Volume 137 No. 5

Adjusting accordingly

Springfield College first-year students

have begun to settle in as the fall semester ramps up and mid-terms approach.

___ By RiveR Mitchell @RiveRMitchell27

The fall semester is now in full swing, and over a month has already passed, which is a huge accomplish ment for everyone – especially the firstyear students.

This is typically a tough time of year for not only the parents having to say goodbye to their kids leaving for school, but for the students as well. This is the first time a ma jority of students are living on their own, so the adjustment can definitely feature some turbulence. While the initial adjustment to college can be a little bit terrifying, first year student Liam Reilly seemed to be adapting rather quick ly.

“I think after the first few days I got re

ally used to it because I just like how open it is. You’re not seeing the same people every day, you’re not doing the same things ev ery day,” Reilly said. “With Springfield College you’re al ways doing a lot more things.”

For others, ad justing can be chal lenging. First years Hayden Cheever and Savanna Harvey experienced a more difficult transition to college life.

“I think it started out pretty rough,” Harvey said. “It was hard leaving home, it was hard learning to live on my own, and it was hard coming to college where I had no friends.”

However, Harvey’s participation on the

field hockey team made the transition much easier.

“Being a fall athlete, I moved in early and got to adjust before everyone else did. And I also had a built- in family and built-in friends because of my teammates,” she said.

As for Cheever, the process of getting settled in was pretty similar.

“I don’t know if it was that I was away from home, or that I was just still trying stuff and finding my group, but that was a tough time,” Cheever said. “But I think now I definitely would say I’m adjusted. I’m feel ing pretty solid.”

While these stu dents have had some what different experi

ences getting settled, they have an overall similarity in that they are all from New England. Reilly is an hour away in Con necticut, and Harvey (Maine) and Cheever (Vermont) are about three hours away. All of these distances are close enough where if they need their parents to show up at school, they can. However, for first year student Danny Brady, that is not the case.

Brady is from Den ver, Colorado, which is almost 1,900 miles from Springfield Col lege. This adjustment is certainly bigger than most students coming to Springfield.

“It’s just a com pletely new expe rience for me, you know what I mean?

I mean I don’t know anyone out here. It’s like starting your life all over in a way, you know what I mean?

I’m the only one I know out here. I don’t know anyone. So it’s been a big adjust ment,” said Brady.

Brady is also some one that is very close to his friends and family, so the appeal to come to Springfield was not the length from home.

“I miss them a lot. I have some good friends back home, but the sport manage ment program that they offer here is what brought me all the way out here. That’s not offered anywhere in Colorado.”

First-year student moving in for New Student Orientation. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College)

Alumni excellence

Springfield College graduate Kris Rhim made the most of his time on Alden Street, engaging in several clubs and extra-curriculars to help him make his mark in sports media.

___ By Luke Whitehouse @LWhitehouse12

Have you ever heard the saying “hard work pays off ?”

Well, Kris Rhim is the epitome of how hard work and ded ication to one’s craft can lead to monumen tal accomplishments. Since graduating from Springfield College in 2021, Rhim has ex celled. He was terrific during his short stint as a beat reporter for the Atlanta Falcons before earning his most recent gig: working for The New York Times as a

sports fellow.

“It’s been great,” Rhim said regarding his recent move to The Times. “I’ve been to the track and field world championships, the WNBA Finals, and even Serena [Williams]’s last match.”

This continued suc cess is a direct reflection of his time as an under grad on Alden Street.

Rhim was a former student athlete who worked hard at every thing and went above and beyond to be not

only the best on the track or in the class room, but also in the community.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Pa., Rhim knew he wanted to work within sports. He remembered watching basketball and foot ball as a kid and when it came time to pick a major in college, Rhim knew exactly what his calling was. After choos ing communications/ sports journalism as his major, Rhim developed a passion much deeper

than just writing and talking about sports.

While Rhim was at Springfield, he dove head first into the fight for social justice, and did so much for the campus. He joined the Men of Excellence club, led a march for justice after the murder of George Floyd and stood on the Board of Trustees to make Springfield a bet ter and more inclusive community.

Coming from a very diverse public high school, Rhim knew

enrolling at Springfield was going to be some thing he would have to get acclimated to, as it was his first experience at a private school. If he was going to speak on something as import ant as social justice, he first had to learn how to communicate to ensure people of all races and genders understood.

