Volume 135 No. 20

The Springfield Student Est. 1910

April 8, 2021

Volume 135 No. 20

scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

A form of normalcy Despite a challenging set of circumstances due to the presence of COVID and social distancing guidelines, CAB has tried to keep this semester as normal as possible for students on and off campus.

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content

This week’s

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On the Inside

CampusNews

The latest COVID-19 updates ahead of the final third of the semester - Page

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Multimedia Editor Carley Crain questions effectiveness of Wellness Days - Page The brand new updated COVID-19 dashboard on PrideNet - Page

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April 8, 2021

COVID-19

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Precautions remain paramount in final third of the semester

By Garrett Cote @garrett_cote

A

s students, faculty and staff return from the much-needed long Easter and Passover weekend, COVID-19 protocols are prominent in the minds of the Springfield College community.

Each residence hall parking lot was as close to empty as it gets this past weekend, signifying that a strong majority of students took the trip back home to celebrate the holidays.

Considering there was no spring break and

considering students have been working diligently both in the classroom and following coronavirus guidelines, it was expected that many students would do so, according to Christine Johnston.

“We knew that students really needed this break,” Johnston began. “Without spring break this year, this was the only long weekend we had. We recognize that a lot of students went home, because mentally and physically they just needed the break. What students did when they went home will tell what

the next five weeks are going to look like.”

If students went home to enjoy the holiday weekend safely with their parents and relatives - who may already have the vaccination - Johnston does not see a reason for concern.

The distress is only notable if students were out with friends from other institutions, not wearing masks in large gatherings, and/or doing other activities while loosely following protocol.

“If students went home to see their friends from high school and went out to bars and restaurants, we

could definitely see another uptick in cases late this week and early into next week. We just hope that if a student gets a call from a friend or family member and says they tested positive or were a close contact, that student will take the necessary precautions and self-identify so we can help them get tested and go through the process now before they test positive and potentially spread COVID on campus,” Johnston said.

Currently, the positive COVID-19 tests are down to a dozen, which is great

news as that number was tripled just the week prior.

On top of that, only 11 percent of supported quarantine housing is occupied.

It was anticipated and envisioned that a lot of the Springfield College community would take this three-day weekend and use it as a short vacation. With everyone, by now, back on Alden Street with refreshed spirits, minds and bodies, only time will tell just how careful and cautious people were back in their hometowns.

April 8, 2021

Bee Positive Event

“Bee Positive”

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The Springfield College Dance Marathon hosted the “Bee Positive” event to raise money for childhood cancer research and treatment.

By Amanda Hitchcock @amandassnapshots

The Springfield College Dance Marathon continues to raise awareness for childhood cancer and this past Thursday the organization hosted the “Bee Positive’’ event on the Administration Green. This event helped to raise money for childhood cancer research and treatment.

“The Bee Positive foundation financially assists them (children fighting cancer) and provides funds for childhood cancer research,” explained A.J. Gallagher The event included Nora’s Cupcake Truck that had six different cupcakes. Three of their cupcakes were designed by children fighting cancer. These included Harry’s Funfetti Cupcake, Avery’s Cookie Dough Cupcake and Mahlai’s Coconut Lemon Berry Cupcake.

Along with picking up a free cupcake, students and faculty could help raise awareness by purchasing their very own succulent at the plant sale. The event raised almost $500 with plant sales alone.

Another activity held on the Admin Green were yard games. Students were able to play games such as corn hole with their friends.

“I loved the event… It was such a great day to see the campus fully active and it was nice to see everybody come out and get a cupcake or buy a succulent at the plant sale to donate to childhood cancer,” said Sarah McNicholas The dance team has sponsored many events around campus including rock painting, the broom curling tournament on the ice skating rink, trivia night, Thanksgiving Dares and Childhood Cancer Awareness Night. May 1 is the Dance Marathon in-person celebration.

Make sure to follow them on Instagram @ scdancemarathron to be informed about upcoming events.

(Photos Courtesy of Amanda Hitchcock/The Student

April 8, 2021

Op-Ed

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Crain: Were Wellness Days really that effective?

Multimedia Editor Carley Crain believes the intent behind Wellness Days were in the right place, but the execution was all wrong.

