March 26 by The Charger Bulletin

Volume 100, Issue 16

March 26, 2019

THE

CHARGER BULLETIN

West Haven, Conn.

The student news source of the University of New Haven.

SPORTS EDITION

Q&A With Chris Palmer, Game Reviews, and More The Charger Bulletin

@ChargerBulletin

March 26, 2019

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S P O RT S E D I T I O N

Bulletin Briefs

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Universityâ€™s New eSports Minor

Page 7 Athlete Reflection

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Q &A with Athletic Director, Chris Palmer Q: Where do you see University of New Haven Athletics within the next 3-5 years?

BY CHRIS DIGERONIMO SPORTS EDITOR

hris Palmer officially became the director of athletics and recreation on Jan. 16, 2019. He is the sixth person to hold this title, coming to the university with 25 years experience in the National Football League, including a 2008 Super Bowl Championship with the New York Giants. He comes back to the university after previously leading the university’s football team from 1986-1987.

Chris Palmer speaks at the 2018 Athletics & Senior Awards Banquet. Photo Courtesy of Charger Athletics

A: “I think it’ll be pretty much where it is right now. I think we have to improve our facilities over here, if you go around and look at the facilities of people in our conference we would not rank in the top of the heap. The main part of campus has done a tremendous job, our facilities on the main part are as good as any school and we have to do that over here in our locker rooms, on our playing fields, in our gymnasium, we have to improve those areas. When a student athlete looks at our facility, we want them to say these are top notch facilities, I can get a great education and I can complete on the DII level and I can be happy and challenged from that standpoint. Three to five years from now when we have the facilities where we think they should be, we’ll continue to evaluate where we should be. The landscape of college athletics is changing every year, some people are going Division I, some are dropping down, people are dropping sports. I think things will continue to evolve at the Division II level and we will do the same”.

Q: You hired two new head coaches in Brian Quinn and Christa Cooper. What made them the best candidates to lead their respective programs? A: “Well our soccer program attracted over 128 applicants which to me was a large number of candidates that applied. I would like to return soccer to what I remembered it as when Joe Machnik was here running the soccer program. I like to see us be successful and competitive in the soccer program. I think that’s doable. We have some other teams in our conference that have more scholarships than us and one of the things I am trying to do is raise more money to attract the best DII players that we can, and we are trying to do that in women’s soccer as well. The volleyball program is an attractive program, there have only been two coaches in Debbie Chin and Robin Salters and both of them were highly successful coaches. Christa (Cooper) came in and did a great job. In both coaching searches we interviewed young, up and coming coaches along with coaches with head coaching experience. Each program was different and at the end of the search we sat down and said ‘okay, what does this program need?’ In the volleyball situation Christa’s strengths fit what the program needed at that particular time and for the soccer program we thought that Brian’s (Quinn) strength fit what the program needed at that time. Brian’s taking over a program that has been down for a little bit and we’re hoping that he gets it turned around really quick. Christa is inheriting a program that’s strong, each one of them has different pressures but they are both very good coaches.

Q: What are some of the biggest improvements you’ve seen so far in your first full year as Athletic Director?

Photo Courtesy of Charger Athletics

A: “The year and two months have gone by very quickly we’ve been very busy trying to improve things on the north campus. I think the athletes are the ones that we are trying to serve and we are trying to make this a better place for them. We are working on having the concession stand and restrooms finished by the baseball and football field, that’s almost complete and it should be completed within the next two weeks. We have gotten sweat suits for all of our athletes that they proudly wear around campus, I think its good advertisement for the university, I think they’re classy and they get to wear them on trips and things like that. Our football team had a good season, our volleyball team had a good season, both our men’s and women’s basketball teams had good seasons. Our indoor track and field team scored 40 points more than they did a year ago and they are only losing three seniors, so I am excited about that. Women’s lacrosse is off to a strong start, I’m excited for our baseball teams season to unfold. On May 2, we are going to replace the turf on Kathy Zolad Stadium. That turf has outlived its use by far. On April 29 We are also going to replace the gym floor with new bleachers. I think our athletes will say that things are happening fast on our north campus. We are putting in a new batting cage for both baseball and softball to use. We are also putting smaller scoreboards on both the baseball and softball fields so that students and fans can see the scores wherever they are sitting around the ballpark. So, from that standpoint I’m excited and we’re anxious to continue to raise money for different things we are trying to do within the north campus. President Kaplan has been very supportive in our efforts”.