“Learning more about social justice and how to communicate it [was important],” Rhim

Rhim facilitated a documentary with the 1991 Atlanta Falcons football team. (Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons)

One thing about Rhim: He would always speak up when things needed to be said, and he spoke up for those who didn’t have a voice. And when something needed to be done, he did it. Everything Rhim had done for social jus tice is still being felt on campus today.

“I wanted to make an impact where I could see [change],” Rhim said. “I wanted to do things that when I left, people still remember.”

Rhim’s passion for social justice coupled with his love of bas ketball kickstarted a podcast with him and Springfield College professor of communi cations Martin Dobrow, called “Liberty, Justice and Ball.” The podcast has developed into a home of deep conver sations with former legends and members of the Basketball Hall of Fame about social justice within the sports community.

“I thought it’d be a great idea because it was another way journalism [could be shown] through a dif ferent medium,” Rhim said.

Another draw of the project was the chance to work with Dobrow, who is a highly respect ed journalist as well.

“I thought it was valuable to work with Marty,” Rhim said. “He’s a super accom plished journalist… I learned a lot from [be ing] around him.”

While Rhim was pay ing attention to the so cial climate, he was also preparing himself for his career ahead, years before graduation. As a junior and senior, he was a freelance writer, and his work appeared in many major websites including ESPN’s ‘The Undefeated’, the Boston Globe and many more. But for this to happen, Rhim explains that he had to go above and beyond and be very persistent.

“I wanted to make sure I was branching

Campus

out,” Rhim said. “You can be a really good writer, but if no one knows it, you might not get that job.”

During his years at Springfield, Rhim joined The National Associa tion of Black Journal ists and the Sports Jour nalism Institute, while also doing work with the Associated Press. This allowed his work to be seen by many pub lications, thus affording him opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

Having your writ ing featured in highly respected publications takes a high level of journalism, and Rhim still continues to use the core principles left by Springfield.

“Whenever I’m writ ing a story, I think of my foundation, which are the things I learned in the classroom,” Rhim said. “I still use [things such as] ‘seek the truth and report it.’”

Before Rhim accept ed the opportunity as a sports fellow with The New York Times, he

worked for the Atlanta Falcons as a beat writer and helped create a doc umentary on the “The Rudest Team” - the 1991 Falcons. Leaving that job was tough, but ultimately Rhim knew what he had to do.

“[The opportuni ty] was a great thing,” Rhim said. “[I was able to] to grow as a jour nalist and reporter and receive great editing.”

Although for now Rhim is on his one year fellowship, he is cogni zant of what his future endeavors could entail.

“[An opportunity to work] and use sports as an avenue to tell a bigger story,” Rhim said in regards to what he will be doing after the fellowship ends.

Rhim does have some advice for people that are sitting in the same classes he once did.

“Try to meet as many people as possible. Try to maximize your opportunities at Spring field,” he said.

“Work hard, work smart and have fun.”

Photos Courtesy of Basketball Hall of Fame (left), Atlanta Falcons (right) and The New York Times (top)

said.

Hi, I’m bi! Campus News

News/Enterprise Editor Carley Crain celebrates National Coming Out Day by sharing her own journey.

age to tell him that I was bisexual. He was the first person I told, besides myself, that I was inter ested in women.

The words slipped off my tongue while my entire body was shaking with nerves.

It felt weird to place a label on myself that wasn’t straight, but after I did, telling oth ers became much easier. The more I said I was bisexual, the more I felt comfortable being my true self.

My friends knew me more than I knew myself – and when I told them I was bisexual, most of their responses were, “Oh yeah – we already knew that, Carley.”

I knew that telling my friends would come with positive responses, but my family was a whole different ball game. The first person I told in my family was my older sis ter, Tracey, and her hus band, Tim. Over the past few years, Tracey and I have become very close, and I knew she would be happy for me.

ment happened for me last spring, during the newspaper editors’ trip to the Associated Colle giate Press in California. I vividly remember a conversation with Irene Rotondo, former CoEditor-in-Chief of The Springfield Student and one of my mentors. She told me that she could see me being happy in a relationship with a wom an. I then realized that she might be right.

Throughout my coming-out journey, I’ve had some big, elaborate responses and then some more relaxed reactions.

