SONS OF XAVIER LOVE THEIR MOMS
Farewell to Coach Tolkin One hundred supporters of the Xavier rugby program marked the departure of a Xavier Rugby legend on May 29. Coach Mike Tolkin ’85 left earlier this year after more than 25 years at the helm of Xavier’s rugby program to become head coach of the U.S.A. Eagles men’s national rugby team. He had previously served as defensive coach for the Eagles during their recent Rugby World Cup appearance that took place in New Zealand last fall. “This has been my home, this has been my support system and this has been where my family is,” Mr. Tolkin said. “The amount of passion and support you’ve given to the Xavier rugby program
is something that I will take with me forever. I feel completely prepared and confident thanks to that support.” A number of Mr. Tolkin’s classmates who played on the national championship 1985 team were present, as were many, if not all, of the founding fathers of Xavier’s rugby program. Supporters included Tom O’Hara ’69, who brought the sport to 16th Street, Pat Cusanelli ’84, who served as Xavier co-coach along with Mr. Tolkin, Tim Walsh ’85, Bruce McLane ’85 and Joe Sweeney ’85, current Xavier rugby coaches, and Tony Paolozzi, current assistant athletic director at Xavier.
On May 11, St. Francis Xavier Church held a special Mass in honor of the 175 Xavier mothers in attendance. Rev. Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51 celebrated the Mass while their sons served as lectors and leaders of song. To conclude the Mass, Adriane Vitale P’12, ’15 and her son, Joseph ’12, offered thoughtful reflections on the special relationship between mothers and their sons. A blessing was exchanged as each senior presented his mother with a Xavier Mother pin. Following the Mass, the enthusiastic crowd of mothers and sons headed to the school gym for dinner and conversation. Student Council President Daniel Donahue ’12 offered a gracious welcome and President Jack Raslowsky reflected on the great gift that mothers are to their children.
Facing Challenges Without Fear Xavier sophomores concluded a year of seminar sessions with a special presentation by Vincent Eaton ’12, who spoke to the Class of 2014 about his fight with Multiple Hereditary Exotoses, a rare bone disease he was born with, that causes multiple tumors and, possibly, cancer. Since his birth in 1994, Eaton has undergone more Vincent Eaton ’12 than 25 surgical procedures and, in 2010, tumors in his shoulder and rib area became malignant. In October of that year, he was diagnosed with cancer but battled his way to a cancer-free state with the support of friends and family. The recent Xavier alum said that a sense of humor has helped him cope with his health struggles. An avid lacrosse player, he came to see his cancer as yet another physical and mental challenge to overcome. “Someone once said all of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to face challenges head-on. Anything is possible and the fact that I’m standing here alive in front of you is a testament to that,” he said. In May, Eaton marked 20 months since he was declared cancerfree. He is currently working with his family to raise funds for the MHE Research Foundation. Information can be found at http://www. mheresearchfoundation.org.
Pat Klein P’12 and Joseph Klein ’12
(L to R): Peter Hasslund ’15 and Veronica Hasslund P’15; Tatiana Young P’15 and Phillip Sivolobov ’15
Xavier Magazine
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