Monday, April 28, 2008
Sports Issue
Who says girls can't play sports? This issue of the Bay Path Bugle Blog is devoted to the women of Bay Path who are proving that adage wrong. Reports by Kathryn Dillenback, Amanda Farr, Laura Jubinville, and Michelle Willett.
Slugging for Success: Bay Path Wildcats Softball
The Bay Path college softball team is headed into its biggest winning season. Just ask Coach Steve Smith and the members of the Wildcat team.
“We're going to dominate this conference this year," said sophomore Kristal Cormier. “We're going to not just be, ‘Oh there's Bay Path, easy win.’ We're going to be the team to beat.”
From being a club to becoming a varsity sport, the softball team already has made many achievements, biggest winning season or not. The drive behind this year’s team is the love for the game.
The team has many strengths that keep them playing strong. “We have a lot of players who can play a variety of positions,” said junior Sarah Palmer.
Also, the team’s “defense is strong. We are having good pitching and eight strong field positions,” said Carr.
In addition to their on-the-field prowess, the team also does bonding activities to get revved up for game days.
“Sometimes for away games we have ‘psych’ buddies,” said Tianna Carr, “where you get a person water, candy or something they like with an inspirational quote. Team dinners or team t-shirts for a big game or sometimes we might decide to have a game night or movie night. It changes on who throws out ideas and how busy people's schedules are.”
“Softball is my life,” said Cormier. “I live and breathe softball. This is the sport that I could never give up, no matter what.”
The fifteen women on the team practice Monday through Friday. It is a true time commitment.
“I only have a small window to do my homework, so I just do it. Also letting my professors know my schedule is good because they always help me out and even come to my games. It's all about smart time management,” said senior Tianna Carr.
Coach Steve Smith could tell them something about that. Smith has been dedicated to the sport of softball and has been a coach of various teams since his youth.
With 16 years of coaching experience, Coach Smith has led the Wildcat softball team since its inception.
“The team started as a club and evolved over about 4 years into the varsity team we now have,” said Smith. “The team has always been competitive and 2008 is off to a great start.”
“This is the last year in the North Atlantic Conference, (NAC) and we have goals of winning half of our games and qualifying for the NAC Championships at the end of the season," explained Smith. "After this academic year is over Bay Path College, along with eight other small private New England Colleges will be in the newly formed New England Collegiate Conference, NECC along with Becker, Elms, Lesley, Wheelock, Mitchell, Newbury, Daniel Webster and Southern Vermont College,” Smith said.
Getting the support from members of the Bay Path community may seem like a small mountain to climb.
“Dave Wallace is the FAR (Faculty Athletic Rep) and his job is to connect athletics with faculty. He gets more of the faculty to come to the games,” Smith said. Professor Wallace teaches in the psychology department.
“Some teams get more fans than others. I think softball is lucky because a lot of students and staff and faculty don't mind the walk to South Campus especially as it gets warmer out. Also spreading the word around campus gets the community involved,” said Tianna Carr.
The team has their confidence and dedication to persevere through the challenges that lay ahead of them. With the love the game and the support from the Bay Path community, a successful season is in clear sight.
“We're going to dominate this conference this year," said sophomore Kristal Cormier. “We're going to not just be, ‘Oh there's Bay Path, easy win.’ We're going to be the team to beat.”
From being a club to becoming a varsity sport, the softball team already has made many achievements, biggest winning season or not. The drive behind this year’s team is the love for the game.
The team has many strengths that keep them playing strong. “We have a lot of players who can play a variety of positions,” said junior Sarah Palmer.
Also, the team’s “defense is strong. We are having good pitching and eight strong field positions,” said Carr.
In addition to their on-the-field prowess, the team also does bonding activities to get revved up for game days.
“Sometimes for away games we have ‘psych’ buddies,” said Tianna Carr, “where you get a person water, candy or something they like with an inspirational quote. Team dinners or team t-shirts for a big game or sometimes we might decide to have a game night or movie night. It changes on who throws out ideas and how busy people's schedules are.”
