frimpong and his family found a tight-knit community.

By the time he reached middle school, he had discovered technology – computers, to be specific.

“Being from Ghana, we did not have anything like this. So as soon as I saw computers, I knew I was interested in learning more,” he said. Nevertheless, there was a catch for Frimpong: the school only had two computers restricted to school use.

Just as Frimpong discovered his newfound passion, his family took in one of their cousins, Bright, to live with them.

Bright brought the light to a hard situation for Frimpong.

Bright knew how to navigate technology and computers, so they had an interest they explored together. Between constantly moving and dealing with losing a family member, Frimpong

learned he would have to accept discomfort to continue pursuing his passion.

For the following months, Bright and Frimpong would sneak out of their home after being put to bed.

Each night, a sense of unease crept over their bodies as they snuck out of the house – with each step, tensions were high. They needed to make sure nobody knew.

And they did.

So, where would they go? Straight to the computers.

“Nobody would know we were sneaking out and where we were going,” Frimpong said. “I just wanted to learn more about computers, and Bright would show me all that he knew.”

Eventually, Frimpong stumbled upon a teacher who also knew a lot about computers. Frimpong was so keen on expanding his knowledge that he frequently walked to his professor’s house.

There was one problem. The house was a 30-minute walk.

Frimpong is a native of Ghana. (Photo Courtesy of Eben frimpong)

The walk was also a shot in the dark; half of the time, the professor would not be there. So Frimpong would sit and wait –and keep waiting– until he arrived.

However, Frimpong’s habit of following his passion wherever it took him soon came to an end.

Daniel had caught him one night. However, he was not mad, rather confused.

Daniel said something along the lines of: “Eben, why are you trying to learn about computers? We do not have the fortune of having them. You will not be able to make a living out of this.”

Even after this conversation, Frimpong never gave up. Instead, he continued to expand his knowledge throughout high school.

Another conversation came up with

Daniel. Although this time, there was a different tone to the talk. Daniel wanted to send Frimpong to the United States, so he could make a living pursuing what he loved.

Frimpong became the first of his family to venture into the United States for his education.

Springfield College was the only school on his radar, so the decision of where to go was not too burdensome. “Springfield has a center in Ghana. They came to the school and announced opportunities,” Frimpong said. It turns out that Springfield has a group stationed near Ghana to recruit international students.

Frimpong was overwhelmed with excitement. Everything was seemingly coming together – he was seeing his persistence really start to pay off.

But, right as his excitement hit its peak, so did COVID. The pandemic caused Ghana to practically shut down.

Suddenly, a warm, buzzing environment transformed into the dull nights where Frimpong was venturing on his own. The streets were now empty, everyone was isolated, and all of Frimpong’s work spiraled in the other direction – pinning him to a ground at a standstill.

“All of my classmates were already in college,” Frimpong said. “It was hard seeing them continue their education while I could not do anything. I became really sad.” Night after night, Frimpong was slowly slipping away being stuck at home. Days turned into months, and eventually a year. Frimpong

was still isolated due to the pandemic. But, right as the community started to recoup, so did he.

Frimpong enrolled in Valley View University – a system made for students who were eventually going to head to the states for their collegiate career.

Frimpong stayed at the university for a year, and then was ready to head to Springfield College for his sophomore year in 2022.

Leaving home was surprisingly easy for Frimpong: “I feel like Ghana prepared me well… I was always on the move, and I think school was harder there,” he said.

Naturally, Frimpong decided to major in computer information and sciences at Springfield.

“I love the community Springfield has,” Frimpong said. “The classrooms are small, so it is nice. It helps as I am a visual learner, and you can make relationships with the professors.”

Not only does he have a great fondness for the school’s community, but his peers share that same view. One of his floormates in International Hall, Carson Griffin, observed his outgoing personality.

“I have never got-

ten the chance to become friends with him, but he seems like a very charismatic person. He is one of those people where you can just tell they are fun to be around,” Griffin said.

Outside of academics, Frimpong works at the dining hall. However, it is not for the reason one may presume.

“I just do it so I can continue to push myself,” Frimpong said. He is the first of the family to study in the United States, so he wants to do the best he can.