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Sport Management Department to Introduce eSports Minor BY CHRIS DIGERONIMO SPORTS EDITOR

he wildly popular eSports industry has taken over the world, and it has now made its way into academia. The University of New Haven sports management department is proposing a new eSports minor that would expose students to the business side of the multibillion-dollar industry. The proposed minor would consist of a required four course sequence, along with two electives from the traditional sport management palate of courses. The required four classes would include courses on eSports basics, eSports technology, eSports business, and sport technology and entrepreneurship. The eSports basics class explores the history of the industry, and how it has grown and expanded over the last half century. The class will explore the authenticity of eSports as a

sport, ethical issues in the industry, the future of the industry, and potential career paths within the field. The second course, eSports technology will discuss what goes into developing the games that gamers know and love. Students will gain a basic understanding of hardware and software, streaming, and developing matches. In eSports business, students will learn about the traditional business practices that have helped shape the industry over the years. They will learn about the various people in the industry and the roles they play to keep the industry moving towards the future. The final class, sport technology and entrepreneurship will discuss various issues and trends in the industry, along with the process of developing a business plan, funding, product development, and marketing. Gil Fried, sport management department chair, has been monitoring the industry over the past few years and sees great potential in the expansion and

development of the industry. “So many people think of eSports as games, baseball was a game, and so were so many other sports that have grown into billion-dollar industries, eSports is the same way,” said Fried. “The popularity of the eSports industry is rapidly expanding with new titles, new leagues, professional teams, talks about the Olympics, gambling totals exceed wagering on NFL games, etc. Around all this are businesses and business best practices, and that is where the minor will provide students with

a critical business case for the industry and help students learn some key skills needed for the industry.” The minor will also help interested students find and develop different career paths that they could utilize in the future. “Those already in sport management, hospitality, or music industry already understand the value of event management, and putting on eSports competitions is a major opportunity” said Fried. “There are also opportunities for those with social media savvy, broadcast skills,

storytelling, computer programming, criminal justice, clay animation, and numerous other areas. There are several large corporations in this space (such as Sony, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, etc…) that are hiring all over the world. There are also so many technology areas out there that will keep evolving (such as virtual reality and augmented reality) and there will be application of the gamification mindset to solve numerous problems and help teach new topics.”

Graphic Illustration by Tyler C. Butler/The Charger Bulletin

CHARGER COMICS

BY TYLER C. BUTLER GRAPHICS EDITOR

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Elm City Rivalry Favors Chargers BY CHRIS DIGERONIMO SPORTS EDITOR

here is nothing better in sports than a good crosstown rivalry. For Elm City, that rivalry belongs to the University of New Haven Chargers and the Southern Connecticut State Owls. For decades, these two schools have been battling it out on the field for bragging rights and, more recently, dominance in the NE-10 Conference. The New Haven Chargers are currently 11-2 overall against the Owls in the 2018-19 academic year. The two wins for the Owls came early in the fall when their men’s and women’s soccer teams swept the season series against the Chargers. The

Southern Connecticut soccer programs own a collective 4817-8 all time record against the Chargers. Since then it has been straight dominance by the Chargers in all other categories. Chargers’ football defeated the Owls 37-18 on Sept. 15, making 10 consecutive wins against Southern Connecticut. The Chargers hold a 23-6-1 all-time record against the Owls, with their first meeting coming in 1981. The Chargers are 10-1 since they reinstated the football program in 2009. Chargers women’s volleyball has also been very dominant as they defeated the Owls three sets to one on Sept. 18, making five consecutive wins against the Owls, including two postseason meetings in the NE-10 Final and East Region Semifinal in 2017. Chargers volleyball

owns an impressive 69-6 alltime record against the Owls. Women’s field hockey got in on the action on Oct. 9 when they defeated Southern Connecticut 2-1. This win was historic for the young program as it was the team’s second win in program history, and it was the program’s first ever home win at Dellacamera Stadium. After being swept by the Owls in 2017-18, women’s basketball returned the favor by sweeping Southern Connecticut in 201819. The wins came on Nov. 28 and Feb. 6 with the latter snapping a five-game losing streak, giving the Chargers momentum for NE-10 Tournament seeding. Women’s basketball holds a 4429 all-time record against their crosstown rivals. Men’s basketball suffered the same fate as the women as