While I love all the support I have received, it has made me wonder: Why do people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community have to ac tively share their sexuali ty to others?

Think about it from the other perspective: we don’t celebrate when someone is straight. In stead, we expect it.

I always knew that I was interested in women, but never felt like I could openly say, “I am bisex ual.” I didn’t think I met all the necessary stereo typical qualifications that are associated with being a queer woman, because I do like men, and I’ve only dated men. I don’t fall under the portrait some think of for some one who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

__ By Carley Crain __ @carley_crain12

To some, I may appear straight. But I am here to tell you that I am not straight, and I finally feel comfortable telling my story for this year’s Na tional Coming Out Day.

Growing up in a religious family, I never thought twice about my sexuality. I thought that being with a man was the “right” thing to do. I’ve had several boyfriends throughout my college

years – some of those relationships were bad, some great. But after my last relationship ended, I knew I wanted to explore the other side of myself that I’ve been actively suppressing.

“Bisexual” was like this dirty word that I couldn’t say out loud.

Last winter I was at the grocery store with my friend Sam, and I finally built up the cour

Her response might have been my favorite so far. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and the first thing she said was, “I am proud of you, Carley.”

When she said that, I finally let myself be proud of who I have become.

My mom and broth er were next, and while both were a little sur prised, they were nothing but supportive. Other family members were harder to please, and I didn’t share my sexuality with them until recently.

A light-bulb mo

Studies show that when people know some one who is LGBTQIA+, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. So coming out as LGBTQIA+ is still im portant and still matters.

Coming out and writ ing this column would not have been possible without the people I have in my corner – especially my friends Irene, Sam, Mary, Emily W., Emi ly S., and Will, as well as my therapist, Gary, and older sister, Tracey. Thank you for always believing in me.

Crain with the LGBTQIA+ flag. (Photo Courtesy of Carley Crain)

Same face, new role

Annie Warchol will continue her duties as Director of Student Activities and Campus Union at Springfield College, but has also been promoted to Assistant Dean of Engagement.

___ By Braedan Shea @braedan_shea

It’s already been a big year for Annie Warchol.

The beginning dates back to June, when Vice President of Student Affairs, Slandie Dieujuste, announced position changes within the Division of Student Affairs. The biggest transition amongst the group was War chol, who was pro moted from Director of Students Activities and Campus Union to Assistant Dean of Engagement.

With the new position, she still holds many of the same responsibilities as before, such as the oversight of student activities, New Stu dent Orientation, pre-camp, and firstyear programming, but has been given the opportunity to fund a

correlation between enrollment and stu dent affairs.

“One of the stron gest parts of my job and one of the things I absolutely love is orientations and new student program ming,” Warchol said.

“So, Stuart [Jones], who is the VP of Enrollment Manage ment, was looking for someone in his area. Collectively [the En rollment Management Department] came together and decid ed that I could really

help, and be beneficial in helping us bridge the gap between En rollment and Student Affairs.”

To put it blankly, Warchol’s biggest role is to get students to Springfield College, and the best way to do

that, according to her, is through the par ents’ engagement.

“One of the gaps that was identified is that as we’re bringing families in, we want to keep them concen trated,” Warchol said. “They come to an open house; but then what are we doing to make sure that those families are still en gaged throughout the process until they’ve committed? How do we keep them through accepted open house?”

The biggest diffi culty that Warchol has found is the mar keting side of things. One of her biggest concerns with trying to achieve the engage ment is finding a way to make the college grab the students and parents attention in a multitude of ways over the course of the

Warchol accepts the 2022 Cheney Award from President Mary-Beth Cooper. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College)

Campus

admissions process.

“The hard part is, how do you show them a different look each time, from a mar keting perspective,” Warchol said. “Okay, so when you come, what do you see here? How do we get you to get on campus and then when you get on campus, how do we keep you engaged during that time? Is it a video, or a testimo nial from a student, or is it one to one mar keting? I don’t know what that strategy is. That’s what I’m kind

of like in my research stage right now.”

Despite having more responsibilities, Warchol finds that the adjustment hasn’t been too difficult, rather it’s been pretty easy.

“I don’t find it hard er,” Warchol said. “I find it easier to navi gate a little bit more. There’ve been a lot of new people working in addition…and it’s been nice to meet new people. Just kind of like branching out a little bit.”

