I S S U E DAT E 1•30•18
SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
THE
BEACON
VOLUME 14 NO. 8
BY THE STUDENTS, FOR THE STUDENTS
SMCC Battles Winter Weather It’s 7 AM and the snow is piling up outside. It’s looking like this storm isn’t headed out to sea after all. You can’t afford to miss your 9:00 math class again, but you’re also worried about a treacherous commute through ice and slush. You check your phone and see a text alert from SMCC that says campus is closed for the day and just like that, you’re free to catch up on some homework (or—let’s be honest—binge watch Netflix). Crisis averted. For the facilities management team, however, the day is just getting started. In fact, it may have begun at 3:00 in the morning and won’t end until every major road and walkway on campus is safely cleared of snow and ice. Snow is, for better or worse, a fact of life in New England, and every public institution requires a plan to deal with it. We are all familiar with the plows operated by the city that attempt to keep the roads passable during and after winter storms. A small army of city employees and independent contractors lay down about a billion pounds of road salt in Maine every year as they push around the ubiquitous white
stuff. But SMCC doesn’t rely on the City It takes time to learn the ins and outs of to start,” Balberchak assured us. “You have of South Portland to clean up snow on snow removal. “A lot of our guys are very to be deliberate about where you’re pushcampus. A dedicated team of professionals well seasoned, but if we ever have a new guy (Continued on Page 3) is employed by the College to keep things on the plow blade, he’ll ride with one of us running smoothly in even the worst weather. Dave Balberchak, the Facilities Management Trades Supervisor at SMCC, talked to us about snow removal on campus. Together with a team of about twenty people, he’s responsible for coordinating the operation that few students get to see, since it almost always takes place when campus is closed. The pressure the team faces is intense, and constant vigilance is needed. “You have to move very slowly. You have to move deliberately. You have to be thinking constantly about every move you’re making, your actions, what’s around you, what’s behind you,” says Balberchak. With poor visibility and slippery conditions, one false move could be disastrous. Luckily, the plow operators are a highly skilled crew. Facilities Trades Supervisor Dave Balberchak with the CAT front loader used for campus snow removal.
Photo Courtesy of Troy Hudson
By Troy Hudson
SMCC Standout Jose Nouchanthavong Heads to Thailand By The Beacon Sports Staff
that was on opposing coaches’ scouting reports as a must-try-to-contain kind of guy.” Jose’s skill set on the court, his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, was an opportunity to witness basketball where spontaneity and fluidity meet. While the opponent has been
shot that found nothing but the bottom of the net. Reflecting on these abilities, Matt Richards stated, “He was a prolific scorer who could distribute the ball, making him so hard to defend. This is an attribute that he developed over time in the gym. He con-
As SMCC finds itself discussing and trying to define student success, it is wonderful to hear that SMCC alum and basketball standout Jose Nouchanthavong has signed a professional contract to play in Thailand’s Basketball Super League. Nouchanthavong, a 6’2’’ guard, will join Luang Prabang, one of the 11 teams that compete in the men’s division of the Thailand Basketball League founded in 2012. Nouchanthavong, who graduated from Westbrook High School, was described by SMCC Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Richards “as a solid point guard on a really good high school team.” “He was a bit overshadowed on that team and was very under-recruited,” Richards said. “I had seen him play and was very active in recruiting him to attend SMCC.” Jose is not the first Sea- Jose Nouchanthavong drives against Vermont Tech in his final year of play at SMCC. Wolf to sign a professional contract, as lost in memory, one distinct moment comes stantly would work on his skills to get better and always strived to be better every time three others — Paul Holland, Jacob Love- to the forefront for this sports reporter. With time running out in the first half he took to the court.” ridge and Ville Wuorenjuuri — have also and Jose searching for a path to the basket, Nouchanthavong also ranks eighth in redone so. Coach Richards also reflected upon Jose’s he took one, maybe two quick steps in to- bounding, grabbing 434 boards; has dished time at SMCC, stating, “During his time wards the basket as if he was going to drive out 470 assists (5.1 ast/g), which ranks with us he elevated his game to not simply to the basket. In a split-second decision him second; and has picked the opponent’s be a solid point guard, but to be a player he took another step back, freeing himself pocket 181 times, which ranks him third. from the defender, launching a three-point Jose also finished his career at SMCC scor-
ing 986 points, was a Yankee Small College All-Conference (YSCC) selection, and a First Team United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-American. Coach Richards also shared this insight concerning Jose’s trajectory: “The road wasn’t always easy for him. However, he believed in himself when others didn’t and strived to reach his goals of trying to play professionally.” After finishing at SMCC, Nouchanthavong transferred to the University of Southern Maine, earning recognition as a 2016 Little East All-Conference selection averaging 18.2 points and 4.5 assists in 26 games. Richards ended his comments saying, “He really embodies what the mission of SMCC stands for and what we hope to instill in our student athletes in terms of developing oneself through determination and perseverance in creating opportunities for yourself in achieving your goals.” Like Coach Richards, who “couldn’t be happier for his success,” the Beacon would like to extend the best of wishes to Jose as he starts his next endeavor on the basketball court.