(Photo Courtesy of Jack Margaros/The Student

By Carley Crain @carley_crain12

Springfield College likes to think they always stand by their motto of spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others. This semester, it seemed like they forgot a key component of their motto: mind. Students were not given a customary week-long spring break. Instead, we received three miscellaneous “Wellness Days” over the course of the 15-week semester.

An email that was sent out to the Springfield College community stated that, “Classes will not run that day to allow students and faculty to take a well-deserved self-care/wellness break for the day,” when speaking about the meaning of one of the wellness days.

President Cooper sent out another email with a quote that described the intent behind wellness days. “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither” - Alan Cohen. Including these days were meant to help student mental health in a difficult and challenging semester. In reality, Wellness Days were unsuccessful.

I understand that a global pandemic is going on and it was a tough decision to make regarding spring break. If we did have a week-long spring break, COVID cases would likely surge due to a majority of students going home or traveling.

Other universities, such as the University of Connecticut cut their semester short to compensate for the lack of an extended break. According to their academic calendar, UCONN students will be having a spring recess from April 11-17. Their last day of semester classes are April 28 and those will be conducted remotely.

Professors were instructed to not assign any homework the day after every Wellness Day so students could relax and not stress about schoolwork. Some of the staff assigned exams on either the Thursday or Friday after those early semester Wellness Wednesdays. Technically they did not assign any homework, so they were “following” the rules.

President Cooper explained in a mass email about how students should spend a wellness day.

“We recognize the emotional toll the last three semesters have taken on our community and a day like today is an important pause. So today, trade your textbook for a break. Trade screen time for a walk outside on what promises to be a warm day for February. Trade time at the keyboard for a creative outlet. Trade the pressure of your long to do list for meditation,

Op-Ed

April 8, 2021 mindful breathing, or yoga. Whether you are someone who likes to recharge with friends or someone who prefers solitude, do something today that is good for you.”

However, students had to study for their exams, so for many their wellness days were non-existent.

This semester is already stressful enough. We are still dealing with a global pandemic, most classes are online and seniors are getting ready to say goodbye after a rough last year.

I know right now, for me, stress levels are very high. With no break, I am feeling pretty burnt out at this point in the semester. Feeling burnt out leads to a loss of purpose, motivation and focus. Having a spring break is an opportunity for students and faculty to reset heading into the last few weeks of the school year.

From an outside perspective, it seemed like the college did care. All of the wellness days included some type of activity, one popular one being an ice cone truck.

Springfield’s social media pages loved to highlight how amazing the wellness days were, with captions

“ It shouldn’t have been this way.

Instead, I should have been able to enjoy the weekend peacefully with my family. Peace is not even a word I can consider close to how this semester has been going so far. In fact, anything opposite of peace is how this semester is currently going.”

- Carley Crain -

like, “Once again, there were no classes scheduled for the day, allowing students and faculty an opportunity for some well-deserved self-care and wellness breaks for the day.”

This is a classic example of how social media is just a highlight reel.

For example, Easter Weekend was the one

weekend this entire semester I was looking forward to because I was able to see my family again for the first time since Christmas.

For most of the student population, Easter as a holiday is celebrated. Again, part of the school’s motto is “spirit” which relates to religion. I

find it funny that spirit is such a big part of the school’s motto, but Easter weekend was still filled with a lot of school work for many students.

I was excited when they announced we would have Friday off because I could go home earlier. Friday, April 2 was considered a wellness day,

PAGE 5 but instead I spent the day writing a 3-page paper that was due the following Monday.

This is just one example of how some of the professors did not understand the true meaning of the wellness days. For most of Easter weekend, I was anxious about all the work I had due on Monday.

It shouldn’t have been this way. Instead, I should have been able to enjoy the weekend peacefully with my family. Peace is not even a word I can consider close to how this semester has been going so far. In fact, anything opposite of peace is how this semester is currently going.

Talking about mental health is great.

Having the resources like we do at the counseling center is great.

What is not great is the actions the administration took this semester in regard to spring break.

I am a person that loves school, in fact many people call me a nerd, but right now I cannot say I love school. All I can say about school right now is the amount of stress and anxiety it is causing me.

April 8, 2021

COVID Dashboard

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All dashboard information can be found by logging onto Pridenet and clicking on the large yellow banner at the top of the page.

The revamped COVID dashboard The latest on Springfield’s enhanced COVID information page.

By Collin Awtood @collinatwood17 In the fall semester of 2020, Springfield College started testing students for COVID-19. Everyone would test once every two weeks and the college would let the community know how many positive tests there were on campus.