The hard work that

Warchol gives did not just stop at getting a promotion. She also was awarded with one of the most presti gious achievements a Springfield College staff member can win: The R. William Cheney Award.

The Cheney Award is given out annually during the All College Meeting to a staff member in recogni tion of their devotion to the Springfield Col lege community and their commitment to the Humanics philos ophy.

“I remember when I first started work ing here, and watch ing people that were getting that award and getting recog nized for that award, and it really was like a lifetime achievement,” Warchol said. “I mean, it’s like, you know, an Emmy.”

Although Warchol acknowledges that with the new position, it may appear that she is no longer “the one behind the fun,” but that couldn’t be fur ther from the truth.

“With this new

role, I think some people were worried that I may not be as approachable or I may not be with the students; but to me it’s a non negotiable. If [the Enrollment Office] said you can’t be with the students anymore, we need you in the office and at meetings, I would have said no. Because that’s my love and my passion.”

(Photo Courtesy of Springfield College)

Maeve Voltz

Taking the crown for this week’s Springfield Student Women’s Ath lete of the Week was Maeve Voltz after she garnered 48.4% of the vote. The first-year middle blocker for the women’s volleyball team gathered 24 kills with three solo blocks and nine assisted blocks in the Pride’s unde feated week.

In second place was the player that was setting Voltz up for many of her kills. First-year setter Megan Kirtyan got 36.6% of the vote after she combined for 104 assists along with 23 digs in the Pride’s undefeat ed week.

Audrey Bresciano came in third with 8.5% of the vote after mak ing big contributions to a win. The senior forward for the field hockey team scored two goals along with an assist in the Pride’s 4-0 win over Wheaton on Tues day.

Vasiliky Rizos rounded out the vote after having a clutch shot of her own. The graduate midfield er for the women’s soccer team scored the go-ahead goal in the Pride’s 1-0 victory over Smith on Wednesday.

Blane Hart

The winner of this week’s Spring field Student Men’s Athlete of the Week came from the gridiron, with Blane Hart receiving 50.6% of the vote. The junior running back for the football team ran for 53 yards and had a 58-yard reception in the Pride’s 49-6 win over Coast Guard on Satur day.

The following student-athlete in this week’s race was Aidan Harmer with 29.1% of the vote. The senior runner for the men’s cross country team had his best 8K of his career with a time of 26:50.3 at the James Earley Invita tional.

John DeRosa took third place in the poll with 12.7% of the vote after a spectacular race. The senior runner for the men’s cross country team had his best 8K of his career with a time of 25:48.6. at the James Earley Invitational.

Rounding out the vote was Jack Diefenderfer. The junior golfer shot his best game of the year so far when he shot only nine over par and led the way for Springfield at the Skidmore Fall Invitational.

Be sure to follow The Student on Twitter @TheSpfldStudent to vote in the next poll!

Blane Hart. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

Maeve Voltz. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

Who does Title IX protect?

Distinguished Professor of Humanics Kathleen Mangano talked with Title IX expert Erin Buzuvis about the landmark law’s limits and potential.

As part of her project Title IX at 50: Educate & Advocate, Distin guished Professor of Humanics Kathleen Mangano interviewed Title IX expert Erin Buzuvis -- a professor of law and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Western New England -- about the implications of the civil rights law. A webcast of the full interview can be viewed at springfield.edu/TitleIXat50. An excerpt of their conversation follows.

How does Title IX specifically protect transgender and gender nonconforming students and the LBGTQ community?

Buzuvis: The word “specifically” is what makes it challenging. There is definitely an evolution of interpreta tion and understanding on that question. At a general level, Title IX’s prohibition against sex discrimination means that, in anything where people are admitted of all sexes and it’s just transgender people who are excluded, that’s going to violate Title IX. Where there is some debate is how trans students should be treated in single-sex facilities and single-sex programs. So, is it discrimination under Title IX to say [to a trans woman], “You can come to our college, and you can play a sport, but you can’t play women’s sports”?

