Volume 136 No. 6

The Springfield Student October 14, 2021

Est. 1910 scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

Volume 136 No. 6

Winners/Finalists for five Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ) awards in 2021

A Leader In The Making Nora Fitzgerald has devleloped a strong voice on campus in her position with SGA See page 2 (Photo courtesy of Nora Fitzgerald)

Campus News

October 14, 2021

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Take back the night S.A.V.E. hosted its annual‘Take Back the Night’ event to bring awareness to sexual assault and domestic violence on college campuses.

__ By Jac St. Jean __ @jacsaintj

On a quiet Oct. 6 night in front of the triangle across from the Learning Commons, a flock of flickering candles were held still as a handful of students gathered for S.A.V. E.’s annual Take Back the Night event.

Students Against Violence Everywhere is a club at Springfield College associated with the Vagina Monologues group and backed by the Counseling Center.

S.A.V.E. advocates to end all forms of violence across campus, from sexual assault and harassment, to domestic violence and relationship abuse.

The event began at the triangle with the lighting of the candles and a few words from the members of S.A.V.E. and Vagina Monologues who helped run the event.

Students then marched to the front of Alumni Hall, where S.A.V.E. and VM director Katelee McCormic bravely shared a bit of her experience and why this night was so important to her.

“For me, this year it

Students gathered on the Naismith Green to advocate against sexual assault and domestic violence. (Jac St. Jean/The Student)

was really exciting to tell my story,” McCormic said. “It was nice to see so many people come out and to share those things with other people.”

McCormic said that Take Back the Night is a night to acknowledge and support people on the Springfield College campus who were victims of sexual assault and violence. The greater majority of people who were victims to these forms of violence are not open about their experiences, and for an array of reasons.

Victims of sexual vi-

olence may feel ashamed, scared, guilty, or may avoid talking about it because it is too traumatic for them to relive their harrowing experience.

The purpose of Take Back the Night is to do just that: Take back the experience, acknowledge it, and conquer it.

Doing that, however, is just the beginning.

“I think it means just getting to own my story out loud,” McCormic explained. “For some people it means supporting someone through that.”

The group then headed over to the Abbey

Green, where S.A.V.E. directors Pamela Marino, Justyna Gil, Bridget O’Connor and Alex Maziarz recited the poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. The poem’s repetition of the phrase “I’ll rise,” creates a mantra where despite all of the difficulties and hard times, they will still get back up; they will rise.

The flickering candles then marched back to the triangle on the Naismith Green as the directors closed out the night with a few words and offered those in attendance to say a few words of their

own if they pleased.

The night concluded with the playing of “Skyline Pigeons” by Elton John, and after the song ended, attendees were instructed to blow out their candles. Directors and S.A.V.E. advisor and counseling center psychologist Paige Getchell stayed for a few minutes after the event culminated so attendees could talk to them if they desired.

Take Back the Night is a tremendous step forward towards the goal of ending violence on the campus of Springfield College. Unfortunately, there is still more work to be done, and the fight is ongoing.

Be on the lookout for more events presented by S.A.V.E. such as Denim Day, Say Hey Day, Operation Beautiful coming this November, and as always, the Vagina Monologues set for next semester in April.

If you or someone you know has experienced any form of violence on campus, call Public Safety (413-748-5555), the Counseling Center (413-748-3345), or head to PrideNet to find the Student Assistance Referral link under the Offices tab.

Campus News

October 14, 2021

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Reserve your SEAT The Office of Multicultural Affairs is bringing back the week-long ‘SEAT at the Table’ event that will begin Oct. 17.

Raj Omaru ‘21 stands with his fist raised in solidarity at the ‘March for Action on Alden Street.’ (Joe Arruda/The Student)

__ By Irene Rotondo __ @irenerrotondo

In continuation of the well-received and highly accredited programming from last year, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will kick off “SEAT at the Table” Week on Sunday, Oct. 17. The office is in collaboration with multiple organizations across campus, including multiple student leadership groups and the organized faculty and staff support called the Collaborative Council.

The “SEAT” acronym stands for Social Justice, Equity, Accountability and Transformation. The goal of the weeklong event is to educate the Springfield College community and beyond on not just racial injustices faced by Black people at the hands of white people, but the injustices faced by all minority

groups. This includes the LGBTQIA2S+ community, those facing mental health struggles, and the full spectrum of BIPOC community members.

“We open up Oct. 17, that’s a Sunday, and we’re actually going to be opening up with remarks from students,” said Charisse DelVecchio, a graduate associate in the OMA. “The students will be giving the opening address this year; the students who will do that are being nominated by Collaborative Council members… their opening remarks will happen at 10:00 a.m. in the Dodge Room of the Campus Union,” DelVecchio added.

Half of the 36 events will be entirely student-driven while the

other half will be led by faculty and staff.

Last year, “SEAT at the Table” operated strictly over Zoom due to the pandemic. Now, the OMA plans to host half of the events in-person as well as over Zoom, giving students the opportunity to enlighten themselves over different platforms.