On March 30, 2021, the Division of Student Affairs sent an email to students and faculty stating that the COVID-19 dashboard was redesigned.

Parents, faculty and students gave their feedback on the original dashboard and claimed that it was not revealing enough information. As a result of this, multiple staff members met and discussed a way to make the dashboard more resourceful.

“We had our institutional researcher and a number of folks from communications get to the point where we could get more information sorted in a way that we thought was helpful,” said Patrick Love, Vice President for Student Affairs.

Now, the dashboard gives the viewer information that goes as far back as January, rather than just the current amount of positive cases at Springfield College. It shows the number of tests conducted since Jan. 4, 2021 and the positive cases since that point.

The same data is provided for the past 30 days, along with the past seven. Each time frame is accompanied by a positivity rate as well.

“We’re trying to provide enough information to the community in order to be informative,” Love said.

There is also a graph for the viewer to look at for each time frame. It shows how many cases and tests there were on a specific day. Information on how many students are quarantined or in isolation is given as well.

Another concern was that the information was not being updated in a timely manner. The numbers on the dashboard did not reflect the current number on campus at times. To solve this problem the dashboard will be updated three times a week instead of two.

With more information and quicker updates comes harder work.

“Our commitment is to provide as much meaningful information to the community as possible, but to do it in a way that doesn’t overtax the units that are really trying to serve the students and do the testing and process the results and move students into supportive housing,” Love said.

With this new and improved dashboard, anyone can see how the college is doing currently and how Springfield College has improved or declined in the last week or month.

In addition, the college also added a “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) page for anyone who may have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. That page will be updated as new information continues to roll out.

You can see the new dashboard at COVID-19 Info Home | Springfield College and the vaccine FAQ page at COVID-19 FAQ | Springfield College.

April 8, 2021

CAB Feature

Keeping campus connected

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Despite the restraints of COVID, CAB has made an effort to provide social opportunities on campus and keep students interacting with one another.

By Cait Kemp @caitlinkemp09

L

iving on campus with so many restrictions

and guidelines can make it difficult to have fun for students.

Between the limit on the amount of people in a dorm room, to the constant wearing of masks, there are a lot of rules that need to be followed in an attempt to keep the community safe and healthy.

However, regardless of the importance of these rules, there is a campus full of kids who want to interact with each other and it can be disheartening to not be able to do just that.

That is where Springfield’s Cam-

Frequent food trucks have been among the most popular attractions that CAB has worked to bring to campus on a consistent basis this semester. (Photo Courtesy of the CAB Facebook page)

pus Activities Board, better known as CAB, comes into play. CAB has always worked to bring fun and engaging activities to students, but it has proved an even more important task with COVID making it

more complicated to do such activities.

“As always, we work better together. In this time, we have some students remote and some in person, and we want to attend to both so being creative and (having) effective

communication has been our best strategy,” said Co-Chair Payton Lynch.

CAB began the semester with a welcome back week themed as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, having both online and

in-person events that mirrored that theme.

There was a Golden Ticket virtual search, Candy Carnival, online candy bar bingo, make Continue reading on the top of Next Page (Page 8)

April 8, 2021

CAB Feature

CAB Feature continued from Page 7

your own candy zen garden and the grand opening of the ice rink on the Admin green.

“We have several virtual events that we allow everyone and anyone to attend.

We have had many in person events following COVID guidelines, such as social distancing wearing masks and gloves, as well as sanitizing regularly,” said Cassie Clinton, CAB’s Bingo and Trivia Chair.

Despite the staggered move-in for the semester, they made sure there was something to do for everyone, whether they were on campus or still at home.

CAB’s dedication to creating activities has continued throughout the semester, and now that the weather is nicer it gives the chance to get back outside and have distanced events in bigger spaces.

“As always, we want to plan fun and engaging events for the whole student body. We are excited for the early warm spring weather so our events will be happening mostly outside and more people can attend,” said Lynch.

With the transition

Through their events, CAB has made a difficult semester for students a much smoother and easier to bare experience. (Photo Courtesy of CAB Facebook page)

to spring, the ice rink was taken down and a beach was put up in its place. It offers not only a place where students can hang out, but it is the location where many activities will take place the rest of the semester.

CAB also has meetings every Monday night where all students are invited to join to learn more about the club and the plans that they are creating. This offers students a way to get to know the leadership within CAB and maybe even find an interest in what they are doing and join the club.