“Softball is my life,” said Cormier. “I live and breathe softball. This is the sport that I could never give up, no matter what.”
The fifteen women on the team practice Monday through Friday. It is a true time commitment.
“I only have a small window to do my homework, so I just do it. Also letting my professors know my schedule is good because they always help me out and even come to my games. It's all about smart time management,” said senior Tianna Carr.
Coach Steve Smith could tell them something about that. Smith has been dedicated to the sport of softball and has been a coach of various teams since his youth.
With 16 years of coaching experience, Coach Smith has led the Wildcat softball team since its inception.
“The team started as a club and evolved over about 4 years into the varsity team we now have,” said Smith. “The team has always been competitive and 2008 is off to a great start.”
“This is the last year in the North Atlantic Conference, (NAC) and we have goals of winning half of our games and qualifying for the NAC Championships at the end of the season," explained Smith. "After this academic year is over Bay Path College, along with eight other small private New England Colleges will be in the newly formed New England Collegiate Conference, NECC along with Becker, Elms, Lesley, Wheelock, Mitchell, Newbury, Daniel Webster and Southern Vermont College,” Smith said.
Getting the support from members of the Bay Path community may seem like a small mountain to climb.
“Dave Wallace is the FAR (Faculty Athletic Rep) and his job is to connect athletics with faculty. He gets more of the faculty to come to the games,” Smith said. Professor Wallace teaches in the psychology department.
“Some teams get more fans than others. I think softball is lucky because a lot of students and staff and faculty don't mind the walk to South Campus especially as it gets warmer out. Also spreading the word around campus gets the community involved,” said Tianna Carr.
The team has their confidence and dedication to persevere through the challenges that lay ahead of them. With the love the game and the support from the Bay Path community, a successful season is in clear sight.
Bay Path Field Hockey Club Aims to Achieve Higher Status
By Laura Jubinville
There currently are not enough student-athletes to even play a game, but the members of the field hockey club at Bay Path College are determined to obtain NCAA status.
Field Hockey began in the fall of 2006, as a club, by Bay Path staff member, Alison Rosenblat. Currently there are seven student-athletes involved, a number that has been rising since the first season. Field hockey requires a minimum of eleven players, but the seven club members are excited to begin real games and become a Bay Path College sports team.
The truth is, this vision cannot become a reality if the club cannot attract more interest. In order to be a team at the NCAA division three level, the club must have enough student-athletes to field a team.
This problem has one simple solution: market the field hockey club to the student body in order to attract more interest.
“We have sign up sheets at the club fair [held] at the beginning of each semester,” said Racquela Richard, a freshman and member of the club.
“We hope to have posters and make wildcat announcements [to] try to get our name out,” said Lauren Czaikowski, a sophomore member of the club.
The club only meets for practices during the fall season, which usually runs from the end of August through the beginning of November. This means that posters, club fairs, and word of mouth will be very important before this semester comes to an end in May.
Rosenblat, the team’s fonder and its coach, feels that the numbers will be sure to increase for the fall of 2008 because the freshman class of 2011 has shown an enormous amount of interest. Through word of mouth, Rosenblat feels that many of them will join for the next season.
Rosenblat also explained that the members of the club will be choosing a captain at the beginning of the Fall 2008 season. At that time, the girls will also choose which position they would like to play, and Rosenblat will help them choose based on their skills.
The Fall of 2008 will have a whole new feel for the Bay Path field hockey club. The girls who are already members of the club have a lot to be excited about.
Brianna Consolmagno is anxiously awaiting “having our first game, and being part of the team.”
Racquela is looking forward to “meeting new people and forming some type of connection with them.” But she is most excited to see “the official notice that we have become a team, because (we) have been trying to become a sport for a couple of years.”
Along with all of the excitement, the team may also face some new challenges and changes.
Racquela realizes that the team “[will] have to become more serious because we [will] actually be competing against other teams, and have a record showing this.”
Lauren hopes that “the only change we will encounter is that we all become closer than we are now.”
Through excitement and anticipation, the Bay Path College field hockey club is determined to participate on an NCAA level, and be recognized as one of Bay Path’s sports teams.
