SUFFOLK SCOOP suffolk university athletics official newsletter
Issue 3 • March 30, 2021
What’s Inside Winter Wrap Up
03. CCC’s Spring Decision
A look back at the 2020– 21 abbreviated Suffolk Athletics’ winter seasons in men’s and women’s basketball and hockey.
On March 3, CCC Board of Directors approved 2021 spring sports.
Commencement. Fenway. May 2021 Suffolk University’s 2020 and 2021 Commencement ceremonies will take place at historic Fenway Park.
08. SAAC & Black Student Union Team Up in Fundraiser SAAC has joined forces with the Suffolk Black Student Union Club (BS) in raising money to benefit The Center for Teen Empowerment.
06. Ram of the Week
Each week Suffolk Athletics conducts a Twitter Poll so Ram Nation can elect a Ram of the Week based on top performers.
2 • Suffolk Scoop
Winter Wrap–Up Suffolk’s men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s hockey teams got the chance to compete in a limited 2020–21 season.
Black Student Union & SAAC Partner for Teeen Empowerment Fundraiser The Suffolk Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has joined forces with the Suffolk Black Student Union Club (BS) in raising money to benefit The Center for Teen Empowerment. The Center for Teen Empowerment holds the mission to empower both youths and adults as agents of positive individual, institutional, and social change. The Center envisions a world in which youth, working with adults in mutually respectful and supportive relationships, can use their voices creatively to inspire, lead, and empower their communities to achieve justice and peace. For more information on The Center for Teen Empowerment please visit their website, TeamEmpowerment. org/Boston. To join SAAC and BSU reach and surpass their $500 fundraising goal, visit bit.ly/SAACBSU. SAAC is a partnership of studentathletes representing all 19 varsity teams at Suffolk focusing on a variety ares which impact student welfare, while the BSU strives to educate, expand and enhance cross-cultural communication between students of African descent and those of all other race, ethnicity and culture through broadening events and activities.
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MEN’S BASKETBALL [ 6–2 ] Suffolk got the chance to compete in eight games, four home–and–home series versus CCC opponents in non– conference bouts. The Rams put together a 6–2 record, its best performance through eight games in 42 years, since 1977–78. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL [ 7–1 ] Suffolk went nearly perfect in its eight outings, losing just one to finish 7–1. That mark is the best through eight game since 2003–04. MEN’S HOCKEY [ 1–1 ] Suffolk faced a lot of adversity and challenges in its shortened 2020–21 season. With the health and safety being the utmost importance for the Rams, the team was only able to compete twice. Suffolk defeated Nichols, 5–3, before falling to Curry, 5–2, to end the year 1–1. WOMEN’S HOCKEY [ 2–6 ] Suffolk skated in eight outings over four weeks. The Rams tallied a 2–6 record. One of the victories came in the season opener, a 5–3 decision over Nichols, which marked the first time the program began a campaign in the win column. The blue–and–gold also managed to shutout Anna Maria, 6–0, March 13. That outing was senior Halle Usseglio’s first career appearance in net.
Suffolk Scoop • 3 My journey in Madrid continues! It is now my third semester abroad and living in Spain still feels like a dream. Despite the pandemic taking place and getting sent home early due to the circumstances the past two semesters, it has been worth every minute to be able to still have the opportunity to study abroad. I’m practically a veteran in Madrid at this point and it has been a totally different experience not being one of the new students. Being the person that gets asked the questions more than the one asking them has allowed me to explore Madrid to a whole new level. The number of restaurants, bars, and tapas places that I have discovered are endless. One of my favorite things to do around the city is rent a moped and go for a drive on “El paseo de la Castellana,” which is the main street that crosses through the heart of Madrid from north to south. Passing by the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid Stadium) everyday is the most satisfying thing in the world, coming from a Real Madrid fan at least. It’s like if Fenway Park was in your backyard back home. Passing by the Prado Museum and seeing the Diego Velazquez statue gives me goosebumps every time. Especially since I’m discovering the immense amount of art works that are in the Prado thanks to my art history class that I’m currently taking this semester.
Rams ’Round the World Men’s Soccer’s Emilio Tenacio
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Despite the pandemic taking place and getting sent home early due to the circumstances the past two semesters, it has been worth every minute to be able to still have the opportunity to study abroad.
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I look forward on keeping you guys updated on my journey again!
#RamNation
4 • Suffolk Scoop
Suffolk Sights: Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink Since its inaugural season in 2018-19, Suffolk women’s hockey has had a place to call home in the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.
Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts public ice skating facility, overseen by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). In East Boston, Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink is located on Constitution Beach, just a short T ride away on the Blue Line. The arena includes six team locker rooms, one of which is designated to Ram Nation, a spacious lobby, skate rentals, and a snack bar.
The rink can seat over 500 fans and plays host to the Rams full home slate and training schedule. Built in the 1968, it was dedicated by the Metropolitan District Commission to First Lt. Louis E. Porrazzo of East Boston, a helicopter pilot, who was killed in action Sept. 27, 1967 in Vietnam, while a member of the armed forces of the United States. FMC took over management in 2005.