His friend and roommate, Hikmat, also noted Frimpomg’s work ethic. “He is always working,” he said. “But, the best part is, he is always smiling. He is one of the most hard-working guys I have met.”

As for Frimpong, after graduating college he plans on starting his own computer business. However, he plans on returning home once he graduates.

“I want to go back to where I am from and show everyone what I have learned,” Frimpong said. “Ghana does not still have much technology and computers, and I want to change that.”

Frimpong (right) with his friends at the Student Uion. (Photo Courtesy of Eben Frimpong)

Mikaili Charlemagne

Mikaili Charlemagne won this edition’s Springfield Student Women’s Athlete of the Week after getting 55.8 percent of the vote. The senior swimmer finished first in the 50 yard butterfly with a time of 26.34, and first in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.17 at the Pride’s meet against Middlebury.

The second vote-getter in the poll was Rachel Vinton with 22.1 percent of the vote. The senior guard for the women’s basketball team combined for 38 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and 7 steals while going 6-for-9 from the three-point line in the Pride’s undefeated week. This included 23 points and 8 assists in their win over Middle-

bury.

Kay Shen followed her with 14 percent of the vote. The sophomore swimmer finished first in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 24.94, and first in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 54.68 at the Pride’s meet against Middlebury.

Rounding out the poll was Sam Hourihan after a solid pair of performances on the court. The senior forward for the women’s basketball team combined for 36 points and 18 rebounds in Springfield’s undefeated week. This included a team-high 29 points in the Pride’s win over Emmanuel on Sunday.

James Chan

The winner of the Springfield Student Men’s Athlete of the Week was James Chan with 53.7 percent of the vote. This was after the senior swimmer finished in first place in the 50 yard backstroke with a time of 25.21, and in first place in the 100 individual medley with a time of 55.14 at the Pride’s meet against Middlebury. He also finished second in the 100 back.

Zeke Blauner garnered a very respectable 29.6 percent of the vote after a clutch performance on the court. The junior guard for the men’s basketball team scored a team-high 17 points after shooting 7-for-13 in the Pride’s win over Amherst on Tuesday. This included the game-winning

three-pointer.

The third vote-getter was Nicholas Rogers with 9.3 percent in the poll. The first-year wrestler won the individual title at 285 pounds as he delivered a pair of victories by pinfall at the Scott Viera Open on Saturday.

Myles Leonard rounded out the vote after he also dominated on the mat. The first-year wrestler won his match by pinfall one minute and 56 seconds into it at the Pride’s meet against Roger Williams. Be sure to follow @TheSpfldStudent on Twitter to vote in the next poll!

James Chan. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

Mikaili Charlemagne. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

Mangano: Let’s continue celebrating Title IX by speaking up and speaking out

Professor of Humanics Kathy Mangano reflects on her quest to ‘educate and advocate’ people about the civil rights law.

__ By Kathy Mangano __

On Aug. 9, 2022, I proudly began serving as the 2022-23 Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics (DSPH) and shared the components of my project, Title IX at 50: Educate & Advocate, through a campus-wide email.

In the months since, I have realized how much there still is to learn about Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This has further motivated me to take action to educate our College and the greater community about this vital civil rights law that provides access and equality in education to all, and to take action by advocating to preserve and strengthen this critical law.

A few important facts to consider:

Fifty-eight percent of parents and 71 percent of children aged 12-17 surveyed knew nothing about Title IX, according to a poll conducted by the Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism and the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland.

Today, more women are attending college and earning degrees than ever before. Compare this with 1972, when Title IX was signed into law, and women earned just seven percent of all law degrees and nine percent of all medical degrees. Today, women earn almost half of all law and medical degrees

The withdrawal of federal funds is the penalty for non-compliance with Title IX. To date, approximately 80 to 90 percent of all educational institutions are not in compliance with Title IX as it applies to athletics. Yet, the withdrawal of federal funds has never been initiated.

Because of Title IX, grievance procedures for students who complain of sex discrimination, including sexual assault, must be adopted and published by schools.

Women’s participation in college athletics has increased since the passage of Title IX. Today, women make up 44 percent of all NCAA athletes, compared with 15 percent pre-Title IX.