I believe that there is a very persuasive and reasonable interpretation of Title IX that does give rights to trans students to be treated as the gender with which they identify for purpose of partici pating in sports, using locker rooms and bath rooms and being assigned to dormitories. There

are people who disagree that interpretation, and there’s also some gray area to what extent any kind of conditions can be imposed on a transgender student’s participation in athletics. So, for example, at the college level, there has historically been some requirement that a trans woman competing in women’s sports will have undergone some transi tion with hormones to make her body more simi lar to a cisgender woman’s body. On the other hand, in the K-12 context, where Title IX also applies, requiring students to un dergo medical treatment that they might not be ready to decide about for the purposes of athletics sounds like a much higher burden on the student for athletics, which are much less competitive and more participatory.

Different government entities will have a role in shaping this clarifica tion. It might be that the Department of Education eventually takes a look at this and clarifies it. If that doesn’t happen, or even if it does, there is also a role for the courts to play here, as states with bans on trans women and girls participation in sports are being challenged in court. The outcome of

those cases, the judicial decisions that are going to come from those cases, are going to also shape the rights of trans students.

What are the arguments against Title IX?

I don’t think that peo ple are out there arguing that Title IX should be completely withdrawn. We are seeing arguments that have to do with the scope of protections that exist under Title IX. Some of the hot-but ton issues are Title IX’s application outside of the context of athletics. There is currently debate in the political sphere –and actually an ongoing effort to revise Title IX’s regulations -- that large ly has to do with how schools treat situations of sexual misconduct be tween students. There are people who believe that schools should have the leeway to suspend and ex pel students who engage in sexual misconduct. The counter argument to that isn’t so much that schools shouldn’t be able to expel students who engage in sexual misconduct but that they should have to go through criminal-tri al-type procedures in order to reach that conclu sion. So I wouldn’t say it’s

an argument against Title IX, but how strongly does Title IX protect students who have been victims of sexual misconduct?

How can we advocate for Title IX?

Until there is pres sure on an institution to actually consider whether they are in compliance with one of three prongs of Title IX, colleges and universities – and K-12 in stitutions as well -- often put that off. it’s not going to happen until somebody pushes their feet to the fire and triggers an honest self-analysis.

My advocacy advice is for everybody [reading this] to take one institu tion that they care about and start doing some digging into a basic com pliance analysis. Who the Title IX coordinator of any institution is should be available on the school’s website. Oftentimes, the

Title IX coordinators are really focused on sexual misconduct and other pieces. But they should be able to get information about how that institution is complying in terms of athletics.

Anyone can file a com plaint at the Department of Education. On the Of fice for Civil Rights web site there is a link that will take you to a complaint form. You don’t have to have a specific connection to an institution. You can describe what you think is a violation of Title IX in your own words. They are required to read it. They can start an investigation based on a complaint from a member of the public. Putting more pressure on athletic departments that way is a way that we can help close the compliance gaps that remain even 50 years after Title IX’s passage.

Erin Buzuvis. (Photo Courtesy of Western New England)

‘He’s been everything you want as a football player at Springfield College’

After earning Divison III All-American honors in 2021, Springfield left tackle Lou Cocozza became the first player in program history to be named a national semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy multiple times.

ics department said, “Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have out standing football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.”

the people closest to him.

“My dad played football — he played for Norwich, actual ly,” Cocozza said. “Just seeing his stories always interested me in foot ball. And then, my older brother — he’s nine years older than me, so, growing up, and watch ing him play through high school… and watching him in col lege… that just sparked my interest.”

Springfield left tackle Lou Cocozza’s rise with the Pride has made an impression with the Brotherhood.

“At one point, he was a fifth-string nose guard, and now he’s an All-American,” said

___ By Chris Gionta @Chris_Gionta

Springfield football head coach Mike Cerasuolo.

Cocozza has built a fantastic resumé full of accolades as an offensive lineman for Springfield, and that continued when he was named a national semi

finalist for the William V. Campbell trophy for the second consecutive year. It is the first time in program history that a player has been a na tional semifinalist twice.

In a statement, the Springfield athlet

This honor comes after a spectacular showing in 2021, where he was given the honor of being on the Asso ciated Press Division III All-America First Team. It was then no question why Cocozza was named to D3Foot ball.com’s Preseason All-America First Team prior to the 2022 sea son.

Cocozza is a sport management major who started his Springfield career in 2018, and his love for football devel oped much earlier from

In terms of selecting a position, no brain storming was necessary.