they also got swept in 2017-18 but turned the tide in 2018-19, collecting three wins against the Owls. The two teams met on Nov. 28, Feb. 6, and Mar. 6. The Chargers defeated the Owls in the NE-10 Semifinal 87-66 to advance to the NE-10 Final. This was the second postseason meeting between the rivals. The first came in 2013 when Southern Connecticut defeated New Haven to capture the NE10 Championship. The Chargers hold a 47-44 all-time record against Southern Connecticut with their first meeting coming in the 1965-66 season. Spring sports have just gotten underway, but women’s lacrosse and softball continued the tradition of the season. The Chargers and Owls women’s lacrosse teams met on Kathy Zolad Stadium on Mar. 12. New Haven

defeated Southern Connecticut 22-6, for their 13th consecutive win against the Owls. Women’s lacrosse holds a 16-2 all-time record against the Owls. Softball swept a doubleheader on the road against the Owls on Mar. 20. The Chargers took both games in convincing fashion 5-2 and 7-2 for their first sweep of the season. The Chargers and Owls will meet again on Mar. 26 for a doubleheader at New Haven. Baseball will get their turn against Southern Connecticut State later this spring. Baseball comes into the 2019 season with a 73-30-1 all-time record against the Owls. The Chargers have dominated this rivalry in recent months, but history proves this rivalry to be strong. As long as both schools remain conference rivals, there should be more battles to come.

Women’s Lacrosse To Take on Le Moyne BY CHRIS DIGERONIMO SPORTS EDITOR

fter defeating no. 16 Merrimack 20-15 on Saturday, Mar. 23, women’s lacrosse is set to take on the undefeated Le Moyne Dolphins at Kathy Zolad Stadium on Wednesday, Mar. 27. The New Haven offense comes into the matchup ranked number one in the NE-10 in goals scored, with 111 this season. They also rank first in shooting percentage, as they are shooting 52.1 percent, and second in shots on goal, with 179.

The Chargers have also been sharing the wealth as they are ranked fifth in assists, with 42. This high-powered New Haven offense is led by senior Mackenzie Reh, who has been dominant to start the season. She leads all NE-10 goal scorers with 41 and in points with 53. She has accumulated 55 shots on goal and 12 free position goals which also lead the NE10. In their win against Merrimack Saturday, Reh tied her career-high and program record with nine goals. She also contributed two assists, for a total of 11 points, tying the program record for points in a game. Ju-

nior Kendra Nolan has been the Chargers’ second-leading scorer with 15 goals on the season. In the win against the Warriors, Nolan scored two goals on four shots. She also has three games this season where she has scored three or more goals. The Chargers’ defense has also been a contributing factor to their early success. Goalkeeper Gianna Guerra currently ranks third in the NE-10 with 69 saves on the season. Guerra also ranks second in the conference in save percentage, saving 57 percent of shots faced. She is also ranked in the top 10 in goals against average, allowing

Read more on pg. 7..

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Kane, Chargers Suffer Heartbreak at the Buzzer BY CHRIS DIGERONIMO SPORTS EDITOR

en’s basketball’s National Championship hopes came to an end Mar. 17 as they lost to top-seeded St. Anselm 70-69 in the NCAA DII East Region Semifinal. The Chargers had three attempts to take the lead with 13 seconds left, but couldn’t complete the upset. The final attempt for the Chargers came on a controversial inbound play with two seconds left. Freshman Quashawn Lane threw the ball up to junior Roy Kane Jr. who was met by a crowd of St. Anselm defenders.

Kane got his hand on the ball but was not able to get the shot off as the buzzer sounded. There was some contact on the play, but no whistles were blown. Kane Jr. led the Chargers with 28 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Junior Elijah Bailey was the team’s second leading scorer with 21 points. The matchup was tightly contested throughout the first and second halves. St. Anselm shot 63 percent from the field and 46 percent from behind the arc in the first half, but the New Haven defense weathered the storm and had answers of their own. Every time momentum shifted in the Hawks’ favor the Chargers took it right back. Kane Jr. was in charge of crowd control

as it seemed he was the one that quieted the crowd with a bucket after every St. Anselm run. The Chargers were able to slow the game down, run the shot clock down and get a high percentage shot. The Hawks tried to pick up the pace in an effort to get their three-point shooters the ball. Each philosophy worked at times, but neither was able to gain a distinct advantage. The Hawks’ biggest lead of the game came with 9:15 left in the first half as they forced the Chargers into an 11-point deficit. The battle-tested Chargers did not shy away from the challenge as they fought back to make it a 35-31 deficit at halftime. The second half was much of the same, but this time the

Chargers were able to buckle down on defense and get to the foul line to help stop the clock and put points on the board. They outscored the Hawks 38-35 in the second half. They also made seven of eight free throws at the line. Kane Jr. and Bailey stepped up offensively in the second half scoring 15 and 13 respectively to lead all second half scorers. In the end, the Chargers’ resilient efforts weren’t enough as they were unable to capitalize on the final play down the stretch. “It was a great season and I am proud of everybody on the team,” said Bailey. “We had a historic season and I’m excited to keep building on it in my senior year. I hope we can con-

Freshman Quashawn Lane, Junior Elijah Bailey, and redshirt Sophomore Derrick Rowland.