This year has been a Title IX journey, for me and for others on our campus. My DSPH project has been supported by the Title IX Commemoration Steering Committee, the Office of Non-discrimination Initiatives, and all of you who helped organize or participated in the events and programming offered throughout the fall semester.

These events included: 9/9 for Title IX: The History of Women’s Basketball; “The Sporting Woman: Insights from Her Past” display on the second floor of the Wellness Center; Title IX: Trail Blazers Panel; Title IX: The Power of 37 Words conversation; Celebrating Title IX at

50 display of memorabilia and timeline in the Harold C. Smith Learning Commons; reading trail signs on the campus; Title IX Cab Rides; classroom speaking engagements; Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) “Take back the night” event; social media posts on Instagram and Facebook (@ sctitleix); articles written by the staff of this paper and found on this page (page IX) of every edition of The Springfield Student; and so much more.

In addition, I have had the pleasure to interview folks with stories that have educated us about the power of Title IX and its legacy. These have been released as webcasts dropped on the ninth of every month and archived at springfield.edu/TitleIXat50.

I want to thank my DSPH team for their support and to the members of our faculty and staff who have linked Title IX to their curricula

and programming. If you incorporated Title IX this year, please contact me at kmangano@springfield. edu, and I will send you a Title IX t-shirt. Special thanks, also, to Isabella “Bella” Samse, a junior sport management major who served as my intern this semester.

There is still much more action in education and advocacy ahead throughout the spring semester. I welcome members of the Springfield College community to create an advocacy project to help educate, secure and/or strengthen Title IX. (Email kmangano@ springfield.edu for details and the registration form, which is due Jan. 31, 2023.) The advocacy project can be completed individually, in groups, as a class assignment, as an athletic team, or by organizations and clubs, etc. In addition, students who have completed their 300-level Wellness & Physical Literacy course

will be able to earn Wellness Passport stamps.

All are welcome to join me for Title IX Advocacy in Action, an event showcasing all of your campus advocacy projects, on Feb. 9, 2023, from 7-9 p.m. in the Dodge Room of the Campus Union.

In reflecting on Title IX, I am reminded of a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., who said “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Let’s continue celebrating this momentous anniversary of the passing of Title IX by speaking up and speaking out. Let’s engage in actions that bend toward justice in all areas, beyond our campus community but especially within it. Let’s strengthen our campus culture of expressing appreciation for others, kindheartedly embracing an inclusive culture, inviting dissent, speaking out – and preserving our distinctive Humanics philosophy. It is the Springfield Way.

Distinguished

Battle-tested

Springfield football player Caeden Hale lifts the Brotherhood’s spirits despite suffering a career-ending injury early in the 2022 season.

bumps along the road, Hale never had the opportunity to really play at Springfield College. This put extra excitement and fuel in his body, as he felt that this was finally his time.

His team, or “the brotherhood” as it is known, had always prided itself around community and support. The field was abuzz with whistles and yelling from coaches and players; before anyone knew, shock glazed over the faces of the offensive linemen as one of their teammates – Hale –lay motionless on the ground.

hear the voices, but he couldn’t move anything or talk,” she said. “He said he felt fine. He didn’t tell anybody, because that’s Caeden. Practice is not practice, it’s a game. He went to hit the sled, he went down, attempted to stand back up… and then bloop! … [he was] down.”

Seasons cut short or modified – an injury here or there – these may seem like minor challenges for an athlete, but for Hale, the pile-up of bumps had him facing adversity from a young age.

As the sun started to turn from light to burnt orange, shadows of the bleachers on Stagg Field — on the campus of Springfield College — became prominent on

Contributor

the 30-yard line. The sun wasn’t the only warmth on the turf, as the football team was practicing during the preseason for a big season ahead.

Caeden Hale, a senior

offensive lineman, came into training camp fired up and ready to go for his final season as a member of the Pride. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some other small

“It was the scariest moment of my life,” said Hale. With emotion in her voice, Shannon Halle, Caeden’s mother, recalled the account of her son passing out on the football field.

“He said he just remembers [going] black, and he could

He was born almost six weeks early. There he was monitored in the NICU until he was strong enough to go home.