The OMA also recognized that its programming was an international success that created great partnerships last year, which is why the majority of the events will also be recorded to give those invested in social justice outside of the Springfield College community the chance to partake.

Those interested in participating in SEAT will need to register on

the springfield.edu SEAT web page prior to the events. This will ensure that those who need information ahead of time, such as Zoom links and passwords, will have access to the events they choose to attend. Some in-person events will also have a capacity limit.

“We have a registration component… people can go to aseatatthetable. org and it’ll link you to this year’s SEAT at the Table 2021, and there you will find our event schedule, the link to register, bios to our facilitators and presenters, as well as a link to our Collaborative Council and our partners,” said Felicia Lundquist, Director of the OMA. Last year, “SEAT at the Table” focused on events designed to make

participants rethink their own privilege and day-to-day functions, including, “Are Black Names Weird, or Are You Just Racist?,” “The N-side of the N-word” and “Fostering Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Individuals in Athletics.”

This year, more events diving into the inner workings of social equity and justice have surfaced.

These will include open conversations, Q&A sessions, physical demonstrations, celebrations of heritage through dance and music, athletic-based programming, reflections from members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ community and so much more.

Campus News

October 14, 2021

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Writing to heal Angelique Stevens visited Springfield College on Tuesday as part of the William Simpson Fine Arts Series to read a chapter from her upcoming book. _ By Carley Crain _ @carley_crain12

On Tuesday night in the Harold C. Smith Learning Commons, the Springfield College community welcomed Angelique Stevens, who is a Six-Nations Native American, as well as a distinguished writer and author. Stevens is a New York native who writes about her experiences with addiction, suicide, foster care and getting out of her comfort zone.

Stevens has been recognized at the national level for her numerous writing pieces from prestigious organizations such as Lithub, The New England Review and The Chattahoochee Review.

The focus of the night was her reading a chapter from the novel she is currently writing about her sister’s death.

The evening was then followed by a question and answer session.

Tuesday’s event with Steven’s was a part of the William Simpson Fine Arts Series, which is an event series spon-

(Photo courtesy of angeliquecstevens.com taken by Jasna Bogdanovska)

sored by the college that showcases art and literature from the outside community.

Steven’s calm and clear voice helped the audience connect with her heartbreaking story about growing up in upstate New York. Her childhood was far from normal. Her sister went missing when she was young and was forced into sex trafficking. Her

parents also had a rocky marriage which resulted in going on food stamps, homelessness, and foster care.

Stevens’ mother spent time in a local hospital for many years because of her struggles with mental health. Her sister, later on, would also struggle with her own mental health, ultimately resulting in an overdose

suicide. Stevens and her sister were only 10 months apart, but yet they were very different.

She spoke about how her sister got passed down the “unlucky” genres and society’s role in assisting people who need help.

“My sister and I are 10 months apart.

She died from a suicide overdose,” explained Stevens. “I am a college

professor. She won this horrible genetic lottery, and how is it possible for me to live this way?

Essentially the book plots those trajectories.”

After she finished reading a chapter from her novel, Steven’s took questions from the audience, which consisted of a mix of students, teachers, and faculty.

She explained the process of writing a nonfiction book about such a personal, intimate moment in her life. Steven’s expressed the challenge of this, as she wanted to honor her family but also be honest about what happened.

“People say that we never know how things will work till we write through it and the more that you process what is happening the more that it helps.”

Stevens is still in the writing process for her novel but has loved the sense of freedom and adventure writing has given her so far.

Campus News

October 14, 2021

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Open mic poetry night Professor William Arighi hosted an open mic night that allowed students to read poems written by notable poets of Latinx heritage. _ By Collin Atwood _ @collin_atwood17

Latinx Heritage Month is nearing its end for 2021. Springfield College has recognized Latinx heritage over the past 30 days.

In 1968 it began as a week-long celebration called Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1989 it became a month-long event that begins on Sept. 15 annually.

Latinx Heritage Month, which is also known as Hispanic Heritage Month, was created to honor the history, culture and influence of past generations who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The reason the month starts on Sept. 15 is because that is the day that Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua claimed their independence.

At the start of the heritage’s celebration

this year, Dr. Rachel Rubinstein, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Springfield College, gave a keynote address about Latinidad, Jewishness, and Intersectionality. Rubinstein is also the author of “Members of the Tribe: Native America in the Jewish Imagination.”

Springfield College also hosted a poetry reading from Jose B. Gonzales on Sept. 17.

Gonzales touched on his journey from being an immigrant from El Salvador to becoming an English professor with a PhD. The Springfield College Dance Department also hosted a dance class with visiting artist Alan Franco. Franco taught the class Latin dancing styles like salsa, bachata and merengue.

The events were part of Springfield College’s commitment to diversi-

ty and inclusion: “Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is rooted in the belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and belief systems are essential to academic excellence.”