The success of the activities even during COVID has been great. Students have been eager to participate in events, seeing

it as a good way to get out of their dorms and do something different and fun during a time that has brought so much uncertainty.

Among the activities, the DIY events have been one of the most popular things that students keep coming back for.

“This year we have had a great turn out for Thrifty Thursday events and two have even sold out completely. The most popular this semester was the DIY Spotify boards and DIY air plants. For the DIY Spotify boards students present their pictures so everything was ready they just picked it up,” said Sidney Ratliff, the Thrifty Thursday Chair.

“For DIY air plants

the turnout was unexpected, the event was completely sold out in 35 minutes…

In general, I have been looking at tik tok trends and it has been working out amazingly,” Ratliff added.

Along with being very active on campus, CAB also makes sure to keep up with social media so students always know what is going on.

Between a Facebook page, an Instagram profile, and a Snapchat account (Springfield College CAB, and @ scpridecab, respectively), there is a way for everyone to know and keep updated with events, pop ups and activities that are taking place around campus.

It is a fun way to find out about differ-

PAGE 8 ent things and an easy way to communicate with members of the club.

This week, CAB has several exciting events planned, such as “New York Comes to SC” on Friday, April 9.

This event will bring in fun aspects of the city, like a hot dog food truck, graffiti art, and luggage tags.

Also, this weekend is a self-care bag making event, and a thrifting day that features items from small businesses of students on campus.

Lynch said, “We want to provide students with a time that they aren’t stressed about school work, tests... and allow them to come make a craft, play a game or just laugh and hang out with their friends.”

CAB continues to make an enjoyable environment for students on campus, no matter what comes in their way. Their goal is to help people have fun times, and they are doing just that.

Be sure to follow the social media accounts and check for emails that inform about what events CAB is putting on.

April 8, 2021

Sports

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Over the weekend, the Springfield women’s lacrosse team defeated Wheaton on Senior Day, the men’s tennis team lost to Coast Guard at home in its first match of the year and the women’s tennis and softball teams won on the road.

(Photos: Joe Arruda, Jack Margaros, Springfield College Athletics)

April 8, 2021

Sports

PAGE 10

Levansavich playing for the field hockey team in 2019. (Springfield College Athletics)

Two Sports, Two Majors, Zero Problems Grace Levansavich is a double major and a two-sport athlete at Springfield, and is finding a way to excel academically and athletically. ___ By Garrett Cote ___ @garrett_cote

Throughout the school’s history, there have been a fair share of exquisitely gifted athletes to wear The Jersey for the Springfield College Pride, with some having played more than one sport. Considering the increasing rarity of present day dual-sport athletes, what Grace Levansavich is doing for the Pride’s wom-

en’s lacrosse and field hockey team is nothing short of spectacular.

Levansavich is not only a diligent and tireless worker who is committed to improving her craft on the lacrosse and field hockey fields, but she is also a standout in the classroom. The studious sophomore is double majoring in Physical and Health Education

with a strong grade point average of 3.8.

Two sports, two majors, and still, Levansavich says there is more room on the plate she has served herself.

“It really doesn’t feel too overwhelming, surprisingly,” she began. “I’m just so used to doing sports, and I’ve done field hockey and lacrosse throughout my whole life. I

was able to manage sports and school work during high school, so it prepared me to do the same at Springfield.”

In her first year on Alden Street, Levansavich regretted not playing lacrosse, as she was unsure if the burden of two sports would be too heavy.

Now that she is in full swing participating

with the lacrosse team this year, she has certainly made the correct choice to become the scarce dual-sport athlete.

“I was so close to playing freshman year, but I didn’t know if it was going to be too much with field hockey.

Looking back, I regretted not playing, so I had to take the opportunity I had this year.

April 8, 2021

Sports

PAGE 11

Levansavich is a part of both the women’s lacrosse and field hockey teams at Springfield. (Springfield College Athletics)

The girls on the team have been so awesome and welcoming, they have made it a really easy and fun process for me,” Levansavich offered.

Not only has Levansavich’s decision been a positive one for her, Pride women’s lacrosse head coach Kristen Mullady said the addition of Levansavich has also been splendid.