Shannon said he was not developing at a standard rate, and this made her worry. Finally, after some abnormalities with his strength, she was done waiting and decided to

Hale’s locker. (Photo courtesy of Caeden Hale)

___ By Emily ZamBarano

take him to Children’s Hospital in Boston.

This is where Hale’s life path became unknown, and his mother received devastating news.

To say Shannon was distraught was an understatement. “The thing we ended up focusing on that broke our hearts the most was when they said he had cerebral palsy, and we were like, what?” she recalled.

After hearing such a startling diagnosis, Shannon did everything she could as a mother to ensure her son was getting the proper treatment and care he deserved. With nannies, specialists, caregivers, and outside doctors, she had it covered.

As he grew, with the support of those around him, Hale eventually worked his way into the school system smoothly. Shannon said he was quick to make friends and loved going to school.

Despite the wild ride of his younger years, Hale had a pretty successful teenage career. He loved to make people smile, and he loved school. However, his main passion was sports – where he really excelled.

He grew up playing

hockey, as his dad’s family had some skaters on their side, and he had always swung a baseball bat because he was good at it. What he really loved, though, was football.

Hale attended Beverly High School in Massachusetts and did very well athletically. He caught the attention of the Springfield College coaches, and after a few meetings, he ultimately chose to become a member of the Pride.

When Hale got to Springfield, he met so many great people who, to this day, he keeps close to his heart. Not knowing how they would support him later in college, he is thankful for these connections.

College was not smooth sailing, and once again, Hale was fighting for the chance to play. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented him from having a “normal” season until this fall.

With much pressure put on this season as the best opportunity for Hale, having a sport-ending injury halfway through the season was something he never envisioned for himself.

Time after time again, he was faced

with adversity. Whether it was in the form of an injury, mental health issues, the pandemic, or making that choice to step away from football, Hale has seen adversity, and not only has he looked it

in the eyes, but he beat the odds. He did not let it stop him from helping others, being that role model for his teammates, or being the supporter.

The football team imposed an expectation

where no man was left behind. Hale did not need the jersey to be a member of the team.

“Obviously he’s had a number of injuries over the years, which has probably been ex- See Hale

Hale would like to coach football in the future. (Photo courtesy of Caeden Hale)

tremely disappointing to him,” head football coach for the Pride Mike Cerasuolo said. “He never really got that opportunity to play, so he does the best job he can with providing support to others on the team. His identity as a player changed, but his identity as a person didn’t.”

Coach “C”, as his players call him, wants the players to learn more than just football when joining the team.

“The brotherhood has given so much back to me, has molded me into a better man, a better person, and has kind of unlocked my true inner self…these guys are the reason I stuck around,” Hale said.

After Hale passed out early this fall, he went to the doctor to get checked out. Unfortunately, they told him that it was time to hang up the cleats.

“They brought me to a hospital, I didn’t have any brain bleeds or anything like that, I continued to rest,” Hale said.

Afterward, he saw a concussion specialist that showed no damage to his brain, but they did find a bulging disc in his neck. “I remembered the doctor saying

to me that this was not normal and that I am lucky my brain is okay,” Hale said.

That is when the doctor informed Hale that he would be out for the season. The doctor told him she knew of his eligibility and would leave the choice up to him, but ultimately she wanted him to know the severe risks if he did continue playing football.

However, Hale persevered with a positive mindset despite the heart-wrenching news:

“I knew deep inside my life is bigger than being a football player…I have to step away for my own health, it was the hardest decision I felt like I had to make, but it was kind of a little bit easier because it was made for me in retrospect,” Hale said.

Hanging up the helmet was an emotional and tough decision for Hale.

“As sad as I was, I knew I could not let this break me,” Hale said. “I have been through this before, I have been through challenges my entire life, and this is just another setback – things happen for a reason.”

Hale has chosen to take a positive outlook on this new chapter in

his life.

He has used what he has learned at Springfield and as a brother to give back to the football program and other aspects of his life in any way he can.

Hale still goes to every practice, lift, and team meetings. He does not only help out, but he goes above and beyond to support his teammates.

“Caeden is ‘what you see is what you get’; he wears his heart on

his sleeve,” said Hale’s teammate and roommate Cam Borges.