Additional recognition of Latinx Heritage Month came on Thursday, Oct. 7, in the presentation room in Judd.

Will Arighi, an Assistant Professor of World Literature at Springfield College who focuses on literary studies in Latin America and Southeast Asia, hosted a poem reading. He and Springfield College students read poems from notable poets of Latin descent. Some of the poets featured included Julia de Burgos, Jose B. Gonzales and William Carlos Williams.

This open mic poetry reading was related to a class that Professor

Marcus Lovell reads out of Javier Zamora’s poetry book, ‘Unaccompanied. (Photo courtesy of Springfield College)

Arighi is teaching this semester called “Latinx Literature.” He started the class in 2019.

“I feel like it’s a useful class to get the Springfield College community a little more connected to the city of Springfield, which has a large Latinx population,” Arighi said. According to data from the American Community Survey in 2019 the Hispanic population in Springfield is 45%.

Arighi thought the best way to get the community connected would be through poetry -- and not just because he loves literature.

“One of the key rea-

sons is just that there’s a very strong tradition in Latinx communities, in Latin America as well as Spanish traditions going back centuries.

It’s effective because it cuts across a lot of different cultures and everybody’s kind of got some poetry in the back of their mind,” Arighi said.

By starting this class, where students can learn about Hispanic cultures, customs, art and literature, the celebration of the Latinx heritage will last much longer than one month.

Campus News

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‘I had the biggest relief of my life the night I came to SC’ Kushal Bhandari, a first-year student at Springfield College, had a difficult journey that involved multiple stops before arriving on Alden Street. __ By Chris Gionta __ @Chris_Gionta

Each Springfield College student has their own unique path to Alden Street. Most come from the Northeast; having the opportunity to visit once or twice. Some students may have taken their own personal tour with their parents and some may have gone to an Open House on campus. Finally, when it gets to the final weeks of August or the first week of September, everyone arrives, each with a different story of how they ended up there.

First-year student Kushal Bhandari is someone who forged a unique path to campus.

Coming to Springfield, Mass., all the way from Nepal in the midst of a global pandemic was not an easy journey.

“The U.S. embassy in Nepal closed and had very limited visa slots,” said Bhandari.

(Photo courtesy of Kushal Bhandari)

“So, I had to go to India for my visa. I traveled from Kathmandu to Bagdogra,

and then had two or three flights to go to India, and then had my visa. And I had to

spend about two weeks in India.”

He was in India for that long due to his

visa appointment being set up for later than he would have wished.

Along with the inconvenience of being in a foreign country for two weeks with only one goal in mind, Bhandari also worried about contracting COVID-19 while there.

“I was not even vaccinated. I couldn’t get the time to get vaccinated before I went to India because it [happened] so quick,” said Bhandari. “So I had to be very careful. That was a very difficult situation for me, when I had to think about my health as well as my visa, and I had to make sure to get the visa because I had to come way far to get the visa. I could not get rejected.”

Despite his stressful experience, Bhandari still made sure to soak in his travels and not waste the moment.

“I tried my best to enjoy it. I tried my best to make that trip worth

October 14, 2021

remembering,” he said.

“Because, though I went for an education purpose — getting my visa — I made sure that I traveled and visited many places in India so that it could be a fun trip as well as an educational trip.”

Luckily, he was able to get his visa and get on his way to Alden Street. He has enjoyed Springfield College very much in his first few months on campus.

“I had heard a lot of stories about Springfield, that students and everyone there was so welcoming,” said Bhandari. “And I can see that. People here are so kind. Whenever I go outside my dorm or whenever I go into buildings, people hold doors for you, and that’s very sweet of them.”

There are some stark differences between his home in Nepal and the campus of Springfield College. He had many normalities to get used to while at Springfield, and there are some things he is looking forward to.

“The time zone is the biggest difference,” said Bhandari. “And talking about the culture, the biggest shock that I found here in the U.S. is that people are so motivated and so work-driven, with people who are 50 or 60 working, and they are

so motivated. But back in Nepal, people retire very early.”

Any college student could attest that food consumption changes when one gets to campus. However, not many have the perspective of seeing a food that was not in their home end up being one of the main food sources where they go to school.

“I don’t eat beef. You know, that was a very shocking thing for me to see,” Bhandari said.

“Our national animal is the cow. That is why we don’t eat beef.”

Cow-slaughter is officially prohibited in Nepal, which means cow meat is also prohibited..

Overall, Bhandari’s first steps onto the Springfield College campus induced a huge sigh of relief. After sojourns to foreign lands, piles of paperwork, and a 36-hour flight, he finally felt at ease once he arrived at the school.

“I had the biggest relief of my life the night I came to Springfield,” he said.

“Whenever I remember the hardship I went through, it feels like I did something very commendable, because I had not been outside my country, or my home, in fact, for so long. But now I have spent a month and a

News Campus

half at Springfield.”

Bhandari is a business management major, and is enthusiastic about his future at the school. He is also excited about seeing things in the U.S. that he has not seen before.