With the fall season only a few months away, it is with your commitment and enthusiasm that the Wildcats of Bay Path can charge forward and succeed. Be sure to stay on the lookout for the first ever Bay Path College field hockey team in the Fall of 2008.
There currently are not enough student-athletes to even play a game, but the members of the field hockey club at Bay Path College are determined to obtain NCAA status.
Field Hockey began in the fall of 2006, as a club, by Bay Path staff member, Alison Rosenblat. Currently there are seven student-athletes involved, a number that has been rising since the first season. Field hockey requires a minimum of eleven players, but the seven club members are excited to begin real games and become a Bay Path College sports team.
The truth is, this vision cannot become a reality if the club cannot attract more interest. In order to be a team at the NCAA division three level, the club must have enough student-athletes to field a team.
This problem has one simple solution: market the field hockey club to the student body in order to attract more interest.
“We have sign up sheets at the club fair [held] at the beginning of each semester,” said Racquela Richard, a freshman and member of the club.
“We hope to have posters and make wildcat announcements [to] try to get our name out,” said Lauren Czaikowski, a sophomore member of the club.
The club only meets for practices during the fall season, which usually runs from the end of August through the beginning of November. This means that posters, club fairs, and word of mouth will be very important before this semester comes to an end in May.
Rosenblat, the team’s fonder and its coach, feels that the numbers will be sure to increase for the fall of 2008 because the freshman class of 2011 has shown an enormous amount of interest. Through word of mouth, Rosenblat feels that many of them will join for the next season.
Rosenblat also explained that the members of the club will be choosing a captain at the beginning of the Fall 2008 season. At that time, the girls will also choose which position they would like to play, and Rosenblat will help them choose based on their skills.
The Fall of 2008 will have a whole new feel for the Bay Path field hockey club. The girls who are already members of the club have a lot to be excited about.
Brianna Consolmagno is anxiously awaiting “having our first game, and being part of the team.”
Racquela is looking forward to “meeting new people and forming some type of connection with them.” But she is most excited to see “the official notice that we have become a team, because (we) have been trying to become a sport for a couple of years.”
Along with all of the excitement, the team may also face some new challenges and changes.
Racquela realizes that the team “[will] have to become more serious because we [will] actually be competing against other teams, and have a record showing this.”
Lauren hopes that “the only change we will encounter is that we all become closer than we are now.”
Through excitement and anticipation, the Bay Path College field hockey club is determined to participate on an NCAA level, and be recognized as one of Bay Path’s sports teams.
With the fall season only a few months away, it is with your commitment and enthusiasm that the Wildcats of Bay Path can charge forward and succeed. Be sure to stay on the lookout for the first ever Bay Path College field hockey team in the Fall of 2008.
Wildcat Hockey Shoots for NCAA Goal
By Kathryn Dillenback
Bay Path College goalie Kathryn Bromley watches from the opposite end of the rink. Lauren Belliveau slides the puck to Ashley Cimmino, who hits it to the other side of the rink where Tina McNeilly grabs a hold and makes a slap shot to the inside of the net of the opposing team.
The crowd goes wild.
Scoring on the opponent is the general goal of any ice hockey team and their fans, but more importantly, for the Bay Path College Wildcats. Although the team has yet to win a game, their strong willed players make every day enjoyable. Each goal scored is proof that this team has worked from the bottom up and is achieving more each and every day.
The team was founded in 2004 by Bay Path students Tina McNeilly and Lauren Belliveau. Tina was an ice skater and Lauren had played hockey in high school. The two girls were just looking to become active and get involved in something they both enjoyed.
“I had posted on the [Bay Path] website for incoming freshman that I was a figure skater and was looking to play hockey in college and Lauren replied. We decided to start a team and the rest is history” said McNeilly.
Pure determination is what makes the ice hockey team special compared to the other teams. The team started out as a club and with little support from the college, began working on recruiting interested teammates, collecting equipment, and learning how to skate.
While the team played floor hockey during practices, others on their own time took lessons and learned how to skate.