“Grace is a pure, raw athlete that has really grown rather quickly,” Mullady declared. “She is extremely coachable and has the urge to always get better, and her work ethic and coachability have helped her develop into a great player. She does a great job challenging our top players in prac-

tice as a defender, and things like that really stick out.”

The task of juggling two sports is impressive on its own, however the fact that Levansavich is accomplishing all of this while navigating through the unfortunate circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic displays her resilience to perfection.

Mullady highlighted that exact point, lauding at Levansavich’s grit and determination.

“I reached out to her over the summer to see if she was still interested in playing, and she said yes. I think this just describes her, because she wanted to do both sports in the fall in the middle of a pandemic. On top of

that she is a very high academic individual, so that just speaks to who she is as a person,” Mullady praised of the sophomore.

Pride field hockey head coach Melissa Sharpe emulated Mullady’s point about Levansavich’s coachability, stating it has been a blast working with her during their two shortened years together.

“During every interaction I’ve had with Grace I’ve learned that she’s a really polite kid, and extremely friendly,” Sharpe said. “Not only that, but Grace has a terrific work ethic, she’s a great athlete, and she’s very determined and eager to learn and get feedback.

All of these attributes are important and I think really allow her to be successful.”

Dual-sport athletes are particularly uncommon. Sharpe listed the advantages that they have compared to athletes who do just one sport, and she shed light on several solid points.

“Personally, I love the dual-sport athletes, and I wish more of my players would consider it. The Div. III off-season is so short, which allows for more time to pick up something else.

It allows kids to stay in shape, learn from a different coach’s perspective, learn different skill sets, and a lot of times those things carry over [to other

sports] in positive ways,” Sharpe articulated.

Clearly, Levansavich has had a tremendous impact on both the lacrosse and field hockey teams, and it is safe to say she is taking advantage of every opportunity that crosses her path. For the dual-sport double major sophomore, no task is too daunting.

Sports

April 8, 2021

PAGE 12

A Different COVID Experience Women’s soccer coach, John Gibson, was back where he grew up in Wales for an unexpectedly long time after the pandemic started. ___ By Hayden Choate ___ @ChoateHayden

In March of 2020, when the majority of the Springfield College went home for what they thought would just be “spring break”, in a way, the head coach of the Springfield College women’s soccer team, John Gibson, did the same.

Gibson returned to his hometown of Cardiff, Wales on March 13, 2020.

Originally thinking he would be staying there for a week to care for his 94-year old mother.

Gibson did not return to the United States until July 7th, 2020.

“It was quite an adventure,” Gibson said.

Ever since he moved to Springfield over twenty years ago, Gibson usually travels back to Wales in December for Christmas and spends a few weeks there in the summer.

Having dual-citizenship was how Gibson went to Wales in March then was able to come back in July.

“That’s the only rea-

son we could do it was because I was ‘going home’,” Gibson said.

It all began in December of 2019 when Gibson’s mother was not doing very well. He and his wife, Susan, extended their annual Christmas stay and came back to the states in late-January.

Gibson and the women’s soccer team were supposed to go to Spain for their spring break trip but when that got canceled, he saw it as an opportunity to go check in on his mother.

“We were planning to go to Spain during spring break for that trip,” Gibson said. “Then the trip got cancelled and I thought I’d go back and see my mum and hopefully she was doing better.”

During his almost fourmonth stay in Wales, Gibson noted a lot of things were different there, especially in terms of rules as the COVID-19 pandemic began to grow.

Women’s soccer head coach, John Gibson (left) was stuck in Europe for the inital stages of the pandemic. (Springfield College Athletics)

“It was locked down a lot tighter,” Gibson said.

In Cardiff, Gibson and his wife were barely allowed to leave their house once the lockdown really began.

“We had our rental car, I took it back and dropped it off and we went six weeks without even having a car,” Gibson said. “In Wales you couldn’t go anywhere, you’re supposed to stay within walking distance of your house, unless you were going to work or the doctor.”

In Wales, traveling outside of a certain city could even get you a ticket.

“Within the city you could drive around and hardly see a police car,” Gibson said. “But in the major roads outside (the city), they were stopping cars asking ‘Where are you coming from? Where are you going? Why are you doing this?’ and people were trying to go

on walks in the countryside were getting tickets written and sent home.”

While in Wales, the only place Gibson and his wife could go that was open was the grocery store.

“There were four supermarkets within walking distance, one about 15 minutes thats was a small one,” Gibson said. “A bigger one about half an hour walk which was alright because we had nothing else to do, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.”