“I guess it will snow like next month in Massachusetts,” said Bhandari. “We don’t

have snow in Nepal.

The place I come from, it’s Kathmandu, it has a moderate climate — but we have Mount Everest in Nepal; it’s very cold and it’s the world’s tallest cliff — but, in the city I come from, I’ve experienced a moderate climate throughout my life. But now I will experience

(Photo courtesy of Kushal Bhandari)

PAGE 7

different weather — like, I will be experiencing snow, and that’s a big challenge and I’m very excited for that.”

Following a strenuous journey to Springfield College, he looks to savor what the new college and his new country have to offer.

Campus News

October 14, 2021

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‘I’m honestly a very different person than when I first came here’ Springfield College senior Nora Fitzgerald has become a leader on campus over her last four years. ___ By Hayden Choate ___ @ChoateHayden

In the fall of 2018, Nora Fitzgerald came into her first year on the Springfield College campus ready for new experiences.

At the time, she would not have considered herself a leader or someone that would have taken a leadership role. Now, three years later, she is the Vice President of Student Affairs for the Student Government Association (SGA) and works closely with Dr. Slandie Diejuste, the new Vice President of Student Affairs, and is an intern in the Office of Non-Discrimination Initiatives.

“I feel like I’m honestly a very different person than when I first came here,” Fitzgerald said. “As I’ve gone through my time here I’ve made a lot of really good connections with a lot of faculty and professors. They’ve kind of helped me see that I do really enjoy doing this kind of work and getting things going on campus and I love it here so I want to make it as great as possible for everybody else.”

As the student Vice President of Student

Affairs, Fitzgerald works very closely with Ari Susi, President of SGA, in her goal of “building the bridge” between the student body and administration.

“Basically we try to connect with students or different student groups,” Fitzgerald said. “See what they might need from the administration, see what the administration may not be hearing about because administration doesn’t quite get all the ears on the ground like that.”

The SGA held their own “build the bridge” event, a forum for students to ask questions to administration, moderated by Fitzgerald and Susi.

“What me and Ari and the rest of SGA try to do is basically provide a space for students to ask questions,” Fitzgerald said.

“Tell us what they need and then we do with what we can with our resources here to see who we can contact to get those things changed for them or to just kind of fill in the gaps with what might be missing on campus.”

Along with the lead-

Nora Fitzgerald (right) protests sexual violence on Denim Day. (Photo courtesy of Nora Fitzgerald)

ership role she has with SGA, Fitzgerald also has an internship working with Erin Leeper, the Director of Non-Discrimination/Title IX Administator and 504 Coordinator.

“The office itself is a one-woman office, it’s just Erin in there,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve been helping her with a lot of the educational programming, we do some residence hall programs with students and then we do a lot of tabling in the Union and things like that.”

Fitzgerald began her internship in January and in addition to the campus outreach work, she worked on a proposal last semester.

“I was able to work on a proposal last year on a restorative justice policy,” Fitzgerald said.

“What that means is I was looking at ways we can handle Title IX cases and sexual misconduct cases in a way that’s less punitive and more like reformatory, instead of just facing a punishment that would engage the offender in fixing their behavior and preventing more incidents in the future.”

Now that she has experience being a leader on campus, Fitzgerald knows what it takes.

“I think it’s just really important as a leader to just show up, and be ready for anything,” Fitzgerald said. “Kind of understand what the people around you need and work towards getting that better for them, I think it’s really important to connect with students and see what’s lacking on campus.”

When thinking about a leader she looks up to, Fitzgerald credits her mother.

“My moms been a really influential person in my life,” Fitzgerald said.

“Especially in a way that I go about work and school, shes always been super super feminist and just, ‘you can tackle anything you want to’ so I just looked up to her for a lot of guidance with that because she works at a non-profit and in human resources and is very engaging with people and always making sure that her company is doing the best that they can to serve the people that they need to serve.”

Fitzgerald has definitely seen how this has affected her becoming a leader on campus and what she has been trying to achieve.

“I think I take a lot of guidance from her in trying to go about my college experience and just getting the best out of everything and making sure that it’s the best environment for everyone involved.”

In her senior year, Fitzgerald has goals that she would like to accomplish in addition to assisting the “build the bridge” campaign.

“This year I’m hoping to get everyone as involved as possible,” Fitzgerald said. “I think since COVID took away so much of our time I think everybody’s really eager to get back into it and just kind of hit the ground running. I’m just looking forward to working a lot more with Ari and a lot more with Dr. Slandie and Annie [Warchol] and seeing what we can do to get students having the best experience possible.”

October 14, 2021

Sports

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Kaitlyn Plummer

Kaitlyn Plummer (5) waits for a pass from junior Carly Torrance (6) in the Pride’s game against Keene State on Sept. 4.

(Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

Kaitlyn Plummer won 37 percent of the vote in this week’s Springfield Student Female Athlete of the Week Twitter poll after scoring her second career goal in field hockey’s 2-1 loss to Wheaton on Oct. 5.