“I had no experience. I didn’t even know how to lace my skates,” laughed Bromley. “I’ve always wanted to play since I was a kid. I decided if I was going to do something new college was the place to do it.”
It was difficult to start an all-women’s ice hockey team. For the first year, the Student Government Association would not pass their fundraising requests and would instead pass the idea off to another club without any reasons why. The girls put their minds together, their dedication, and teamwork and fundraised without any help from the school. Over the past four years the team has raised over $6,000. The first two years were spent having meetings and fundraising.
“The school did not give us funding the first year, which was hard," explained McNeilly. "Here we are trying to start something to help promote athletics and expand the college but they refused to fund us as first. Once we made is clear that we weren’t going anywhere they gave us enough money this year to practice ten times.”
It was also very difficult to get service from sports shops.
“When we would go to get our skates sharpened, guys would walk in after us and get their skates done first. Bertelli’s in West Springfield was the only place that gave us a chance. We were helped out tremendously by them and they never made us feel bad for playing in a predominantly male sport,” said McNeilly.
The team has been told that they will be receiving more money for next year which made everyone happy. “We networked and we never stopped trying,” said Bromley.
The college rule for becoming an official team is that the original club needs to successfully run for two years before it can be approved.
The team fundraised in order to get ice time and equipment.
“We overcame [the obstacle] by working really hard to fundraise and make enough money to keep our team running,” said Bromley. The team fought hard to be recognized over the years.
Bromley said, “My favorite part of the experience is spending time with the girls and fundraising, oh… and making big saves.”
“My favorite part is watching the team grow. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years,” said McNeilly. “I love playing together whether it’s during practice or in a game. I love being on the ice with my teammates, making passes connect and helping each other score.”
The team is finally funded a small amount of money to practice on the ice, but without the dedication of the students and the will to succeed, they would not be standing proudly as they do today.
“Ice hockey is the best thing I have ever done at Bay Path hands down. It taught me more about people than books ever could have” commented Bromley.
McNeilly gave some words of wisdom to anyone who is interested in joining, “If you are willing to work hard and you want to make memories that will last you a lifetime, look no further. We need people who can skate, teaching them how to play hockey is easy.”
The team still has a long way to go and knowing the success so far pushed the players to the limit.
“No one believed it would continue to happen after the first year,” said Bromley. McNeilly remarked, “I’m glad we were able to prove them wrong.”
The club has finally made it to team status and is qualified to play in the NCAA hockey league.
“The group is still considered a team, but [we] will continue playing as a club on campus because the team is still so new and new girls are still joining,” said Bromley.
This coming fall the team is looking to join a league that some of the surrounding colleges are a part of. “Joining the NCAA is a huge step,” said Bromley.
Although the senior co-founders will be leaving this year, all members are certain the team is here to stay. The team contains a great group of leaders, strong underclassmen, and hardworking coach Larry Nault. “I believe the sport will continue. We have really strong freshman and sophomores,” said Bromley, “Plus, I’m coming back to coach in the fall!”
The Bay Path Wildcat ice hockey team claims they have the best fans of any sport on campus. “The bond our team has is different than any other,” says Bromley.
This team has made it to the top and is ready to rock next season. Look out for passion, the power, and the excitement this team has to offer. These women are ready for a new year.
“We aren’t the best team you’ve ever seen but we have more dedication, drive and willpower than any other team around. Look out because these ladies are up and coming and before you know it, Bay Path Wildcats will be on top,” said McNeilly.
Bay Path College goalie Kathryn Bromley watches from the opposite end of the rink. Lauren Belliveau slides the puck to Ashley Cimmino, who hits it to the other side of the rink where Tina McNeilly grabs a hold and makes a slap shot to the inside of the net of the opposing team.
The crowd goes wild.
Scoring on the opponent is the general goal of any ice hockey team and their fans, but more importantly, for the Bay Path College Wildcats. Although the team has yet to win a game, their strong willed players make every day enjoyable. Each goal scored is proof that this team has worked from the bottom up and is achieving more each and every day.