“We were all offen sive linemen. So, as soon as I started, I didn’t get to play running back, quarterback,” Cocoz za said with a prideful smile. “I went straight to center when I was young because that’s where my dad played.”

Cocozza did not only experience football with his brother and father through seeing them play or hearing stories, but also from them molding him into the

Cocozza between plays against Husson. (Springfield College Atheltics)

player and person that excels today.

“My dad coached me all through youth, and then my brother coached me in high school for a couple years, and then it just took off from there,” Cocozza said.

He went to Barn stable High School in Massachusetts, where he ended up being a two-time captain of the football team. That was when he looked into playing at the next level and found a home on Alden Street.

The beginning of his collegiate career saw Cocozza trying to find his niche with the Pride.

“I think what’s really cool is he’s always been kind of a ‘yes, sir’ kind of guy,” said Spring field offensive line coach and former Springfield teammate of Cocozza, Tony Valentino. “In the sense that he was playing center, then he was playing tackle, defensive line for a little bit there — I mean, he was moving all over the place — whatever anybody needed.”

Cocozza’s potential for the Pride’s program was identified early on by the coaching staff, and his work ethic paired with his attitude is what got Springfield interested in him.

“I think every kid who comes in here is intrinsically motivated, and ultimately become

self-made because that’s how we go about the recruiting process,” Cerasuolo said. “When we talk to them about opportunities, it’s ‘we’ll give you a helmet and shoulder pads and everything you do from that point is going to be earned.’ And Lou [Co cozza] is one of those guys who earned every thing he got within this program.”

The Campbell Tro phy nomination comes not only because of his consistent domination at the line of scrimmage, but also due to factors away from the trenches. He has shown excel lence academically in the sport management program, along with consistent leadership as someone who has been in the program since 2018.

“He works extreme ly hard on and off the field, academically as well,” Cerasuolo said. “He’s been everything you want as a football player at Springfield College. Being a mem ber of the Brotherhood, he’s done everything we’ve expected and that much more.”

With Cocozza’s expe rience comes a responsi bility to take a guiding role and exemplify how to meet expectations in the Brotherhood. As a captain of the team, he has fulfilled that role to help set up the future of the program.

“He’s become more of a leader within the room — bringing up the younger guys with him,” Valentino said. “It’s really cool to see someone who had humble beginnings, a few years go by, and he gets success, and every single day, it’s a day at work and a day to bring other people along with him, which is a really special quality he has.”

Through the process of getting recruited to Springfield, to becoming a starter, captain, and

All-American, Cocozza is thankful for the many helping hands along the way.

“Just through Spring field, I’ve had a lot of great coaches and mentors,” Cocozza said, as he went on to refer to Cerasuolo, offensive coordinator Greg Web ster, current defensive coordinator Lou DiRen zo, and former defensive coordinator Jack Holik, who recruited the start ing left tackle.

What has separated him from the rest is

consistency in approach to everything. Whether he was fighting for play ing time as an under classman or leading by example as a captain, he has gone about his tasks with the same attitude.

“Whether it was a drill, a position, a meet ing, a lift — whatever it was — I think his willingness to buy into that moment, that drill, to everything that he did — that made him the player that he is,” Valentino said.

Cocozza at practice. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

A legend returns

Springfield Athletic Hall of Famer Howard Hinds was named the Pride’s full-time swimming assistant coach.

It is rare for college athletes to have the experience and knowl edge of an Olympian at their disposal, but the new men’s and women’s full-time swimming assistant coach, Howard Hinds, brings all that and more.

Hinds, a 2020 induct ee into the Springfield Athletic Hall of Fame, returns home to Alden Street this semester and hopes to make a big im pact on the program.

Growing up on a small island in the Caribbean, Netherlands Antilles, Hinds recalls swimming always being an important aspect of his life. “I grew up on an island, so everyone needed to know how to swim. I’ve been swim ming since I was four

years old,” says Hinds.

He arrived at Spring field College in 1996, and to say he left his mark on the swimming program would be an understatement. Break ing numerous records, including five in 1999, he was also named NEWMAC Swimmer of the Year twice.

Hinds was even the co-recipient of the Rob ert Muir Award, which is given to the senior swimmer who scored the highest number of points during their college career at the New England Champi onships.