The sophomore has started five of the team’s first 11 games after last season was not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plummer has tallied nine points this season (two goals and an assist) and has had nine shots on goal.

Springfield field hockey has struggled since starting off the season with two wins, winning just once in its last nine games. Plummer, however, is a bright spot in the team’s future.

Women’s volleyball graduate student Camryn Bancroft finished second in the polls for the second time this year. In four matches this week, Bancroft totalled 39 kills, eight block assists and two solo blocks.

Also from the women’s volleyball team, first-year Natalie Billet was nominated

for The Student’s Athlete of the Week honor for the second time this season.

Billet posted an astronomical 65 kills, 42 digs and six aces in the team’s four matches this week.

The women’s volleyball team has turned things around as the final third of the season gets underway, winning four straight after losing four in a row. The Pride sits at 15-4 as of Wednesday but all four losses were in conference play, pushing the team to No. 5 in the NEWMAC standings.

Rounding out the nominees on the women’s side was Brenna LaChapelle, also for the second time this season. The junior cross country runner has consistently been a top finisher for the Pride, most recently at the James Earley Invitational on Saturday.

LaChapelle led the Pride with a time of 19:27.7 which placed her at No. 19 among 179 student-athletes that competed.

John DeRosa In his second time as an Athlete of the Week nominee, cross country’s John DeRosa won 36 percent of the Twitter vote. DeRosa, like LaChapelle on the women’s team, has been a consistent top finisher for Springfield.

The junior was nominated again this week after setting a new personal best in the 8k at the James Earley Invitational on Saturday. DeRosa finished with a time of 26:17.1 which placed him 13th of 164 student-athletes.

Football’s starting quarterback David Wells finished second in the poll after putting together a masterful performance against Coast Guard on Saturday.

Wells led the team to a 60-0 onslaught with his legs and his arm.

Running an offense that primarily runs the ball, Wells was the game’s rushing leader with 75 yards on nine attempts.

He also completed three of his five pass-

es for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Also nominated from the gridiron was senior Isaiah Cashwell-Doe. The running back averaged 13.6 yards per rush as he ran five times for 68 yards and an impressive touchdown. Cashwell-Doe was also on the receiving end of one of Wells’ two 35-yard completions.

Rounding out the nominees on the men’s side is first-year golfer Damon Monks. Monks led the golf team to second place in the MASCAC Championships. His performance was highlighted by a shot on the 13th hole that travelled 185 yards before spinning into the hole and earned him his first career hole-inone.

Monks also delivered 10 pars and two birdies.

Follow The Student on Twitter @TheSpfldStudent to cast your vote next week!

John DeRosa competes in the Purple Valley Classsic. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

October 14, 2021

Sports

PAGE 10

Mike Delong will be inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 30 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

Alden Street Immortality Mike Delong, after 32 years coaching the Pride football team, is being enshrined the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame. __ By Collin Atwood __ @collin_atwood17

Springfield College opened its doors in 1885 and it has been the home to incredible athletes and athletic accomplishments ever since. The College has built a reputation for being a top-notch athletic school. Due to the athletic excellence at the school, the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1972 by the graduating class of 1933.

Since then, the College has had very talented individuals be inducted into its Hall of Fame. Some of the more notable ones include James Naismith, Frank Wolcott, Leslie Judd, and John Cena.

Whether they changed the sports world forever or were just great at the game they loved, they earned their spot in Springfield’s hall of fame. This

month, six more lucky and deserving candidates will finally have the spotlight on them as they get inducted into the college’s athletic Hall of Fame. One of those lucky six is legendary football coach, Mike Delong ‘74.

Delong was inducted into Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020, but COVID-19 forced the celebration and induction to be

moved to 2021. Delong and the five other Springfield College alumni will be celebrated on Oct. 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Before landing on Alden Street, Delong attended high school in New York where he was a four-sport athlete.

It was those times as a kid where he realized he wanted to pursue a career in coaching and teaching.

“I always loved to compete and to play and it’s what I did as a kid. Coaching, to me, is just highly competitive teaching,” Delong said.

Once he realized that he wanted to be a coach, Delong had to find the right school for him to pursue his dream.

No other school on his shortlist of preferred destinations was above Springfield College.

“It’s the best physi-

October 14, 2021 cal education program in the country and I believed it and I still do.

Springfield was always going to be the best fit for me both academically and as a person.”

Before spending 32 years as a football coach for the Pride, Delong joined the pack as an undergraduate and played under coach Ted Dunn as a defensive lineman. After graduating from Springfield College in 1974, Delong spent some time away from the school before making his return in 1981.

He returned back to his high school, Holland Patent Central High School, as the head wrestling coach and assistant football coach.

He would stay there for three years before going to the University of North Carolina for his masters degree. At the same time he was a volunteer graduate assistant coach the year that North Carolina went to the Liberty Bowl.