The team was founded in 2004 by Bay Path students Tina McNeilly and Lauren Belliveau. Tina was an ice skater and Lauren had played hockey in high school. The two girls were just looking to become active and get involved in something they both enjoyed.
“I had posted on the [Bay Path] website for incoming freshman that I was a figure skater and was looking to play hockey in college and Lauren replied. We decided to start a team and the rest is history” said McNeilly.
Pure determination is what makes the ice hockey team special compared to the other teams. The team started out as a club and with little support from the college, began working on recruiting interested teammates, collecting equipment, and learning how to skate.
While the team played floor hockey during practices, others on their own time took lessons and learned how to skate.
“I had no experience. I didn’t even know how to lace my skates,” laughed Bromley. “I’ve always wanted to play since I was a kid. I decided if I was going to do something new college was the place to do it.”
It was difficult to start an all-women’s ice hockey team. For the first year, the Student Government Association would not pass their fundraising requests and would instead pass the idea off to another club without any reasons why. The girls put their minds together, their dedication, and teamwork and fundraised without any help from the school. Over the past four years the team has raised over $6,000. The first two years were spent having meetings and fundraising.
“The school did not give us funding the first year, which was hard," explained McNeilly. "Here we are trying to start something to help promote athletics and expand the college but they refused to fund us as first. Once we made is clear that we weren’t going anywhere they gave us enough money this year to practice ten times.”
It was also very difficult to get service from sports shops.
“When we would go to get our skates sharpened, guys would walk in after us and get their skates done first. Bertelli’s in West Springfield was the only place that gave us a chance. We were helped out tremendously by them and they never made us feel bad for playing in a predominantly male sport,” said McNeilly.
The team has been told that they will be receiving more money for next year which made everyone happy. “We networked and we never stopped trying,” said Bromley.
The college rule for becoming an official team is that the original club needs to successfully run for two years before it can be approved.
The team fundraised in order to get ice time and equipment.
“We overcame [the obstacle] by working really hard to fundraise and make enough money to keep our team running,” said Bromley. The team fought hard to be recognized over the years.
Bromley said, “My favorite part of the experience is spending time with the girls and fundraising, oh… and making big saves.”
“My favorite part is watching the team grow. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years,” said McNeilly. “I love playing together whether it’s during practice or in a game. I love being on the ice with my teammates, making passes connect and helping each other score.”
The team is finally funded a small amount of money to practice on the ice, but without the dedication of the students and the will to succeed, they would not be standing proudly as they do today.
“Ice hockey is the best thing I have ever done at Bay Path hands down. It taught me more about people than books ever could have” commented Bromley.
McNeilly gave some words of wisdom to anyone who is interested in joining, “If you are willing to work hard and you want to make memories that will last you a lifetime, look no further. We need people who can skate, teaching them how to play hockey is easy.”
The team still has a long way to go and knowing the success so far pushed the players to the limit.
“No one believed it would continue to happen after the first year,” said Bromley. McNeilly remarked, “I’m glad we were able to prove them wrong.”
The club has finally made it to team status and is qualified to play in the NCAA hockey league.
“The group is still considered a team, but [we] will continue playing as a club on campus because the team is still so new and new girls are still joining,” said Bromley.
This coming fall the team is looking to join a league that some of the surrounding colleges are a part of. “Joining the NCAA is a huge step,” said Bromley.
Although the senior co-founders will be leaving this year, all members are certain the team is here to stay. The team contains a great group of leaders, strong underclassmen, and hardworking coach Larry Nault. “I believe the sport will continue. We have really strong freshman and sophomores,” said Bromley, “Plus, I’m coming back to coach in the fall!”
The Bay Path Wildcat ice hockey team claims they have the best fans of any sport on campus. “The bond our team has is different than any other,” says Bromley.
This team has made it to the top and is ready to rock next season. Look out for passion, the power, and the excitement this team has to offer. These women are ready for a new year.
“We aren’t the best team you’ve ever seen but we have more dedication, drive and willpower than any other team around. Look out because these ladies are up and coming and before you know it, Bay Path Wildcats will be on top,” said McNeilly.
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