Like the rest of Springfield College and the world, Gibson had to teach his graduate class on Zoom.

“I was doing my Thursday night class on Zoom like everyone was at that point,” Gibson said. “It was a seven o’clock class but it was starting at midnight where I was and going until two in the morning.”

Gibson believes he could have returned to the

United States earlier than he did but the process was very frustrating at first.

“For the first two months there were just no flights, I kept booking new ones and they kept cancelling them,” Gibson said.

In the end, spending the summer during a pandemic in two different countries was quite an interesting experience for Gibson.

“In a strange way it wasn’t bad, in fact it was very pleasant,” Gibson said. “The weather was nice, but you couldn’t see your friends because you couldn’t meet up with people.”

Thankfully, Gibson’s mother is still doing very well. Gibson was able to go back to Wales this past Christmas and plans to go back when classes end in May.

April 8, 2021

Sports

PAGE 13

Return of The Pride

Assistant Sports Editor, Chris Gionta, writes about the return of sports at Springfield College. ___ By Chris Gionta ___ @Chris_Gionta

On March 12, 2020, we saw the end of spring seasons. In July, we found out that there would be no intercollegiate competition for Springfield College in the fall. In November, the idea for intercollegiate competition was put to rest.

Finally, on March 1, 2021, with things going better, the New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference announced that there would be intercollegiate competition in the spring.

Albeit, this was a very modified version of a season. For most teams, games would be played only on weekends, and mostly on Saturdays.

The baseball team had 12 games scheduled, which seems like very little, but they were lucky enough to have the longest schedule of the Springfield College spring sports teams.

This leaves the stu-

dent-athletes, coaches, parents, and media members, like the people in this publication, in a bit of a complex. We all recognize the world’s situation at the moment and are grateful for the opportunity to do whatever we came here for, no matter the amount of games, matches, or meets there were to be had.

There are plenty of things to be grateful for, when you think about it.

We are grateful that we are at an institution that can ensure everyone in athletics can perform in a healthy environment in a time when a healthy environment is not a guarantee. Also, carrying over from before the pandemic are all of the amazing sport-related things that Springfield College has to offer. Whether it be the fantastic fields being played on, the training facilities that maximize

performance, or the media coverage we have on either the athletics website or the student-run media.

Still, it is not quite the same. What is frustrating is that this can not be changed for reasons we can not control. The seasons don’t feel like the journey they are meant to be, but rather a sprinkle of competition between a long stretch of practices. Along with that, the schedules are about as secure as the website you use to watch new movies for free. Thus far, six volleyball games have been cancelled alone, and have been added by cancellations from almost every sport. Just about all of them had to do with COVID-19.

I would imagine being a student-athlete or a coach in a season like this could be anxiety-inducing. I can see this more clearly with the team that I cover,

which is the baseball team.

Their opening doubleheader was initially supposed to be on Saturday, March 20, at WPI. A few days prior, the teams were informed that the game could not be played at WPI. Then, with less than 24 hours’ notice, the game was moved to Springfield on Sunday, March 21. Of course, there are much bigger problems to be had in life, but this rapid change of plans is not great for physical and mental preparation.

However, this is the only way that we are able to approach things with where we stand in April 2021.

The modified seasons create some mixed feelings. I imagine that the end of these seasons, however they may arrive, will not have the same sense of closure that normal seasons bring. Despite the fact that they are likely extremely appreciative

for what has been given to them, seniors will still naturally feel that their prime collegiate athletic years were soured. But of course, everyone realizes, especially now, there are much bigger things occurring. Naturally, still, this is not how any student-athlete would want their college career to go.

To make an analogy, it is like going without food for a few days, then getting a granola bar as your food for a whole day after.

Clearly, you would be extraordinarily thankful for that snack, but you also would still be desiring a full meal.

Because sports at our level in relation to the world means so little, it is hard to complain without realizing the situation.

With that being said, you can always wish for more.

April 8, 2021

Sports

PAGE 14

Sports and Social Justice Symposium Jessica Waddell-Lewinstein Kopp, daughter of Springfield College alum, former Olympian and social justice advocate, Tom Waddell, will be speaking about her father’s legacy and his ultimate message. __ By Jack Margaros __ @JackMargaros

Nearly six years ago on April 17, Springfield College instituted Tom Waddell Day. It is a celebration dedicated to one of the College’s greatest athletes ever. Waddell, before competing in the 1968 Olympics as a decathlete, was a three-sport powerhouse at Springfield. He was part of the football, gymnastics and track and field teams -- excelling the most in track and field.