Photo Courtesy of Charger Athletics

tinue to make history.” The Chargers finished the season with a 21-10 overall record and a 13-7 record in the NE-10. New Haven’s 21 wins were the most since the 2013-14 season where they went 21-9 and 14-6 in the NE-10. This was also the first time they have been to the NCAA DII tournament since that same season. New Haven will look to build on that success as they will be returning their starting five next season. Kane, Bailey, Lane, junior Kessly Felizor, and redshirt sophomore Derrick Rowland will all be coming back for another shot at a NE-10 title and another bid into the NCAA DII Tournament.

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Athlete Reflection: “My Time as a Charger” BY MICHAEL KANDOLIN MENS TRACK AND FIELD

hen I was approached to write about my four years as a student-athlete here at the University of New Haven I was both surprised and at a loss for words. The task to me was monumental. I had to figure out how to put the best four years of my life, so far, into words. A challenge that I was happy to accept. So here is my best attempt at trying to give respect to the years that have shaped me tremendously. Four years ago I was invited on a recruiting trip down to New Haven. I was sitting in my English class telling my teacher how I didn’t think I even wanted to take it. After not getting into my dream school I had come to peace with going to a sister campus for a year and trying to transfer to the larger campus the next. Her words were “Michael, you don’t know if you will like it or not. Worse case, you get to go on an official visit.” So I took the visit. In hindsight, it was one of the best decisions I have made over the course of my short 21 years. Campus, in the beginning, was in my eyes huge. To think I thought walking from Westside to Bartels was a hike makes me laugh today. The freshman version of myself was an overwhelmed kid who had never been away from home for any long period of time so coming to college was a big step. The culture of the school helped me get settled quickly. I always no-

ticed that everyone on campus was friendly. From professors to students, if you need something everyone seemed like they would drop everything to help a fellow human out. It felt like they actually cared about one another, something that is sadly uncommon in today’s society. The family-like atmosphere here for me has been one of the largest reasons I believe I have been able to make the most out of these past couple of years. At the University of New Haven, I have felt like a person and not just another student. My professors have opened my mind to ideas and thoughts which would have never occurred if I had not been pushed to think deeper about issues and expand my worldview. Conversations with professors that begin with “How are you doing?” rather than “How can I help you?” are a testament to the type of people that teach here. This subtle difference is why I have loved school so much. This care has been the driving force behind the strong relationships I have been able to build with them, to me they are not just my professors, they are mentors. When it comes to athletics, track and field is an interesting sport because it is all on you. There is no one to blame for underperformance other than yourself. For someone who has come from a multi-sport background, with an emphasis on team sports, competing on a high level, let alone successfully perform, in a single person sport was a large mountain to climb. Coach Givan was the perfect person to come into my life and made a razor-sharp sword out of an ugly and stubborn slab of

steel. I think I can speak for all single sport coaches when I say it is not building the physical ability of someone that is challenging. It is building the unshakeable confidence that presents the biggest challenges. This type of coaching takes a lot of patience and love for your athletes. The first year I was a timid kid with low self-confidence and Coach Givan built me into a man that believes there is no ceiling for what I can accomplish. She took a kid with little talent but a burning fire to improve and made him a champion. Both in the circle and in my mind. Something I never thought was possible. For this, I will forever be grateful. I can only hope to impact the lives of others the way my Coaches have impacted mine. Take away everything, grades, championships, and any accomplishment. The life lessons that my professors and coaches have taught me will stay with me forever. They say it takes a village to raise a child and every member of my New Haven family has impacted me in little ways. They have empowered me to take on all life has in store for me with confidence and a smile. I can’t take credit for any of my accomplishments, they are merely the product of having faith and trust in all of the great things New Haven was willing to offer me. The biggest blessing in my life was not getting into my “dream” school. It was heartbreaking at the time but now, sitting here four years later, If I could go back I would not change a single thing. the University of New Haven is and has been the

school of my dreams. It will be a sad moment for me when I walk across that stage and say goodbye to the place that has been so good to me. But to paraphrase Winnie the Pooh:

“How lucky am I to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Thank you New Haven, it’s been one heck of a ride.