Following that, he accepted a defensive coaching position at Maine Maritime where he began his historical collegiate coaching career. After one season, he was promoted to head coach, and in two seasons, he was able to record the best season that the football program had ever had with a record of 8-1.

That accomplishment led to Delong being

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named the New England Coach of the Year

by United Press International and The Boston Herald-American.

After making history in Maine, it was time for Delong to share the love at Springfield College.

“It’s a place people want to come to. I wanted to come back to Springfield because it was just a great program. I thought I would learn a great deal coming back,” Delong said.

When he returned he started out as the defensive coordinator under head coach Howard Coach Mike Delong gathers his players at a game. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics) Vandersea who had a career record of 42-36. college’s past and honation is different, but at from many different Delong would end up oring former defensive Springfield we just had leagues and associations. being promoted to head coordinator, Jack Holik, great guys from staff He would retire in coach in 1984 and that’s to assistants and every- as well as Delong. The where he would stay for 2015 and finish with Springfield College Athbody around campus,” 201 wins, which is the the next 30 years. letic Hall of Fame Rehe said.

Delong will be most by any Springfield During his time at ception will take place College coach in history, a part of Springfield Springfield, he was in Judd Gymnasia from but he didn’t do it alone. College forever and he able to make history 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is grateful for the time “I’m going in on the again and again. In Then, it will be time spent here.

“Just being backs of a lot of people 1998 Springfield had a to induct Delong and around those people and I’m very apprecia9-2 record and reached the other inductees into tive of them. Yeah, they was such a positive the NCAA Division III atmosphere and I didn’t the Hall of Fame as throw my name out Championship Tournadeserved. Delong will there, but I represent an think there was any ment for the first time be joining a lot of big place better,” Delong awful lot of guys who in program history. names and also familiar added.

Delong was responsible put in an awful lot of faces.

After dedicating for many more winning work in that program.”

“It’s humbling and decades of his life to Delong had a lot of seasons as the head it’s an honor because Springfield College, personal accolades, but coach. you have to remember I it is time for him to none of them are as He led the team to had all of them in class. important to the history be recognized for the multiple NCAA tourThey were all my role great coach, mentor and of the school as much naments and even won models and my teachers. teacher that he is. On as his coaching style five Freedom Football Oct. 30, the college will They were all legends was. Delong impleConference titles, one be celebrating 130 years to me and still are.” mented Springfield’s Empire 8 co-title, and of football at Springtriple option offense in six Eastern College field College.

1987 and it is still used Athletic Conference From 11:00 a.m. to Championships. Because to this day. The Pride won seven rushing titles 12:45 p.m. the departof his success, he has ment will be recogwith that offense under won numerous Coach nizing the historical Coach Delong. of The Year awards “Every coaching situ- football teams of the

October 14, 2021

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Show up Keith Bugbee, this year’s Distinguished Professor of Humanics, focused his lecture on finding the positives in tough situations. _____ By Cait Kemp _____ @caitlinkemp09

The practice and idea of Humanics is the driving force behind Springfield College’s philosophy.

Every day, staff, students, faculty and community members of Springfield College work to demonstrate the values of Humanics in their lives.

Each year, Springfield College honors a professor with the title of Distinguished Professor of Humanics for their impact on Alden Street to embody the Humanics philosophy.

Keith Bugbee, more commonly known as Coach Bugbee, received this well-deserved 2021 distinction. Bugbee has been the men’s lacrosse coach for 39 years, and has handcrafted an extremely talented and successful program.

Bugbee led his 1994 team to an NCAA Division II National Championship win, has won 12 consecutive NEWMAC championships, was named the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Div. II Coach of the Year in

1994 and 1995 and was inducted into the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Hall of Fame in 2002, to name a few accomplishments.

The list goes on.

Bugbee is one of the most accredited coaches in collegiate lacrosse history, but his coaching stats are the least of his nobility.

In 2018, Bugbee and his family experienced the unimaginable when his daughter unexpectedly passed just mere weeks after giving birth to her third child.

This tragedy pushed him to teach an important lesson to his lacrosse team. From then on, the idea of “showing up” and being there for yourself and your teammates, no matter what else was going on, was a focus for him.

Fast forward to this year, when he was named the Distinguished Professor of Humanics, he was able to use that mantra and share it with the whole community.

Keith Bugbee hosted his ‘Show Up’ Humanics lecture in two sessions over the past week. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

Bugbee’s Humanics lecture was titled “Show Up”, and focused on finding the positives in bad situations, whether it be something as life-changing as his, or as small as daily occurrences.

Students filled the bleachers at Stagg to hear what Bugbee and former player Jim Warnock had to share about the idea of showing up, wrapping together with the Humanics philosophy.

“Showing up is intentional,” Bugbee said. “It needs to be sustained. It needs to be repetitive.”

After the death of his daughter, Bugbee said there was a group of people who always showed up for him. This consistency from his friends and family showed their genuinity and meant a lot to him in the wake of the tragedy.