He entered the 1968 Olympics as a decathlete and placed sixth. Aside from his athletic endeavors, Waddell became a physician, traveling around the globe to provide medical service to impoverished areas.

He was a fierce social justice advocate, supporting his teammates Tommie Smith and John Carlos when they proTom Waddell founded the “Gay Games” in 1982. (Photo Courtesy of gaygames.org) tested at the Olympics.

Almost a decade after, dell founded the “Gay LGBTQ+ community.

2015. in 1976, Waddell came Games” in 1982, an Waddell was a humanAlthough, his daughout as gay and appeared event similar to the itarian in the truest ter, Jessica Wadin the “Couples” section Olympics that prosense. He passed away dell-Lewinstein Kopp, of People magazine motes equality for all, in in 1987, so he was was there -- accomwith his then partner, particular athletes that unable to attend Spring- panied by her mother, Charles Deaton. Wadidentify as part of the field’s dedication day in Sara Lewinstein, and

Jack Savoia – Waddell’s classmate in the late 50s.

She was a young adult at the time, and was starting to understand the scope of her father’s legacy. More importantly, she learned of his affinity for Springfield College.

“It really was a pivotal moment in his life where everything came together and made sense,” Waddell-Lewinstein Kopp said. “He knew what direction he wanted to go with his life and I think he can attribute that to Springfield College.”

Jessica’s father passed away when she was three. She doesn’t remember much about him, but the memories she does have are rich: Tom teaching her words, asking her what color his new car should be and racing around the track. She likes to think Tom would let her win.

“They’re short and small memories that I’ve held on to for all of these years,” she said.

Growing up alongside his legacy, Jessica was exposed to the countless stories from her relatives and family

April 8, 2021 they were meant for Jessica.

It wasn’t until she reached her twenties that she had gotten her hands on the tapes, receiving an unexpected package in the mail. She didn’t own a cassette player, so she traveled to her mother’s house.

Stretched out on the floor, listening to her father’s voice, she felt a stronger connection.

“It was him talking directly to me about what he did that day, how he was feeling,” she said. “I realized that a lot of me is him...It’s just amazing that even though he wasn’t around, I still have many of his traits and I think that’s made me closer to him over the years.”

Jessica is naturally drawn to continuing her father’s legacy. She’s been involved with the advancement of the Gay Games as an avid supporter and volunteer when she can. She stands for a lot of the same things her father did, such as equity for the LGBTQ+ community.

“We still need to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights on a global scale,” she said, explaining that not all countries are as accepting of the community as America is. “I’ve had a number of conversations over the years where people don’t realize how hard it still is to be someone from the LGBTQ+ community in the world.”

The Gay Games has continued to evolve over the years, with more countries, events

Sports

PAGE 15

Tom Waddell throwing javelin at Springfield College in 1959, Waddell was a track and field star at Springfield and eventually competed in the 1968 Olympics. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College Archives and Special Collections.)

and participants being involved. Gay Games 11 is slated for 2022 in Hong Kong.

“When my dad was alive, it was just this really small event that had a really global impact right off the bat,” Jessica said. “It’s only continued over the years to grow.”

After visiting Spring-

field for the first time in 2015, Jessica will return virtually on Friday, April 9. She will serve as the keynote speaker for Springfield College’s sixth Annual Sports and Social Justice Symposium, highlighting her father’s legacy, and continuing to push for support of the Gay Games.

“I believe in everything that he stands for,” she said. “He was a remarkable human being. Even though I can never accomplish what he did in his lifetime, I still hope to bring some positivity in the world and continue his legacy.”

Friday’s event is set to begin at 1 p.m.

Following Jessica’s

presentation, a current Springfield College student-athlete will be recognized with the Tom Waddell “Level the Playing Field” Award.

This annual award goes to a student-athlete who has worked diligently to build a fairer and more just world.

SPORTS The Springfield Student

VOL. 135 NO. 20 (Photo Courtesy of gaygames.org)

APRIL 8, 2021

The sixth annual Sports and Social Justice Symposium will be highlighted by the daughter of one of Springfield’s most distinguished alumni, Tom Waddell.