To this day, he still holds the program re cord for the 100 free style at 45.08 seconds, which he set during his tremendous 1999 cam

paign.

“That’s probably the easiest one hundred free style I’ve ever swam in my life, like I got out and I wasn’t even tired,” said Hinds.

Hinds was not limit ed to collegiate achieve ments, as he took his talents to the interna tional level, competing

in the 1999 and 2003 Pan-American games as well as the Olympics in 1996 and 2000.

Swimming interna tionally with the best swimmers in the world took a toll on Hinds.

___ By Patrick Fergus Contributor See Hinds

The tedious training and preparation was al most enough for Hinds to call it a career, until

he actually arrived on the Olympic stage.

“Each Olympics, it was literally going in ‘this is it’ kind of men tality…and then I get there and I was like ‘Yeah, I could do this for four more years’ be cause it was that much fun,” said Hinds. “It was

Howard Hinds at the Art Linkletter Natatorium. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

The Pride celebrate pride

Springfield women’s soccer teamed up with ‘Athlete Ally’ for a game to honor the LGBTQ+ community.

__ By Sean Savage @SeanSav13

“I might be the repre sentation for a kid that I never got when I was little,” said A. Harper, a goalkeeper for Spring field College women’s soccer team.

On Oct. 5, the Pride celebrated a special night. In conjunction with “Athlete Ally” – a

group that defines itself as educators for all levels of athletic com munities to understand the obstacles of LGT BQ+ people in sports, and finds ways to build inclusive communi ties – the team hosted “Play with Pride” night to honor the LGBTQ+

community.

As a whole, Spring field College is com mitted to valuing and validating the gender identity and expression of campus community members. “Recognizing the LGTBQ+ communi ty is honestly essential,” Harper said. Rainbow

flags filled the bleachers for the game as players and fans showed their support.

Sports are a powerful tool for social devel opment — improving the well-being of every individual in society so they can reach their full potential. The success of a community is linked to the well-being of each and every citi zen. Sports are not just physical activity — they promote physical and mental health education, foster cognitive devel opment, teach social behavior, and help social cohesion.

Speaking of the LGTBQ+ communi ty, Harper added, “We not only exist in every space but have actively contributed to countless milestones and moments in and out of sports over the decades, so pretending that we have not doesn’t pay hom age to those incredible figures.”

Sports can be used to increase the social cap ital and integration of LGBTQ+ people into the wider community, as well as empowering them and providing skills that will help give back to the community.

“Playing for a cause always makes the game feel a bit bigger,” Harper said.

The sense of playing for something greater than oneself was reflect ed in a strong outing for the Pride. They hosted Smith College and pre vailed with a 1-0 victory on Brock-Affleck field.

On the pitch, each

player had an extra sense of intrinsic mo tivation: “I think there is always a sense of im portance when a game day represents a certain thing,” Harper said. “Es pecially when it comes to an identity that is so central to who I am.”

In addition, Spring field has taken more steps for the inclusion of all. Pride sports teams have added pro nouns to their rosters. To Harper, as well as many others, having pronouns included should be the norm.

“Not only does it cre ate a sense of inclusivity and understanding not just within the team, but within the athletic de partment and beyond,” Harper said.

They continued, “If I’m mentioned in a match recap or a story, the small act of having my pronouns respect ed makes me feel more accepted and visible not only as an athlete but as a person. Having pro nouns in our bios makes that a very achievable thing for everyone.”

Springfield is re nowned for hosting im pactful events. As for the LGBTQ+ community partnering with Athlete Ally was a step in the right direction.

“It was a really cool thing to have, and should definitely be used more often going forward, as it highlights such an essential com munity at Springfield and beyond,” Harper said.

A. Harper is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

The experience has given me confidence’

After the NCAA announced a Name, Image and Likeness policy, Springfield student-athletes seized the opportunity to be sponsored.

__ By Nick PaNtages Contributor

The fight from col legiate athletes to have the right to make money for themselves through advertise ments, social media and other forms of marketing was fierce. Student-athletes were playing a huge role in the success of billion dollar companies, but didn’t receive any portion of the revenue they were creating.

With their persistent determination, the NCAA finally cracked.

On June 30, 2021, the Name, Image and Likeness policy, known more commonly as NIL, was created. It allowed athletes across all levels and divisions of collegiate sports to become compensat ed based on the three terms in the name.