Even if it was something small, like asking how his summer was, he knew why they were checking in on him and appreciated that little extra bit of care and

kindness because it went a long way.

Warnock took the time to emphasize the ideals of Springfield College. From the moment he stepped on campus, he said he noticed the little things, like holding doors for each other and smiling and saying “hi,” as people passed.

“When you include other people, you create a community,” Warnock said. Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness are what make people feel important and feel seen, and that is all that matters some days.

With the large crowd of student-athletes in attendance, it was important to consider the ideals that were discussed and their relevance with sports. Bugbee pulled out a yellow lacrosse helmet, and explained how he used it in practices to recognize a player who showed up that day for his team.

It wasn’t always the most skilled player of the practice, who scored the most or performed the

best that day- it was rarely that person. It was given to someone who worked a little harder, dug a little deeper, and pushed for his teammates.

Bugbee and Warnock’s message was one that was easy for students to get on board with. Attendees of the talk were given a yellow “Show Up” wristband at the conclusion of the lecture, and they’ve already been seen on the wrists of athletes while running up Stagg, scoring on East, and winning in Blake.

They wear it with pride, and use it as a reminder to show up for themselves, their teammates, and others in their lives who need just that little extra bit of kindness to help them know that they matter.

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Springfield’s spirit returns The Springfield College cheerleading team will be on the sidelines at Stagg Field and is looking to cheer competitively. __ By Brady Cote __ @brady.cote

After a long-awaited 2 years, the Springfield College Cheerleading Team made their debut this past weekend at the Pride’s first football home game of the season.

One of the cheer captains, Rachel Perry, says that she is proud of how the team performed at their first home game.

“It was really good to see them finally have the football game experience because they missed out last year,” said Perry.

This semester has differed tremendously for the squad, as they were limited and stripped of a season by the infamous COVID-19 virus. Those experiencing the most change are the sophomores who make up a large portion of the team.

“It’s a little harder on them because they haven’t been able to experience a real season and what it was until this year,” said Perry. “Even with this year we still made changes like getting a new coach so they just had to adjust a lot.”

In preparation for this year’s cheer season, the captains sent out videos of the sideline cheers for the team to learn over the summer, as well as going

The Springfield cheerleading team poses for a group photo before the first home football game.

(Photo Courtesy of Springfield College Cheerleading)

over what a normal football game looks like.

“We teach the cheers and go over how we normally go about a football game like how we stand, how we go out for halftime, and just the normal procedures,” said Perry.

The cheer team holds their practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at night from 8 to 10. This year is looking

much better for the team as they are able to use mats, and are now able to stunt.

The team has become so close to the point where their relationships exceed just being teammates.

“They are more than friends at this point,” Perry says. “There are people on the team that I can go to for literally anything at all, and if there is a prob-

lem the whole team has your back till the end.”

Having such a positive and supportive family-like atmosphere for the team makes it easier for teammates of any age or class to reach out if they need someone to talk to.

In past years, the team has been trying very hard to get cheer competitions set up and coordinated, but unfortunately, they fell

through at the hands of the pandemic. However, this year, the team looks to compete for the first time this year.

“This year we are finally looking to compete and get a routine down to use for the competitions,” said Perry. “Although we don’t have anything scheduled just yet, it is in the works.”

Perry shared how Springfield College has been trying to get competitions for the cheer team for the past three years.

The pandemic halted any chance of competitions.

With such good chemistry, the only way to go is up for this team, Perry says.

“It’s only going to get better as we get more time to practice and as the new members of the team get the experience down,” said Perry. “It’s easier to do cheerleading if you’ve done it for years and years, but if you’re learning everything from such a clean slate it is different from a lot of sports.”

In the future, the cheer team is looking forward to the next home game to get back out there and get better each time as they run through their routines.

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The ultimate honor

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Nikki Hay (‘10, G ‘11), after a spectacular track and field career, will be inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame later this month. ___ By Garrett Cote ___ @garrett_cote

The Springfield College women’s track and field team was in third place in the 4x200 meter relay during the 2009 ECAC Division III Indoor Championships when Nikki Hay was passed the baton. The team’s chance of victory now weighed heavily on her shoulders, with Cabrini University and Moravian University ahead in the race.

After a clean transition of the 28-centimeter hollow piece of aluminum from teammate Erica Marks, Hay took off on a blistering sprint.

She approached Moravian’s anchor and glided by her in a seemingly effortless move.

As focused as ever, she knew she would not be denied the Pride’s first ever ECAC championship.

She continued to gain ground on the first place team, Cabrini, as the finish line loomed larger. Using her last bit of energy, she plunged forward to turn in her best time ever in the

event, just squeaking out a first place finish by .15 of a second in an improbable comeback effort.

“I had competed in five events that day, so I remember being exhausted,” recalled Hay. “We were behind and when I got the baton for the relay, I thought there was no way I was going to win. I still have no idea where this came from, but I somehow passed both teams to win the ECAC Championship, and that was the only time we ever won. That for me was my favorite moment, to be able to win that with my teammates. It was special.”