As a Psychology major, Hale’s goals after college are to get his Master’s degree in clinical social work and become a counselor in a high school setting, specifically mental health. Ultimately, he wants the opportunity to give back what he learned from adversity.

Hale has cultivated so much experience that with his athletic

perspective, one day, he wants to open up a practice for “anyone and everyone.”

“The game ends at some point in everyone’s life, you just do not know when, but the important thing is taking the lessons you learned from the game, and from your experiences, and using it in your everyday life to make yourself better each day,” Hale said.

Hale

from

Student section

___ By Luke Whitehouse @Lwhitehouse12

Right before the Springfield College women’s basketball team tipped off against Middlebury on Dec. 3, in walked a group of elementary school-aged students, accompanied by their parents. To many, this may have just looked like young kids attending a basketball game with their parents. And although that may have been true, that was just one small part of the equation.

Rachel Vinton, a senior on the Springfield women’s basketball team, knew exactly who they were.

Vinton, a physical education major, is a student-teacher at

nearby Wolf Swamp Elementary for the fall semester. She spends Monday through Friday teaching elementary school students just as a normal teacher would.

“It’s been a great experience,” Vinton said. “I love teaching the kids all day… and the kids…I love them so much.”

Through this experience, a bond was created between Vinton and her students — a bond that led to Vinton inviting her students and their parents to attend one of her basketball games. Through the help of the Springfield Athletic department, and her supervisor, all the kids

were able to attend the game for free.

Although Vinton had told her students about the game, what she did not expect was the amount of people who showed up in support. More than 80 students, siblings and parents showed up to Blake Arena with signs and posters to support the Pride, and of course, “Ms.Vinton.”

Springfield came away with the 65-53 win, and Vinton had a huge impact, totaling nine points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Although she is very important on the basketball court, she was reminded of her huge impact in the classroom.

As the final buzzer rang, and the teams shook hands, her students rushed the court trying to find their teacher.

“They all came up to me and gave me like 30 to 40 posters, and were all like ‘Ms. Vinton you were so good, good job,’” Vinton said, with a smile. “It was the best feeling in the world knowing they all came to support me.”

This love for basketball is something that her and her students share together.

“I’ll come in on a Monday and my fifth graders will ask ‘Did you have any games?’ or ‘Did you win?’” Vinton said. “And then they

will tell me about their games. It’s something that has become like a ritual.”

As someone who was once in their shoes, Vinton knows the impact she can have on those who are young and have aspirations of playing any sport, not just basketball.

“It’s great being able to be a role model for those kids in the classroom and outside,” Vinton said. “My teacher even said, ‘A lot of us kids see a lot of male athletes as their role models, and to have a female athlete as their role model is really important.’”

Rachel Vinton, a guard for the women’s basketball team and elementary school physical education teacher, welcomed her students to the Pride’s game against Middlebury.

Vinton’s students made signs for the game. (Photo courtesy of Dani Schmeling)

Just pin, baby

__ By Braedan Shea @braedan_shea

Coming into the semifinal round of the 2022 Messiah Petrofes Invitational, 157-pound Springfield College wrestler Jacob Deguire knew that this upcoming match would not be easy. But with an impressive three-pin performance in the tournament’s opening rounds behind him, Deguire went into day two feeling good.

“There were a lot of things that we were supposed to be working on, and I actually executed it really well during the first day,” Deguire said. “I was pretty confident going into the second day, and to finish the tournament really well.”

As the match got underway, it became clear that it was going to be an all-out battle. After breezing through the first few rounds, it looked as if Deguire’s reign of terror might come to an end. To-

ward the two-minute mark of the match, No. 13-ranked Jason Rezac of Alvernia was able to get Deguire off balance, bringing him down to the mat in a successful takedown.

But Deguire wouldn’t give up that easily.

Despite being controlled by a nationally-ranked opponent, Deguire dug deep, completely unfazed by the tough situation he found himself in. With one clean, cohesive motion, Deguire gathered himself, and with his

arms wrapped tightly against his opponent, he mustered the strength to completely flip him around.