Women’s Lacrosse Continued from pg. 5 eight goals per game. Le Moyne comes to West Haven on a seven-game winning streak and looking for their fifth consecutive win against the Chargers. New Haven has never defeated Le Moyne at Kathy Zolad Stadium and has only beaten the Dolphins once in their 11 matchups, in 2014 when they defeated Le Moyne 11-10 in Syracuse, NY. Le Moyne comes in with a

formidable offense as they are also ranked in the top 10 in the NE-10 in goals, assists, goals per game, shots on goal, and shooting percentage. Le Moyne’s goalkeeper Hannah George has been exceptional between the pipes as she ranks in the top five in the NE-10 in goals against and save percentage. First draw for the Chargers and Dolphins is set for 4 p.m. on Mar. 27 at Kathy Zolad Stadium.

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Softball Off to a Good Start Hype-Up Songs BY KENNY SORRENTINO BUSINESS MANAGER

he 2019 New Haven Chargers’ softball campaign has been both hot and cold. After winning three out of five at Myrtle Beach’s Snowbird Freeze Out, including a 14-1 victory over Slippery Rock, the team put up a 1-4 record to stand at 4-6. The Chargers have now won six consecutive games to put them at 10-6 and in first place in the NE-10 Southwest Division. The highlight of the season thus far has been the pitching of Ava Fitzmaurice and Mia Iodice. Both first-year players have started eight and six games respectively, and Fitzmaurice has been in 15 out of the 16. Fitzmaurice is tied for first in wins in NE-10 play and holds seven complete games pitched, both best in the conference. Iodice averages above four

strikeouts per full game, despite only pitching 31.1 innings. Offensively for the blue and gold, sophomore Melissa Bike leads the team and is top 20 in the NE-10 in batting average (.340), followed closely by freshman Mya Case (.340), and seniors Taylor Luzzi (.333) Maddy Derosia (.238) and Sierra Whitlock (.263). In terms of offensive efficiency, the Chargers are tops in the conference. Scoring 79 runs off of 178 total bases, New Haven scores on 45.95 percent of each base they take, closely followed by Assumption’s 45.90 percent. They also lead the NE-10 in runs per game at 5.1. Despite this, the Chargers have left 6.2 runners on base per game through 10 games, something to keep an eye on as the season progresses. The team currently has six seniors, which is the most on a Jen Starek-coached team in the last 10 seasons. The most prior to this season was four which they had in eight of the last 10

years. The senior leadership has translated to the growth of young players like Fitzmaurice, Iodice, Bike, and Case. The Chargers have just started in-conference play and are aware of the challenges upcoming with the competition in the NE-10. “We have been playing and competing with good softball teams,” said Derosia. “The challenge now becomes beating those good teams.” Fellow senior Whitlock agrees, there are some challenges ahead but the team has to stick together, “We have to learn from our first 10 games. Some games we have the offense, others the defense. We just have to put the pieces together” said Whitlock. New Haven will take the field again on Tuesday Mar. 26 when they take on crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State in a doubleheader. First pitch for both games is set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

BY NICOLE MANALL OPINION EDITOR

Follow the Charger Bulletin on Spotify!

ere are some great pump-up songs to get that adrenaline rush for any athlete or fan before or during the big game. We Will Rock You – Queen Almost 40 years later, Queen knows how to get anyone’s blood pumping with just a simple stomp of their feet and a clap of their hands. Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses The opening guitar riff is enough to get any athlete or fan excited for the big game ahead of them. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes This song is usually played at the beginning of sporting events to get the crowd standing and jumping out of their seats. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor Every athlete or fan has had their ‘Rocky’ moment, and this song makes you want to run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Lose Yourself – Eminem This is the perfect song to play when your favorite team only has one shot left to win the whole game. Thunderstruck – AC/DC The beginning of this song is enough to get everyone riled up for the game. Power – Kanye West Another song to get fans on their feet during an intense game, and can have them participating while cheering on their favorite team. All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled feat. Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross & T-Pain As said in the title, this is a perfect song to play right after a big victory. I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas In a bit of pre-game cockiness, this song lets the other team know that “tonight’s gonna be a good night.” Remember The Name – Fort Minor This is the perfect song to motivate athletes to have fans remember their name for all the right reasons.

Freshman Ava Fitzmaurice helps lead the Chargers to a 3-5 record in Myrtle Beach. Photo Courtesy of Charger Athletics

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond This track is often played during baseball games to keep the crowd on their toes and dancing.