Hay (‘10. G ‘11), who will be inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame at the end of October, was born and raised on the island of Jamaica throughout her adolescence before moving to Norwalk, Conn. when she was 13-years old.

In Jamaica, Hay competed in a “Field Day” once a year, where she

Nikki Hay played a major role in the 2009 ECAC Indoor Track Championship. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

showed off her running abilities and developed a knack for the sport.

Following her move to the States, she picked up track at Norwalk High School, participating in events such as long jump, triple jump, 100 and 200-meter sprints and the 4x100 relay.

Then-Springfield College head coach, Jim Pennington, went to a Norwalk track meet to watch Hay compete. He

later reached out to her about joining the Pride and representing The Jersey. Her older sister, Donna Brown, coincidentally lived nearby, so the alignment of her being able to compete in track while having a sibling closeby was too good to pass up.

“My sister lived in Massachusetts, so I was like, ‘that’s perfect, I’ll have family right there,’” Hay offered.

“And then of course I had track. But on top of that, my major was social work, and Springfield College had a five-year masters program. It was seriously a perfect opportunity to come to Springfield.”

Nickel Hay, Nikki’s twin brother, decided to join the Springfield College family alongside her, also competing in track and field for the Pride. Constantly hav-

October 14, 2021

Sports

Nikki Hay with Springfield College track and field coach at the time, Jim Pennington (Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics)

ing the love and support of Nickel by her side aided Nikki to be increasingly comfortable and confident in her new environment. “[Nickel and I] pretty much did everything together,” claimed Hay. “He was there for all of my meets and he always looked after me. He is definitely my biggest supporter. We would travel together, he went to nationals with me, we were just always together.”

When Hay arrived on campus, she made an instant impact and her work ethic was noticed immediately by others on the team, including current Pride track and field head coach, Mike Miller, who was Hay’s teammate for several years.

“Nikki was very dedicated and determined to improve,” began Miller.

“In my opinion, she was a leader as soon as she stepped on campus and she had the ability to inspire those around her by being thoughtful in all of her interactions.

She worked very hard to get everything she earned.”

With Miller now being an experienced head coach, he uses Hay as an example for the kind of student-athletes he looks for when recruiting.

“As a coach, Nikki is the type of athlete we look for. A talented, hard-working student-athlete that lives the Springfield motto and doesn’t only lead others, but also supports and helps them with

her words and actions,” Miller added.

The relationship between Alden Street and Hay was mutualistic. Not only did Springfield College give a lot to Hay, Hay gave just as much to Springfield College in return.

During her time here, she was able to accomplish feats most people can only dream of. She was one of the most decorated and dominant track and field athletes in all of Div. III. Hay won the D III triple jump National Championship in 2010, and was named that year’s NCAA Woman of the Year in correlation. In 2008, she was crowned the USTFCCCA Outdoor Athlete of the Year, recognized as the Indoor

and Outdoor Athlete of the Year in 2009, and took home the Outstanding Women’s Field Performer honor in 2010. With all of these achievements, Hay had a feeling a nod to the Pride Hall of Fame would come her way at some point.

“It is definitely an honor [to be an inductee into the Hall of Fame],” Hay said. “I imagined I would eventually be nominated and inducted, but not for several more decades.

I didn’t expect it this quickly. It’s an honor and a surprise, but one I really appreciate.”

She holds school records in the outdoor and indoor triple jump as well as the outdoor 4x100 relay. She was a nine-time NCAA All-American, and won nine individual NEWMAC titles over the course of four years.

“I remember watching Nikki compete and train,” Miller recollected. “Everyone could tell she was going to be special. She was an athlete that would be all over the track, running from event to event, maybe doing the 100, 200, 4x1, long jump, and triple jump all in one meet.

She would always be present and prepared for whatever she had to do at any moment.”

With track and field competition now in the rearview, Hay still turns to running as her main

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form of exercise, oftentimes reflecting on her tsunami-sized wave of success she once had. “[Track] is not really in my life directly to the point where I am competing, but I still workout and I take my health seriously. I run and still do those kinds of things, and I do miss it. It’s fun to look back on and think about,” she said.

Hay used her masters degree in social work to land a job with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) directly following graduation. She has been there for one full decade, and is still there today where she is now a supervisor for the company.

The married, 32year old mother of two - Dallas (seven-years old) and Ahmaad (onemonth old) - still lives in Springfield with her family, where she has been since her years at Springfield College.

Hay’s impact grew each year to become unquestionable since she stepped foot on Alden Street in 2006. And now, on October 30th, she will be immortalized in Springfield College history forever, joining a plethora of all-time greats.

SPORTS The Springfield Student

See page 14

VOL. 136 NO. 6

Enshrined Forever The Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducting six new members on Oct. 30, read the first two of six exclusive features.

See page 10

(Photo Courtesy of Springfield College)

OCTOBER 14, 2021