With Rezac now on his back, and Deguire firmly pressing his shoulder blades against the mat, the referee emphatically

slapped down on the ground – signaling that Deguire had just propelled himself into the final round, grabbing his fourth pin of the tournament.

“I wrestled my match and took control,” Deguire said. “I couldn’t let that kid take control.”

Deguire accredited this huge victory to his self-proclaimed unorthodox wrestling style.

“A lot of the way I wrestle is really weird,” he said. ”It’s what everyone says. I catch a lot of people off guard, and he ended up on his back. I think the main thing is that once you get someone to go to their back, you cannot let them off.”

That different technique, which he describes as being very offensive through the use of his hips, allowed Deguire to pin his fifth and final opponent in the championship round, eliciting a huge roar from his Springfield teammates.

“We were all huddled

Manginelli at a match against Western New England. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

Joey Manginelli, Chase Parrott, and Jacob Deguire each won at their respective weight classes at the Messiah Petrofes Invitational.

on the side of the mat watching Deguire,” 149-pound senior Chase Parrott said. “We’re watching him roll around for the first 30 seconds and we’re getting hyped. Then when he puts the kid on his back, the whole place goes crazy. He gets the stick and we’re all jumping up and down. It was a good time.”

With Deguire’s victory, it marked the fourth straight finals appearance for the Pride in the tournament. They took home championships in three of them, and it all started with Joey Manginelli.

“I feel like I kind of set the pace,” Manginelli said.

Competing in the 125-pound weight class meant that Manginelli was up first in the championship round. Even though it was the first time this season Manginelli had made it to the finals, he made quick work to take home a 7-2 decision victory, giving his team a much-needed spark.

“At the Doug Parker two weekends ago, we had like five guys in the semis, and nobody made it to the finals,” Manginelli said. “At the Messiah, we kind of broke

that hump. We had guys go to the finals, and I felt that after I won, it kind of set the base.”

Just two weight classes later, Parrott also found himself in the final round. After seeing his teammate succeed, it pushed him just a little bit harder, giving him the energy to hold his opponent scoreless and win his second tournament victory of the year; the first coming from the Ithaca Invitational earlier this fall.

After Deguire won his weight class, winning the tournament as a team really became a possibility.

“After I won, it was like, ‘All right, we can place higher as a team or maybe can win or take top two’,” Manginelli said. Unfortunately for the Pride, that streak of championship appearances dried out, as by the tournament’s end, only 197-pound wrestler Casey Allen made the finals. But the strong opening performances from the first four classes still allowed Springfield to grab second place as a team with 159.5 total points.

Another accolade that Springfield received came from first-year Myles Leonard, who finished seventh but earned the distinction of the most pins in the fewest amount of time in the tournament, with five first-period falls. This performance pushed Leonard to his 13th overall pin of the season, giving him the most pins at the 157-pound weight class in all of college wrestling.

It is the second time this season that the Pride have finished second, and up until this point, Springfield has yet to finish outside of the top 10. The team is also undefeated in head-to-head matches, at 3-0, which includes a 50-point shutout victory against Springfield

Technical Community College in the City of Springfield Championship.

“We’ve got a lot of older guys coming back between myself, the Manginellis, etc,” Parrott said. “I think we’re really setting a good good tone in the practice room – work ethics has been really hard –and all the guys really have been buying into the process and staying the course.”

Springfield has hit its short winter break, as the next competition isn’t until Jan. 13 of the new year. While most team members view this break as an important breather for their mental health, it also can make or break a team overall.

“A lot of people that are in this break fall off a lot because it’s time away from competition, and it opens opportunities for athletes to gain a lot of weight,” Manginelli said. “You’ve got to stay disciplined with your weight cut, nutrition, and getting your workouts in.”

But with this team, and the state it is in, Manginelli has no concerns about the second half.

“We’ve got a good group of guys,” he said. “They recognize we can be a team that can win regions, so they’re all locked in.”

Chase Parrott on the mat. (Photo by Braedan Shea/The Student)

Teaching by Example

(Photo courtesy of Rachel Vinton)

Springfield guard Rachel Vinton teaches physical education at Wolf Swamp Elementary School, and had a special cheering section at the Pride’s game against Middlebury.