Suffolk’s Space At the rink, Suffolk women’s hockey has a dedicated, branded locker room. The room features wooded, branded stalls for every student–athlete to house their equipment from skates, practice gear, game–day necessities to lockable storage locker for personal items.
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Suffolk Scoop • 5
Home Ice Advantage Since Suffolk women’s hockey began its tenure at the University in 2018–19, the Rams have put together a 27–30–5 overall record. Over 50 percent the blue–and–gold’s 27 victories have come in the friendly confines of Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Rink. At home, Suffolk is 15–10–2 all–time. Some of the milestone moments in the Rams’ record book have come on home ice including the first–ever hat trick, recorded by Meagan MacNeil in a 7–3 triumph over Salem State Dec. 7, 2019.
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6 • Suffolk Scoop
CCC Board of Directors Approves Return to Play Protocols for Spring Suffolk women’s hockey head coach Taylor Wasylk inked a deal with the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL two days prior to the start of the sixth season, and played in four games in the bubble.
The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Board of Directors approved its plan to return to conference competition for the spring 2021 season. The plan affirms the Board’s previously stated intention to begin CCC play for spring sports beginning on March 27. Protocols have been adopted with the health and safety of our campus communities remaining the priority.
Conference members will be required to test all student– athletes and team personnel twice per week, with a negative PCR test result required at least 72 hours before competition. In addition to this rigorous COVID–19 testing protocol, which exceeds NCAA recommendations, the CCC will require universal masking for all competitors, team personnel, and officials. Additionally, no spectators will be admitted to
About the CCC The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), founded in 1984, is an NCAA Division III athletic conference comprised of 10 full member and two associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition, and a meaningful student life.
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the sites of competition. This decision affects baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf, and women’s track & field. Conference schedules and tournament formats are in the process of being finalized by the CCC athletic directors and the conference office. CCC institutions retain autonomy to conduct non– conference competition.
Suffolk Scoop • 7
Commencement. Feneway. May 2021.
School, the College of Arts & Sciences, and Suffolk Law. The Class of 2021 will commence in three ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, and the Class of 2020’s ceremonies will be held the following day, Sunday, May 23.
Dear Members of the Suffolk Community, I write today to update you on exciting plans for Commencement, where, if public health conditions allow, we will celebrate both the Class of 2021 as well as the graduated Class of 2020 over two days in May at one of Boston’s most iconic outdoor venues. With current public health guidance in mind and pending city approval, we have made plans for Boston’s historic Fenway Park to host Commencement ceremonies for the Sawyer Business
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We will celebrate both the Class of 2021 as well as the graduated Class of 2020 over two days in May at one of Boston’s most iconic outdoor venues.
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Fenway Park is one of Boston’s most iconic symbols, not only for those who live here, but also for people across the nation and around the globe. Suffolk is the quintessential downtown Boston university, and like Fenway, we are of Boston, but our reach extends far beyond it. I can think of no better venue to celebrate our place in the city, and our students’ accomplishments in the face of adversity, than in this wonderful Boston landmark. It also happens to be a large, outdoor space that, under current public health requirements, can safely accommodate students and some guests at a safe distance. We are pleased to let you know that, under current occupancy guidelines, each graduate will be allotted three tickets for their guests to attend their ceremony. This meets our highest priority of keeping people safe, even as we deliver on our commitments to our students. In the face of a pandemic that has taken a very heavy toll, Suffolk students have managed to persevere and pursue their educational and personal goals. Perhaps more than ever, our 2020 and 2021 graduates deserve the opportunity to walk across that stage and reflect back on what they have accomplished and where they are going from here. I very much look forward to celebrating both the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020. Sincerely, Marisa Kelly President
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Next Issue 01. Spring Sports Update Suffolk’s spring teams will be halfway through their 2021 seasons. Check back to see how the Rams are doing.
02. Suffolk Sights A look inside Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, home of Suffolk men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.
03. Rams Reflections Natalie Fay of Suffolk’s women’s cross country and track & field team reflects on her time as a Ram.
Ram of the Week
Rams Round–Up Stay Connected You have the a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student–athletes and teams by following the Rams on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
In lieu of the cancellation of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) 2020–21 winter season, Suffolk Athletics is proud to unveil our “Ram of the Week” Award, which will be presented every Monday to one student–athlete from the competing teams, voted by Ram Nation via Twitter poll. The highly anticipated poll has seen over 1,000 votes in its first five weeks of existence with four different student– athletes representing four teams receiving a nod in the first of five awards handed out. The department’s weekly award has continued into the spring sports calendar even with the CCC handing out weekly recognition.
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RAMS OF THE WEEK
Help give Suffolk Athletcs a competitve edge. Donate now by texting “SURAMS” to 71–777.
WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK WEEK
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Julia Volpe Natalie Fraioli Natalia Fraioli Shane Lake Ashley Zulla
Women’s Hockey Women’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Baseball Softball
Ram Nation be sure to vote for the next Ram of the Week by following Suffolk Athletics on Twitter @GoSuffolkRams.