The main beneficia ries of this are the elite

Division I collegiate student-athletes. The players who play for high-profile schools with big social media

presences are the ones who receive the six-fig ure deals with largename companies.

This leaves Division

III athletes, like the ones here at Springfield College, in a peculiar position. Many have had to find interesting,

new ways to utilize and capitalize on these rules, as many of these athletes do not have the tens of thousands of followers that the higher-profile Division I athletes do.

One of the athletes at Springfield College who has found a way to benefit from the NIL rules is Emma Robinson, a junior on the Springfield College field hockey team.

Robinson, a native of Wilbraham, Mass., has used these rules to develop a partnership with her longtime and local gym, Continuum Performance Center in East Longmeadow.

“I have trained there since I was younger and the owner asked me last winter if I could do a partnership with him to represent their brand to college athletes,” Robinson said.

Emma Robinson is sponsored by her local gym. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

‘

mance Center is a gym that uses personalized training methods to help their athletes maximize their train ing regimens.

Robinson thinks her time at CPC had a positive effect on her athletic performance, describing her experi ence as “great.”

Financially, it helps as well. Although it does not bring Robinson any extra money, she gets to go to the gym for free.

With athletes in particular, many do not have the luxury of the

on-campus facilities in the offseason. This forces many athletes to cough up some money for a gym membership, which is an expense that many collegiate athletes simply do not want to pay for.

Although it does not net her any extra mon ey, the ability to be able to use CPC’s advanced facilities for free in the offseason is definitely a benefit for Robinson.

One thing that NIL deals accomplish is putting an emphasis on the social media pres ence of their players.

Many players with bigname NIL deals have posts with their social media accounts featur ing the company they have a deal with, and Robinson’s deal with CPC is no different.

Robinson created a social media fitness ac count that is associated with the gym, which is something that she enjoys. Robinson also used her fitness ac count to put her spin on her side of fitness, featuring some healthy recipes and food to satisfy the nutritional benefits athletes need,

along with the physical activity.

The social media aspect of Robinson’s deal helped her in more ways than just is what is seen on the outside, however. On the page, you see the vibrant healthy foods and workout pictures, but the account is more than that to Robinson.

“I feel like the whole overall experience has given me confidence,” Robinson said. “Even making that fitness ac count was way out of my comfort zone, but I ended up having a lot

of fun doing it.”

This small fitness account sums up the unknown benefits of the NIL rules for Di vision III athletes like the ones on the campus of Springfield College.

Despite the lack of financially stable deals, the impact NIL has had on athletes like Robin son is noticeable – and it has shown some of the positives it can bring to the campus of Springfield College.

a sacrifice, but it was worth the sacrifice.”

Hinds continued from Page 12 upcoming 2004 Olympic games in Athens. Un fortunately, Hinds didn’t qualify for the games, and shifted his focus to helping the next gener ation of swimmers.

After graduating in 2000, Hinds would serve as a develop mental coach for the Long Island Aquatics club, where he taught children how to swim and built the program substantially during his time there.

“[I] developed the program from 30 swim mers that were in the program, to 30 actually showing up for prac tice,” Hinds said. “When I left that program there was probably about 100 kids.”

It was on Long Is land where he worked and trained for the

Using what he learned from years of work as a coach and personal trainer, Hinds was eager to return to Springfield College and once again have an im pact on the swimming program, but this time as a coach.

Jack Nelson, his head coach with the Fort Lauderdale Swim Team, serves as a big inspiration for his coaching technique. He emphasizes the impor tance of motivation and technique for success in

major competitions.

As for his own posi tion, Hinds is excited to get started and has already praised the energy of the program during his first couple of weeks.

“[I’m] trying to get athletes to push them selves past what they think they can achieve,” Hinds said.

Hinds knows that an experienced swimmer like himself can add a lot to the program.

“[I’m] trying to share my experience, my knowledge of the sport and try to see if we can get all of the swimmers here to reach their potential, and it’s very exciting.”

Howard Hinds swimming for the Pride. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College Archives)

Sports

Rise to Excellence

Left tackle Lou Cocozza started his college career low on the depth chart, but has become an AP Division III All-American and a two-time William V. Campbell national semifinalist.

(Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)